Here's a really clean and super solid Vintage 1958 Gibson ES-225 TD model with beautiful sunburst finish. The guitar was produced at the original Gibson factory in Kalamazoo Michigan, U.S.A. This model featured several differences from the entry line ES-125 T; the construction of the body is a major one. More improvements the ES-225 TD has include the nice cutaway-allowing much more access to the fingerboard and a more comfortable playing experience. The Maple top meets the sides at a flush angle-providing much more resonance, brilliance and sustain. The ES-225 TD also has two pickups to enhance the party. This one has no breaks or repairs and is all-original with the exception of the tailpiece-which is a period correct unit. The original wood bridge that went with this tailpiece is also included, along with the current ABR bridge. The original tuners were removed for safe keeping and are in good condition. The replacement tuners fit perfectly and no modifications were made when installed. All of that is included. The guitar is a screaming player and it has been professionally set up and is ready to go-it needs nothing. Let us explore...
The body is in superb condition. It is super solid with no breaks or repairs. It feels very well-built and there are no creaks or rattles. The binding is clean and in excellent condition. The guitar originally had a trapeze tailpiece like a ‘52 Les Paul would have had, which render the guitar unplayable with any palm muting, so many players chose to replace that style with something that allowed access to the strings, like an ABR-1 style bridge. That has been done here, so there are the original mounting holes on the bottom side-which is currently covered by the later tailpiece, with the exception of the lowest screw hole-see photos. The finish is a really nice tobacco sunburst and the coloring is strong and well-defined. There is faint weather checking here and there-most of it can not be seen unless up close. The back is clean and has a nice vintage look. Both the model ink stamp and serial number ink stamp are clearly visual inside the body-see photos.
The neck joint is solid and an excellent fitment. The neck angle is perfect with zero deflection. The neck itself is straight and smooth. It is a Mahogany construction.
The neck has a nice big feel to it and is best described as a typical 1950's Gibson vintage medium C profile. The girth measures .888" deep at the 1st fret and approximately 1.00" at the 12th fret. The nut measures 1.69" wide for excellent string spacing. The neck has a smooth feel. The original tuners are currently off of the guitar for safe keeping...They are in good condition-with nice buttons. The replacements are reissue units and they are the same size and use the original mounting locations. The headstock and logo display very nicely with perfect patina. The rosewood fingerboard is clean with some minimal wear in a few spots-see photos. The frets are in excellent condition. They have been professionally leveled, crowned and polished. The action is currently low for a fast and easy playing experience. The string height is .010" at the 1st fret and .050" at the 12th fret. The neck angle is perfect on this guitar-so you can adjust the bridge for a higher action easily-if that is your preference. As it is-it plays remarkable well. There are no dead spots anywhere and acoustically the guitar has a nice bright tone with incredible resonance and sustain. Then you plug it in!
The original P-90 pickups have an excellent signal and incredible tone. They really scream. The neck pickup measures 8.32 ohms and the bridge position measures 8.70 ohms. No disappointments here, for sure. The controls all function smoothly and quietly. The Nickel ABR bridge affords a much improved playing experience over the original trapeze bridge.
The guitar is nice and lightweight, only weighing 6.25 lbs. It is very comfortable to hold and lots of fun to play. It just feels great on a strap or in your lap.
A nice 1960’s Gibson hard case is included.
