Gibson ES-225TDN (1957)
Vintage
One of the more underrated thinline hollowbodies to come out of Kalamazoo, this 1957 ES-225TDN is proof that these deserve more attention.
Why We Love This
Gibson's ES-225 model is perhaps the earliest of the "thinline" hollowbody models to hit the market in the 1950s. Pre-dating the ES-330 model by four years, it gave players a slimmer, more comfortable electric option that still provided the airy, resonant tone the larger ES-175 models and the like were known for.Just 1 of 125 shipped in 1957, this Natural-finished ES-225 is a lovely example that has been very well-maintained throughout its 65+ years. It features a classic mid/late 50s Full C neck carve that is very comfortable and round, with a superb refret done by Jason Burns out of Birmingham, AL. The original P90s have some nice sparkle and clarity combined with healthy output, making it suitable for jazz and blues as well as rock or country. The addition of the vintage Bigsby bridge and newer B6 tailpiece also makes this ES-225 an easy grab for a rockabilly or roots-rock player yearning for the tone of an old P90-loaded Gibson that the likes of a Gretsch or a Guild wouldn't match.
Acoustically, it's impressively loud and clear sounding. The Bigsby is expertly installed and works perfectly, all without impeding the guitar's natural ability to vibrate.
To top it off, this rare double-pickup ES-225 comes with a very clean original Lifton hardshell case! As often the case (pun intended), these guitars lose their original Liftons to ES-335s due to both their inherent and associative value. It's nice to see it paired with such a special guitar!
| Style | Hollowbody |
| Body | Laminated Maple |
| Finish | Nitrocellulose |
| Color | Natural |
| Pickups | Original P90s (7.5k Neck / 9.6k Bridge) |
| Electronics | Original |
| Controls | Volume (x2) / Tone (x2) / 3-Way Toggle |
| Bridge | Vintage Bigsby w/ newer B6 tailpiece |
| Tuners | Kluson Single Line |
| Pickguard | Original |
| Knobs | Original Amber bonnet |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Binding | White |
| Carve | Fat 50s C: .92-1.00" |
| Fingerboard | Brazilian Rosewood |
| Radius | 12" |
| Inlays | Dots |
| Frets | Vintage (Refret) |
| Nut | Replacement |
| Scale Length | 24 3/4" |
| Condition | Very Good+ | Light to moderate play and handling wear throughout / replaced bridge tailpiece / strap button installed on upper bout and adjacent to Bigsby tailpiece / old strap button hole on neck heel |
| Serial # | |
| FON | U389 6 |
| Weight | 6lbs 11oz |
| Case | Original Lifton Case (excellent) |
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
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Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
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Shipping
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