Up for sale, a 1958 Gibson ES-225T in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. One of the cooler and oft overlooked Gibson models of the '50s, the 225T is essentially a single sharp florentine cutaway precursor of the ES-330. With its fully hollow maple body and Honduran mahogany neck, this 225 is a very resonant and sweet sounding instrument, with a centrally located dog ear P-90 pickup. The pickup has the midrange growl and glassy, dynamic quality of this hotly wound Gibson design, and while the pickup can remain balanced and clear with strummed lightly, there's serious bite and girth to be had when you dig in, especially with a medium wattage tube amp. Weighing a mere 5lbs 14oz, the featherweight maple body has a prominent and authoritative acoustic voice as well, which undoubtedly adds to the lively nature of the electric tone as well. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this ES-225T has been strung with flatwound 12-52 strings and boasts low, comfortable action.

The neck has a full, round C shape profile that's shy of full "baseball bat" girth, but still plenty round and substantial. The shoulders on the profile are generous, and the neck does increase in depth as you move up the fretboard, achieving the kind of chunk you expect in a late '50s Gibson neck. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard is in excellent shape, with pearl dot inlays and original fretwire. These frets have been leveled and crowned in the guitar's lifetime, currently showing light, uniform wear on frets 1-3 and virtually no wear further up the board. The frets have well rounded crowns and plenty of life left. A modern nut has been installed, measuring 1 11/16" in width. On the headstock, the Gibson logo is inlaid in pearl, and the original Kluson Deluxe single line tuning machines are present. These tuners show moderate surface patina on the gear housings, and there is a perceptible bend in the arm of the low E tuning gear, but it still functions as it should.The tuners retain their original white buttons too.

The electronics include an original P-90 pickup along with stock pots and a new tone capacitor. The nickel trapeze tailpiece and wraparound bridge combo is present, with light wear through the nickel plating at the bridge. The stock bonnet knobs, pickguard bracket, and factory P-90 riser are all accounted for, while the pickguard is a modern replacement made to original specifications with the right edge bevel. Visible through the F holes, the original "ES-225T" stamp and "T" prefix factory order number are present and clear.

In terms of finish wear, there is little to report, and the original three-tone nitro lacquer sunburst finish is still very vibrant. There is particularly fine lacquer checking across the entire body, with some light finish scratches in the clear coat on the back of the guitar as well as some assorted nicks and scuffs from honest use over the decades. The guitar has zero cracks or repairs, and the guitar recently had a neck reset to guarantee that the neck meets the body at the ideal angle for decades of future viable use. Other wear includes a few dings around the headstock edges and some superficial scratches on the bass side of the neck profile from frets 2-5, likely from an older capo. This 225 is easily one of the nicer '50s Gibsons we've been able to offer for sale, and it's a clean example that will delight collectors and gigging musicians alike.

A modern hardshell case is included.

Check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar," and please let us know if we can answer any questions!

Shipping in the continental USA will be $65, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.

International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.

We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!