1969 Gibson B-25-12 Cherry Sunburst

According to The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, the Gibson B series of acoustic guitars was the direct successor to the LG series largely phased out in the mid-1960s. Generally speaking, the B-15 replaced the LG-0, the B-20 replaced the LG-1, the B-25 replaced the X-braced LG-2, and the larger B-45 replaced the X-braced LG-3. (The 12-string Gibson LG-12 was made in very limited quantities from 1967-1973 as a 12-string version of the B-15 or the B-20, analogous to the B-25-12 and the B-45-12.) Thus, this 1969 X-braced B-25-12 Deluxe is the equivalent of the acclaimed earlier LG-2, complete with the visual impact of the LG-2’s vintage sunburst finish, but with the added power of a true 12-string configuration.

A bit smaller than the J series, it’s about 40 ¾” long, 11” at the lower bout, 9 1/2 “ at the waist, 14 1/8” at the lower bout, and 4” deep, making it extremely easy to handle for a 12-string. I would guess it was designed more for the coffee house of the 1960s and 1970s folk music scene than the blue grass stage, but it has enough carrying power for anybody. As with many of Gibson’s models, there are variations in the specs over the 15 years of production, but the bottom line remained the same: it was and is a guitar designed to hold its own and more against the banjo and fiddle players of the world. This wonderful veteran of the bluegrass and folk wars is ready to sing once again.

The general description in The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars of the 1969 B-25-12 indicates a solid spruce top, tortoise or black pickguard, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, and a trapeze tailpiece (from 1965 to 1970) to relieve some of the structural stress exerted by the 12 strings. The blackface peghead with the Gibson logo, six-on-a-strip nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, ivoroid body binding (top and back), and multi-stripe rosette, are all set off nicely in this case by the vintage-style cherry sunburst finish. Considering the occasional unreliability of Gibson’s serial numbers as dating indicators, the 1969 date I’ve assigned to this cool guitar is based as much on the changing specs as on the very faint serial number.

Cosmetically, the sunburst top and the mahogany back, sides, and neck are in excellent condition for a 45-year-old guitar, but with considerable finish crazing “to let the sound out,” as my old luthier says. The frets and fretboard show some wear but are in very playable shape, and the bridge and adjustable saddle are clearly original. This is a slightly smaller-bodied guitar than the dreadnought B-45-12, making it easier to handle than a dreadnought or 17-inch jumbo, but with terrific resonance and a big sound which will cut right through the rather muddy sound of most modern dreadnoughts and jumbos. It is truly a very cool instrument, eat up with mojo.

This guitar is also in very good playing condition in most respects. The cool “Kluson Deluxe” nickel-silver tuning machines with white plastic buttons are part of the original package and show no signs of replacement, and of course what really matters is the wood, which has seasoned and opened up after almost four decades of making music. Surprisingly, I see no cracks whatsoever, repaired or otherwise, and no sign of modification. However, I must say that the action was uncomfortably high for an ol’ guy with arthritis, especially for a 12-string, at a bit over 5/32” at the 12th fret. Since I usually tune my 12-strings to D and just capo at the first fret to play, it has been fine for playing up to about the seventh fret, even for me. Since it probably would have needed the typical vintage neck re-set, i have gone ahead and had that done; now it's a fast and comfortable 3/32" and ready to go.

So: this is your chance to own a great-sounding vintage Gibson 12-string guitar with tons of jam cred which still looks great. It’s not a museum piece, even though it seems to be all original; it’s not prettied up with abalone and such; but it’s a great guitar, embodying everything that the name Gibson has stood for over the last century or so.

The black chip board case in which it came is apparently original but is in very flimsy condition. There is the typical blah interior, the hardware works okay, but the hinges are shaky and the handle has been patched together. Similarly, the exterior has tears, dings, and bruises. Therefore, it is shown in a new generic hard shell case, which accommodates the long 12-string headstock but unfortunately is a bit large in the lower bout. If you would prefer the beat-up chip board case for its possible “authenticity,” I will be happy to swap cases at your request.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it.

Thank you for your interest in this cool vintage Gibson guitar.