1970 Gibson B-25 Cherry Sunburst
According to The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, the Gibson B series of acoustic guitars was the successor to the LG series largely phased out in the early 1960s. Generally speaking, the B-15 replaced the LG-0, the B-20 replaced the LG-1, the B-25 replaced the LG-2, and the B-45 replaced the larger LG-3. (The 12-string Gibson LG-12 was made in very limited quantities from 1967-1973 since there was no 12-string version of the B-15 or the B-20, but it didn’t even appear in the Gibson total shipping records until 1970.) Thus, this B-25 Deluxe is the equivalent of the acclaimed X-braced LG-2, but it costs over $1000 less than a 1960s LG-2 in even close to this condition.
Somewhat smaller than the J series, the B-25 is 14 1/4” at the lower bout and 4” deep, making it extremely easy to handle. I would guess it was designed more for the coffee house of the 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-odd years of production, but the bottom line remained the same: it was and is a guitar designed both for intimate settings and to hold its own and more against the banjo and fiddle players of the world.
The general description in The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars of the 1970 B-25 indicates a solid X-braced spruce top, tortoise pickguard, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, reverse belly rosewood bridge with or without an adjustable saddle, and a 24 ¾” scale. The mahogany peg head with the Gibson logo, three-per-side nickel Gibson Deluxe tuners, ivoroid body binding (top and back), and multi-stripe inlaid rosette, are all set off nicely in this case by the brilliant cherry sunburst finish. However, variations in these specs were frequent, and given the occasional unreliability of Gibson’s serial numbers as dating indicators, the 1970 date indicated by the serial number of this great little guitar (962689) is admittedly a bit speculative (although the “Made in USA” on the headstock definitely means it’s from after January, 1970).
This particular B-25 has a couple of variations on these specifications: the inlaid mother-of-pearl logo on the headstock is a custom item, and the tortoise-patterned pick guard is clearly more dramatic than the still standard black. Structurally, there are no issues, and the action is fast and comfortable at 3/32” at the 12th fret low E. There are a few nicks, dings, and pick bruises, but NO cracks anywhere in the top. There is some nominal fret wear in the first three frets, and obviously there is some finish crazing all over “to let the sound out,” as my luthier says.
So: this is your chance to own a great-sounding vintage Gibson guitar with tons of character and jam cred, a dramatic finish, and potentially a museum piece if you’re into that kind of stuff. However, it’s primarily a great player’s guitar, perfect for pickin’ on the porch or hard-core jammin’, embodying everything that the name Gibson has stood for over the last century or so.
The new black hard shell case is obviously not original, as the Gibson black “alligator” case in which it came is a bit large and held together with duct tape (I will be happy to exchange this case for that one if you prefer ragged but with an authentic Gibson logo). Naturally, the hardware on this one works great with no corrosion, the exterior has no dings and bruises, and there is no doubt as to its structural integrity. The guitar fits perfectly, the case offers excellent protection, and it’s a perfect complement to this great little guitar.
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 purchase it.
Thank you for your interest in this fine Gibson guitar.
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.