Gibson B-25 1965 Cherry Sunburst

I  DON’T  DO “BUMPS.” I CONSIDER REASONABLE OFFERS. LET’S TALK.

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-45 became a larger version of the LG-2, and the X-braced B-25 replaced the LG-2. (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 Cherry Sunburst is the equivalent of the acclaimed earlier LG-2, the top of the smaller-body LG sunburst series.

A bit smaller than the J series, it’s 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 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 1965 B-25 indicates a solid spruce top, large tortoise pickguard, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, notorious reverse belly plastic bridge with an adjustable saddle, and a 24 ¾” scale. The black-face 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 bright cherry sunburst finish. However, variations in these specs were frequent, and given the occasional unreliability of Gibson’s serial numbers as dating indicators, the 1965 date indicated by the serial number on this great little guitar (364187) is admittedly a bit speculative.

Regardless, this particular B-25 has no visible cracks in the top, back, or sides-- just some finish crazing “to let the sound out,” as my luthier says. There is an ancient and almost invisible repaired crack at the headstock, one fretboard dot is missing, and there are obviously some dings and bruises, but the action is a fast and comfortable 3/32” at the 12th fret low E, and the sound is that good ol’ vintage Gibson mahogany resonance. Perhaps it was to enhance this resonance that the previous owner removed the sound-deadening large pick guard (no, unfortunately I don’t have it).

So: this is your chance to own a great-sounding vintage Gibson guitar with tons of character and jam cred. 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 included hard shell case is presumably not original, but the hardware works great despite some slight corrosion, the exterior has only a few dings and bruises, and the guitar fits perfectly, only slightly smaller than the case interior at the lower bout. It obviously offers excellent protection, and it’s a perfect vintage 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; cashiers and personal 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.