1970 Gibson B-15 Flattop Guitar

The Gibson B-15 seems to be a sort-of replacement for both the all-mahogany LG-0 and the spruce-topped LG-1. It's unbound and bare-bones with a satin finish like an LG-0 but has a ladder-braced spruce top like an LG-1. They were made from '67 to '71 and this has an indeterminate serial number but guessing from the ply-mahogany back, narrow neck profile, and 3-piece neck, I'm guesstimating this at the end of '69 or early '70 production. It does not have a "volute" at the back of the headstock, though, which can be found on '70 and '71 models that look much the same.

For practicality's sake, I have to admit that this guitar basically sounds more or less the same as an LG-1 built from the mid-'50s onwards. It's clunkier in build quality and has the much-narrower, faster neck profile more geared towards rock-n-roll sliding closed chords, but its sound is sort-of old-timey, woody, and chunky.

Work on this was typical for its age but now that it's done it's playing spot-on and it handles beautifully. It's a very "sturdy"-feeling instrument and, I think, would make a cool gigging guitar.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, bridge reglue, saddle compensation, setup, etc.

Top wood: solid spruce (with some cool figure)

Back & sides wood: ply mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: rosewood w/bone adjustable saddle

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany 3-ply

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 52w, 38w, 28w, 22w, 16, 12 custom set

Neck shape: slim-med C

Board radius: 10"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-wide

Scale length: 24 5/8"

Nut width: 1 9/16"

Body width: 14 1/4"

Body depth: 4 1/2"

Weight: 4 lbs

Condition notes: it's all-original save possible minor shaving to the bridge top deck (before me) and an unoriginal bone saddle (now adjusted for compensation). There are numerous small nicks, dings, and scratches throughout and some mild discoloration/darker streaks to the finish on the back and sides near the endpin area and the finish shows mild usewear throughout as well but structurally it's in good shape and all in good order.