1971 Gibson B-25 Deluxe 00-Size Guitar

Overview: The B-25 designation was the '60s name for the venerable LG-2/LG-3 models of the '40s and '50s and this '71-ish B-25 continued the heritage forward. It's in many ways it's outwardly very similar to the '60s models but sound-wise it's closer to the midsy, woody thing that the '50s models did.

Tone: It's got a woody, direct, plainspoken voice that's great for singing with.

Feel: It's the usual Gibson fare -- a quick, mild-medium C feel with a curvy fretboard.

Interesting features: Like other '70s Gibson acoustics, it has a 3-piece mahogany neck (vs 1-piece) which I find more stable and reliable. It has the bigger headstock shape, too, and a little volute at the back of the headstock. For whatever reason, Gibson decided to call these things "Deluxe" models and that meant it got '70s-style, keystone-button tuners, thicker top binding with more plies, a thin/low (factory original) Martin-style belly bridge shape, and a less-flamboyant, smaller black pickguard. Note also that the truss rod cover has a previous owner's name -- Ben Smith -- engraved on its top.

Repairs included: Jose and I tag-teamed the neck reset and then he leveled/dressed the frets, fit a new bone saddle, and set it up. It's playing spot-on, has plenty of saddle height for adjustment down the road, and is ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz
• Scale length: 24 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 9/16"
• Neck shape: slim C
• Board radius: 12"
• Body width: 14 1/4"
• Body depth: 4"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wide/low

Condition notes: There are two, smallish, repaired hairline cracks on the back down near the endpin area. The finish has weather-checked throughout. There are also a few little "crumple cracks" near the heel at the back of the guitar. They're repaired, too, previously. The finish has also "darkened" along the edges of the top which is due to outgassing of the celluloid binding -- very common on these and Gretsch guitars from the time. There are small nicks, dings, and scratches here and there throughout but overall it looks nice!

It comes with: It has a good, newer hard case.

Consignor tag: DDM