Vintage 1965 Gibson B-25-12N Natural 12-String Acoustic Guitar w/ Reunion Blues Bag
Introduced during the height of the early-1960s folk revival, the Gibson B-25-12 offered the expansive shimmer of a 12-string in a compact, comfortable body. Unlike the larger dreadnought-sized B-45-12, the B-25-12 uses Gibson’s smaller 14¾-inch body, giving it a distinctive balance of 12-string fullness, woody midrange and focused projection.
This natural-finish B-25-12N was built in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1965. It features a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, X-bracing, a wide 12-string neck and Gibson’s adjustable bridge. The trapeze tailpiece is another characteristic feature of B-25-12 production beginning around this period.
Condition
This guitar is in good vintage condition, with an attractive, naturally aged appearance. The original nitrocellulose finish exhibits widespread lacquer checking, scratches, small dings and scattered areas of finish wear consistent with approximately 60 years of use.
One repaired grain-line crack is visible in the spruce top adjacent to the tailpiece. The repair is closed and reasonably level externally. The mahogany back and sides show assorted scratches and handling wear, while the neck heel appears intact and the body binding remains substantially complete.
The tortoise-style pickguard shows scratches and age-related wear but remains relatively flat. The trapeze tailpiece exhibits oxidation, dulling and light pitting.
Later Schaller “Made in W. Germany” sealed tuners have been installed, previous tuner mounting is visible. There is a small hole in the tailpiece mount where a previous owner moved the endpin, which has been moved back. The black truss-rod cover is present.
The original case is not included. A well-padded Reunion Blues gig bag is provided. The bag remains a high-quality protective carrying option but shows exterior wear, including fraying and abrasion near the top end, and is missing the puller on one zipper. Please examine the photographs closely for the guitar’s cosmetic condition and the gig bag’s wear.
Specifications
- Model: Gibson B-25-12N
- Serial number: 356072
- Year: 1965
- Country of manufacture: USA
- Factory: Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Finish: Natural nitrocellulose lacquer
- Body style: Small-body/concert 12-string acoustic
- Top: Spruce
- Back and sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Fingerboard inlays: Pearl dots
- Bracing: X-braced
- Scale length: Approximately 24¾"
- Nut width: Approximately 2"
- Lower bout: Approximately 14½" measured
- Body length: Just under 19" measured
- Overall length: Approximately 42" measured
- Bridge: Rosewood adjustable bridge
- Tailpiece: Trapeze-style 12-string tailpiece
- Pickguard: Tortoise-style
- Tuners: Replacement Schaller sealed tuners marked “Made in W. Germany”
- Electronics: None
- Included: Reunion Blues padded gig bag showing wear
- Original case: Not included
