zombywoof Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I keeping drawing a line in the sand saying no more guitars - at least not until I let some of those I have hanging around go. Like Mr. Fool I had girded up my loins and made a solemn oath that before I cuddled up to another new one, two would have to go. In other words, I assured my wife. While I did let go of one guitar in the deal I still fell short of my goal. But temptation took control of me and I fell. Here is my newest, bestest friend - a 1963 Gibson B45-12. Based on the trapeze tailpiece/fixed bridge it was made pretty early in the year as Gibson switched to a belly bridge on these that year. This guitar had been hanging in a local music store for about six months now. The store got it along with a few other 1950s and 1960s instrments from the original owner. I had played it and even taken it home to goof around with for a bit. Just was not sure I wanted to lay out my hard earned scratch on another 12 string. But it was headed off to the Dallas Guitar Show this week so it was do or die. I probably overspent a bit on it - taking into account what I had paid for the Guild 12 string which went in the deal (two 12 strings I just do not need) I ended up laying out $1350 on the guitar. While there is a slight sinking on the treble side near the soundhole overall the guitar is in really good shape which is something of a miracle given the tendency of these guitars to totally implode. The low end and mids are pure Gibson. The upper end though has a sound of its own. Not near as jangly as something like my Guild 12 string but very chorus like. And to make things better, my wife picked it up, launched into the Stones "Sweet Virginia" and announced she loved the thing. So no sleeping on the couch for Woof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Nice find! You're lucky to find one of these early ones in one piece, from what I understand. I've been tempted a few times, but have just been unable to pull the trigger, especially since I already have an electric 12-string (ES 335-12) that I rarely play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kleinroq Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Yum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 First thought was: "aw, Zhomb, not a twelve string!" I'da been sure you'd have gotten that out of your system. Quickly that thought was erased by "oh, how cool is that; *Mrs* ZW picks up the 12'er & goes into a great 12 string number like Sw. Virginia. Looks like a good time will be had by all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Zomby, you KNOW you did the right thing!!! I'd say the price was right....AND, you don't have to do any repair work this time!!!! Good snag!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 ....AND, you don't have to do any repair work this time!!!! Good snag!! That was the first thing that popped into my head. I had almost forgotten the pure pleasure of playing a guitar right out of the box and not having to run to the basement to hunt up clamps, cauls, hide glue, and tuners. All I did was replace the original wood saddle with a tusq one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 . Big 12 fan here. Man that looks in beautiful condition. Very cool find. Congrats! I know the feeling - Great squeezing in one more and not sleeping on the couch.. B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Congratulations! It looks good from here, Sweet Virginia. I have never tried a B45, but I love my B25-12N. I may go and play it for a while right now. BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RusRob Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Nice find... I am not a big fan of 12 strings with the exception of Rickenbacker's, I actually have a pretty nice early 70's Giannini that never gets played much. But that is a very nice example of what a 60's B45 12 should look like... Most I have seen have been trying to fold in on themselves. She's a beauty... I mean your wife.... not the guitar... My wife is pretty good but has never suggested I buy one. She is just very tolerant of me saying "guess what I did". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 My wife is pretty good but has never suggested I buy one. She is just very tolerant of me saying "guess what I did". Maybe that's all you can ask..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trvlr Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 new guitar and no sleeping on the couch for the woof - couldn't picked a better ending if you tried.....nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Nice She's a beauty... I mean your wife.... not the guitar... My wife is pretty good but has never suggested I buy one. She is just very tolerant of me saying "guess what I did". She is. I am lucky though. Like your better half she is tolerant except when it comes to Gibsons - that women just loves them. When I first met her she was playing a J-100. She then got hold of my 1960 J-200 and quickly claimed it as her own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Nice find! You're lucky to find one of these early ones in one piece, from what I understand. I've been tempted a few times, but have just been unable to pull the trigger, especially since I already have an electric 12-string (ES 335-12) that I rarely play. I don't want to tempt you but last time I looked, Neil Harpe had a round shoulder 1961 B45-12 up for sale on his Stella site. Talk about rare as hen's teeth. Not very many made and most of those did not survive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Hey Zomby....do you tune yours down a couple of steps??? Seems to make them last longer between neck resets~!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Hey Zomby....do you tune yours down a couple of steps??? Seems to make them last longer between neck resets~!!!! Yup, generally tune down to C#. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 "I Swear This is the Last One!"....by the way, I wish I had a nickel for every time I've said this.......THEN I could get another guitar!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 "I Swear This is the Last One!"....by the way, I wish I had a nickel for every time I've said this.......THEN I could get another guitar!!!! Well, this could be the last time, This could be the last time, Maybe the last time, I don't know oh no oh no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Well, this could be the last time, This could be the last time, Maybe the last time, I don't know oh no oh no. ZW, that's the biggest rise this forum has ever gotten out of you. This is clearly a serious infatuation.... Just remember: "I can't get no....... satisfaction......." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 But you just might find you get what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 And Don't forget to scrape that s*** right off your shoes! BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 May be my last one after tomorrow, maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
struma6 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Is that a hammer dulcimer atop the spinet? Love them. Nice score! Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Whau – looks terrific. Wonder if we could be allowed a sample. Never ever heard a G -12-string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 Is that a hammer dulcimer atop the spinet? Love them. Nice score! Congrats. No - that is a lap harp that was made alot of years ago by a local builder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 Whau – looks terrific. Wonder if we could be allowed a sample. Never ever heard a G -12-string. I would love to but I do not own any kind of recorder other than a reel to reel and do not have a clue how to do any of that kinda stuff on a computer. My analog mind just wobbles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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