Case for B-45 12 String ?

[merseybeat1963]

Hi..

Which case fits the early 60's B-45 12 String Guitar?

It's the B-45 with the metal tailpiece that reaches to the end of the guitar.

There are a couple of nice Gibson Acoustic Guitar cases available but I think this

B-45 !2 string Ive bought in a chip board case will not fit maybe.

And I really can't see buying new these days.

The guitar is surprisingly good..low action and very nice sound bought

from the owner who's had it since the 60's.

Thanks

[OldCowboy]

Just about any D-size 12-string case should work fine. Good luck finding a period Gibson hardshell, though😳

[ksdaddy]

The devil is in the details. I have a '69 B45-12 and as Old Cowboy said, any D size 12 string case will fit. Having said that, even generic D sized cases vary slightly and it will make the difference between the headstock fitting in the case or not. I believe the case mine is in is 'generic' but just happens to have a little more headstock room that other seemingly similar ones.

[ksdaddy]

Here it is with it's designated case, a Canadian case from the 80s:

 

 

And here it is in ANOTHER generic 80's Canadian case:

 

 

And here it is in a newer Gibson branded (Canadian) case:

 

 

Bottom line, no worries about the body, just the headstock.

[j45nick]

Any D-size case should fit the body. The issue is the longer headstock, so you need to carefully measure the overall length of the guitar--including the extremes of the headstock and tailpiece-- and the inside length of the case.

 

I had the exact same issue finding a hard case for my 1968 ES-335 12 string, which has the same headstock and a similar tailpiece to the B-45 12. The headstock was just enough too long not to fit comfortably in a stock Gibson ES-335 case.

 

As others have said, finding an appropriate vintage case may be a challenge. I ended up with a new Epiphone case, since the Epiphone analog to the ES-335 has a longer headstock than the Gibson version.

[zombywoof]

As others have said, finding an appropriate vintage case may be a challenge. I ended up with a new Epiphone case, since the Epiphone analog to the ES-335 has a longer headstock than the Gibson version.

 

The original 1960s Victoria Luggage cases with the plush yellow lining have started to get pretty pricey. I tend to prefer them though to the earlier Lifton cases though. I still have an early 1960s B45-12 case (you can see the tuner imprint). I keep my '42 J-50 in it when at home because the Ameritage case I bought for the Banner is too darn heavy. Only use it when we leave the house.