NCtom Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I looked at and played a "new" '64 B-25 yesterday a shop in Virginia. Except for a few dings and some shopwear, the guitar positively glowed with the appearance of a brand new guitar. The story was that a woman's parents had bought it for her and she never learned to play, so it sat for the past 45 years unused in any way. At first I thought that it must be a refinish, but there were no signs of previous wear. Even the tuners wre still bright and white. It had all the desirable characteristics, the neck wasn't too slim, the bridge was rosewood with a nonadjustable saddle, and tone, while not yet broken in, that was relatively loud and full. Even the insides were bright and clean. I didn't see the case, but the shop owner said it was clean as the guitar. I left it reluctantly, since I just turned 65 myself and have more guitars than my wife knows what to do with. I sure would have loved to brought it home with me, though, and broken it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I left it reluctantly, since I just turned 65 myself and have more guitars than my wife knows what to do with. I sure would have loved to brought it home with me, though, and broken it in. If the price was right and money is not a real issue, walking away may have been a mistake. Just because you've turned 65 doesn't mean you should stop buying guitars, if it's one that really speaks to you. What are you saving it for? Enjoy life while you can. (And I'm 70, so I get to say that.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash_Starkiller Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Man that sounds like a diamond. I also am curious about price, just to hear what a shop would ask for something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 If the price was right and money is not a real issue, walking away may have been a mistake. Just because you've turned 65 doesn't mean you should stop buying guitars, if it's one that really speaks to you. What are you saving it for? Enjoy life while you can. (And I'm 70, so I get to say that.) And, I'm close to that. So, I get to second it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 A '64 B-25 should be cherryburst with a plastic bridge with the ceramic adjustable saddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Always felt the giant thick p'guard stifled and dampened the tone too much, especially since was supposed to replace the LG2, a woody but lively gem. Just another Gibson flub, like ladder bracing. I got rid of both of my B25s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCtom Posted June 3, 2017 Author Share Posted June 3, 2017 Cameleye, what would be the year for wooden bridge/nonadjustable saddle? At 65 I'm not giving up, just willing to sit out this round with SWMBO. If I hadn't just bought a Republic resonator last week I might be willing to try it with her. Also, the shop was asking around $1800, but I didn't ask what would take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 $1800 is outrageous. You can do a lot of vintage acoustic shopping with that kind of moolah. For example...here's a Hoboken built sleeper. https://reverb.com/i...ur-1966-natural Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Man, you guys are old..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Man, you guys are old..... If you're really lucky, you may get to be as old as we are someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Who you callin' old? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 On B-25s, the first plastic bridges show up in 1963. The guitar you looked at is most likely a '62 (first year of the B-25), or an early '63. Although it may be early enough to have the thinner pickguard, the thick pickguard is still no big deal to me. These instruments can be every bit as good as the LG-2 that preceded it (in this case, by just a year). If it sounds good, it is good - and some of them can tonally be stellar. As for the asking price, you are talking about the most desirable of all B-25s, in pristine condition. Think of what an LG-2 in pristine condition would run. Imho, $1800 is at the higher end of the scale, but not unwarranted if this B-25 has got the tone, and is truly as clean as you say (with no structural issues). If it meets all the critical criteria, it really is a rather rare bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Another lucky 'old guy' on board☺ The B-25 is a pretty decent little guitar, at least the only ones I didn't like showed up with the downward bridge in the late 60's. Count me in the camp that dislikes the super-thick batwing guards. Many of us just removed 'em back in the day; they were applied over the finish, so no big deal; some folks replaced theirs with more sound/volume-friendly plastic and some didn't. As far as the plastic bridge goes, you're more likely to find them that way than with the wooden variety, but remember we're in Gibsonland and both were used. 1965 was the 'official' year for plastic. As far as I'm aware, natural tops were available as early as 1962 when the model was allegedly introduced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 If you're really lucky, you may get to be as old as we are someday. I'm old too, (well not as old as YOU...) and was just kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 I'm old too, (well not as old as YOU...) and was just kidding. Yo momma shoulda learnt ya never say 'old' to a old person. We ain't responsible for our actions no more, young'n 😠 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCtom Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 Gibson being Gibson, I suppose it could be a '62, then. I was just relaying what was told to me. I'm not sure I care for all this talk about being old, though. I have looked at a lot of guitars and I was struck by this one. Sure, $1800 is no bargain, but feel like it was a reasonable place to start with a 9+ example of a rather rare bird. I've never been a particular fan of the B-series, but I can't say I care much for the LG's either. I guess I'll keep my opinions and finds to myself from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Ya' have to bring your sense of humor to the forum along with everything else, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 A quick search shows prices range for B25s anywhere from $1k to $2k. So, $1800 for a B25 in excellent shape is not a bad price. The fact it has the original chipboard case in pristine shape is a strong clue the guitar is a much desired 'closet queen' and not some form of trickery. And, thick pick guards and plastic bridges are not deal breakers for most people interested in vintage. Far from being expert - it's my recollection most Gibson's contemporary with this B25 had thick pick guards. (You don't have to take them off. Eventually, the glue dries up and they fall off on their own. ) This sounds like a great find. Realize there will always be some on any internet forum who will squeeze a few sour grapes into your vintage wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Humor, indeed! Overly grim tends to deplete what should be pleasant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 A quick search shows prices range for B25s anywhere from $1k to $2k. So, $1800 for a B25 in excellent shape is not a bad price. The fact it has the original chipboard case in pristine shape is a strong clue the guitar is a much desired 'closet queen' and not some form of trickery. And, thick pick guards and plastic bridges are not deal breakers for most people interested in vintage. Far from being expert - it's my recollection most Gibson's contemporary with this B25 had thick pick guards. (You don't have to take them off. Eventually, the glue dries up and they fall off on their own. ) This sounds like a great find. Realize there will always be some on any internet forum who will squeeze a few sour grapes into your vintage wine. Can't recall the last time I let someone's opinion influence an instrument purchase in a negative way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Apologies for throwing a turd in the punchbowl, but it's just an opinion based on user experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 1496584758[/url]' post='1859863']Can't recall the last time I let someone's opinion influence an instrument purchase in a negative way. My dentist told me not to by a Jaw Harp or I'd chip all my front teeth. I followed his advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 My dentist told me not to by a Jaw Harp or I'd chip all my front teeth. I followed his advice. The exception that proves the rule😷! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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