APP Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Have several guitars but only one Gibson right now. Almost sold it but I have spent more than I would ever get back and it sounds great. Not sure what model it is though. Maybe someone here can help. Rebuilt by Whitehead luthier. New bracing and top. Sound is fantastic. I am reducing my collection and this is the 12 I will be keeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 It’s a B45-12. I note it has a new top. If he used the original bridge, it is likely 1970 or newer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APP Posted May 21 Author Share Posted May 21 3 hours ago, ksdaddy said: It’s a B45-12. I note it has a new top. If he used the original bridge, it is likely 1970 or newer. New bridge. Thanks. Assumed b45 but wasn’t sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 (edited) I have owned a 1963 square shoulder B45-12 and currently play a slope shoulder version built in 1961. I string mine Big Joe Williams style only doubling up on the D, G and high E strings. Hard to imagine now but when Gibson introduced the B45-12 in 1961, the only U.S. company offering a stock 12 string was Harmony. What made these early Gibsons stand out in a crowd is that initially not having a clue how to build a 12 string, they simply slapped a neck with a 2" wide nut and a humongous headstock on a standard six string braced J45 and then Hummingbird. While it was great for sound it was not the best recipe for survival with more than a few suffering deformed tops or literally twisting themselves apart. Gibson finally figured it out in 1965 and started adding sister braces to the lower leg of the X. If you are talking about Joel Whitehead though, he has a sterling reputation for building guitars which out Martin a Martin. If he is the luthier who did the conversion, I also assume your guitar could sound more like a Martin D12-18 then the Gibson 12 string which will always be known as the "Walk Right In" guitar. If it was not him, then in the words of Emily Litella, "never mind." Edited May 22 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APP Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 Its either a 1967 or 1969 at least that is what Gibson says. I thought I had seen somewhere that it was a 1968. But Gibson says it cant be according to there records. Joel was the luthier. The top and shouder was crushed when I bought it at auction. My motto has been always sell a guitar in better shape than you bought it. So when I saw this one I knew it could be a fun guitar. Just felt like I would rather spend the money and have it fixed than have it piched. I will never get back the money but the first guitar I bought as a teen was a 12 string so I do like them. From Joels notes: Restoration included a new top with 5/16” tapered bracing and maple bridge plate along with replacement bridge. Nitrocellulose,sunburst finish. Entire body was shot with nitrocellulose lacquer and aged. Original pick guard. Neck was reset. Geometry is spot on. I have a Martin D28 among small collection. Enjoy that guitar too. but it hasnt been plekked or improved by a luthier so it has potential. I will see if I can find my broken picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 14 hours ago, APP said: Its either a 1967 or 1969 at least that is what Gibson says. I thought I had seen somewhere that it was a 1968. But Gibson says it cant be according to there records. Joel was the luthier. The top and shouder was crushed when I bought it at auction. My motto has been always sell a guitar in better shape than you bought it. So when I saw this one I knew it could be a fun guitar. Just felt like I would rather spend the money and have it fixed than have it piched. I will never get back the money but the first guitar I bought as a teen was a 12 string so I do like them. From Joels notes: Restoration included a new top with 5/16” tapered bracing and maple bridge plate along with replacement bridge. Nitrocellulose,sunburst finish. Entire body was shot with nitrocellulose lacquer and aged. Original pick guard. Neck was reset. Geometry is spot on. I have a Martin D28 among small collection. Enjoy that guitar too. but it hasnt been plekked or improved by a luthier so it has potential. I will see if I can find my broken picture The 5/16" bracing is Martin all the way. Your Gibson would have originally sported 1/4" single X non-scalloped bracing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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