1967 Gibson B-25

[Jimbeau]

I have owned my 1967 B-25 since 1973, when I bought it from a squadron mate at the Air Force Academy. He was, I believe, the original owner, as it was a high school graduation present that he simply never learned to play. I was thrilled to buy a Gibson, having missed one narrowly in my high school years.

 

But I grew away from this guitar once I started playing Martins with wider necks. I'm 6'1" with largish hands and the 1 5/8" Gibson neck never felt right again after moving first to 1 11/16, then 1 3/4" necks.

 

About 1985 I had the original adjustable saddle changed to a fixed, drop- in type saddle. This work was done by Fiddler's choice in Jaffrey, NH. Then in 2006 or so I thought about selling it and took it to a local guitar consignment shop. They suggested I have a hairline crack in the neck epoxied and I used Tucker Barrett to do this work. After listening to him admire the guitar I decided to keep it!

 

But now I know I simply won't play it again. I have a nice rosewood Martin (000C-16RB) that is my player. And I'm not a collector so it's for sale. I might find a mahogany 12 fret to replace it.

 

Photos on request. The guitar is solid and straight and has great tone. Mahogany and Spruce (I assume Sitka). The finish is worn, but there are no cracks that I am aware of, other than the neatly repaired hairline crack in the neck, which i hadn't even noticed when the luthier showed it to me. I string it with mediums, as someone once advised that and it seems to work well that way. This would be a fantastic guitar for a younger player or someone with smaller hands/fingers, perhaps a woman.

 

I'd prefer to do a meet and test it sale, rather than ship this old friend around the countryside. $1,000.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim Talbert