Gibson B25-12N

I can't tell what year it was made, and the person who i bought it from has no idea, but its definately from the 60's era. It has a bridge unlike any others i've seen on this model researching it. It has the strings fed straight through the bridge, much like on an average bass. (if anyone could give me a general year for this, it would be highly appreaciated) Anyway, its gorgeous. Not many features to expect from an old acoustic.

This guitar is far superior than any 12 string i have ever played. With a soft pick, this baby sounds fantastic!

since this guitar sat in my friend's dad's closet for decades, i can't expect much from the action, but surprisingly it is ok. It's a lot lower than my friend's old 12 string. the finish is cracking, but that makes it look really cool.

For being so old, the tuners still work great. I have used it in a few gigs without problem or worry. I'd say that i would trust this guitar for a large gig easily.

I haven't had any customer support for it.

I'm in love with this guitar. This is my only real good acoustic and quite frankly, the only one i need. If someone stole this, I would buy it (if i could find a seller). This guitar is absolutely beautiful and plays like a charm. I love this guitar.

My first B-25-12 was an early model without the tailpiece. The top (solid spruce) was being pulled up by the massive strength of the 12 strings tuned in E. The neck also needed to be straightened. Gibson took care of it all, no gharge to me.
My second B-25-12 came with a tailpiece, I keep it tuned in D, and it never a problem of any kind.
Back and sides are laminated mahogany. Original tuners were nothing special. Both come with a real nice hardshell case. A real basic but otherwise super 12-string.

There is no finer sounding 12-string guitar, period. I have used my both of my B-25-12s, since 1967, for recordings engineered by some of the world's most demanding recording engineers. A very clear, recordable, no-mush sound. Excellent for delicate passages, unlike many other 12s.
My first B-25-12 was stolen by a chap who had the nerve to tell me how much he liked it's sound just before he walked out of the theater with it!
I guess you could say it is a sound worth stealing!

As far as the action goes, well, it is a 12-string. That said, I have been able to perform certain classical passages on it, though I usually play these with an open tuning.
Both B-25-12s were of very high quality. Nothing out of alignment, no rough edges, etc. I did end up putting Gotoh tuners on my newer one.

I've hitchiked across the country with my first B-25-12 and when I got to California I used it to procure a major recording contract. How much more durable can there be? I'd imagine that use one as a weapon in a bar fight and still be able to finish your set.

It is a Gibson and they've always treated me right.

If I ever lost the one that I still have then I would definitely have to go out and find another. For me, as a pro-picker, it's something that I cannot live without.

Pretty basic, but what do you expect on a vintage acoustic? Small body shape makes it sound very bright and clear. It looks like at one stage someone had a pickup installed but later took it out.

The first time I played this guitar I knew it was something special. Many of the other 12s I've played can sound muddy and uncomfortable, but this one is bright and rich at the same time. It's not the best for fingerstyle, but I don't like playing that way so it doesn't bother me. I think it sounds best on big open chords and harmony parts.

Soon after I got it I had to replace a couple of the metal holders for the tuning pegs, but that wasn't a problem. The glue that held the nut at the top of the neck also came unstuck, but a bit of superglue fixed it easy. The finish is also cracked a bit. Overall, not too bad for a guitar this age and the problems I have had have been easily fixed.

Being a vintage, I probably wouldn't use this for a rocking session down the local bar. More suited to the folksy gig in a coffeehouse or Irish Pub. This guitar has held up very well overall and it is pretty solid. The only major problem is with the bottom strap button which comes loose about every 18 months. However, I believe that this is because it is not original and was installed so a pickup could be used. I read somewhere that the necks on these guitars are prone to warping, but mine is still quite straight after 35 years.

Never had any major problems.

I have had this guitar since I was 18 and it still gives me shivers when I play it. I have used it live and in the studio and have loved the results. I personally think that this guitar is a great songwriting tool because the tone and feel are so inspiring. When I got this guitar I was heavily into The Byrds and wanted something that gave a bright sound. I played about 10 different new and used guitars before finding this one. Personally I can't understand why these guitars aren't more highly valued. If anything were to happen to this guitar I would be heartbroken and I usually am very careful about who I let play it.

Small body makes it nice to play while seated. Has been rebuilt due to structural failue two years ago. Has a custom pick up under the bridge (installed when rebuilt)pickup jack is in the strap knob. Bought it in 63 (or so) for $275(CN) Original tuners. Sounds, plays great. It's like driving a hot rod, anywhere I take it people notice or comment on it once drew a small crowd at a guitar shop.

Has a unique ring for a 12. Notes are crisp and sharp. I don't mind the small body the bass sound is adequate. Makes any other twelve sound mushy.

Not a high quality instrument but adequate for a non pro. Finish cracked in the cold forty years ago. Other than that I have kept it in good shape frets have been dressed once 0 -5. The neck is a handful for a non12 player. The block under the trapeze gave way 2 years ago. A small section under it was cut out to gain access to the block. All the bracing was found to be loose and reglued along with the block a brown patch was put in to match the pick guard. The repair was done by a Taylor technician who did an excellent job.

For anything to play really well after forty years has to be good. Is too frail for roughplay, but stays in tune. I would play with Clapton if he asked but it stays out of bars

Gibson does not have great support in Canada for it's guitars. An e-mail to Gibson was friendly but not much help with shipping. Getting it fixed by Gibson in Canada was not really an option so I chose someone who knew what he was doing.

Have been playing off and on for 40 years. The guitar is a part of me. I also play a Simon and Patrick pro rosewood 6 dreadnaught. I have been very fussy about who I let play it (a good rule)this has helped to keep it looking great. It's hard to place a rating on this guitar. An objective view like this doesn't do it justice if you compare it to other guitars. But it's sentimental value is priceless and the sound it makes is like no other instrument.

Mid-'60's, as far I know. US-made. Solid top, sunburst, with trapeze tailpiece. Much-derided adjustable bridge/saddle, although mine has a slotted ebony saddle instead of the ceramic ones used in many Gibsons from this era (which I've heard called "the bad years" in some circles). Original tuners (Kluson style). Very wide fingerboard and pretty wide frets. I use a Mag-Mic soundhole pickup, as under-saddle pickups are not practical for adjustable saddles.

I LOVE the sound of this guitar. I'd call it bright. I typically play rhythm guitar, with chord-ish solos now and again. I'm a cross-picking fool, a habit I probably picked up in trying to maximize the 12-string jangle. The small size of the B-25 probably limits its bass response. I have heard and played many other 12-strings (most of them dreadnought-size), including big Gibsons and Martins, and have experienced louder and perhaps bassier sound than my guitar produces. However, I have NEVER heard a sound I prefer to my own guitar's sound.

This is the easiest-playing 12-string I have ever come across in my life, period. In spite of the valleys and divots I have worn into the frets and fingerboard, it continues to amaze. Part of the easy playing probably comes from the talented luthiers that have worked on the guitar over the years (bless every one of you), but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, after all.

The finish is checked, but I kind of like that. A common occurrence with older Gibsons, especially ones that have been left in the trunk overnight in a blizzard and hurriedly brought in the following morning to a toasty apartment by knuckleheads like me. This baby has taken bunches of abuse and come back for more.

I have owned this guitar since 1968 - it was my first decent instrument. The guitar has accompanied me to many overseas desert locations (Morocco, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt,...); although I knew nothing about humidifying, the guitar has weathered all the climactic traumas. I once fell down on it in a marble stairwell while it was strapped on (Don't even ask...); it suffered cracks in the soundboard and lower bout (these have long since been professionally repaired, but are still very visible), but retained its beautiful sound. The finish is quite crazed/checked; I think this is partly a Gibson thing, and partly because of the abuse I have no doubt inflicted upon it in Chicago winters and Saharan summers. I gig with it all the time. I recently stopped wearing it in front of my belt-buckle, now that the back is permanently scarred.

I have been playing for about 35 years. This was my first good instrument, and I'll never get rid of it. I now also have a '60's Gibson J-50 6-string, '70's Strat, '90's Tele, new Ric 330-12, Fender Blues Junior, Roland Cube-100, '50's Kay mandolin, and a fretless bass.

If it were lost or stolen, I would have to get another 12-string; might try a dreadnought size, for the loudness, but I would certainly check out other B-25-12's. This model has been out of production for many years, so it would have to be used, of course. I have been surprised to see similar 12ers for as low as $400-$500. I'm almost tempted to get one just for the experience. But I'll never sell mine.

1968 spruce top, mahogany back and sides, smaller scale guitar.

This guitar has nice balanced tone to it. Obviously the 35 yr old wood makes a noticable difference. I owned a 1965 b-25 natural but the neck was way to skinny so I sold it. I recently took of the extra strings and converted this to a 6 string. The neck is wide and the sound is pure "Angie" era Stones.

Has a top crack that's stable, this is a well worn guitar and it feels wonderful.

It's a quality vintage gibson, not much else to say.

Been playing for almost 2 decades and I most certainly would find another one if something happened to it, however if somebody offered me $2200 for it, I'd give it up like a prom queen drunk on cacutus coolers.

1968, US-made, 20 fret, solid spruce top, mahogany sides and neck, no electrics, dreadnought, trapeze tailpiece, original tuners, rosewood fingerboard, blah, blah, blah...has the original case

Hmm...music style...well, I suppose you could call it alternative acoustic rock... the sound on this guitar is absolutely incredible. The 'ring' seems to last forever...the last 12-string I'll ever record with.

being a 35-year old guitar, I refuse to get bent out of shape over action and fit, however, I have struggled for quite some time to get all those things right. Seems I may have to send it off to Gibson for a neck reset. We'll see. As for finish, who cares? But, since you *did* ask, it's turned yellow/orange with age and has some fantastic checking all over the soundboard.

The tuners are original, and I'm completely surprized that they are still in great shape. This 12-string holds a tune like none other. Hmm...gig guitar....I love this guitar way too much to subject it to a gig. This guitar stays in the studio.

Don't know.

After 16 years of playing, and having 'been there, done that' with so many other guitars, if I lost this guitar, I'd just have to eat a bullet. A year ago, at the Guitar Center in Sherman Oaks, the lead guitarist from Foreigner offered me $2200 cash for it, and I turned him down flat. No chance.