Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,600

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Introducing the Gibson B-25, the perfect blend of classic design and tonal richness. Crafted with mahogany back and sides and crowned with a spruce top, this guitar offers a warm, resonant sound that will please the most discerning ear. It's designed to bridge the gap between student and mid-level players, offering a playing experience that is as rewarding as it is comfortable. With a look that pays homage to its vintage roots and a sound that resonates with modern appeal, the Gibson B-25 is a versatile performer that fits comfortably in any musical setting.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany back and sides for a rich, warm tone
  • Spruce top for added tonal clarity and dynamic response
  • Designed for both student and mid-level players
  • Classic design with modern appeal
  • Versatile performer for various musical styles.

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Gibson B-25
Finish Natural, Sunburst
Year 1962 - 1977
Made In United States
Categories Concert Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp No
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Concert
Color Family Brown, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson B-25
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Kalamazoo Factory Era, Gibson Norlin Era
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the Gibson B-25's body?

The Gibson B-25 features a mahogany body with a solid spruce top, providing a warm and resonant tone ideal for a variety of musical styles.

Is the Gibson B-25 suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes, the Gibson B-25's concert body shape and responsive spruce top make it well-suited for fingerstyle playing, offering clarity and balance across the strings.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson B-25 like?

The Gibson B-25 typically has a comfortable, narrow neck profile with a 1 5/8" nut width, especially in models produced after 1965, making it accessible for players with smaller hands.

Does the Gibson B-25 have a pickup system?

No, the Gibson B-25 is a traditional acoustic guitar without a built-in pickup system, focusing on pure acoustic sound.

How does the Gibson B-25 compare to larger-bodied guitars in terms of sound?

The Gibson B-25's concert-sized body offers a more focused and intimate sound compared to larger dreadnoughts, with less bass but greater midrange clarity.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

LEMMO DEMO: 1968 Gibson B-25 $1695 | "My Affordable Favorites"

Video thumbnail for LEMMO DEMO: 1968 Gibson B-25 $1695 | "My Affordable Favorites" by Normans Rare Guitars

LEMMO DEMO: 1968 Gibson B-25 $1695 | "My Affordable Favorites"

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson B-25 made in 1966 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Gibson B-25 made in 1966 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for Gibson B-25 Comparison(1965 & 2018) by WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

Gibson B-25 Comparison(1965 & 2018)

WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

Video thumbnail for John Lee Shannon Plays A 1963 Gibson B-25 N | Let's Hear It by Let's Hear It!

John Lee Shannon Plays A 1963 Gibson B-25 N | Let's Hear It

Let's Hear It!

Let's Hear It!

Video thumbnail for I found a wild 1968 Gibson B-25! by Jeremy Sheppard

I found a wild 1968 Gibson B-25!

Jeremy Sheppard

Jeremy Sheppard

Video thumbnail for Gibson B-25 VS Gibson B-25 by WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

Gibson B-25 VS Gibson B-25

WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

Video thumbnail for 1967 Gibson B-25N "Natural" by Rumble Seat Music Nashville

1967 Gibson B-25N "Natural"

Rumble Seat Music Nashville

Rumble Seat Music Nashville

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique old story teller sound ideal for vintage or cowboy music

  • Small body and thin neck enhance playability and comfort

  • Excellent for both fingerpicking and strumming styles

  • Affordable entry into vintage guitar ownership

  • Rich, complex sound with chimey overtones

  • Smooth neck and wonderful intonation for a smaller guitar

  • Incredible mid-range clarity distinct from other acoustics

  • Vintage appeal with matured wood adding depth to sound

  • Durable with great intonation despite being a vintage model

  • Rescuing and restoring potential for damaged guitars

CONS

  • Potential for structural issues like cracks or broken components

  • Heavier than some players might expect from a smaller guitar

  • Risk of purchasing with undisclosed damage or wear

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson B-25.

Setup and maintenance

  • John Pearse nickel strings and Martin monels are recommended for their bright, rich sound on vintage Gibson B-25s.

    Source
  • Consider using silk and steel or silked phosphor bronze strings for reduced tension; they offer a subdued yet rich tone.

    Source
  • Some owners consider replacing the plywood 1/4” bridge plate for improved tonal quality, though not all opt for this modification.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners find the B-25's sound quality surpasses that of the Gibson Hummingbird, even in mint condition.

    Source

User experience

  • Thomastik-Infeld Plectrum strings may sound too 'thuddy' on warm, gentle-sounding guitars like the B-25; Thomastik-Infeld Spectrums provide more vibrancy while retaining warmth.

    Source

Build quality

  • The plastic bridge on some B-25s may only serve to hold pins, potentially leading to buzzing if the sheet metal screws become loose.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing the original plastic bridge with a new ebony bridge can significantly improve sound quality by eliminating buzzing and enhancing resonance.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jimmy Page uses Gibson B-25

Jimmy Page

Guitarist

Led Zeppelin

...
Verified via Photo

Jimmy Page can be seen playing a 1968 Gibson B-25 acoustic during the recording of Led Zeppelin 2. He most likely used this for the song "Thank You" along with his Vox Phantom VII. It's unknown if he borrowed this guitar for the album recording or if he owned it.

See how Billie Joe Armstrong uses Gibson B-25

Billie Joe Armstrong

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via Internet Archive

(41:45 minute mark) - The Gibson B-25 was used during the "American Idiot" era, it was capoed at fifth fret. Used for "Give Me Novacaine".

See how Thom Yorke uses Gibson B-25

Thom Yorke

Singer, Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

Thom used this guitar for performances of "Skirting On The Surface", as well as older songs like "Karma Police" and "Paranoid Android".

See how J Mascis uses Gibson B-25

J Mascis

Singer, Guitarist

Dinosaur Jr

...
Verified via reverb.com

Sold on Reverb.com in 2017.

This Gibson 1966 B25 Acoustic is part of the private collection of J Mascis.

Gibson's smaller-than-dreadnought offerings are totally off most players' radar, but once you get one in your hands you'll never forget. They are undoubtedly Gibson in tone and playability. They have a voice that is both woody and punchy and are just plain addictive. The B-25 has a the adjustable metal saddle that is a key to 60s Gibson tone.

We have left the strings on this noteworthy instrument the way it came to us from J. You may want to switch them out as they are absolutely used and rusted, but for a collector, leaving them as-is is totally understood!

There are a two noteworthy things here on the body, On the top of the body are two substantial cracks. One is leading from the top of the bridge to the base of the guitar. The other is on the lower bout on the front near the center of the guitar. While this may want to get looked at sooner than later, this is currently not effecting the sound or playability of the instrument. Some significant sound-hole wear from years of being played.

The bridge is at the beginning stages of separating from the body. This guitar could stand to have the neck reset in order to correct this issue. We have done our best to capture this in our photography of this guitar.

On the front lower bout is some denting and scuff marks. Pick rash on the front both on the sound-hole and near the lower portion of the bridge. Some denting on the front bouts. This is also on the rear of the guitar as well.

This instrument was absolutely played, well loved and tossed around. The best instruments often are and this one is no exception. Wonderful, full bodied sound. An excellent fingerpicker or campfire strummer.

Ships in an OHSC. This is a work of beauty from the heyday of Gibson acoustics and can be yours today.

All items in J's Reverb Shop ship fully insured with a signed and embossed Certificate Of Authenticity by J Mascis.

See how Ty Segall uses Gibson B-25

Ty Segall

Singer, Guitarist

Fuzz

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Ty is seen with his Gibson B-25 acoustic

See how Miles Kane uses Gibson B-25

Miles Kane

Guitarist, Singer

The Last Shadow Puppets

...
Verified via YouTube

In the live performance of "The Meeting Place" by The Last Shadow Puppets at Avatar Studios, Miles Kane plays a Gibson B-25, as seen in the video by Domino Recording Co.

See how Liam Gallagher uses Gibson B-25

Liam Gallagher

Singer

Oasis

...
Verified via Photo

Here we see Liam using what seems to be a mid 60's Gibson B-25 in natural, photo taken from his instagram account. This guitar was briefly mentioned in the Premier Guitar interview.

Gallagher’s approach to songwriting is about as loose as it gets, but he does have a method. Keen eyes will notice he touts several different Gibson acoustics in As It Was, including a Hummingbird, a vintage L-48, and a well-worn B-25. (For plugging in, he owns up to a vintage Gretsch Country Gentleman, in deference to George Harrison.) He usually keeps a capo at the 4th fret because it suits the range of his voice, particularly in Ab.

See how Finn Wolfhard uses Gibson B-25

Finn Wolfhard

Singer, Guitarist

The Aubreys

...
Verified via YouTube

(its actually a gibson b25n but i couldnt choose that one) In this video finn wolfhard says that he bought this gibson b25n in tokio He says its sounds amazing and that it looks kinda like an old militairy guitar

See how James Williamson uses Gibson B-25

James Williamson

Guitarist

The Stooges

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Initially, the band ran into problems with management over the direction of the music. “We tried a bunch of different demos, but management didn’t like them so we kept writing new material,” Williamson says. “I would sit in my room, working out riffs and things on my Gibson B-25 acoustic guitar, and ended up with a whole bunch of stuff. Eventually, the management got sort of consumed with breaking David Bowie in the U.S., and they quit paying attention to us. It was great, because we were then able to go into the studio on our own, without a producer or anything, and make Raw Power.”

In the Vintage Guitar interview, Williamson also states that he used this guitar for "Raw Power" and "Kill City" sessions, and that guitar is now being exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

See how Brynjar Leifsson uses Gibson B-25

Brynjar Leifsson

Guitarist

Of Monsters and Men

...
Verified via Photo

In this Instagram post, he welcomes another guitar to his guitar family. He confirmed in the comments that this is the 1966 model.

See how Scott Avett uses Gibson B-25

Scott Avett

Singer, Guitarist

The Avett Brothers

...
Verified via Fretboard Journal

"We turn around and we’re onstage. Nothing’s in tune, nothing’s plugged up. That show had long lulls where I’m standing there, tuning one string on one of the old [Gibson] B-25s--it just wouldn’t happen. Every string was out of tune, they’re waiting, you’re getting ready to do a song that you don’t really know . . .” Scott Avett

See how Yukihiro Takahashi uses Gibson B-25

Yukihiro Takahashi

Singer, Drummer

Yellow Magic Orchestra

...
Verified via BARKS

(English translation) "Yukihiro's guitar. He mainly played a Gibson B-25 (left), but also played the same Chet Atkins model (right) on 'I Saw The Light' and 'Today's Sky'. At the Kyoto and Kobe shows, he also performed a cover of Bob Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right'."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson B-25, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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