Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,600
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
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Budget
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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
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What type of wood is used for the Gibson B-25's body?
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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.
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Is the Gibson B-25 suitable for fingerstyle playing?
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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.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson B-25 like?
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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.
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Does the Gibson B-25 have a pickup system?
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No, the Gibson B-25 is a traditional acoustic guitar without a built-in pickup system, focusing on pure acoustic sound.
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How does the Gibson B-25 compare to larger-bodied guitars in terms of sound?
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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.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
LEMMO DEMO: 1968 Gibson B-25 $1695 | "My Affordable Favorites"
Reviews
PROS
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Unique old story teller sound ideal for vintage or cowboy music
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Small body and thin neck enhance playability and comfort
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Excellent for both fingerpicking and strumming styles
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Affordable entry into vintage guitar ownership
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Rich, complex sound with chimey overtones
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Smooth neck and wonderful intonation for a smaller guitar
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Incredible mid-range clarity distinct from other acoustics
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Vintage appeal with matured wood adding depth to sound
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Durable with great intonation despite being a vintage model
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Rescuing and restoring potential for damaged guitars
CONS
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Potential for structural issues like cracks or broken components
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Heavier than some players might expect from a smaller guitar
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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
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John Pearse nickel strings and Martin monels are recommended for their bright, rich sound on vintage Gibson B-25s.
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Consider using silk and steel or silked phosphor bronze strings for reduced tension; they offer a subdued yet rich tone.
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Some owners consider replacing the plywood 1/4” bridge plate for improved tonal quality, though not all opt for this modification.
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Comparisons
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Owners find the B-25's sound quality surpasses that of the Gibson Hummingbird, even in mint condition.
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User experience
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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.
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Build quality
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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
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
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.
(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".
Thom used this guitar for performances of "Skirting On The Surface", as well as older songs like "Karma Police" and "Paranoid Android".
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.
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.
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.
(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
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.
In this Instagram post, he welcomes another guitar to his guitar family. He confirmed in the comments that this is the 1966 model.
"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
Album Usage
The Gibson B-25 has been featured on the following albums:
A New England
Green Day & Billie Joe Armstrong (2020)
Where Does The Devil Hide
Zella Day (2020)
As You Were (Deluxe Edition)
Liam Gallagher (2017)
Kill City (Restored Edition)
Iggy Pop & Iggy Pop & James Williamson (2010)
American Idiot (Deluxe)
Green Day (2004)
Raw Power (50th Anniversary Legacy Edition)
The Stooges (1973)
Led Zeppelin II (Remaster)
Led Zeppelin (1969)
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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