Solid martin acoustic guitar strings 1969 martin guitar GIBSON acoustic guitar martin B-45-12N martin acoustic strings Acoustic, martin acoustic guitars Very Good Playing Condition, HSC!

PLEASE READ:As you can see by googling my on-line store ALUMPSTER’S GUITARS, I generallysell only Martin, Gibson, Guild, Taylor, Larrivee, and Alvarez-Yairi guitars. Mostof these models are made so well that they tend to increase in value andimprove in the complexity and resonance of their sound as they age, regardlessof their appearance. This guitar, likeall my guitars, is available at a negotiable Buy It Now price in my on-line storeat any time. I will also consider reasonable offers in my store, includinginstallment payments and trade-ins. If you have a question about this guitar, pleaseGoogle “alumpster’s guitars” to ask on-line or call 803-731-0515 and I will behappy to respond to any offers or suggestions.

The Gibson B-45-12 model guitars were created in 1961 asa response to the boom in acoustic bands of the 1960s and discontinued in 1979during one of Gibsons ownership changes. It’s not a small, cheap version ofthe Gibson J series; it’s an x-braced Jumbo body reinforced for the stress of12 strings, and obviously has a fancier headstock design than the J-45 or J-50.As with many of Gibson’s models, there are variations in the specs over the 18years of production, but the bottom line remained the same: it was and is a bigguitar designed to hold its own and more against the banjo and fiddle playersof  the world. This wonderful veteran ofthe bluegrass and folk wars is ready to fight the good fight once again.

The general description in The Blue Book of AcousticGuitars of the late 1969 B-45-12 indicates a solid spruce top, mahoganyback/sides/neck, 12/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, and areverse belly rosewood bridge. The blackface peghead has a pearl-inlaid logo withpearl triangles; the original Kluson Deluxe six-per-side nickel tuners stillwork well. While variations in the specs were frequent, and the unreliabilityof Gibson’s serial numbers as dating indicators is notorious, the datesuggested by the serial number (806550?) could be 1969. There is also a “2”barely visible below the serial number, but I have no idea what the flawperceived 50 years ago might have been--if any. Regardless, this is one great oldguitar.

Due to some hard traveling, some of its components maynot be “original” after 51-odd years; the bridge, for example, has clearly beenre-set or replaced. The entire guitar has lotsa finish cracking or crazing “to let the soundout, as my old luthier says.” The mahogany back, sides, and neck are in good structuralcondition for a 50-year-old guitar; the frets are in good shape; the headstockis slightly chipped, but the binding is near perfect. Most obviously, there aresix repaired cracks in the top, ranging from 1” to 6;” all are old and not veryartistic repairs, but all are stable: think “mojo.” There is a slight rise inthe top behind the bridge—inevitable in these guitars—but my luthier re-gluedthe braces and feels there will be no problem for years to come (as with mostvintage 12-strings, I would recommend light or even silk-and-steel stringsto reduce the pressure a bit). There are of course some dings and bruises barelyvisible in the pictures as well.

However, the really really good news is that the actionis now comfortably set up at a hair less than 3/32” at the 12th fret—unbelievablyfast and comfortable for a vintage 12-string. And of course what really mattersis the wood, which has seasoned and opened up over five decades of makingmusic. This is a large-bodied dreadnought guitar, easier to handle than a17-inch jumbo, but with terrific resonance and a big sound which will overwhelmthe rather muddy sound of most modern jumbos. And of course the sound is terrific!

So: this is your chance to own a great-sounding Gibson12-string guitar with tons of character and jam cred with a few scars to proveits experience. It’s not a museum piece, but it’s a great player’s guitar,embodying everything that the name Gibson has stood for over the last century orso.

The vintage hard shell case is probably not original, butthe guitar fits perfectly despite the longer 12-string headstock. If itactually dates from 1966, it’s in remarkably good shape. The hardware works(except one of the four latches is missing a catch), and the exterior has onlya few minor dings and bruises. At any rate, this vintage case offers thisclassic instrument excellent protection.

Buyerpays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states;shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment byPaypal is preferred; cashiers checks are acceptable,but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

Ihave tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument,so its return will not be acceptedunless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offeringto purchase it.

Good luck!