Gibson B-45-12N 12 String Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1964)
This item has been sold.
Item # 11307
Prices subject to change without notice.
Gibson B-45-12N Model 12 String Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1964), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 193998, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a very nice example of what is generally considered the best version of Gibson's 1960s large-body flat-top 12-string, the B-45-12N. This guitar is from the collection of Jack Schneider, a young and much sought after Nashville guitarist/writer/singer who has recently been seen (and heard) alongside Vince Gill and with the Nitty Gritty Dirt band, among others. It comes with a lovely letter from Jack detailing its recent history including use recording his debut album, where it appears along with contributions from Vince Gill and David Rawlings.
This B-45-12 is one of Gibson's best new acoustic ideas for the 1960s, a square-shouldered 12-string jumbo with a triple-bound natural-finish spruce top and an adjustable saddle rosewood belly pin bridge. This 1964 version is the best-sounding variant of the model, as Gibson soon went to a pinless bridge and tailpiece design for these, which pretty much gutted the sound. The top carries the large tortoise celluloid pickguard of the day, while the headstock has a split diamond pearloid design inlaid in the face. This natural-top version was a new addition to the line in 1963, and shipped 558 units in 1964.
The chunky mahogany neck has a deep comfortable "C" profile with unbound dot-inlay rosewood fingerboard. The tuners are enclosed Kluson Deluxe strip units with plastic buttons. This B-45 plays and sounds very well, with a distinctive character. These earlier Gibson 12-strings guitars have a lush open strummed sound that recalls 1960s pop-folk records from the US and also the UK by groups like the Seekers and the Silkie. Liverpool stalwarts the Merseybeats used one extensively as well.
The square-shouldered B-45-12 is Gibson's best-regarded vintage 12-string, the favorite of Leo Kottke and Gordon Lightfoot, among others. Many of these lightly-built pin-bridge 12s have succumbed to string tension over the years, and we are always pleased to find a good playable example. We suggest it be kept tuned down a whole step to D, as indeed many players prefer anyway.
Overall length is 42 3/4 in. (108.6 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example of one of our more requested instruments, a very solid and a great lush sounding Gibson 12-string. The all-original finish has typical dings, dents, and scrapes but no large areas of wear, and hardly any of the oft-seen pick marks on the top. There are no crack repairs and the neck has never needed a reset; the original adjustable bridge is still intact. A strap button has been added to the heel.
The top does have some minor sink in the center which is pretty much universal with this model. The pin bridge definitely offers a superior sound to the tailpiece-equipped version but also caused problems with the tops moving around even at the time. This one has a couple of small extra braces added under the top along the sound hole edges and is more stable than most. This remains a somewhat rare and great-sounding, fine-playing 12-string with a very distinctive character. Very Good + Condition.
This is a very nice example of what is generally considered the best version of Gibson's 1960s large-body flat-top 12-string, the B-45-12N. This guitar is from the collection of Jack Schneider, a young and much sought after Nashville guitarist/writer/singer who has recently been seen (and heard) alongside Vince Gill and with the Nitty Gritty Dirt band, among others. It comes with a lovely letter from Jack detailing its recent history including use recording his debut album, where it appears along with contributions from Vince Gill and David Rawlings.
This B-45-12 is one of Gibson's best new acoustic ideas for the 1960s, a square-shouldered 12-string jumbo with a triple-bound natural-finish spruce top and an adjustable saddle rosewood belly pin bridge. This 1964 version is the best-sounding variant of the model, as Gibson soon went to a pinless bridge and tailpiece design for these, which pretty much gutted the sound. The top carries the large tortoise celluloid pickguard of the day, while the headstock has a split diamond pearloid design inlaid in the face. This natural-top version was a new addition to the line in 1963, and shipped 558 units in 1964.
The chunky mahogany neck has a deep comfortable "C" profile with unbound dot-inlay rosewood fingerboard. The tuners are enclosed Kluson Deluxe strip units with plastic buttons. This B-45 plays and sounds very well, with a distinctive character. These earlier Gibson 12-strings guitars have a lush open strummed sound that recalls 1960s pop-folk records from the US and also the UK by groups like the Seekers and the Silkie. Liverpool stalwarts the Merseybeats used one extensively as well.
The square-shouldered B-45-12 is Gibson's best-regarded vintage 12-string, the favorite of Leo Kottke and Gordon Lightfoot, among others. Many of these lightly-built pin-bridge 12s have succumbed to string tension over the years, and we are always pleased to find a good playable example. We suggest it be kept tuned down a whole step to D, as indeed many players prefer anyway.
Overall length is 42 3/4 in. (108.6 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example of one of our more requested instruments, a very solid and a great lush sounding Gibson 12-string. The all-original finish has typical dings, dents, and scrapes but no large areas of wear, and hardly any of the oft-seen pick marks on the top. There are no crack repairs and the neck has never needed a reset; the original adjustable bridge is still intact. A strap button has been added to the heel.
The top does have some minor sink in the center which is pretty much universal with this model. The pin bridge definitely offers a superior sound to the tailpiece-equipped version but also caused problems with the tops moving around even at the time. This one has a couple of small extra braces added under the top along the sound hole edges and is more stable than most. This remains a somewhat rare and great-sounding, fine-playing 12-string with a very distinctive character. Very Good + Condition.