Gibson B series
Encyclopedia
The Gibson B series was a series of acoustic guitars
manufactured by Gibson Guitar Corporation
between 1961 and 1979, and as a reissue to a limited degree from 1991 to 1992. The series consisted of the three different models, the B-45, the B-25, and the B-15 (the Blue Book also lists a B-20, with a run of 500 units). The B-45 was only available as a 12-string
edition; the B-25 was available as a standard edition, a 12-string edition, and a ¾ scale body edition; and the B-15 was only available as a standard edition.
body and neck, spruce
top, rosewood fingerboard
, and a cherry sunburst
finish, and was made with "round" shoulders for the 1961 – 1962 model year and "square" shoulders until the end of its production in 1979. Starting in 1963, the B-45-12-N was also available as a natural finish edition.
From 1991 – 1992, Gibson manufactured a reissue of the B-45-12 with rosewood
sides and back.
. There was also a natural finish B-25-N edition. Production of the these standard B-25's ended in 1977.
Gibson produced a "short scale" version of the B-25, the B-25-3/4, with the same features as the standard B-25 but with a ¾ size body and a different sunburst finish. Gibson manufactured this edition from 1962 through 1968. From 1966 – 1968, the natural finish B-25-N-3/4 was also available. The short scale editions were marketed as "student" guitars.
Two 12-string editions of the B-25 were also available starting in 1962. The B-25-12 had a cherry sunburst finish and was available through 1970. Gibson manufactured the natural finish B-25-12-N through 1977, the last year of production for all B series guitars.
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
manufactured by Gibson Guitar Corporation
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
between 1961 and 1979, and as a reissue to a limited degree from 1991 to 1992. The series consisted of the three different models, the B-45, the B-25, and the B-15 (the Blue Book also lists a B-20, with a run of 500 units). The B-45 was only available as a 12-string
Twelve string guitar
The twelve-string guitar is an acoustic or electric guitar with 12 strings in 6 courses, which produces a richer, more ringing tone than a standard six-string guitar...
edition; the B-25 was available as a standard edition, a 12-string edition, and a ¾ scale body edition; and the B-15 was only available as a standard edition.
B-45
The B-45-12, a 12-string edition guitar introduced in 1961, was the first B-45 model guitar available and the first B series overall. The B-45-12 had a mahoganyMahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
body and neck, spruce
Spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
top, rosewood fingerboard
Fingerboard
The fingerboard is a part of most stringed instruments. It is a thin, long strip of material, usually wood, that is laminated to the front of the neck of an instrument and above which the strings run...
, and a cherry sunburst
Sunburst
Sunburst is a type of finish for musical instruments such as electric and acoustic guitars and electric basses. At the center of a sunburst-finished surface is an area of lighter color that darkens gradually towards the edges before hitting a dark rim...
finish, and was made with "round" shoulders for the 1961 – 1962 model year and "square" shoulders until the end of its production in 1979. Starting in 1963, the B-45-12-N was also available as a natural finish edition.
From 1991 – 1992, Gibson manufactured a reissue of the B-45-12 with rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
sides and back.
B-25
Gibson introduced the B-25 in 1962 which featured a mahogany body (solid back, laminated sides), solid spruce top, and rosewood fingerboard like the B-45. The B-25 featured a smaller body than the B-45 and a narrow neck (1 5/8" nut). Many came with a plastic bridge and ceramic adjustable saddle. Most B-25's had a cherry sunburst finish, but there were a limited number of ebony finish editions with white pickguardsPickguard
A pickguard is a piece of plastic or other laminated material that is placed under the strings on the body of a guitar, mandolin or similar plucked string instrument...
. There was also a natural finish B-25-N edition. Production of the these standard B-25's ended in 1977.
Gibson produced a "short scale" version of the B-25, the B-25-3/4, with the same features as the standard B-25 but with a ¾ size body and a different sunburst finish. Gibson manufactured this edition from 1962 through 1968. From 1966 – 1968, the natural finish B-25-N-3/4 was also available. The short scale editions were marketed as "student" guitars.
Two 12-string editions of the B-25 were also available starting in 1962. The B-25-12 had a cherry sunburst finish and was available through 1970. Gibson manufactured the natural finish B-25-12-N through 1977, the last year of production for all B series guitars.