1968 Gibson B-25N Vintage X-Braced Acoustic Guitar Natural w/ Case & Hangtags, LG-3, B-25

Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson B-25N in exceptional, 100% original condition, complete with the original hangtags and chipboard case. The successor of the LG-3 (and by association the same size but lesser priced LG-2), the B-25N features a slope shoulder body design with a 14 1/4" lower bout width and X braced construction. Short of purchasing a J-45 and heading into upscale dreadnought territory, the B-25N was the highest grade Gibson money could buy in '68, and the solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides and one-piece mahogany neck add up to a guitar that is very resonant, soulful, and easy to play. A modestly-sized cannon, this B-25 delivers lots of sparkle and treble detail and is quite punchy when you dig in with a flatpick, offering plenty of projection and a warm, authoritative sound. The taut wound strings have ample kick, with a touch of growl and a healthy volume ceiling without breaking up. The sound is sweet and balanced when fingerpicking too. Weighing 3lbs 14oz, this Gibson has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 12-53 strings and comfortable action.The one-piece mahogany neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with full shoulders in every register and more roundness and heft as you travel up the fingerboard, measuring .800" deep at the 1st fret and .980" at the 9th. The dark rosewood fretboard sports pearl dot inlays, and the original medium jumbo frets are in great shape, showing just a touch of wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5 and virtually no wear further up the fretboard. The guitar plays easily up the 24 3/4" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The original nut is present and measures 1 9/16" in width. On the headstock, the silkscreen "Gibson" logo is very clean, and the original Kluson Deluxe double line tuning machines have clean nickel plating and original white buttons, turning smoothly and holding pitch well.Instrumental to the tone of this particular B-25N (and unlike many B-25s produced earlier in the decade which had plastic bridges), this Gibson boasts an original dark rosewood bridge which sits flush with the top on all edges and retains its adjustable rosewood saddle. The solid, X braced spruce top sits quite flat with very little deflection behind the bridge and the neck set is ideal, allowing for adjustment of the saddle to match playing preferences. Visible through the soundhole, the bold B-25N factory stamp is present on the back center seam.This B-25N retains its Natural nitro lacquer gloss finish which is positively glossy and 100% original, accented by the stock red tortoise pickguard which itself has the unique silkscreened Gibson logo only used in '68. There is some requisite pick scuffing across the guard, modest finish checking on the sides and a couple scuffs on the upper bout. There are a few minor nicks on top behind the bridge, and equally restrained wear on the back. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is extremely clean and smooth as well.The original black tolex chipboard case is included, equally as pristine as the guitar with functional latches and the original handle. The Gibson manual/hangtag and additional "Seal of Approval" hangtag are both included too.