Gibson N-225 2013 - Faded Cherry

Every once in a while Gibson puts out something that feels genuinely different, and this 2013 Gibson N-225 in Faded Cherry is a perfect example. It has the soul of a vintage-inspired Gibson, the attitude of a stripped-down rocker, and enough unique design choices to make it stand out immediately from the usual Les Paul / SG / ES lineup.

The first thing that hits you is the look. The Faded Cherry finish has a raw, worn-in character that suits the guitar perfectly, letting the wood grain show through while still giving it that bold Gibson red presence. The body shape is unmistakably its own thing — part semi-hollow-inspired, part offset, part Firebird-meets-Les-Paul energy — with those sharp carved soundholes and a compact, aggressive silhouette that looks incredibly cool in person.

What makes the N-225 especially interesting is how much personality Gibson packed into this model. It has a chambered/semi-hollow style feel, a wraparound-style bridge and vibrato setup, and a very cool pickup pairing that gives it a wide range of usable tones. The bridge pickup is the standout here: a Dirty Fingers humbucker, which brings a hotter, punchier voice with plenty of bite, output, and attitude. It is perfect for rock, classic hard rock, punk, alternative, and anything that benefits from a more aggressive Gibson sound.

The neck pickup gives you a smoother, warmer voice to balance it out, and the push/pull pot adds extra flexibility so you are not locked into one sound. It is the kind of guitar that can go from gritty and raw to surprisingly clean and expressive without feeling complicated.

Playability is excellent. This one has a recent setup, new strings, spot-on intonation, and excellent frets that are very close to like-new. It plays really well, feels stable, and stays in tune very well for an N-225. The neck feels comfortable and fast, and the guitar has that lively, resonant response that makes you want to keep playing.

It also comes in at 8.17 lbs on my scale, which gives it a solid feel without being overly heavy. Between the weight, the semi-hollow-inspired design, and the pickup combination, it has a very cool balance of resonance, punch, and sustain.

Condition is very good to excellent overall. There is little to no play wear, and the frets are in excellent condition. The guitar has clearly been kept very clean and presents beautifully, with only light signs of handling consistent with careful use.

Included with the guitar is the original Gibson hard shell case along with the complete case candy shown.

What stood out to me

• 2013 Gibson N-225
• Faded Cherry finish
• Unique Gibson offset / semi-hollow-inspired body design
• Distinctive carved soundholes
• Original pickups
• Dirty Fingers bridge pickup
• Push/pull pot for added tonal flexibility
• Comfortable, fast-playing neck
• Excellent fret condition
• New strings
• Recent setup
• Spot-on intonation
• Stays in tune very well for an N-225
• Very good to excellent overall condition
• Little to no play wear
• 8.17 lbs on my scale
• Original Gibson hard shell case included
• Complete case candy included

Like all my guitars, this one has been carefully inspected, tested, and set up to ensure it plays exactly the way a great instrument should. I personally go through every guitar before it ships so there are no surprises when it arrives.

⏳ Quick note

These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 1–5 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window.