An Americana staple, the Gibson J-45 is a famously produced workhorse model having been used by countless artists since its inception. Warm robust bass, balanced projection, and a slightly "drier" tone than the Martin counter parts, the slope shouldered J design is one that certainly impresses players and collectors alike. This example is a fantastic instrument of the "Banner" era, noted by its famous headstock quote "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough". As lumber and materials would become scarce due to WWII (and following the Depression), the variety within this model range quite extensively - with this particular example having exceptional wood.

This J-45 comes to us in very good condition. Cosmetically there is some wear present. Structurally it is very sound throughout, as well as being a decent playing and truly great sounding flat top.

Body:
The body is designed with a fully bound, flat-sawn Honduran mahogany top, solid mahogany back and sides. The top, being one piece (not book matched), likely puts this example earlier in the canon of Gibsons war-stricken options; typically flat-sawn blanks of mahogany were utilized for necks. The lower bout width measures 16 1/8" across, the waist at 10 3/4", and the upper bout at 11 1/2" - it has a depth of 4 3/4" at the base and 3 7/8" at the heel. It has a burst for the era. Internally, it's serial number is stamped on its heel block. It retains the original small maple bridge plate, lightly scalloped X bracing with two transverse braces. The back braces similarly are in great condition. Structurally this guitar is in great condition, with only a few sealed cracks present (one at the bass side lower bout side, one on the side near the endpin, and its largest at the back on the treble side lower bout), all of which are stable with no internal cleats etc. There is expected checking throughout, pick wear, some nicks, scratches and finish chips - all of which typical for a guitar of this age (see photos). Unique ebony bridge (and fingerboard), again likely place this earlier regarding batches of these instruments. The bridge is pinned, with one of the pearl buttons now seated a bit improperly from age.

Neck:
Designed with a 25" scale length, it is constructed with a standard Mahogany neck, again fitted with what appears to be ebony fingerboard. A baseball bat profile, it has no truss rod (as metal was scarce during wartime), but possibly an ebony rod. The neck is dead straight, with no evidence of a past neck reset present (clean heel, and no marks at the 14th fret). The saddle appears original, slightly taken down, with action that measures about 8/64" in height at the twelfth fret on the 6th string, and 7/64" on the 1st. The saddle has been lowered slightly, showing about 4/64" in height visible over the slot. For this reason, the next owner might consider a neck reset. The frets and fingerboard are in good shape. The frets appear original, presumably having had a level crown & polish recently - they are a bit low, but sing honestly in each position with very little wear overall. The fingerboard is nice and dark with original pearl dots, with expected wear mostly at the first position. The some of the divot wear has been filled, but feels nice overall. The profile similar to the body, shows a fair bit of checking, finish wear, and a few nicks. The thick neck measures 1" in depth at the first position, tapering up to about 1.2" at the eleventh fret at the curvature of the heel. It has a standard 1 3/4" nut width, with the original intact, likely filled/reslotted in its past. Original tuners function as they should with the original buttons, shrunken, still holding on and functioning. The peg head overlay is fairly clean, similarly with scratches and nicks present.

Weighs 3.9lbs
Includes a modern Gibson hardshell case.