Gibson J-45 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1943-4)
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Item # 10111
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Gibson J-45 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1943-4), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 2684-12, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and top; laminated maple neck, black tolex hard shell case.
This "Banner" Gibson J-45 -- so called for the decal on the headstock reading "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough" was built during the middle of the Second World War when the company's output was severely limited. In this period specifications of individual instruments often vary greatly from the published standards dictated by the materials available; this particular guitar has the combination of a mahogany back and sides with a sunburst-finished mahogany top (instead of the normal spruce) and a 3-piece laminated maple neck.
Oddly enough this neck -- which has a very thick profile -- DOES mount the standard adjustable truss rod, often missing on mid-war instruments as metal was severely rationed. The tuners are the slim flat-plate riveted Klusons of the period, specifically designed to use the minimum of metal possible. The Gibson Factory Order Number (FON) 2684-12 on the heelblock identifies this guitar as a 1943-4 model, based on recent research. The features are typical of other guitars known to have been built in this period, but the combination of a mahogany top with a truss-rodded maple neck is still fairly rare. This is a great-sounding guitar with a huge tone despite, or more likely because of, its unusual combination of woods, one of the nicest "banners" we have had.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This guitar is VERY clean overall for an early J-45; the Gibson flat tops of this era have often been heavily played over the decades since WWII and many of the survivors are well worn by now. The instrument does shows some light wear and typical maintenance repair but no damage or alteration.
The finish is far cleaner than most, still retaining the relatively shiny patina it had when FDR was at the nation's helm. There is some typical checking and small dings, dents and scratches overall but almost no pickwear to the top, which is unusual but delightful. There is a pattern in the finish on the lower areas of the top that looks like some sort of polish of moisture has penetrated a bit; this is noticeable but not overly conspicuous.
There are no cracks anywhere on the instrument, which is kind of amazing. The neck has been cleanly reset and the original frets polished out; the fingerboard is exceptionally clean as well and the bone nut remains original as well. The bridge appears original and has been neatly reglued and probably reshaped on top a bit, with the original mounting bolts removed from under the pearl plugs. The original small maple bridgeplate is still intact with the small bolt holes neatly filled. The original flat-plate wartime tuners are intact and working well.
Clearly this instrument has been well cared for and all work has been done to a high level. It is a truly excellent playing guitar, with a huge raw and punchy but still even sound, excellent as a strummed rhythm machine or fingerpicked. With its unusual combination of woods and the adjustable truss rod, this is a fairly rare wartime variation of the always wonderful Banner J-45 Overall Excellent Condition.
This "Banner" Gibson J-45 -- so called for the decal on the headstock reading "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough" was built during the middle of the Second World War when the company's output was severely limited. In this period specifications of individual instruments often vary greatly from the published standards dictated by the materials available; this particular guitar has the combination of a mahogany back and sides with a sunburst-finished mahogany top (instead of the normal spruce) and a 3-piece laminated maple neck.
Oddly enough this neck -- which has a very thick profile -- DOES mount the standard adjustable truss rod, often missing on mid-war instruments as metal was severely rationed. The tuners are the slim flat-plate riveted Klusons of the period, specifically designed to use the minimum of metal possible. The Gibson Factory Order Number (FON) 2684-12 on the heelblock identifies this guitar as a 1943-4 model, based on recent research. The features are typical of other guitars known to have been built in this period, but the combination of a mahogany top with a truss-rodded maple neck is still fairly rare. This is a great-sounding guitar with a huge tone despite, or more likely because of, its unusual combination of woods, one of the nicest "banners" we have had.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This guitar is VERY clean overall for an early J-45; the Gibson flat tops of this era have often been heavily played over the decades since WWII and many of the survivors are well worn by now. The instrument does shows some light wear and typical maintenance repair but no damage or alteration.
The finish is far cleaner than most, still retaining the relatively shiny patina it had when FDR was at the nation's helm. There is some typical checking and small dings, dents and scratches overall but almost no pickwear to the top, which is unusual but delightful. There is a pattern in the finish on the lower areas of the top that looks like some sort of polish of moisture has penetrated a bit; this is noticeable but not overly conspicuous.
There are no cracks anywhere on the instrument, which is kind of amazing. The neck has been cleanly reset and the original frets polished out; the fingerboard is exceptionally clean as well and the bone nut remains original as well. The bridge appears original and has been neatly reglued and probably reshaped on top a bit, with the original mounting bolts removed from under the pearl plugs. The original small maple bridgeplate is still intact with the small bolt holes neatly filled. The original flat-plate wartime tuners are intact and working well.
Clearly this instrument has been well cared for and all work has been done to a high level. It is a truly excellent playing guitar, with a huge raw and punchy but still even sound, excellent as a strummed rhythm machine or fingerpicked. With its unusual combination of woods and the adjustable truss rod, this is a fairly rare wartime variation of the always wonderful Banner J-45 Overall Excellent Condition.