Gibson J-45 Banner Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1944)
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Item # 11821
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Gibson J-45 Banner Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1944), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany backand sides; spruce top, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This beautiful Gibson J-45 was built deep into the Second World War period when the company's instrument production was severely limited; flat top instruments were the only product they shipped in any real quantity. While Gibsons of any era can be inconsistent the specifications of instruments in this era often vary more widely than most, dictated by the materials available.
This particular guitar has the standard "correct" combination of a sunburst-finished spruce top over the mahogany back and sides originally specified for the J-45. The neck is also the standard mahogany and fitted with the Gibson adjustable truss rod, which was often deleted from production in 1943 and '44 as metal was severely rationed BUT still inexplicably appears on some instruments, as is the case here. The maple neck has a substantial profile but not as thick as some with a comfortable round backed shape. Some banner necks approach "Louisville slugger" proportions; this one is not QUITE that big.
There is no Gibson Factory Order Number (FON) on the poplar heelblock, which has squared ends. The instrument was likely made in 1944 (possibly 1945) according to recent research. The soundhole rosette is the earlier 7-ply style, while the top and back are single bound. The headstock bears the wartime gold script Gibson logo over the "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner decal that gives this era's guitars their identifying nickname. The tuners are the wartime Kluson strips with very thin riveted gears using the absolute minimum of metal.
The sunburst top finish is deep and rich with a stately hue; the finish has comparatively little wear overall and remains very attractive. This is a huge sounding guitar that has survived nearly 80 years in fine condition, showing only minor scars and still a fantastic instrument.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 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 is one of the cleaner "Banners" we have had, showing some fairly signs of relatively light use and minor repair but remaining all original except for an excellent reproduction bridge. Gibson flat tops of this era have often been played heavily over the decades since WWII and many of the survivors are quite well worn by now.
Overall the finish is quite a bit cleaner than most with some typical checking and small dings, dents and scratches overall. The top has some minor areas of pickwear, most notably around the edges of the soundhole. An area of the lower front edge of the top below the fingerboard has some wear into the finish with topical touchup added. Beyond that here are just some scattered small dings and scrapes; the back is very clean. The neck has some very small dings and dents but no heavy capo wear.
The only crack repair is two small sealed splits on then upper side, along the curve of the bout from a minor impact long ago. There are no cracks at all to the spruce top, which is delightfully unusual. The original bridge was cut down to just about nothing long ago, it is preserved in the case pocket as a souvenir. Unusually the original mounting bolts have been retained under pearl dots; the original small maple bridgeplate is intact with some glue spots added over the bolt heads. Internally the delicate bracing is all original, showing a bit of regluing in a couple of spots.
The neck has been very neatly reset and the original frets re-crowned. The bone nut appears to be an older replacement. The original flat-plate wartime Kluson tuners are very clean and still function well with their original white plastic buttons. This instrument has been well cared for; all the work has been done to a high level. This remains truly excellent playing and sounding guitar, powerful and punchy with a very smooth even sound, equally excellent as a strummed rhythm machine or fingerpicked. Excellent - Condition.
This beautiful Gibson J-45 was built deep into the Second World War period when the company's instrument production was severely limited; flat top instruments were the only product they shipped in any real quantity. While Gibsons of any era can be inconsistent the specifications of instruments in this era often vary more widely than most, dictated by the materials available.
This particular guitar has the standard "correct" combination of a sunburst-finished spruce top over the mahogany back and sides originally specified for the J-45. The neck is also the standard mahogany and fitted with the Gibson adjustable truss rod, which was often deleted from production in 1943 and '44 as metal was severely rationed BUT still inexplicably appears on some instruments, as is the case here. The maple neck has a substantial profile but not as thick as some with a comfortable round backed shape. Some banner necks approach "Louisville slugger" proportions; this one is not QUITE that big.
There is no Gibson Factory Order Number (FON) on the poplar heelblock, which has squared ends. The instrument was likely made in 1944 (possibly 1945) according to recent research. The soundhole rosette is the earlier 7-ply style, while the top and back are single bound. The headstock bears the wartime gold script Gibson logo over the "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner decal that gives this era's guitars their identifying nickname. The tuners are the wartime Kluson strips with very thin riveted gears using the absolute minimum of metal.
The sunburst top finish is deep and rich with a stately hue; the finish has comparatively little wear overall and remains very attractive. This is a huge sounding guitar that has survived nearly 80 years in fine condition, showing only minor scars and still a fantastic instrument.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 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 is one of the cleaner "Banners" we have had, showing some fairly signs of relatively light use and minor repair but remaining all original except for an excellent reproduction bridge. Gibson flat tops of this era have often been played heavily over the decades since WWII and many of the survivors are quite well worn by now.
Overall the finish is quite a bit cleaner than most with some typical checking and small dings, dents and scratches overall. The top has some minor areas of pickwear, most notably around the edges of the soundhole. An area of the lower front edge of the top below the fingerboard has some wear into the finish with topical touchup added. Beyond that here are just some scattered small dings and scrapes; the back is very clean. The neck has some very small dings and dents but no heavy capo wear.
The only crack repair is two small sealed splits on then upper side, along the curve of the bout from a minor impact long ago. There are no cracks at all to the spruce top, which is delightfully unusual. The original bridge was cut down to just about nothing long ago, it is preserved in the case pocket as a souvenir. Unusually the original mounting bolts have been retained under pearl dots; the original small maple bridgeplate is intact with some glue spots added over the bolt heads. Internally the delicate bracing is all original, showing a bit of regluing in a couple of spots.
The neck has been very neatly reset and the original frets re-crowned. The bone nut appears to be an older replacement. The original flat-plate wartime Kluson tuners are very clean and still function well with their original white plastic buttons. This instrument has been well cared for; all the work has been done to a high level. This remains truly excellent playing and sounding guitar, powerful and punchy with a very smooth even sound, equally excellent as a strummed rhythm machine or fingerpicked. Excellent - Condition.