Gibson Guitars - 1948 J-45 Sunburst - Vintage
This 1948 Gibson J-45 is a truly great sounding, late '40s slope-shoulder jumbo. Here with a well balanced and quick string response along with a woody, dry tone that both packs a punch but can be pleasant and sweet. A single owner instrument, acquired from the original owner's grandson, this is a phenomenal guitar that we really can't get enough of here in the shop
As is often the case with Gibson, this is a transitional period guitar out of Kalamazoo, as they were making changes to the J-45 bridge design. Starting with the straight bridge from the pre-war and banner eras, followed by the belly down bridge seen here, before ultimately flipping it to the reverse belly up design that has been used in production since. This makes it a relatively rare example of a J-45 that also happens to be a truly outstanding playing guitar. As the shop fine tuned everything this guitar kept getting better and better, until ultimate being one of the best sounding examples of a vintage J-45 that we've seen.
Here with two scalloped tone bars, scalloped x-bracing and a comfortable c-shape neck, that is one of those vintage neck profiles that feels comfortable all the way up and down. The top and back are both crack free. There is a repaired, and stable side crack on the treble side near the heel. There is also a repaired hole on the treble side from a jack. (see photos). The guitar benefits from a recent refret and replacement saddle, and plays great with what we consider standard action. There is a small, maple, bridge plate ball-end doubler installed. The tuner buttons have been replaced. There is minor fingernail wear in the rosewood fingerboard, but nothing that affects playability.
When a J-45 is good, it's really good, and this one stands out. Includes photos of the original owner with the guitar, along with an era-appropriate case. Ships in a modern hardshell case as well.
- Slope-Shouldered J-45 Body with Sunburst Finish
- Spruce top with tortoiseshell pickguard
- Mahogany Back and Sides
- 24 3/4" Scale length
- 1 11/16" Nut width
- 2 1/8" String spacing
- Mahogany Neck with Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays
- Brazilian Rosewood belly bridge with 2 mother of pearl dots
- Original 3 on plate tuners with replaced, vintage-inspired buttons
- Era-Appropriate Case
- Includes Modern TKL Case
Payment via Wire Transfer preferred.
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