Perhaps Gibson’s most iconic acoustic guitar, the J-45 has a long and immensely celebrated career, and we see many of these “workhorses” come through the shop. Some are beautiful and pristine, some road-weary with scratches but tonally sublime. Occasionally, we get a J-45 which combines the two, and is as beautiful to behold as it is to play–and this 1950 J-45 is just such an instrument. Gibson’s practically trademark tone–rich, fat, loud–comes pouring out of the soundhole from the first chord to the final note. The trebles are sweet and bright as candy canes, and the bass is well-defined and present. Clearly, this Dreadnought has been lovingly played for the past six decades, and it’s soaked up years and years of music between its birth in 1950 and its golden age today of 66. The Mahogany back and sides combine with the Spruce top in a voice which sings as though from another era, a happier and brighter place. The craftsman who carved this neck was brilliant: the profile is perfectly rounded and easy on the hands, which is perhaps why Chet Atkins himself signed the top–a sign of respect for the instrument’s capabilities. Safely protected in a new Guardian hardshell case, this J-45 is ready for another 60 years of great tunes.
Watch these videos below to see Cliff Eberhardt singing with this very same J-45:
Every once in a while, I play a vintage Gibson with all its ducks in a row. This J-45 is definitely one of those--even simple three-chord songs sound rich and full of color. You could spend days picking on your porch with this guitar and not realize how much time had passed. 
A classic guitar and very sought after. This one plays and sounds great and it's always a treat to see one like this. It's the kind of thing I've always wanted. | Scale Length | 24.75 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.69 in |
| String Spacing | 2.13 in |
| Woods | Spruce, Mahogany |
Perhaps Gibson's most iconic acoustic guitar, the J-45 has a long and immensely celebrated career, and we see many of these "workhorses" come through the shop. Some are beautiful and pristine, some road-weary with scratches but tonally sublime
Every once in a while, I play a vintage Gibson with all its ducks in a row. This J-45 is definitely one of those--even simple three-chord songs sound rich and full of color
A classic guitar and very sought after. This one plays and sounds great and it's always a treat to see one like this 