Details
This is one of the earliest Gibson J-45 guitars we've ever offered, and it's also in the best and most original condition. Introduced in August of 1942, the multi-ply binding on top and back (sometimes called "SJ binding") for this model was discontinued barely a year later, when WWII restrictions had already eliminated the steel truss rod. This means that although the 2109-8 FON on the neck block doesn't pin it to a specific year the features do a good job of dating it to a very short period. Because this guitar lacks a truss rod, we suspect this was made in 1943, near the end of the period when the J-45 had these specs.
In terms of sound, this has the crisp penetrating tonal power that has made early Gibson mahogany slope-shoulder Dreadnoughts the stuff of legend. The short (for a big guitar) 24 3/4" string scale also gives it great playability and string-bending flexibility. Note the repaired top crack below the bridge on the treble side. What looks like a hairline in the top, dead-center, is actually the seam between the two halves of the spruce top. There are also two repaired hairline cracks in the lower back, and a professional neck reset & refret. All bracing is original, including the bridge plate. Although there is lots of crazing to the lacquer finish there's no overspray. The Calton fiberglass case is a nice plus.
Specs
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Back sides
Mahogany
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Binding
off-white celluloid
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Bracing
Scalloped X Pattern
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Bridge
Brazilian Rosewood
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Fingerboard
Brazilian Rosewood
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Finish
Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
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Frets to body
14
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Neck material
Mahogany
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Nut width
1 3/4"
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Scale length
24.75"
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Top material
Adirondack Spruce
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Tuners
original Kluson
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Year
1943
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Case type
Calton fiberglass hardshell
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Serial number
FON21098
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SKU
GIBJ45-(FON)21098
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UPC
120759
