Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars, SOLD
The Gibson J-45 Slope Shouldered dreadnought, or Jumbo, was introduced in 1942 to replace the J-35, which had been built since 1936. It has remained in production ever since, and its rich warm tones make it a great match with a singer. Its basic finish has from introduction been a Sunburst top with darker stained back, sides and neck.
Intended as a ‘working man’s guitar’, the Gibson J-45 model was very similar to the J-35, but for the most part has stiffer, stronger and taller bracing shifted slightly back from the sound hole and a rounded neck profile. Both models used Spruce tops paired with Mahogany for the sides, back, neck, body blocks, back braces, and linings. The fingerboard and bridge were Rosewood – until the mid 1960’s, Brazilian Rosewood.
Here we are looking at a Gibson J-45 sunburst model built during 1955 at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It features a Sitka Spruce top, with Mahogany for the sides, back, body blocks and neck. The fingerboard and bridge are, typical for the period, Brazilian Rosewood. The bridge has been removed and reglued, and is solid. The back of the head has a ‘Made in USA’ stamp, indicating that this guitar was intended for sale outside of the USA. It appears to have had a neck reset, necessary for almost every steel string guitar of a certain age. Consequently the action is good, with plenty of saddle above the bridge. The Kluson strip tuners with creme plastic buttons are original.
A newer hard shell case is included.
- Model: J-45
- Year: 1955
- Finish Sunburst
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: W8806 22 FON built during 1955 at Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 23/08/2023
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 4.224lbs 1.92kg
- Scale Length: 24.75in 628.6mm
- Nut Width: 1.696in 43.09mm
