1948 Gibson J-45

$5,995.00

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1948 (Circa)
  • Manufacturer: Gibson
  • Model: J-45
  • Case: Hard
  • Color:
  • Condition: Excellent
  • Description: FON 1018-32. A crack-free, local, family owned J-45 that’s in very fine condition. What’s particularly interesting about this guitar is its belly down factory original bridge. The J-45’s bridge changed from a small rectangle to the belly up bridge we’re all familiar with sometime around 1948 or 1949; we wonder if Gibson actually specified the standard belly bridge on this model for a very short while, or if the company was just using whatever parts were at hand in the fabrication of this guitar. The belly bridge was standard issue on the Souther Jumbo until about this same time. The body’s kerfed linings are made of poplar – a war-time holdover, as well. The guitar is a wonderful sounding example of the classic early post-war J-45. The basses are open and expressive, trebles are very round and earthy, and the guitar is as big and loud as they come. Notes ring with just the right amount of definition, as compared to some of the muddier sounding examples we’ve played. Scallop braced spruce top with perfect arch; mahogany back and sides. A few braces were cleanly reglued by our shop a year or so ago; the guitar’s aged bone saddle is recent, and the tuning machines are not original. There were previously Schaller tuners on the headstock that have since been removed. Evidence remains from the washers on the headstock front, and the filled screw-holes on the rear. Newer Henkes and Blazer bridge pins; original nut has never been removed, and the truss-rod has never been adjusted! Original frets play well, with light wear in the first position. Action currently set at our standard 5-7 64ths, with a small amount of room on the saddle to drop it down a touch more. Modern neck feel, 1-11/16” wide at the nut, round carve. With its crack-free body, one-family-owned legacy, unique bridge, and great tone this guitar is certainly one of the more memorable J-45’s we’ve offered over the last few years. With recent hardshell case