1943 Gibson Banner J-45 Sunburst Vintage Acoustic Guitar

Another stunning Gibson Banner J-45, this one from 1943! 

This was probably someone's lifer -- it exudes that characteristic. It's palpable. The wear and care certainly suggest as much. If you're in to this stuff, know that I am, too. I am a Gibson acoustic guy, through and through. I've spent quite a bit of time getting to know this one and it is a very, very excellent-sounding guitar. It does "the thing". The first time I saw it I just thought "Damn. That's a cool one". Red Spruce top, fire stripe tortoise guard, a stunningly plain-grain set of mahogany (which is funny to say, but those who know what that means know what that means), and a mahogany neck with no truss rod. The original bridge, apparently, was gum wood and has been replaced with a hand-crafted replica from Madagascar rosewood. I think it looks great and I'm a bit of a jerk about that particular detail. The bridge plate is also a hand-crafted replica due to the original failing. It happens. If it saves the functional integrity and tone of an instrument, what's the real complaint if it's done properly? It is unreasonable to not expect structural maintenance on an 80+ year old wooden instrument, especially one that got played a lot. You'll see two top cracks that have been reglued. If someone really wanted to, I'm sure they could get Mark Stutman or someone of his caliber to make those much less visible. They don't bother me. I wanted them to bother me enough to look in to doing something about them, but I've decided I don't want to because I like this one just as it is. "Leave well enough alone" they say. I don't see any other cracks anywhere on this one. Back and sides look great, neck looks great with some honest wear. There is some heavier wear to the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard in the first few frets, but remember what I already said about being a lifer. It's had fret work -- it looks like an older fret job, could maybe stand to get another one but, again, it's really not screaming out to me. Action is very, very nice with a nominal bit of room to come down, if desired (not recommended), before a reset would be called for. Big 'ole honker of a neck with almost no taper and it feels outstanding. 

Oh, the tuners. Look at those bad boys! I've had a few Banner-era Gibson guitars that had those stock. They're just fancy covers that go over the tuners you typically see on these, but I love the extra flare. It suits that pick guard. 

I haven't seen one of these cases in a long time. They were used in the 40's and every now and again you'll see them paired with an old Gibson. It's seen better days, but it's still fairly functional. I wouldn't use it as daily transport or toss it around, but it's cool to have. You can carry the instrument around just fine inside it.

This one wants to keep making music, ladies and gentlemen. That's what it was made for.

Nut Width: 1.737"
Neck Depths: 1st - 1.04", 12th - 1.07"

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