1944 Gibson J-45

1944 "Banner Era" J-45. This vintage Gibson produces a gorgeous woody tone with staple J-45 midrange focus and a tight low-end presence with harmonics that can only be produced by a well-aged instrument. Comes fitted with a K & K pickup so you can plug it in. In good condition with a few modifications including repaired cracks in the top and side, neck mod including some re-contouring and a refin, replaced tuner buttons, and a professional neck reset and re-fret. Like many other Banner Era J-45s, this one features a Mahogany top. An incredible-sounding Banner J-45 with tons of vibe! Includes hardshell case.

Check out the feature from our luthier Tyler in the ECG Newsletter:

"Against all odds, the Second World War was the final goofy act of the American flat top guitar’s golden age. Gibson’s output during this time was riddled with strange and sometimes erratic features, materials, and construction techniques. (Find a copy of John Thomas’ recent book “Kalamazoo Gals” for a fantastic insight on this era.) Somehow, though, these “Banner-era” Gibsons are among the most consistently excellent acoustic guitars ever built, regardless of brand or vintage.

This particular example is equipped with a mahogany top, a wartime consideration that provides a distinctly warmer response when compared to the model’s usual spruce tops. The neck profile on these banner instruments can be a source of contention with some players; they tend to be extremely deep with a bulky shoulder which is oftentimes too much for most of us. This neck, however, has undergone a tasteful recontouring after the fact that makes it much more comfortable and manageable for even the smallest of musicians. A few modifications and some finish work mean this one probably won’t end up in a museum, but it’s a perfect player’s banner J-45 for a fraction of the price of an untouched example." - Tyler Geske, ECG Newsletter