1943 Gibson J-45 Banner Dark Burst

This is was owned by a WWII veteran. It is in great shape, top looks very smooth, with a nice, light patina. Back is is noticeably rougher with a repaired vertical crack and smaller less significant ones on either side. Amazingly, few of these guitars (400) were made in this period and they were handbuilt by a skeleton crew of the older male luthiers on staff and mainly women (the young males were in the war).
The repaired vertical back cracks are quite old and there are a few small pick marks and scratches but the mahoghany front is very clean, New bridge/saddle and a minor repaired side crack.
The sound is amazing, The neck nice and strong, is not as big as most in this era and it is straight and very playable.
History that you can use. Vintage Gibson guitars fit like a great old pair of jeans--there's nothing like a venerable banner Gibson.
This guitar feels like a fine instrument- the tones are rich and warm and very bell-like in their precision. Mahogany top, back and sides.
The tuners are original. Action is fine and plays well. there is room on the saddle. There is a small hole next to the endpin so there was probably a sound hole pickup once
The guitar body is very light but solid, no belly under the new bridge.P
The sound is resonant, loud and full.
Original case with purple interior. number
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