1942 Gibson Banner J-50 Natural

FON 7114H-27. In 1942, Gibson conceived of a new line of guitars that would become their mainstay models into the 1970s. The J-45 and J-50 updated and modernized the J-35, retaining the slope shouldered body but fully embracing the two-tone-bar configuration and rounder profile neck. A new logo replaced the old white “Gibson” stencil with two gold decals. One simply said “Gibson” in large decorative script. The other was an unfurled banner with the words “Only a Gibson is Good Enough”. According to factory ledgers, the first J-50 shipped June 1, 1942 and the first J-45 shipped some eleven weeks later.

While it is nearly impossible to confirm the individual IDs of many Gibsons shipped in the 1940s, factory records show that the earliest J-50s were built in four batches 7114H to 7119H. They were launched in the Spring of ’42. Presumably, this is guitar number 27 in that first batch. Ledgers also confirm that the last J-50 was delivered August 19, 1943 and that fewer than 150 were shipped in 1942-43. The next batch of J-50s wasn’t built until 1948 and by then Gibson had discontinued the script logo and banner.

The main characteristics of these early J-50s are the high quality, narrow grain Adirondack spruce with natural finish, five play binding and rosette, white binding, a teardrop tortoise pick guard, rectangular rosewood bridge with white pins, and two-piece mahogany back with dark center strip. The “open book” headstock is slightly curved on the sides and gently tapered. The tone is classic Gibson midrange “crunch” with really great volume and sustain.

A rare and collectable model, this one has aged gracefully for 84 years with no abuse and little modification. The finish is original, nicely crazed and well kept up. The bridge has been replaced with one that is slightly oversize by 1/16” but carved to the shape of the original. There are three fine cracks emanating from under the fretboard tongue. There is a cleat underneath stabilizing them although it could probably be removed. The top has two dryness cracks that have been glued and cleated without and extra finish. The buttons for the original tuners were replaced. They’re starting to look age appropriate. I believe the pins are from Antique Acoustics. It comes with a 60’s hardshell case with the square Gibson logo and gold plush interior. It’s the desirable plywood case, not the semi-hard from a decade later.

Some of the information in this description was sourced from A.R. Duchossoir’s excellent article in Vintage Guitar Magazine published July 2010.

Studio photos available soon. Email inquiries to jetcityguitars@comcast.net.

Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Appointments: 5-ply binding & rosette, gold stencil logo and “banner”
Nut width: 1-3/4” (just shy)
String spacing: 2-3/16”
Body width: 16”
Depth: 4-3/4”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: Vintage HSC