The Gibson J-45 True Vintage, labelled ‘J-45 TV’, is a good reproduction – with a few modern improvements – of early J 45.
The J-45 appeared in 1942 as a replacement for the 1930’s J-35 model, and came only in sunburst to hide ‘defects’, which might now be called ‘figure’ in the Adirondack Spruce used for the tops. Almost immediately, the US joined WW2 and the J-45 was affected, notably with the loss of the truss rod. Still, those guitars are regarded by many as some of the finest built.
The headstock had a distinctive script logo with a banner reading ‘Only A Gibson is Good Enough’. These guitars, and the mostly female teams that made them, are detailed in the book “Kalamazoo Gals” by John Thomas. He shows that about 9,000 ‘Banner’ models were made during WW2, though officially Gibson was entirely devoted to wartime production.
This example was built at the Gibson Acoustic shop in Bozeman, Montana. It uses the same plan as the 1942 model, including the truss rod and Adirondack Spruce for the top and braces. Adirondack and Sitka Spruces are quite similar, but Adirondack is a bit stiffer, so it can provide a bit more volume, power, projection and somewhat more clarity or ‘headroom’ when played hard. The sides, back and neck are Mahogany, and the fingerboard and bridge are rosewood. On the J-45-TV True Vintage models, the nut and saddle are bone. True to the style of the time, the neck has a chunkier, V profile.
This guitar is in very good, clean and original condition, with just the slightest wear. It definitely has that warm, full J-45 tone that goes so well with a voice. The original brown / pink hard shell case is included.
Here’s what Gibson has to say about their J-45 True Vintage model:
“Gibson’s new J-45 True Vintage captures the genuine spirit of Gibson’s most popular acoustic. Nicknamed “The Workhorse” for its simple, rock-solid construction, the new J-45 True Vintage—hand-made by Gibson Acoustic in Bozeman, Montana—offers the build, materials, looks, and tone of this legendary guitar as it was the day it was first introduced in 1942. This new model stays true to the original in every way, including the same round-shoulder dreadnought body design, with a top made from Adirondack red spruce, custom vintage top bracing, and back and sides constructed from pattern-grade mahogany from Honduras.”
Manufacturer: Gibson
Model: J-45 True Vintage Acoustic Guitar
Top Material: Multi-ply, top-grade Adirondack Red Spruce
Back & Side Material: Pattern-grade Honduran mahogany
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Profile: SlimTaper V Shape
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
Inlays: 1/4″ Mother of Pearl Dots
Body Shape: Round-Shoulder Dreadnought
Colour: Vintage Sunburst
Guitar Size: Full
Number of Strings: 6
Tuners: Gotoh Nickel Cream Button 3-in-line
Scale Length: 24 3/4″
Bridge: Rosewood
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Included Accessories: Period Correct True Vintage Hardcase
