Gibson J-45 Standard, vintage sunburst, made in USA 2018. The J-45 launched in 1942 and was dubbed 'The Workhorse': this is a guitar for playing songs, and it sure does a good job. The J series body shape was initially launched as an alternative to Martin's D series dreadnoughts, so the big size aims to deliver a big, loud, warm tone with plenty of bass response. It's a very enjoyable sound: the lows are rounded and musical, with a gooey rich midrange that makes dense chords hang together beautifully and a treble that's sweet under a gentle touch or pretty assertive and bold when strummed with gusto. Stick a microphone or two in front of this, and the mixing work is half done: the balanced, warm voice is a recording engineer's dream. The neck is a rounded, moderate C style shape, not super skinny but not a baseball bat, and it sits nicely in the hands without making you think too hard about things. The tight, detailed grain lines in the spruce top are a telltale to acoustic enthusiasts: this is proper AAA sitka spruce, and a very good piece at that. The grain lines are well under 1mm wide all the way from the centre to the edges, on show under the gorgeous subtle glow of the sunburst finish. There's a whole lot to love here, it's surely a prized family heirloom waiting to come live at your place and strum songs daily forever.

Model: Gibson J-45 Standard
Made: USA, 2018
Serial: 10198076
Finish: vintage sunburst top, dark stain back and sides, gloss nitro
Body: AAA sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round shoulder jumbo shape
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius
Weight: 1.935kg
Mods: Graph Tech nut and saddle installed, tuners replaced, truss cover replaced
Pickup: none
Accessories: Gibson case, original docs

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a dimple on the end and minor scuffs on the front around the tuner posts and back between the machine heads, as well as some minor scuffs on the bass side around the nut. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has minor surface scratches along the top and back edges and in the middle of the body, as well as some scuffs along the bottom edge. The sides have scuffs in the elbow area, bottom corner and bottom shoulder. The front has a surface scratch in the bottom corner, scuffs along the back edge and elbow area and some play wear on the guard and shoulders.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing Condition Notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 12/54 strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only