VG KTR-45E, cherry finish, made in Japan 2018. These VG 'Key to the Rock' guitars are a collaboration between major Japanese retailer Musicland Key and the renowned Terada Gakki guitar factory. They're the acoustic and semi-acoustic offerings that sit alongside the Topshelf favourite Crews Maniac Sound KTR models. The KTR-45 is based off a Musicland Key staff member's personal 1957 Gibson J-45, but with a few notable differences. The bracing pattern, a crucial component to getting the tone right, is copied exactly from the 1957 J45, both in terms of the forward-shifted X pattern and the non-scalloped height. The body depth, however, is 10mm smaller than a standard J-45, which makes it s fair bit easier to get your elbow around is is a welcome little tweak in my books. The neck shape is carved by hand to a lovely rounded profile akin to a late 50s or early 60s Gibson, so it's on the chunky side of moderate but not a baseball bat and feels really lovely in the hands. What makes these KTR guitars so good is the wood selection. The top is a gorgeous piece of tightly grained sitka spruce, paired with some stunning ribbon patterned solid African mahogany for the back, sides and neck. African mahogany is lightweight, super strong and amazingly resonant, it's amazing stuff. The tone on offer here is very faithful to the Gibson lore, so you get an understated round low end and a gooey, sticky, rich midrange dripping with sweetness and complexity. The lightweight slightly slimmer body adds a little bit of top-end focus, adding detail to lead and fingerstyle playing. The pickup is a simple little number, but it's pretty accurate to the acoustic tone and has a handy little EQ, so this will come off nicely out the front. Now, that finish: it looks superb, right? Every chump has a natural or sunburst acoustic, get yourself a shiny red beauty and get out there and break some hearts.

Model: VG 'Key To The Rock' KTR-45E
Made: Japan, 2018, Terada factory
Finish: cherry stain, thin gloss poly
Body: round shoulder J-45 style; solid sitka spruce top, solid African mahogany back and sides, jumbo size but 10mm smaller than a standard Gibson model, forward-shifted non-scalloped X bracing
Neck: African mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, dovetail joint, 24.6" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 1.980kg
Pickup: Mi-Si Acoustic Trio (KTR-45E) piezo+preamp
Mods: none
Case: non-original deluxe semi-hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a minor paint chip on the end, some light scuffs on the back and front and minor dimples on the top and bottom edges. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some dimples on the top shoulder and back edge, some scuffs in the elbow area and some rub wear on the bottom edge. The sides have some dimples on the top shoulder, a scuff in the waist area on the top, and some dimples in the elbow area and back side around past the battery box and rear strap pin all the way around to the bottom shoulder. The front has a couple of little marks around the soundhole, some rub wear in the elbow area and some standard play marks on the guard and shoulders. Overall: very good condition (8/10).

Playing condition notes: action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Electronics tested and working properly. The frets look pretty even and in good shape, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.