(SOLD) Gibson J-45 Standard Sunburst Dreadnought 2010
Gibson J-45 Standard in sunburst, made in USA 2010. There's a reason this model was dubbed 'The Workhorse' shortly after it's launch in the thick of WW2 in 1942. It's pretty hard to imagine a guitar more suited to strumming all night on than a J-45; they just sound so good. This one belonged to a former guitar store owner and who picked it from a line-up of a dozen or so J-45s for it's outstanding tone. It's since done a few years of touring, so the wood is really starting to 'open up' beautifully; you really can't fake the 'miles on the clock' with a guitar like this, it needs the hours of play to mature tonally. The payoff is huge: expansive, warm lows, thick, rich mids and a balanced, clear treble... it really is an absolute joy to the ears. The LR Baggs system is great too; you get a nice accurate representation of the acoustic tone without all the bells and whistles; sound engineers will love this guitar. There's been a minor and immaculate headstock repair by our local legendary luthier, (see notes in the condition section below) and there's a few marks from play, but that's all part of the guitar's history and part of the reason it sounds the way it does. There's few more iconic acoustics than a sunburst J-45, so if it's a 'bucket list' guitar for you, save yourself several thousand off the outrageous new price and grab this one with the hard work already done... we love it, audiences will love it, you'll love it... can't lose.
Model: Gibson J-45 Standard
Made: 2010, USA (serial 02510031)
Finish: vintage sunburst, gloss nitro
Body: solid sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, compound dovetail joint,
Mods: pickup system fitted, see notes on neck repair
Pickup: LR Baggs Element Active System
Case: original Gibson hardcase, missing a couple of clips but otherwise good quality and condition
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. We received this with a very minor crack at the headstock join, it's been professionally repaired to an exceptional standard. The repair is just about invisible, it's structurally very solid and the workmanship is impeccable, big thanks to our local favourite ninja luthier! See the extra pics, but it's hard to capture as it's so nicely done. There's a couple of chips on the end of the headstock. The neck has a couple of very light scratches, nothing you can really feel. The back has some widespread light marks, they're shallow and basically invisible from a foot away, but there's definitely some mild 'buckle rash' if you look closely. The sides are pretty clean, just a couple of dimples on the top side near the neck joint, a few dimples on the back side near the jack and a couple of dimples on the bottom down from the bridge. The top has three minor chips along the edge: one almost directly round from the jack, one 6cm or so above that and another in the shoulder area; none are especially visible or nasty. There's some light scratches and dimples from play on the guard and above the strings. It's been a working guitar, but it's been pretty well looked after all in all. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: Low action, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Frets look nice and even and in pretty good shape, 8/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 12/53 strings.