1966 Gibson J-45 ADJ Slope Dreadnought Guitar


This is a customer's J-45 and it has the cool, cherry sunburst used at the time. Some people dislike this finish on these guitars but I think it's quite handsome on them and gives them a very "old honky-tonk country" look. The pickguard on this is clearly a replacement and we've just replaced the adjustable saddle with a rosewood one (it came with an icky ceramic one), but otherwise it's original throughout.

It has some old war wounds (a repaired headstock, some minor repaired hairline cracks on the back, and lots of nicks, dings, scratches, and scuffs here and there) but it's a solid player with a good feel and that woody, airy, chunky, strange Gibson thing going on. It has good warmth on the low-end and a punchy middle but the highs are subdued and it's got a very fundamental sound. This is what that '60s Gibson sound is in my mind, though -- dry and simple -- which makes it such a good voicing to sing over as it's uncomplicated and folksy and rootsy.

Yes, this has the skinny, sub 1 5/8" nut width. I struggle to fingerpick cleanly on these but I love to chop and strum chords on these necks all night long! One can "thumb-over" chords up and down the neck with ease.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, replacement rosewood saddle, cleaning, and setup work.

  • Weight: 4 lbs 4 oz
  • Scale length: 24 5/8"
  • Nut width: 1 9/16"
  • Neck shape: slim-medium D
  • Board radius: 10-12"
  • Body width: 16"
  • Body depth: 4 7/8"
  • Top wood: solid spruce
  • Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
  • Bracing type: x
  • Bridge: rosewood
  • Fretboard: rosewood
  • Neck wood: mahogany
  • Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
  • String gauges: 54w-12 lights
  • Truss rod: adjustable
  • Neck relief: straight
  • Fret style: medium-wide

Condition notes: it has a couple of repaired hairline cracks on the back, a replacement pickguard, and weather-checking to the finish throughout. The headstock has a repaired crack as well but it's holding-up just fine and going strong. There's pickwear to the finish around the soundhole, rubbed-off finish on the back of the neck, and minor wear and tear to the finish here and there throughout. Please excuse some dust on the headstock in the pics...!


It comes with: a hard case.


Consignor tag: DC
















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