2023 Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 (Reissue) Slope Dreadnought Guitar

Tone: Well, dang if it doesn't sound like a J-45, huh? This has the dry, woody, airy thing going in spades. Flatpicked or fingerpicked, it punches right out and can be heard nicely. They've nailed the retro sound on this guy.

Feel: The neck is a lot faster than on a "true vintage" wartime Gibson (though it does have the 1 3/4" nut width) and that's a good thing -- it's got a medium C-shaped profile similar to late '40s and early '50s Gibsons, instead, which is just about perfect if you're into guitars of this nature. It has the vintage 10" board radius, to boot, which my hands find right at home.

Interesting features: The finish is more in the satin or eggshell vein than gloss and it's a nice look -- it keeps it old-fashioned at a glance. The owner has put a "little gloss" into its top-bass-lower bout from general arm rub and also in a couple other places but it's not obvious. Nice retro features include the smaller pickguard shape, through-cut-saddle bridge with rectangular shape, and open-plate, Kluson-a-like tuners with cream buttons. It's a well-made guitar and its lightweight and general feel echo the '40s instruments very closely save the neck profile (which is, again, a good thing).

Repairs included: It's only had a quick setup as it's otherwise pretty fresh and new.

• Maker: Gibson
• Model: J-45 1942 Banner (reissue)
• Body style: slope dreadnought
• Weight: 4 lbs 1 oz
• Scale length: 24 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: 10"
• 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 modern

Condition notes: It's basically a new guitar and in very good order. It has only the mildest wear -- seen as a little "buffing-up" of the finish in points where the body makes contact with the player's body.

It comes with: It has its original hard case and materials.

Consignor tag: MBR