1940s Gibson "Banner" J-45 Slope Dreadnought Guitar

I'm not sure what year this Banner J-45 is from (there's a battery box sitting where the factory order number would be if there is one), but suffice to say it's a big old bruiser and sounds terrific.

It was in the shop for some repairs to previously "repaired" cracks, a bridge reglue, and a fret level/dress. I also addressed some loose braces on top and gave it a neck reset and new bone saddle. It had already had its bridge replaced in the past but I'm pretty sure the rest is all-original (save the pickup).

Clearly, this is a well-loved, workhorse instrument. There are some crude repairs to cracks on the back (and brace repairs on the back) that I didn't address fully but, still, it's now in good health and ready to keep on rolling for a goodly amount of time.

This one has a thinner, '50s-style, more comfortable neck than most Banner instruments and, as a result, I enjoy the way it plays a heck of a lot more. Some of those big neck Banners are just too much for me, though I know the fellas with big hands will disagree!