1946 Gibson J-45 – Sunburst

1946 Gibson J-45 – Sunburst

We present an original 1946 Gibson J-45 in its original Sunburst finish. Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

There’s truly nothing quite like the tone of a vintage Gibson. This crack-free 1946 J-45 is a textbook example of why these guitars are so revered. With powerful, woody bass response and crisp, articulate trebles, it delivers the dry, open sound that defines the classic Gibson acoustic voice. This vintage slope-shoulder dreadnought features scalloped bracing and a beautifully aged spruce top. It plays effortlessly, with low action and excellent clarity all the way up the neck.

The neck profile is a comfortably rounded carve — slightly slimmer than earlier wartime models — and features an adjustable truss rod. The guitar sports the rare “script logo” silkscreen, used exclusively for a brief period, adding to its collectability. Structurally, this instrument closely resembles the famed wartime “banner logo” J-45s.

The original Sunburst finish displays attractive checking, along with the expected nicks, dings, and honest cosmetic wear from decades of use. The original skinny maple bridge plate is intact. The frets and nut remain in excellent condition with plenty of life left. It retains its original open-back Kluson tuners; as is typical with these models, the original plastic buttons had shrunk over time and have been replaced with period-correct vintage-style cream buttons.

Includes its original chipboard case, with fully functional latches and handle.