1958 Gibson J-45

This 1958 Gibson J-45 has got “the vibe” and is playing super well thanks to recent work by luthier Judge Wolfe! Check out the included demo video.

This J-45 has the classic sound – I’ve had many old J-45s through here, and this one checks all the boxes for this era. The low end is “hollow” and dry, which is something particular to Gibson slope-shoulder dreadnoughts and jumbos, and the sound is balanced, rich, and airy, with nearly 70 years of age in the tone! It has also has super-comfortable C-shaped neck with the typical 1 11/16” nut. The aged and slightly faded sunburst looks awesome, and the surface has just the kind of wear you like to see on these models.

Judge Wolfe recently performed a refret, reglued a few braces, added a maple strip “bridgeplate saver” on top of the original bridgeplate, and glued the lone crack on the guitar (on the back upper bout). It’s rare to see a well-played old J-45 with only one crack! The neck angle is excellent, and everything major – finish, pickguard, bridge, bridgeplate, tuners – on the guitar is original. There is a good amount of surface wear and lacquer checking, but nothing that poses any structural issues. The G-string tuner is slightly bent but functions fine. The guitar is playing great all the way up the fretboard!

Asking $6,900 here on Reverb (lower on other forums) plus shipping. Comes in a non-original hardshell case.