The Workhorse returns to its roots, and looks towards the future
The J-45™, the world-famous “Workhorse” acoustic model beloved by musicians since it was first introduced over 80 years ago, returns to its 30s-era roots with the new J-45 Original, with pre-1942 appointments that you won’t find anywhere else. It comes equipped with the new Gibson-exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs™ HiFi DNA™ pickup system. HiFi DNA offers unprecedented realism when amplified, delivering the unique tone of your guitar and every nuance of your playing to your audience like never before.

The J-45 Original retains the famous round-shoulder dreadnought body shape and the classic tonewood pairing of a genuine mahogany back and sides, with a solid Sitka spruce top that has defined the warm, woody J-45 sound that players love and that helped make the J-45 the most recorded acoustic guitar in history, and the best-selling Gibson acoustic model of all time.

The mahogany neck couples to the body with a traditional dovetail joint and is attached with hot hide glue for enhanced resonance and tonal coupling. The neck features a fast and comfortable SlimTaper™ profile that delivers effortless playability. The rosewood fretboard has 20 standard frets and is adorned with understated yet classy mother-of-pearl dot inlays. In a nod to its vintage heritage, the headstock is adorned with the iconic Gibson script logo, which is also inlaid in mother of pearl, and equipped with high-quality, nickel-plated Grover® open-back tuners and a bone nut for reliable, consistent performance.

The body also features vintage-inspired design elements, including a rectangular, closed-slot, flat-top rosewood bridge like those on the earliest J-45 models. The bridge is equipped with a bone saddle and TUSQ® bridge pins. The Firestripe pickguard provides another distinctive, vintage-inspired cosmetic detail that sets this Workhorse apart and is sure to draw admiring looks and spark plenty of conversations.

Inside, the J-45 Original is fitted with the all-new Gibson-exclusive Baggs™ HiFi DNA™ pickup system. This active system uses two lightweight sensors mounted on the internal bridge plate, each paired with an individual preamp, delivering full-bodied, amplified acoustic tone that lets the guitar’s character and personality come through without affecting the unamplified tone, with comparable gain-before-feedback to an under-saddle pickup. The system also includes soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls that are quick and easy to access while playing, yet remain all but invisible to your audience.

With its mix of iconic design, proven tonewood combination, easy playability, modern electronics, and vintage styling, the J-45 Original is sure to be one of the most popular new acoustic models in years. It comes packed in a Gibson hardshell case, so it is ready to join you wherever your musical journey takes you next.

Highlights
Mahogany back and sides
Sitka spruce top
Mahogany neck with a SlimTaper profile
Rosewood fretboard with 20 standard frets and mother-of-pearl dot inlays
Baggs HiFi DNA pickup and preamp system
Hardshell case

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All instruments are on display in our brick & mortar store and may be lightly demo’d before they are shipped. Please contact us with concerns or questions. First owner rights on brand new items still apply and all fretted instruments are inspected by our luthier prior to shipping.

International shipping is available.

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Downtown Sounds is a worker-owned cooperative in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts.