-YOU ARE VIEWING PHOTOS OF THE ACTUAL GUITAR BEING SOLD!

This used Gibson will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. This guitar is in excellent condition with some very light surface scratches near the pickguard, and a small chip in the paint on the top of the headstock.

Buy risk free with our 14 day - full refund, less shipping, return policy.  Check out our shop policies for more details.

The Gibson Custom Shop 1942 Banner J-45 is a loving recreation of one of the most celebrated acoustic guitars in Gibson’s history. First introduced during the early 1940s, the original “Banner” J-45 quickly earned its nickname as “The Workhorse” for its balance, projection, and reliability in both professional and everyday playing contexts. Revered by folk, blues, and singer-songwriter icons, its warm midrange, rounded bass, and sweet trebles have made it one of the most recorded and recognized acoustics of all time.

This Custom Historic reissue captures the spirit of the original with era-correct details and historically accurate construction. It features a thermally aged Adirondack red spruce top, hand-sprayed in a vintage sunburst finish, paired with mahogany back and sides for rich, balanced tone. The hot hide glue bracing and compound dovetail neck joint maximize resonance, while the thin nitrocellulose VOS finish enhances both the guitar’s look and tonal response. A historic neck profile, rosewood fingerboard, and mother-of-pearl dot inlays complete the authentic pre-war aesthetic.

Ideal for roots, Americana, folk, blues, and singer-songwriter styles, the 1942 Banner J-45 thrives in both intimate solo settings and ensemble playing. Whether fingerpicking delicate passages or strumming full-bodied chords, it offers expressive range with vintage character. For players seeking the timeless sound and feel of one of Gibson’s greatest acoustics, this Custom Shop reissue delivers an heirloom-quality instrument built to inspire for decades to come. Available now at Haggerty’s Music.

Features / Specs

Highlights

• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Electronics: None
• Bracing: Traditional Hand-Scalloped X, Red Spruce with Hide Glue
• Cutaway: None

Body

• Body Shape: J-45 (Round Shoulder Dreadnought)
• Top Material: Thermally Aged Red Spruce
• Top Finish: Thin Finish Nitrocellulose, VOS
• Top Color: Vintage Sunburst
• Back & Sides Material: Mahogany
• Back Configuration: 2-Piece
• Back & Sides Finish: Thin Finish Nitrocellulose, VOS
• Bracing: Traditional Hand-Scalloped X, Red Spruce with Hide Glue
• Binding Material: Single-Ply (Top and Back)
• Rosette: Multi-Ring

Neck

• Neck Profile: Historic
• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Neck Taper: Standard Taper
• Scale Length: 24.75" / 628.65mm
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlay: Mother-of-Pearl Dots
• Fingerboard Binding: None
• Fingerboard Radius: 12" / 304.8mm
• Fingerboard Spacing: Standard J-45 Spacing
• Neck Finish: Satin Nitrocellulose (VOS)
• Neck Joint: Compound Dovetail Neck-to-Body
• Headstock: Traditional J-45 Style
• Headstock Binding: None
• Headplate Inlay: Gibson Logo
• Headplate Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose

Hardware

• Bridge Style: Rectangle, Open Slot
• Bridge Material: Rosewood
• Bridge Pins: Bone
• Saddle: Bone
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.72" / 43.81mm
• Tuners: Strap Open-Back with Cream Buttons
• Pickguard: Tear Drop

Miscellaneous

• Electronics: None
• Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case
• Serial Number: 23442045
• Manufacture Date: 2024