Saint Louis, MO, United States
About this listing
The Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Light Aged Vintage Sunburst is an extraordinary recreation of one of the most iconic acoustic guitars ever produced, faithfully capturing the spirit, craftsmanship, and unmistakable voice of the legendary wartime original. Built by the artisans of the Gibson Custom Shop and enhanced with Murphy Lab Light Aging, this exceptional instrument embodies the character of a well-preserved vintage treasure. Its beautifully worn Vintage Sunburst finish, applied in Murphy Lab aged nitrocellulose lacquer, recreates decades of natural playwear while allowing the guitar to resonate with remarkable openness and authenticity.
The heart of this remarkable J-45 is its thermally aged Red Spruce top, carefully treated to replicate the tonal maturity of a vintage instrument that has been played for generations. Combined with a solid mahogany body, the guitar delivers the warm, woody voice that has defined the J-45 for decades, producing a rich midrange, focused bass, and sweet, articulate highs with exceptional dynamic sensitivity. Traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing crafted from Red Spruce and assembled with hide glue further enhances resonance, responsiveness, and tonal complexity, allowing every note to bloom with vintage-inspired warmth and clarity.
The mahogany neck features an authentic Historic profile that provides a substantial yet comfortable feel, echoing the playing experience of the original 1942 Banner models. A rosewood fingerboard with a 12-inch radius and 19 Legend Wire frets offers smooth playability across the entire neck, while elegant mother of pearl dot inlays preserve the understated beauty of Gibson's golden era. The compound dovetail neck-to-body joint maximizes structural integrity and tonal transfer, while the 24.75-inch scale length contributes to the guitar's effortless feel and expressive response. A bone nut and bone saddle enhance sustain, clarity, and natural resonance throughout the instrument.
Traditional appointments reinforce the guitar's vintage authenticity, including a rosewood open slot rectangle bridge with bone bridge pins, a classic aged tortoise teardrop pickguard, aged nickel hardware, and strap style open back tuning machines with cream buttons that provide precise tuning stability while perfectly complementing the instrument's period-correct appearance. A black truss rod cover and single-ply top and back binding complete the understated elegance that has made the Banner J-45 one of the most beloved acoustic guitars in history.
Weighing an exceptionally comfortable 3 lbs 13 oz, the Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Light Aged Vintage Sunburst offers an inspiring balance of resonance, responsiveness, and effortless playability. Factory strung with .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, and .053 gauge strings, it is equally suited for fingerstyle expression, vocal accompaniment, and powerful rhythm playing. Model CSRS45VSLA includes a Gibson hardshell case, Gibson Accessory Kit, and Certificate of Authenticity, underscoring its status as a meticulously crafted Custom Shop instrument. Combining historically accurate construction, premium tonewoods, Murphy Lab aging, and the timeless character that made the original Banner J-45 a legend, this remarkable guitar stands as both a tribute to Gibson's heritage and an heirloom-quality instrument built to inspire for generations.
Other specifications include:
Top Thermally Aged Red Spruce
Back Mahogany
Binding Single-ply Top and Back
Body Finish Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape J-45
Body Styles Round Shoulder
Bracing Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing, Red Spruce Braces with Hide Glue
Side Mahogany
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 19
Frets Legend Wire
Inlays Mother of Pearl Dot
Joint Compound Dovetail Neck-to-Body
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 43.81mm / 1.72in
Profile Historic
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Bridge Rosewood; Rectangle, Open Slot
Bridge Pins Bone
Finish Aged Nickel
Pickguard Tear Drop Tortoise, Aged
Saddle Material Bone
Truss Rod Cover Black
Tuning Machines Strap Style, Open Back, Cream Buttons, Aged
Accessories Gibson Accessory Kit, Certificate of Authenticity
Strings Gauge .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Hardcase
CSRS45VSLA
3 lbs 13 oz
#21866031
For more information on this Gibson instrument, please contact us.
Price$6,499
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from Saint Louis, MO
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