Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson Custom" 1942 Banner J-45 2026 Vintage Sunburst
(Epiphone Stock Images)

New With Warranty From
Dexter Music Center
Authorized Dealer and Service Center

An incredibly authentic recreation of the legendary original Workhorse

The Gibson J-45™ was first introduced in 1942, and guitars from that initial year of production are some of the most highly cherished vintage acoustic guitars in the world. The best-selling Gibson acoustic model of all time, the J-45 quickly earned the moniker “The Workhorse” due to its no-nonsense simplicity, understated elegance, and widespread use on stages and in recording studios worldwide. Now Epiphone, in partnership with Gibson Custom, is proud to introduce the Epiphone 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, an incredible recreation of the legendary original Workhorse model from 1942. This exceptional acoustic guitar has a thermally aged, solid spruce top that is reinforced with scalloped X-bracing and paired with a solid mahogany back and sides for the rich, balanced tone that has made the J-45 a longtime player favorite. The body features single-ply ivory-colored top and back binding. The one-piece mahogany neck has a V-shaped profile and is capped with an Indian rosewood fretboard that is equipped with 19 standard frets and adorned with mother-of-pearl dot inlays. The headstock features the world-famous Gibson “open book” profile and has the Inspired by Gibson Custom double diamond logo etched on the back and an Epiphone logo and “Epiphone Inspired by Gibson” banner in gold silkscreen on the front. The three-on-a-plate tuners have cream buttons and use an open-back design, just like you’ll find on the vintage originals. The pickguard also uses the same tear drop shape found on the earliest J-45 models, while the rectangular rosewood bridge is equipped with a compensated bone saddle for improved intonation. The nut and bridge pins are also bone. To ensure it meets the needs and preferences of modern players, it comes equipped with a built-in L.R. Baggs™ Element Bronze VTC preamp and under-saddle piezo pickup system, so it’s stage and studio-ready whenever you are. A Red Line-inspired hardshell case, which features the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo on the exterior, is also included to keep this exceptional acoustic guitar safe when you’re traveling to your next gig.

Highlights

• Solid mahogany back and sides
• Thermally aged solid spruce top
• Scalloped x-bracing
• One-piece mahogany neck with V-shaped profile
• Rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays
• Gibson "open book" headstock
• L.R. Baggs Element bronze VTC electronics
• Red line-inspired hardshell case with Inspired by Gibson Custom graphics

Specifications

Body Specs
Back Solid Mahogany
Binding Single-ply Ivory, Top and Back
Body Finish Vintage Gloss
Body Material Solid Mahogany
Body Shape J-45
Body Styles Round Shoulder
Bracing Scalloped X-Bracing
Side Solid Mahogany
Top Thermally Aged Solid Spruce

Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 19
Frets Standard
Inlays Mother-of-Pearl Dot
Joint Compound Dovetail
Neck Material One Piece Mahogany
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 44.0mm / 1.73in
Profile V
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in

Electronics Specs
Controls Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone
Output Jack 1/4" Endpin
Preamp L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC
Under Saddle Pickup L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC

Hardware Specs
Bridge Rosewood Rectangle, Closed Slot
Bridge Pins Bone
Pickguard Tear Drop; Tortoise Shell
Saddle Material Compensated Bone
Strap Buttons Endpin Jack
Truss Rod Dual Action
Truss Rod Cover Single Ply 3-Hole Black Bell
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Open Back Three-on-a-Plate; Cream Button

Misc Specs
Accessories Leather Strap Adapter
Model: ECJ45RVSNNH1
Case Red Line-inspired Hardshell with Inspired by Gibson Custom Graphics
Headstock Gibson Open Book with Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo on Rear
Headstock Inlay Gold Silkscreen Epiphone Logo and Banner Art with Epiphone Inspired by Gibson
Strings Gauge .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053