1963 Gibson J-45, Neil Kendrick Re-Top, Sunburst

A fantastic c.1963 Gibson J-45, finished in Cherry Sunburst and professionally re-topped with an Adirondack Spruce top and Adirondack bracing by US luthier Neil Kendrick.

The Gibson J-45 is one of the great workhorse acoustics. Introduced in the early 1940s, it quickly became a staple for players who wanted a slope-shouldered dreadnought with warmth, punch and volume with that Mahogany, dry Gibson character. By the early 1960s, the J-45 had developed into one of Gibson’s most recognisable flat-tops.

This example has had significant but very worthwhile work carried out, including a replacement Adirondack spruce top with matching Adirondack bracing, a neck reset and replacement bridge and saddle. The top is pencil signed N.B. Kendrick, understood to be Neil Kendrick, and the quality of the work is immediately apparent. It has also been refretted and the nut changed, while retaining the correct single-line Kluson tuners.

The neck has a comfortable medium C profile, measuring 43mm at the nut, with a depth of 21.5mm at the 1st fret and 24.1mm at the 10th fret. It feels familiar and very playable, with the reset and refret making this a particularly usable vintage acoustic.

Cosmetically, the guitar presents very well, with the Cherry Sunburst finish very vibrant. There is some wear to the headstock tip, but overall it's in very good condition.

Tonally, this is a really rewarding guitar. It has a lovely, slightly ‘boxy’ Gibson midrange, with a sweet top end and plenty of ring making it especially good as a strummer with a pleasing balance across the strings.

Overall a very good player-grade vintage J-45 with some high quality restoration work, excellent tone and plenty of real-world usability.

Complete with its original orange-lined hard case.