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Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson J-45 (1943)
Gibson

Gibson J-45 (1943)

Vintage

Currently unavailable
DOCUMENTED HONESTLYEvery repair, every change
VETTED ON THE BENCHBefore it's listed
SINCE 1968Still independent
While not many things in life are guaranteed, we guarantee that if you love vintage guitars, any concerns you might have about neck profiles, cracks, finish wear and the like will vanish after one strum of this 1943 Gibson J-45. Made during the storied "Banner" era in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this guitar sports a Mahogany top (instead of the standard Spruce top) and a three-piece poplar neck (with the infamous baseball bat profile). The sound is hypnotic: dry, warm, and balanced, with clarity that it frankly shouldn't have given the Mahogany top. This would be an all-time-great recording guitar for anyone in the songwriter genre. The frequency range is compressed compared to a Spruce-topped J-45, but it sits behind a voice incredibly well and microphones will gobble its midrange right up. This guitar was last sold by TME sometime in the late 1980's or early 1990's. At that time, then-repairman Tom Stapleton replaced the bridge, glued and stabilized two top cracks, and added a rosewood bridge plate pad on top of the original plate. There's heavy finish wear across the surfaces and neck (this thing has been PLAYED); but even considering the wear and big neck, the guitar plays very easily whether you're a strummer or a fingerpicker. Priced with a modern Gibson hard case (Brown, with Purple lining), this is a fantastic guitar for a vintage enthusiast who prioritizes sound over cleanliness.
Condition: Vintage. Fully inspected and set up by TME staff before it ships or leaves the showroom.
Top Mahogany
Back & Sides Mahogany
Neck 3PC Poplar
Fingerboard Rosewood
Bridge Rosewood
Nut & Saddle Bone
Tuners Original
Bracing Original
Construction Hide Glue
Finish Original Lacquer
Carve Full Vintage C
Nut Width 1 3/4"
String Spacing 2 3/16"
Scale Length 24 7/8"
Truss Rod Adjustable
Inlays MOP Dots
Headstock Gibson script logo
Case Modern Gibson Hardshell (Brown w/purple lining)

Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.

Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.

Preserving The Past. Played Into The Future.
Whether you're chasing a tone, honoring the history, or building a collection, we seek out the finest vintage instruments and, when needed, perform tasteful restoration to ensure they'll play beautifully for decades to come.
Gibson J-45 (1943)
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Pricing

We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.

Glenn Nichols, Repairs & Restorations

Tasteful Restoration

When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.

Accurate Listings

Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.

Shipping

With decades of experience shipping high-value guitars, we know how to pack and protect vintage instruments so they arrive exactly as they should: safe, sound, and ready to play.