Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Vintage Sunburst
Product information "Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Vintage Sunburst"
The originals from 1942 are among the most sought-after acoustic instruments in existence. This carefully crafted reproduction makes the same historic tone accessible to everyone. Popular with folk, country and bluegrass players: the top (soundboard) of this guitar is made from thermally aged Adirondack red spruce, giving it the harmonically complex tone of a much older instrument. The mahogany neck, joined to the body with a dovetail neck joint, has a full-V profile with classic Legend Wire frets. The headstock bears the legendary slogan "Only a Gibson is Good Enough". Nickel hardware, open-gear tuners and a thin, hand-applied nitrocellulose finish complete the vintage look.
- Back / Sides: Mahogany
- Binding: Single ply top and back
- Body Shape: Slope Shoulder
- Body Shape: Dreadnought
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Color/ Finish: Vintage Sunburst
- Colour: Sunburst
- Construction / Acoustic: Solid
- Country of Origin: USA
- Cutaway: no
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Fretboard Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dots
- Headstock: Banner logo
- Includes: Hardcase
- Neck: Mahogany
- Nut Width: 43.81mm / 1.724in
- Rosette: Strap open back, cream button
- Saddle/Cross piece inlay: Bone
- Scale Length: 628.65mm / 24.75in
- Strings: 6 string
- Strings thickness ex factory: .012 - .053
- Top: American Red Spruce
- Custom shop Historic
The American Gibson Guitar Corporation, founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, first became known for the production of mandolins and banjos. Today the company’s headquarters are in Nashville, Tennessee, and Gibson is one of the world’s most renowned and respected manufacturers of electric guitars.
The model Les Paul, named after its creator Lester William Polsfuss, is one of the most famous and best‑selling electric guitar shapes of all time and established the single‑cut guitar form, which has been copied, adopted and reinterpreted by numerous other manufacturers. The Les Paul is mainly prized for its sound, characterised as warm and full. The humbucker pickup largely responsible for that sound, in its now common design, was developed by Seth Lover at Gibson.
In the early 1960s the Gibson SG appeared as another solid‑body electric from Gibson. Originally intended as the successor to the Les Paul, it became — helped by Angus Young of AC/DC — another rock‑history icon and is the basis for the double‑cutaway guitar type.
With the Flying V and the Explorer Gibson is responsible for two body shapes that, although they were far ahead of their time when introduced in the late 1950s, have over the years also achieved legendary status. They still serve as the foundation for a host of heavy guitars today, for example from makers such as Jackson or ESP.
The Gibson Custom Shop produces custom orders, high‑quality one‑offs and precise replicas of famous models and legendary instrument years. These are often subjected to an artificial ageing process called relicing.
Almost as long as the company has existed, acoustic guitars have also been produced. The J‑45, the Hummingbird, the L‑00 and the SJ‑200 are among the world’s most beloved steel‑string acoustics and were the instruments of choice for Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and John Lennon.
Besides the instruments already mentioned, you can of course also buy picks, bags and cases or merchandise from Gibson with us.
We are particularly proud to host a Gibson Flagship Store in our Frankfurt branch. There you’ll find not only a large selection and exclusive models to try out in person, but you’ll also benefit from the expertise of our Gibson‑trained and certified staff when choosing the perfect guitar.
