Legendary tone and playability with modern refinements.
The legendary J-45 guitar clearly defines the storied legacy of Gibson acoustics. Without question,
the J-45 is an icon of Gibson's round-shoulder dreadnought acoustic line ever since its introduction in 1942. Today, the guitar
stands proudly as Gibson's number one-selling acoustic, and in recognition of this distinguished rank Gibson Acoustic presents
the J-45 Custom guitar one of the most elegant and best-sounding versions of this classic model produced by Gibson Acoustic's
master craftsmen in Bozeman, Montana. Combining vintage appointments with several modern features, the Gibson J-45 Custom
acoustic electric guitar delivers the model's renowned tone while adding a new, refined appearance that complements its fundamental
design, including a gorgeous floral and vine abalone pearl headstock inlay designed by Gibson master luthier Ren Ferguson.
The Gibson J-45 Custom guitar is available in the model's original Vintage Sunburst finish and Antique Natural.
Traditional
Gibson Logo and Redesigned Headstock Inlay Design
The Gibson name has graced the most innovative and revolutionary acoustic guitars of our time, including the J-45 Custom guitar.
There is no mistaking the classic block logo, inlaid in beautiful mother of pearl, representing more than a century of originality
and excellence. There is simply no equal. The headstock also features a new flower and vine abalone pearl inlay designed by
Gibson Acoustic's longtime master luthier, Ren Ferguson. The elegance and stunning detail of this hand-engraved figured design
gives the Gibson J-45 Custom guitar a distinct identity, ensuring its rightful place among the finest Gibson designs of the
past.
Gold Grover Rotomatic Tuners
Grover's original Rotomatic tuners are an engineering marvel, with style and performance exactly suited for the Gibson J-45
Custom acoustic electric guitar. With a gear ratio of 14:1, the Rotomatics deliver precision tuning in a durable housing that
provides maximum protection for the gear and string post. All moving parts are cut for exact meshing, eliminating the possibility
of slippage. A countersunk tension screw lets players regulate the tuning tension to any degree. A special lubricant inside
the gear box provides smooth and accurate tuning stability.
Pickguard
The pickguard for the J-45 Custom is Gibson's standard fire stripe tortoise tear drop shape, exactly as it appeared on the
very first J-45 in 1942. As with all of Gibson's pickguards, the coloring, inlay, and binding are all done by hand.
L.R. Baggs Element Active Acoustic Pickup System
The Gibson J-45 Custom guitar comes equipped with the popular Element Active Acoustic Pickup System from L.R. Baggs, which
features a low-profile undersaddle element—or transducer—that's proven more stable and durable than many standard
ribbon-type pickups. Combined with an onboard preamp with an unobtrusive and removable volume control mounted just inside
the soundhole, the Element delivers performance not previously attainable from an undersaddle pickup. Its sleek and effective
design removes unnecessary internal components to enhance the coupling between the pickup and the guitar and improve the sensitivity
of the transducer for a robust, lively and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. The Element
works with a standard 9V battery, which is housed inside the guitar in L.R. Bagg's "Battery Bagg."
Tapered
Dovetail Neck Joint
The dovetail neck joint is one of the oldest—and best—ways of securely joining the neck to the body of a guitar.
It is also a complex and expensive neck joint to build, but the result is a tight, locking connection that supports the neck
at the proper neck-pitch angle, allowing the body and neck of the Gibson guitar to become one solid piece of resonating wood,
with no metal to impede vibration. This process is done entirely by hand, requiring patience and skill.
Body
Tonewoods
The top of the Gibson J-45 Custom acoustic electric guitar is made from AA-grade Sitka spruce, while the back and sides are
constructed from pattern-grade Indian rosewood, giving the model the same full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent
projection that earned the original J-45 its much-heralded reputation. Selecting the right wood, and the formula to dry it
out, are two of the most central procedures to Gibson's guitar-building process. Beginning with its first catalog in 1903,
Gibson has assured its customers that every guitar would be built using woods with "the most durable, elastic, and sonorous
qualities," and today's acoustic-electric guitars from Gibson Acoustic are no different.
Abalone Rosette
A rosette is the beautiful, handcrafted circle around the soundhole, and can be one of the most ornamental elements of any
acoustic guitar. It is also one of the most subtle and complicated woodworking decorations on any acoustic guitar. The rosette
on the J-45 Custom is among Gibson's finest. It is a double-ring rosette with an abalone-filled middle. The main ring consists
of seven-ply binding, and the second ring is three-ply binding, adding a stylish, understated elegance to the Gibson J-45
Custom acoustic-electric guitar.
Bracing
Every acoustic guitar made by Gibson features hand-scalloped, radiused top bracing inside the body, a feature normally found
only in limited run, handmade guitars. By scalloping each brace by hand, the natural sound of the acoustic is focused more
toward the center of the body, enhancing the instrument's sound projection. The J-45 Custom acoustic guitar features a variation
of Gibson's "X" bracing pattern situated behind the soundhole, with a set of tall and thin braces for the back, and scalloped
tall and thin braces for the top. This legendary bracing design delivers a balanced expression, with punchy, deep lows, warm
mids, and clear, crisp highs. It also projects a natural compression, which helps this Gibson acoustic guitar blend nicely
with any accompaniment.
Gibson J-45 Custom Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features:
- AA-grade Sitka spruce top with custom herringbone top trim
- Pattern-grade Indian rosewood back and sides
- Ebony bridge and fingerboard
- Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners
- L.R. Baggs Element Active acoustic pickup system
- Tapered dovetail neck joint
- Hand-scalloped, radiused top bracing
Gibson J-45 Custom Acoustic-Electric Guitar Includes:
Get your hands on one of Gibson's most heralded acoustic-electric guitars—order now.
