Gibson J-45: Difference between revisions

Gibson J-45
Gibson J-45
	A 1967 Gibson J-45 Guitar.
Manufacturer	Gibson
Period	1942-present
Construction
Body type	Jumbo
Neck joint	Dovetail
Scale	24 3/4
Woods
Body	Sitka Spruce top ; Mahogany back and sides
Neck	Mahogany
Fretboard	Rosewood
Hardware
Bridge	Rosewood
Colors available
	Natural, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Vintage Sunburst

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The Gibson J-45 is a guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. Generally regarded as Gibson's most famous and widely used acoustic guitar model, it is considered the workhorse of guitars. The Jumbo guitar is signified by the "J" and not to be confused with C.F. Martin & Company's Dreadnought body style. In 1934 the jumbo was Gibson's competing response to Martin's "D" line body shape of 1930s. The jumbo is distinctive from Martin's dreadnoughts: The Gibson J-45 body depth remains over 4″ deep from endpin to neck heel, it also features a slightly larger body than a Martin D-28 as well as the shape of the two competing body styles being quite different; Squarish upper bouts on the Martins opposed to a rounded or “sloped shoulder” on The Gibson. While Martin did produce the first sloped shoulder guitar the specs of the J-45 are dissimilar.

The J-45 is noted for its sunburst finish, warm bass and good projection, and outstanding playability.^{[citation needed]} The structurally similar naturally finished J-50 first appeared in 1942, but did not enter continuous production until 1947.

History[edit]

Introduced in 1942 to replace the inexpensive Great Depression-era flattop J-35, the J-45 standardized the company's approach to the dreadnought guitar. With a list price of $45, it nonetheless initially only varied slightly, with strengthened internal bracing and a new teardrop-shaped pickguard. A headstock decal with the Gibson logo replaced both the old stark white silkscreened 'Gibson' of the thirties and the slogan "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough." It also had a more rounded, "baseball bat" style neck, as opposed to the "V" shape of the J-35 neck. The version produced today is substantially similar to the 1942 model.

Cosmetically, the J-45 was understated, intended as a durable no-frills "workhorse guitar" (its nickname given by the manufacturer). Although a few triple-bound top types were initially produced, the standard single binding was simple, soundhole ring austere, and neck only sported modest dot-shaped mother of pearl fretboard position markers. Gibson used a sunburst finish to cover up imperfections in the wood joins.^[1] The top was solid spruce, the back and sides solid mahogany. Over time the sunburst has become iconic, with collectors preferring the J-45 to the higher-end J-50s of the same era. Apart from a small batch of natural-finish J-45s produced in 1942, the model was offered only in sunburst.

1969 Gibson J-45[edit]

Starting in 1968 Gibson made J-45s as square-shouldered dreadnought-shaped guitars with a longer scale (25.5"), similar to the Gibson Dove. Serial numbers tell us that during '68 and '69 both slope-shouldered and square-shouldered J-45s were made before the model changeover was complete. In the '70s the J-45 was re-labeled as the J-45 Deluxe. A short run of slope-shouldered J-45 Celebrity models were made in 1984. By the late '90s the slope-shouldered body style returned for good.

Gibson J-50[edit]

The J-50 guitars is essentially a natural-finish J-45, with a triple rather than single-bound top and other minor differences in trim. Gibson produced a handful in 1942 using high quality wood laid up before World War II-induced shortages took hold. By 1947 supplies had resumed, resulting in the model's official introduction. There are mid-1960s J45 guitars with a natural finish and adjustable bridges and this can be checked by the stamp on the back seam brace.

Notable players of the J-45[edit]

Zach Bryan^[2]
Donovan^[3]
Bob Dylan^[4]
Vince Gill^[5]
John Hammond^[6]
John Hiatt^[7]
Eric Idle (used for composing "Always look on the bright side of life")^[8]
Gary Kemp^[9]
Elliott Smith^[10]
Bruce Springsteen^[11]

Notable players of the J-50[edit]

Notes[edit]

Gruhn, George; Walter Carter (March 2008). "The Gibson J-45". Vintage Guitar magazine. 22 (5): 46.

References[edit]

^ Leonard, Michael (19 May 2016). "The Gibson J-45: 20 Essential Facts". Gibson. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
^ Kraftman, Tamzin (1 June 2023). "Zach Bryan kicks fan out of concert for attempting to grab his guitar". [Guitar.com]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
^ Fanelli, Damian (12 March 2014). "Gibson Introduces Limited-Edition 1965 Donovan J-45 Guitar". Guitar World. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
^ Johnson, Allison (1 May 2023). "7 Guitars You Didn't Know Bob Dylan Uses". American Songwriter. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
^ Murphy, Bill (28 April 2016). "Vince Gill: Nashville's Guitar Bard". [Premiere Guitar]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
^ Vintage Guitar Magazine, March 2007
^ Verlinde, Jason (1 July 2014). "Fretboard Journal Interview: John Hiatt". Fretboard Journal. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
^ Monty Python (2018-10-15). "Eric Idle talks about the inspiration behind his hit song "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
^ Millard, Rosie (29 April 2014). "My perfect weekend: Gary Kemp, musician and actor". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
^ Edwards, Lewis Noke (4 July 2023). "Gear Rundown: Elliot Smith". [Mixdown Magazine]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
^ Writers, Staff (2 July 2020). "Springsteen Auditions for Columbia Records". [Rock Hall]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

External links[edit]

Official website
J-45 at Vintage Guitars website
Gibson J-45 on Fretbase - includes specs, photos and videos
Jumbo at VintageGuitar.com

[1] Leonard, Michael (19 May 2016). "The Gibson J-45: 20 Essential Facts". Gibson. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.

[2] Kraftman, Tamzin (1 June 2023). "Zach Bryan kicks fan out of concert for attempting to grab his guitar". [Guitar.com]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

[3] Fanelli, Damian (12 March 2014). "Gibson Introduces Limited-Edition 1965 Donovan J-45 Guitar". Guitar World. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

[4] Johnson, Allison (1 May 2023). "7 Guitars You Didn't Know Bob Dylan Uses". American Songwriter. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

[5] Murphy, Bill (28 April 2016). "Vince Gill: Nashville's Guitar Bard". [Premiere Guitar]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

[6] Vintage Guitar Magazine, March 2007

[7] Verlinde, Jason (1 July 2014). "Fretboard Journal Interview: John Hiatt". Fretboard Journal. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

[8] Monty Python (2018-10-15). "Eric Idle talks about the inspiration behind his hit song "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2018-10-20.

[9] Millard, Rosie (29 April 2014). "My perfect weekend: Gary Kemp, musician and actor". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 October 2019.

[10] Edwards, Lewis Noke (4 July 2023). "Gear Rundown: Elliot Smith". [Mixdown Magazine]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

[11] Writers, Staff (2 July 2020). "Springsteen Auditions for Columbia Records". [Rock Hall]. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

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@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |manufacturer    = [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]]
 |period          = 1942-present
-|bodytype        = [[Dreadnought (guitar type)|dreadnought]]
+|bodytype        = Jumbo
-|necktype        = [[Dovetail]]
+|necktype        = Dovetail
 |woodbody        = [[Sitka Spruce]] top <br/>[[Mahogany]] back and sides
-|woodneck        = [[Mahogany]]
+|woodneck        = Mahogany
-|woodfingerboard = [[Rosewood]]
+|woodfingerboard = Rosewood
-|bridge          = [[Rosewood]]
+|bridge          = Rosewood
 |pickups         =
 |colors          = Natural, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Vintage Sunburst
+|scale=24 3/4
+<!-- non-standard infobox params need reviewing
+|Overall Length=40 3/16
+|Body Depth=4 3/4
+|Lower Bout=16 1/16
+|Nut Width=1 13/16
+-->
 }}
-The '''Gibson J-45''' is a dreadnought style  [[Steel-string guitar|acoustic guitar]]  manufactured by the [[Gibson Guitar Corporation]]. It is generally regarded as Gibson's most famous and widely used acoustic guitar model.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
+The '''Gibson J-45''' is a [[guitar]] manufactured by the [[Gibson Guitar Corporation]]. Generally regarded as Gibson's most famous and widely used acoustic guitar model, it is considered the workhorse of guitars. The Jumbo guitar is signified by the "J" and not to be confused with [[C.F. Martin & Company]]'s Dreadnought body style. In 1934 the jumbo was Gibson's competing response to Martin's [[Martin D-28|"D" line]] body shape of 1930s. The jumbo is distinctive from Martin's dreadnoughts: The Gibson J-45 body depth remains over 4″ deep from endpin to neck heel, it also features a slightly larger body than a Martin D-28 as well as the shape of the two competing body styles being quite different; Squarish upper bouts on the Martins opposed to a rounded or “sloped shoulder” on The Gibson. While Martin did produce the first sloped shoulder guitar the specs of the J-45 are dissimilar.
-The J-45 is part of Gibson's round-shoulder "jumbo" line, begun in 1934 with the Jumbo Flattop introduced to compete with [[C.F. Martin & Company]]'s [[Martin D-28|"D" line]].  It is noted for its sunburst finish, warm bass and good projection, and outstanding playability.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}} The structurally similar naturally finished '''J-50''' first appeared in 1942, but did not enter continuous production until 1947.
+The J-45 is noted for its sunburst finish, warm bass and good projection, and outstanding playability.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}} The structurally similar naturally finished '''J-50''' first appeared in 1942, but did not enter continuous production until 1947.
 ==History==
 Introduced in 1942 to replace the inexpensive [[Great Depression]]-era flattop J-35, the J-45 standardized the company's approach to the dreadnought guitar. With a list price of $45, it nonetheless initially only varied slightly, with strengthened internal bracing and a new teardrop-shaped [[pickguard]]. A [[headstock]] [[decal]] with the Gibson logo replaced both the old stark white [[silkscreen]]ed 'Gibson' of the thirties and the slogan "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough." It also had a more rounded, "baseball bat" style neck, as opposed to the "V" shape of the J-35 neck. The version produced today is substantially similar to the 1942 model.
-Cosmetically, the J-45 was understated, intended as a durable no-frills "workhorse guitar" (its nickname given by the manufacturer). Although a few triple-bound top types were initially produced, the standard  single binding was simple, [[soundhole]] ring austere, and neck only sported modest dot-shaped [[mother of pearl]] fretboard [[position marker]]s. Gibson used a [[Sunburst (finish)|sunburst finish]] to cover up imperfections in the wood joins.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Gibson-J-45-20-Essential-Facts.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624124630/https://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Gibson-J-45-20-Essential-Facts.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 June 2016 | title=The Gibson J-45: 20 Essential Facts | website=[[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]] | publisher=[[Archive.org]] | first=Michael | last=Leonard | date=19 May 2016 }}</ref> The top was solid [[spruce]], the back and sides solid [[mahogany]]. Over time the sunburst has become iconic, with collectors preferring the J-45 to the higher-end J-50s of the same era. Apart from a small batch of natural-finish J-45s produced in 1942, the model was offered only in sunburst.
+Cosmetically, the J-45 was understated, intended as a durable no-frills "workhorse guitar" (its nickname given by the manufacturer). Although a few triple-bound top types were initially produced, the standard  single binding was simple, [[soundhole]] ring austere, and neck only sported modest dot-shaped [[mother of pearl]] fretboard [[position marker]]s. Gibson used a [[Sunburst (finish)|sunburst finish]] to cover up imperfections in the wood joins.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Gibson-J-45-20-Essential-Facts.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624124630/https://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Gibson-J-45-20-Essential-Facts.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 June 2016 | title=The Gibson J-45: 20 Essential Facts | website=[[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]] | first=Michael | last=Leonard | date=19 May 2016 }}</ref> The top was solid [[spruce]], the back and sides solid [[mahogany]]. Over time the sunburst has become iconic, with collectors preferring the J-45 to the higher-end J-50s of the same era. Apart from a small batch of natural-finish J-45s produced in 1942, the model was offered only in sunburst.
 ===1969 Gibson J-45===
-Starting in 1968 Gibson made J-45's as square-shouldered dreadnaught-shaped guitars with a longer scale (25.5"), similar to the Gibson Dove. Serial numbers tell us that during '68 and '69 both slope-shouldered and square-shouldered J-45's were made before the model changeover was complete. In the '70's the J-45 was re-labeled as the J-45 Deluxe. A short run of slope-shouldered J-45 Celebrity models were made in 1984. By the late '90's the slope-shouldered body style returned for good.
+Starting in 1968 Gibson made J-45s as square-shouldered dreadnought-shaped guitars with a longer scale (25.5"), similar to the Gibson Dove. Serial numbers tell us that during '68 and '69 both slope-shouldered and square-shouldered J-45s were made before the model changeover was complete. In the '70s the J-45 was re-labeled as the J-45 Deluxe. A short run of slope-shouldered J-45 Celebrity models were made in 1984. By the late '90s the slope-shouldered body style returned for good.
 [[File:Gibson J-50 (2015-02-14 12.19.07 by sbaimo).jpg|thumb|left|90px|Gibson J-50]]
@@ Line 39: / Line 46: @@
 ==Notable players of the J-45==
 {{div col|colwidth=15em}}
+*[[Zach Bryan]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/zach-bryan-kicks-out-fan-for-attempting-to-grab-his-guitar/ | title= Zach Bryan kicks fan out of concert for attempting to grab his guitar | newspaper=[Guitar.com] | first=Tamzin | last=Kraftman | date=1 June 2023 | access-date=14 April 2024 }}</ref>
-*[[Pink Anderson]]
+*[[Donovan]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/gibson-introduces-limited-edition-1965-donovan-j-45-guitar | title= Gibson Introduces Limited-Edition 1965 Donovan J-45 Guitar
-*[[Billie Joe Armstrong]]
+| newspaper=[[Guitar World]] | first=Damian | last=Fanelli | date=12 March 2014 | access-date=14 April 2024 }}</ref>
-*[[James Blunt]]
+*[[Bob Dylan]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://americansongwriter.com/bob-dylan-guitars/ | title= 7 Guitars You Didn’t Know Bob Dylan Uses | newspaper=[[American Songwriter]] | first=Allison | last=Johnson | date=1 May 2023 | access-date=14 April 2024 }}</ref>
-*[[Phoebe Bridgers]]
+*[[Vince Gill]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.premierguitar.com/artists/vince-gill-nashvilles-guitar-bard | title= Vince Gill: Nashville’s Guitar Bard | newspaper=[Premiere Guitar] | first=Bill | last=Murphy | date=28 April 2016 | access-date=14 April 2024 }}</ref>
-*[[Greg Brown (rock musician)|Greg Brown]]
+*[[John P. Hammond|John Hammond]]<ref>Vintage Guitar Magazine, March 2007</ref>
-*[[Brandi Carlile]]
+*[[John Hiatt]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/interview-john-hiatt/ | title= Fretboard Journal Interview: John Hiatt | newspaper=[[Fretboard Journal]] | first=Jason | last=Verlinde | date=1 July 2014 | access-date=7 April 2024 }}</ref>
-*[[Hayes Carll]]
-*[[Pete Doherty|Peter Doherty]]
-*[[Donovan]]
-*[[Bob Dylan]]
-*[[Steve Forbert]]
-*[[Ben Gibbard]]
-*[[David Gilmour]]
-*[[Woody Guthrie]]
-*[[John P. Hammond|John Hammond]]<Vintage Guitar Magazine, March 2007>v</ref>
-*[[John Hiatt]]
-*[[Buddy Holly]]
-*[[Lightnin' Hopkins]]
-*[[Mississippi John Hurt]]
 *[[Eric Idle]] (used for composing "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life|Always look on the bright side of life]]")<ref>{{cite web| author=Monty Python | author-link=Monty Python | title=Eric Idle talks about the inspiration behind his hit song "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" | date=2018-10-15 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7ajn4ARXVg  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/F7ajn4ARXVg |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live| publisher=[[YouTube]] | access-date=2018-10-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
-*[[John Jackson (blues musician)|John Jackson]]
-*[[Skip James]]
-*[[Miles Kane]]
-*[http://www.eitankatz.com Eitan Katz]
 *[[Gary Kemp]]<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/my-perfect-weekend/10785287/My-perfect-weekend-Gary-Kemp-musician-and-actor.html | title= My perfect weekend: Gary Kemp, musician and actor | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | first=Rosie | last=Millard | date=29 April 2014 | access-date=14 October 2019 }}</ref>
+*[[Elliott Smith]]<ref>{{cite news| url=
-*[[Amythyst Kiah]]
+https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/gear-rundown-elliot-smith/ | title= Gear Rundown: Elliot Smith | newspaper=[Mixdown Magazine] | first=Lewis Noke | last=Edwards | date=4 July 2023 | access-date=14 April 2024 }}</ref>
-*[[Jake Kiszka]]
+*[[Bruce Springsteen]]<ref>{{cite news| url=
-*[[Leo Kottke]]
+https://www.rockhall.com/springsteen-auditions-columbia-records | title= Springsteen Auditions for Columbia Records | newspaper=[Rock Hall] | first=Staff | last=Writers | date=2 July 2020 | access-date=14 April 2024 }}</ref>
-*[[Leiva (singer)|Leiva]]
-*[[John Lennon]] (composed songs in India on Donovan's J-45)
-*[[Aaron Lewis (musician)|Aaron Lewis]]
-*[[Gary Lucas]]
-*[[Post Malone]]
-*[[Aimee Mann]]
-*[[James Mercer (musician)|James Mercer]]
-*[[Vetusta Morla]]{{fact|date=December 2019}}
-*[[Graham Nash]]
-*[[Phil Ochs]]
-*[[Passenger]]
-*[[Jonas Gavriil]]
-*[[Elvis Presley]] (used in some of his movies)
-*[[John Renbourn]]
-*[[Mike Rosenberg]]
-*[[Jay Semko]]
-*[[Jonathan Shearer]]
-*[[Elliott Smith]]
-*[[Bruce Springsteen]]
-*[[Taylor Swift]]
-*[[James Taylor]]
-*[[Alex Turner (musician)|Alex Turner]]
-*[[Jeff Tweedy]] (Wilco)
-*[[Dave Van Ronk]]
-*[[Mirel Wagner]]
-*[[Paul Weller]]
-*[[Lucinda Williams]]
-*[[Darius Rucker]]
-*[[Jackson Browne]]
 {{div col end}}
@@ Line 101: / Line 64: @@
 {{div col|colwidth=15em}}
 *[[Jorma Kaukonen]]
-{{div col end}}
+*[[James Taylor]]{{div col end}}
 ==Notes==
+*{{cite journal |last=Gruhn |first=George |author2=Walter Carter |title=The Gibson J-45 |journal=[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar magazine]] |volume=22 |issue=5 |page=46 |date=March 2008}}
-*{{cite journal
-  | last = Gruhn
-  | first = George
-  |author2=Walter Carter
-  | title = The Gibson J-45
-  | journal = [[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar magazine]]
-  | volume = 22
-  | issue = 5
-  | page = 46
-  | date = March 2008
-  }}
 ==References==
@@ Line 124: / Line 77: @@
 * [http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson6.html#j45 J-45 at Vintage Guitars website]
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090307194214/http://www.fretbase.com/guitars/378-gibson-j-45-modern-classic Gibson J-45 on Fretbase] - includes specs, photos and videos
+* [https://www.vintageguitar.com/3457/gibson-j-45/ Jumbo at VintageGuitar.com]
 {{Gibson Guitar Corporation}}