Gibson J45 ADJ Slope Shoulder Acoustic Sunburst, 1966

The Gibson J45 ADJ variant first appeared in 1956, adding either a Rosewood or Ceramic saddle carried on a pair of bolts. In 1961 it became standard, and from 1963 to 1964 plastic was used for the bridge.

First introduced in 1942 to replace the J-35, the Gibson J-45 features a Spruce top – originally Adirondack – paired with Mahogany for the sides, back, neck and the body blocks. Rosewood was used for the fingerboard and bridge – originally Brazilian, but shifting to Indian Rosewood in the late 1960s. During 1968, the faux-tortoise pickguard was replaced by a white plastic screw-on unit.   In 1969, to compete with Martin, the J-45 gained square shoulders and a longer scale length, to 25.5 inches. Between 1982 and 1984, Gibson discontinued the J-45.

Here we’re looking at a Gibson J45 ADJ model, built likely during 1966 at Gibson’s historic Parsons Street shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It shows a number of 1966 features, including the Rosewood adjustable bridge and a thicker styrene pickguard with a Gibson logo engraved by the fingerboard tag. The original finish has been oversprayed, so the surfaces are quite smooth and glossy. In the full-front photo, you’ll see some marks on the top on the bass side of the sound hole and this is from a previously-installed second pickguard.

This guitar plays well and has the warm, rich sound that has made the Gibson J45 so valued by guitarists and singer-songwriters of all levels and in many genres.

A fibre Gibson case is included, possibly the original. Many of these guitars were sold with these cardboard faux-gator cases, and many of the cases have not survived.

Here is what the builder has to say about the Gibson J45:

“J-45 Standard The World-Famous Workhorse

The J-45 is Gibson’s best-selling acoustic of all time. Nicknamed “The Workhorse” and first introduced in 1942, this iconic acoustic has become the cornerstone of its round-shoulder, dreadnought line.

World renowned for its full, balanced expression, warm bass and excellent projection, the J-45 has been refined to carry this legacy to new heights. This 2019 model delivers a sound with incredible dynamic range, warm mids, and a tight punchy bass. “