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From Our Research Team:

A Sweetwater Exclusive from the Master Craftsmen at Gibson!

The Sweetwater Custom Shop Rosewood AJ-45 from Gibson Acoustic is a prime example of what can happen when guitar lovers convene with the express purpose of crafting some of the finest acoustic instruments the world has ever seen. Three members of the Sweetwater staff met with Gibson Acoustic's world-renowned Master Luthier Ren Ferguson to spec out the instrument and its unique appointments. The Sweetwater Custom Shop Rosewood AJ-45 is crafted from rare Indian Rosewood with a red spruce (Adirondack) top. The Sweetwater Custom Shop Rosewood AJ-45 is truly a unique instrument.

Gibson Acoustic Sweetwater Custom Shop Rosewood AJ-45 at a Glance:

• Amazing tonewoods
  
• Unique appointments
  
• Classic Gibson craftsmanship

Amazing tonewoods
We knew we wanted this guitar to be a truly special instrument, and nothing but the best tonewoods were selected. Master Luthier Ren Ferguson had acquired Indian rosewood stumps - some of which date back to the 1960s - as an alternative to the pre-processed blanks that are normally available. These stumps have withstood a lifetime of bearing the full weight of the tree, which imparts a unique sonic quality on the wood cut from these stumps, making it a truly premium tonewood. While visiting the Gibson Acoustic Shop, we were able to hand-select the back and rib pieces from these fantastic pieces of Indian rosewood. There was enough of these special pieces of Indian rosewood to craft a handful of these instruments, and only 12 will be made.

The top is unique in its own right. To make this the best-sounding AJ-45 possible, we decided on red spruce (Adirondack) for the top. We relied on Ren Ferguson to handpick the tops, and to make these instruments that much more special, Ren will be leaving the top in its natural finish. According to Ren Ferguson, Gibson Acoustic has only made 10 or so guitars with a red spruce top and a natural finish in his years at Gibson Acoustic, so these are destined to be very collectable guitars. These nitrocellulose-finished instruments also sport a unique binding with an alternating angled design for the top and back of the body.

Unique appointments
But the premium woods that comprise the top, back, and sides of these instruments aren't the only things that set these beauties apart from run-of-the-mill AJ-45s. The period-correct '30s design bridge is ebony, as is the fingerboard. These guitars also boast the forward-shifted X-brace pattern which maximizes the sound quality and projection. The fretboard inlays are crafted from striking red abalone rather than the traditional abalone found on previously produced Advanced Jumbo Dreadnoughts. The script Gibson logo from the '30s is inlayed in abalone on the headstock.

Classic Gibson craftsmanship
Gibson's reputation as a fine guitar builder dates back to the late 1800s. Handcrafted since day one by some of the most skilled luthiers around, Gibson acoustic guitars have inspired countless players around the world. When you pick up a Gibson acoustic, you know you're getting the finest tonewoods, quality hardware, and incredible attention to detail - these instruments are built to sound great and stand the test of time. After moving from Kalamazoo, MI, to Nashville, TN, Gibson finally settled their acoustic operation in Bozeman, MT, where they continue making some of the finest guitars on the planet by hand.

Gibson Acoustic Sweetwater Custom Shop Rosewood AJ-45 Features:

• Limited run of 12 instruments
  
• Sweetwater Exclusive
  
• Natural finish
  
• Hand Selected wood by Master Luthier Ren Ferguson
  
• Red Adirondack Spruce Top
  
• AAA Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
  
• 1930's AJ Top Bracing
  
• Ebony Fingerboard & Bridge
  
• Red Abalone inlays
  
• Vintage open back gold tuners

The Gibson Acoustic Sweetwater Custom Shop Rosewood AJ-45 Acoustic Guitar looks fantastic and sounds superb!

Specification Detail Manufacturer Part Number SPLMON