Gibson Acoustic 1942 Banner J-45 Acoustic Guitar - Vintage Sunburst VOS Reviews
Considered by many to be the preeminent vintage acoustic guitar, the Gibson J-45 Jumbo has inspired generations of songwriters and performers, finding its way onto countless hit records and gracing stages all over the world. In celebration of the J-45's proud history, Gibson has released the 1942 Banner edition J-45. Meticulously constructed with old school craftsmanship, the 1942 Banner J-45 is a portal to another time, with a smooth vintage sound and an intangible vibe. Gorgeous thermally-aged Adirondack spruce tops the 1942 Banner J-45's mahogany back and sides, combining for a warm, sonorous tone that projects admirably from its Jumo-sized body. The thermally-aging process draws out the best characteristics of this tonewood pairing and imbues the 1942 Banner J-45 with a lived-in quality, unlike other newly produced acoustics. Premium appointments include a bone nut, open-back cream tuners, mother-of-pearl neck inlays, hand-sprayed burst top, and a hot hide glue top bracing for superior tonal response. Wrap your hands around this legendary guitar, available from Sweetwater!
Earn $250 back in Bonus Bucks† OR pay $209/month with 24 month financing*
$250 Earn $250.00 back in Bonus Bucks† on this purchase when you use your Sweetwater Credit Card without financing. Select your offer in checkout. Terms
As low as $209/month
with 24 month financing*
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Highest Rated Reviews
j45 banner reissue
Absolutely Amazing. It's got thump down low and it's got sparkle up high. And everything in between. It's light and resonant and LOUD! Amazing amazing amazing! can't say that enough. best guitar ever!
Perfection
This is the tone I've been chasing for years. I had a J-45 with a torrefied top that was lost to water damage, & it broke my heart because I haven't been able to replicate that tone since.
Until I found this guitar. It was way outside my budget, but it was the closest match to my old guitar, so I rolled the dice. And I'm so glad I did! It sounded great right out of the box, but once I put my EJ16s on it, it came to life! I don't mind admitting that I even got a little tear in my eye.
Gibson 1942 Custom Shop Banner VOS
Oh my, what a guitar. Have always been a Martin guy and snubbed at Gibson acoustics. With this guitar I can honestly sell all my Martins (000-28, CEO-7, D18, D28) to be honest. Loud, full, warm, articulate, sensitive to pick and fingerpicking and sits better in the mix than a lot of Martins with their additional high end. The guitar screams VINTAGE all over it. The Gibson is all about midrange with a great amount of bass but totally balanced in sonic response unlike a D18 or D28. The only dreadnought sized guitar that is so dynamic in response that it is equally good as a strummed, flat picked or finger style instrument. Didn't honestly expected that. The neck has a big round shape and not a V like the Gibson descriptions indicate. Very comfortable to play for chording, soloing and even does sound great with a slide. The best playing neck of any acoustic guitars I owned and played with the exception of my Lester DeVoe Flamenco Negra, but this is a different animal altogether. Gibson's workmanship does lack a little compared to Martin. You see excess glue in the body around braces. Not so nice, but does it matter if the guitar sounds awesome? Not for me. A real dream steel string acoustic. Going to buy an LG-2 as well and just ordered one from Sweetwater. Thanks a lot to my sales rep Ryan Murphy for all his help, support, patience and suggestions.
A forever guitar!
I am lovin' this guitar! This was the acoustic sound upgrade I was looking for from my Gibson J-45 Standard, and then some! The 1942 Banner J-45 and the Standard are really two different guitars in every way. The sound is wide and broad and deep and has everything a Standard lacks: the 1942 Banner sound is big, the Standard sound is small and not at all on the same level. The build quality on this guitar is exceptional (on par with Martins) and I appreciate the bone bridge, nut and pins. The thin finish really lets the top vibrate and you can see and appreciate the wood grain and wood color on the sides and neck. Less bling, more growl with this model. I could sell every other guitar I own and be content with this Gibson 1942 Banner J-45, and my Martin D-18 Authentic 1937. Both guitars are so very different, but the quality and depth of the sound is the same. They ring forever with layers of overtones. They really compliment each other and yet hold their own against each other. The sound is incredible on this Banner J-45, once the guitar starts to open up from regular playing. It has that big dry Mahogany sound. I am so excited to have this Gibson! I feel I have found my two forever guitars in this Gibson 1942 Banner and my Martin D-18 Authentic 1937.
Many thanks to my Sales Engineer, Jake Barker, who counseled and advised me on upgrading to the 1942 Banner J-45 from the Standard - and all the other conversations and help along the way too. I have become a believer in the torrefied Adirondack top and bracing making a difference in regards to sound. Maybe it is just the sound quality of the pre-war models that floors me. The neck is thick with a comfortable rounded C shape. If you can afford it, buy it, it's worth it!
Minuses: Not a fan of the tuners, I find them cheap looking from the back - but they hold tune. The "period correct case" is OK, but the latches are small and thin and don't inspire confidence; the standard modern case is better with the big locking latches.
1942 Original Gibson J-45 review
In 1968, when I was 13 years old, I purchased my 1942 Gibson J-45, for $27.00. It's now 54 years later, and I still have it, and play it every day.
I have over 40 guitars, and have played most guitars since then. I often have played Martin's, because they are the best, and I always compare them to my little Gibson.
I can truly say, that my guitar is the best acoustic I have ever played, barring none!
Period!
2021 J45 1942 Banner
Absolutely love this guitar ,,have had all the brands over 40 yrs playing ,this one is as good as it gets ,,light so responsive just a magic guitar so happy with it
A Banner Year for Gibson!
I'm a strummer, and I absolutely love this guitar. I mean, LOOOOOVE this guitar. I've played so many different models in my life, but never one with a thermally-aged top before, and my friends, it makes a whole world of difference. This one, which I've named 'Minerva,' feels custom made for me. The neck is silky smooth. The action is perfect. And it has that signature "Gibson growl" on the low end. But the tone is so well balanced across the board. And if you're a recording artist, it mics well and sounds amazing in the mix. Bottom line: I can't recommend this guitar enough. It's elevated my playing immensely, and has quickly become a forever guitar for me.
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