Good to Be… Back with Another Signature Model
Keb’ Mo’ and Gibson unveil their third collaboration, the Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-fret J-45, an all-new spin on the fan-favorite J-45. The guitar features an aged Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides to produce an extremely versatile tone that’s great for almost any musical style or genre. Whether you sit or stand, the familiar slope-shouldered body and 12th-fret neck joint offer comfortable and balanced play. The neck also has a wider 1.805-inch nut that gives Keb’ more room to work his fingerstyle magic. And finally, the Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-fret J-45 features onboard LR Baggs VTC electronics with soundhole-mounted controls for gigging. Whether you’re a longtime Keb’ Mo’ fan or need a solid, dependable blues workhorse, it’s hard to go wrong with the Gibson Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-fret J-45.
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Thermally aged top responds just like a vintage axe
For his third signature acoustic, Keb’ Mo’ chose all solid tonewoods: a thermally aged Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Thermal aging (sometimes called torrefaction) bakes off some moisture in the wood and crystalizes the natural resins. And when combined with the wonderfully resonant mahogany back and sides, the aged Sitka spruce delivers a quick, snappy attack. And when you sit down with it the first time, you’ll delight in its mature and versatile voice.
12th-fret neck joint and custom Keb’ Mo’ neck profile
The Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-fret J-45 features a 25-inch scale mahogany neck that joins the body at the 12th fret — a radical departure from the traditional J-45 design. Players benefit from a slightly stiffer string feel married with the rounded, full-bodied tone of a 12th-fret neck joint. The neck also features a custom Keb’ Mo’ neck profile that’s based on a “soft V” shape. It’s outrageously comfortable for thumb-over players like Keb’.
The sweet sound of 12 frets
"I like the sponginess in the way a 12-fret plays, and there’s something about the anatomy, perhaps the location of the bridge in relation to the soundhole, that makes it sound sweeter and feel more resonant." — Keb’ Mo’, Guitar Player Magazine (2021)
A completely personalized design
Keb’ left no stone unturned during the development of his signature guitar. He specified other noteworthy features, including a wider 1.805-inch nut (standard J-45s are 1.725 inches at the nut) for more room between the strings. He also asked for open-back Grover tuning machines for stable pitch along with the bone nut and saddle. Keb’s tinkering also saw him choose a belly-down bridge instead of the traditional J-45 belly-up bridge. You’ll also notice other subtle visual upgrades, including a bound fingerboard and laid-back dot inlays. Finally, the headstock features an inlaid mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and crown to complete the stunning visuals.
A bit about Keb’ Mo’
A transplant from Compton, Calif., Nashville-based Keb’ Mo’ has amassed critical and listener acclaim since his 1994 self-titled LP. His fingerstyle skills and evocative lyrics wove a musical tapestry that mixed old Delta blues, folk, and rock elements. Along the way, Keb’ has earned five Grammys and more than a dozen Blues Foundation Awards, among other awards in his trophy case. Keb’ Mo’ continues his career journey with new music, activism, and bringing music education to marginalized communities. Keb’ himself will tell you that he has nothing left to prove. But the Gibson Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-fret J-45 verifies that he’s just as good at designing guitars as he is playing them.
Gibson Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-fret J-45 Acoustic-electric Guitar Features:
- Keb’ Mo’s 3rd signature Gibson acoustic guitar
- Thermally aged Sitka spruce top delivers punchy projection with a fast attack
- Mahogany back and sides add a warm, resonant tonal quality
- Mahogany neck and custom Keb’ Mo’ neck profile supply plenty of comfort
- 12th fret neck joint contributes a comfortable feel and rounded tone
- 25-inch scale length offers a slightly stiffer string feel
- Rosewood fingerboard and Plek’d frets delivers smooth playability
- Wider 1.805-inch nut width provides plenty of string space for fingerpicking
- LR Baggs VTC electronics and soundhole-mounted controls give you great tone for gigging
- Belly-down rosewood bridge, fingerboard binding, and mother-of-pearl accents complete the look
