A gorgeous early 1950s Gibson that offers a perfect mix of power and warmth, incredible feel and exceptional playability, this J-45 is sure to impress. It’s just come through our repairshop with a fresh neck reset and new frets and has had all of the requisite brace regluing taken care of, too.

Scalloped braces, small pickguard, tiny maple bridge plate, through-cut bridge, and dark burst – all hallmarks of an early 1950s Gibson J-45. The guitar’s top is nearly crack free – there’s a repaired pickguard crack under the B string, and the center seam has been cleanly reglued. The original bridge is unmodified and has never been reglued, the original saddle appears to have never been cut down, and we’ve set the neck angle such that no saddle adjustment was needed (one of our best party tricks).

The guitar’s back has only one minor crack that’s about 3” long and has been glued. The sides of the guitar have a few glued cracks, the longest of which goes from upper bout to lower bout on the bass side of the body but doesn’t come anywhere near the neck or tail block.

The guitar’s finish is original and unmodified throughout and presents well. You’ll spot some beltwear on the back and some light strum wear on the top. Original nut, bridge pins, and end pin. The tuning machines are early 1950s Klusons that we’ve installed with a set of aged modern-spec bushings and new Antique Acoustic buttons. The non-original tuners we removed left extra screw-holes in the back of the headstock and slightly enlarged post holes, almost all of which is well hidden and not obvious.

The neck is remarkably comfortable, with Gibson’s early 1950s round carve and medium depth, a rolled fretboard edge and a 1-11/16” nut. Much care was taken during the refret to maintain neck dimensions and feel. First fret neck thickness is .845”, 9th fret thickness is .950”. 24.75” scale, 2-1/8” string spread at the saddle. Action set at 4-6 64ths with 12-53 strings.

With period brown Gibson #514 Faultless case.