A unique and historically important J-45, this one-owner guitar appears to have been among the first of its kind to be sprayed with the new Cherry Sunburst finish Gibson pioneered in 1960. Our thinking is that this guitar’s extra-dark cherry finish was the result of an experiment with new cherry aniline dye, as Gibson was transitioning away from its long-used tobacco sunburst finish recipe. It’s quite obvious that far too much aniline dye was mixed into the lacquer, but Gibson - loath to waste a perfect guitar - shipped it out anyway (incidentally to Canada!). Over the 65 years since, this J-45 has spent almost all of its life in its case – safely away from the fading effects of UV light - and has remained virtually unplayed.

Brought to Folkway by the family of the original owner, the provenance of this guitar’s factory one-off finish is added to by its complete lack of modification or repair. It’s 100% untouched and is completely original. The bridge is currently lifting slightly but we’ve left it unrepaired as proof that the finish is factory-original and unaltered. We can certainly reglue the bridge upon the buyer’s request. The balance of the guitar is perfect – it’s crack-free, there are no loose braces, and there’s not even any dust inside the body. Apart from wear to the first 3 frets, the guitar is flawless.

1950’s spec J-45, with glazed porcelain adjustable saddle and small solid maple bridge plate, single-ring rosette, large celluloid pickguard, and 1-11/16” nut width. The neck has a 1960 carve, with a lowish C profile and 1st fret depth of .820”. The neck angle is excellent and the guitar could be made perfectly playable with a bridge reglue and its first 3 frets replaced. We’re confident it will sound great, as all of the porcelain-saddle J-45s with ‘50s spec maple bridge plates sound fabulous.

This is a wonderfully unique guitar, and about as collectable a J-45 as exists from the adjustable bridge era.

With original chipboard case and case candy.