1952 Gibson J-45

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1952 Gibson J-45

A beautiful and largely original small-guard J-45 from 1951 that offers fabulous tone, great looks and an amazing neck carve. J-45s from the small-pickguard era come in pretty much two types: there are the loud and mid-range-forward versions that have decent treble cut and have a fairly dry and clean overtone pallet, and there are the darker, bassier versions that offer more overtone flower but trade away some of their cut and midrange to do it. While both versions sound very much like a 50s J-45 and offer excellent volume and headroom, when compared side by side the differences become surprisingly apparent. All that said, this example falls solidly into the darker, warmer camp, and it does an amazing job of making anyone who plays it sound older, wiser, weathered, and well-lived. It’s a songwriter’s guitar that’s sure to inspire and is beautiful to listen to.

The guitar is in great shape and has no cracks in its top, only one small (repaired) back crack, and two tiny side cracks where the body rests on your leg when played seated. Its bridge is original and unmodified, as are its frets and nut. The top features scalloped bracing and its original tiny maple bridge plate. The finish is original and unaltered throughout and shows less than average wear. There’s light strum-wear north of the pickguard and around the soundhole, a few dents in the top (some of which were painted-in with lacquer), a bit of wear to the back of the neck, and light buckle marks in the guitar’s back. A few brace ends have been reglued under the hood. Tuner buttons and bridge pins are Antique Acoustic replacements.

This 1952 J-45 has never had a neck reset and its frets are original. The saddle remains nearly full-height with an action set at our shop 5-6 64ths standard. The frets play cleanly and easily, but you can feel that the early 1950s wire is quite small if you’re used to contemporary fretwire.

The neck has a perfect 50s Gibson carve, with a round and deep profile, 1-11/16” nut and a 1st fret thickness of .895”. The string spread at the bridge measures 2-3/16, which is 1/16” wider than spec, and a welcomed factory misstep.

Finally, if you’re into history, this J-45 shipped to Turner Musical in Toronto on October 29th, 1952. The Made in USA stamp on the back of the headstock was applied to all of Gibson’s exports in those years.

With hardshell case.
1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45
  • 1952 Gibson J-45

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