The legendary Gibson acoustic workhorse—the J45 Custom.
The legendary J-45 clearly defines the storied legacy of Gibson acoustics. Without question, the J-45 is one of the most beloved and played acoustic guitars in the history of modern music, and the icon of Gibson’s round-shoulder dreadnought acoustic line ever since its introduction in 1942. Today, it stands proudly as Gibson’s number one-selling acoustic, and in recognition of this distinguished rank Gibson Acoustic presents the J-45 Custom – one of the most elegant and best-sounding versions of this classic model ever produced by Gibson Acoustic’s master craftsmen. Combining vintage appointments with several modern features, the J-45 Custom delivers the model’s renowned tone while adding a new, refined appearance that complements its fundamental design, including a brand new floral and vine abalone pearl headstock inlay designed by Gibson master luthier Ren Ferguson.
Body
The top of the J-45 Custom is made from AA-grade Sitka spruce, while the back and sides are constructed from pattern-grade Indian rosewood, giving the model the same full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection that earned the original J-45 its much-heralded reputation. Selecting the right wood, and the formula to dry it out, are two of the most central procedures to Gibson’s guitar-building process. Beginning with its first catalog in 1903, Gibson has assured its customers that every guitar would be built using woods with “the most durable, elastic, and sonorous qualities,” and today’s guitars from Gibson Acoustic are no different.
Bracing
Every acoustic guitar made by Gibson features hand-scalloped, radiused top bracing inside the body, a feature normally found only in limited run, hand-made guitars. By scalloping each brace by hand, the natural sound of the acoustic is focused more toward the center of the body, enhancing the instrument’s sound projection. The J-45 Custom features a variation of Gibson’s “X” bracing pattern situated behind the soundhole, with a set of tall and thin braces for the back, and scalloped tall and thin braces for the top. This legendary bracing design delivers a balanced expression, with punchy, deep lows, warm mids, and clear, crisp highs. It also projects a natural compression, which helps the J-45 Custom blend nicely with any accompaniment.
Tapered dovetail neck joint
The dovetail neck joint is one of the oldest — and best — ways of securely joining the neck to the body of a guitar. It is also a complex and expensive neck joint to build, but the result is a tight, locking connection that supports the neck at the proper neck-pitch angle, allowing the body and neck to become one solid piece of resonating wood, with no metal to impede vibration. This process is done entirely by hand, requiring patience and skill.
Traditional Gibson logo and new headstock inlay design
The Gibson name has graced the most innovative and revolutionary acoustic guitars of our time, including the J-45 Custom. There is no mistaking the classic block logo, inlaid in beautiful mother of pearl, representing more than a century of originality and excellence. There is simply no equal. The headstock also features a new flower and vine abalone pearl inlay designed by Gibson Acoustic’s longtime master luthier, Ren Ferguson. The elegance and stunning detail of this new hand-engraved figured design gives the J-45 Custom a distinct identity, ensuring its rightful place among the finest Gibson designs of the past.
Gold Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
Grover’s original Rotomatic tuners are an engineering marvel, with style and performance exactly suited for the J-45 Custom. With a gear ratio of 14:1, the Rotomatics deliver precision tuning in a durable housing that provides maximum protection for the gear and string post. All moving parts are cut for exact meshing, eliminating the possibility of slippage. A countersunk tension screw lets players regulate the tuning tension to any degree. A special lubricant inside the gear box provides smooth and accurate tuning stability.
L.R. Baggs Element active acoustic pickup system
The J-45 Custom comes equipped with the popular Element Active Acoustic Pickup System from L.R. Baggs, which features a low-profile undersaddle element — or transducer — that’s proven more stable and durable than many standard ribbon-type pickups. Combined with an onboard preamp with an unobtrusive and removable volume control mounted just inside the soundhole, the Element delivers performance not previously attainable from an undersaddle pickup. Its sleek and effective design removes unnecessary internal components to enhance the coupling between the pickup and the guitar and improve the sensitivity of the transducer for a robust, lively and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end.
Hardshell case included.
