1943 Gibson J-45....the dream is realized

[Hiwatt Bob]

Today i went to Willies american guitars and came home with one of my all-time dream guitars. even since i played my friend's dad's 60's J-45, i knew that was exactly what i wanted an acoustic guitar to be. in 2007, around the time my daughter was born, i bought a new reissue J45, knowing i couldn't really justify or afford a vintage J45 at the time.

So, today i traded my '07 J45, a '71 SG Standard, and a 1950 TV-front Deluxe amp, and used the money i got from selling my FBiii (see the other thread) to purchase what is my absolute dream--a 1943 Banner J-45. No cracks anywhere, but lots of checking. it did have the tuners replaced long ago with old klusons. Adirondack spruce top, mahogany back and sides. enormous baseball bat neck. i played it against a '46 J-45, '38 and '41 J-35--and this was the best.

Fun note: as i was buying it--they had just sold an old Martin classical to Willie Nelson. I got to play the final chord on it before it was put in the case to be shipped.

[Embenny]

Hot damn, the banner guitars are awesome! Those ladies knew what they were doing.

Great piece of history you've got there. I bet it sounds incredible. Congrats!!

[sookwinder]

Wow ... what a score ... I am amazed it has no c racks but still has the mojo look.
To my eye the old klusons with yellowed buttons fit in perfectly to the whole vintage vibe.
The only down side for someone like me (and the way I play) is that huge baseball necks are not my thing, but obviously it works for you.
Did you get any back story on who had previously owned it ... little old lady who only played it at church on sundays.

truly amazing and a beautiful instrument.
Everyone should have a J45 (or J50)

[Hiwatt Bob]

Thanks guys—yeah the neck is huge. Like mandingo huge. 8===D.

Light as a feather too. I’ll try to record some clips. Sounds amazing—the strings are still very new, but I can’t wait til they dull out a little. I prefer deader, darker strings.

[zhivago]

Very, very cool!

[shadowplay]

Wow!

Not sure if I've seen very many more desirable guitars posted on here, well done you.

D

[i love sharin foo]

Awesome Ryan! Congrats! That is definitely one of those ones that you aspire to and that really feels satisfying when it finally comes to fruition. It looks fantastic

[Ursa Minor]

Unbelievably cool. Well done and congrats!

[nanamour]

Unreal. I'm having a hard time mustering words worthy of this one...

Congrats and thanks for sharing, its been a real treat ogling and reading the stories behind quite a few uber-desirable old acoustics popping up around these parts as of late!

[Despot]

That is a beautiful thing indeed Hiwatt Bob - I know that when I found my own J45 it was the end of a long search for 'the one'. When you've found it, you know.

Happy NGD - may it give you many happy years of strumming.

[Jaguar018]

That's an amazing guitar for sure, but Willie Nelson bought a guitar from Willie's American Guitars?

[MechaBulletBill]

That's in incredible condition

[kapepper]

Very nice!!!!

[Shadoweclipse13]

Something that sweet would almost be enough to pull me out of my "I don't play acoustic anymore" thing Congrats Bob! She's a beauty!!

[Hiwatt Bob]

thanks dudes--i'm super stoked. been averaging 4-5 hours a day on this thing since i got it. hard to put down. already wrote a song (well, 2 verses)--and it's been some time since i've actually wrote any lyrics for anything. feels good man.