Gibson J-45 Century 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Sunburst

Celebrating generations of exceptional acoustic craft, the Gibson J-45 Century 12-Fret is a revival of original 1940s "Workhorses" with dynamic, vintage-inspired bends from tradition. Part of the Gibson Century Collection of acoustic guitars, the J-45 Century 12-Fret is an alternate timeline take on the standby round-shoulder Gibson acoustic.

Back in the early 1940s, Gibson debuted their J-45 round-shoulder dreadnought acoustic guitar. The now-classic dreadnought shape served as the basis for generations of American acoustic guitar music with a bold, full-bodied shape and 14-Fret neck assembly. Nicknamed "The Workhorse" for its versatility and tonal quality, the J-45 became a classic in and out of the Gibson line. Today's J-45 Century 12-Fret takes an alternate route with different neck designs and appointments for something altogether new but reverent to the Gibson legacy.

This Gibson J-45 Century 12-Fret starts out familiarly to other J-45s. The model's iconic round-shoulder dreadnought body shape comes together from a classic combo of Sitka spruce and mahogany. Breathing authentically vintage acoustic voices into every performance, this Workhorse dreadnought body is wrapped in a satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish with cream binding for a smooth, rich aesthetic look and feel.

Here, this J-45 breaks from the usual with its neck. A mahogany neck joins the J-45 body through compound dovetail neck joint assembly utilizing vintage-accurate hot hide glue adhesive. The SlimTaper-profiled neck meets the body at the twelfth fret, as opposed to the usual fourteenth. This 12-Fret neck and board length introduces an all-new playing feel to the J-45 for something well worth the visit. A rosewood fingerboard meets with this neck bearing nineteen frets and understated Mother of Pearl Dot fret inlays.

This unique 12-Fret J-45 tops off its experience with a suite of fine hardware appointments. First, a rectangular rosewood bridge lands at the base of the 24.75" scale with a bone saddle and TUSQ bridge pins. This arrangement makes for a sturdy connection and a solid transfer of motion string-to-body. At the scale's opposite end, a bone nut lands at the classic Gibson headstock adorned with 3-On-A-Plate Golden Age Strap tuners with cream buttons. This Gibson Century acoustic features a few unique aesthetic appointments like a Gibson L-00-style pickguard and travels with an included premium Gibson Century Collection tweed hardshell case.

A hundred years on and Gibson's yet to lose their luster. The J-45 Century 12-Fret says it all.