Gibson Custom Shop 1955 J-45 Acoustic Guitar in Light Aged Vintage Sunburst (59860)

Retailing in the region of £5,299.00

If you are looking for New Guitars from Gibson, the Gibson Custom Shop 1955 J-45 Acoustic Guitar in Light Aged Vintage Sunburst (59860) is a great option. In stock, and ready to ship with fast, reliable delivery across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. For more details within Acoustic Guitars, additional Steel String Acoustic Guitars options, full specifications, demos, images, videos, and secure online ordering, read more below.

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Description

If you are looking for New Guitars from Gibson, the Gibson Custom Shop 1955 J-45 Acoustic Guitar in Light Aged Vintage Sunburst (59860) is a great option. In stock, and ready to ship with fast, reliable delivery across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. For more details within Acoustic Guitars, additional Steel String Acoustic Guitars options, full specifications, demos, images, videos, and secure online ordering, read on below.

The Gibson Custom Shop 1955 J-45 Acoustic Guitar in Light Aged Vintage Sunburst is a masterful recreation of one of Gibson’s most iconic models. Revered as “The Workhorse,” the J-45 has been a favourite among musicians since its introduction in 1942, celebrated for its straightforward design, robust build, and warm, balanced tone. This 1955 reissue captures a pivotal moment in the J-45’s history, featuring the extended 20-fret rosewood fingerboard and the larger 50-style pickguard that replaced the earlier teardrop shape.

Handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana by Gibson Custom’s expert luthiers, this guitar showcases vintage-accurate appointments and meticulous attention to detail. The round-shoulder mahogany body is paired with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top, delivering the sweet, resonant tone of a well-seasoned vintage instrument. Traditional scalloped X-bracing glued with hide glue enhances the guitar’s responsiveness and tonal clarity, while the multi-ply top and single-ply back binding add subtle elegance.

The mahogany neck features a comfortable round profile and is attached with a compound dovetail joint, also glued with hide glue for superior resonance. The rosewood fingerboard is adorned with simple mother-of-pearl dot inlays and equipped with 20 frets, reflecting the authentic 1955 design. Vintage-style Grover strap tuners with cream buttons, bone nut, saddle, and bridge pins complete the period-correct aesthetic and ensure reliable tuning stability.

Finished with Gibson’s Murphy Lab Light Aging treatment, this guitar exhibits the character and feel of an original from the golden era, with lightly aged hardware and finish that simulate decades of gentle playwear. The 1955 J-45 Light Aged is a stunning instrument for players and collectors alike, combining historical accuracy with modern craftsmanship to deliver a truly inspiring playing experience.

Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce Top

The thermally aged Sitka spruce top offers a rich, sweet tone reminiscent of a vintage guitar that has matured over decades. This process enhances the wood’s resonance and stability, providing a warm, open sound with excellent projection and clarity.

Mahogany Round-Shoulder Body

The mahogany body delivers a balanced, full-bodied tone with strong midrange presence. Its round-shoulder design contributes to a smooth, comfortable playing experience and classic J-45 sound.

Vintage-Accurate Appointments

From the 20-fret rosewood fingerboard and mother-of-pearl dot inlays to the larger 50-style pickguard and Grover tuners with cream buttons, every detail reflects the authentic 1955 J-45 specifications, ensuring an authentic vintage vibe and feel.

Murphy Lab Light Aging

Gibson’s Murphy Lab Light Aging treatment gives this guitar a subtle, natural-looking finish wear that replicates the look and feel of a well-played vintage instrument. This adds character and a unique personality to each guitar, enhancing the playing experience.

Key Features

  • Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce Top – This specially treated spruce top provides the tonal richness and responsiveness of a vintage guitar, offering a sweet, open sound that improves with age.
  • Mahogany Round-Shoulder Body – The classic mahogany body shape delivers warm midrange tones and a balanced voice, perfect for a wide range of playing styles.
  • Authentic 1955 Specifications – Featuring a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, larger 50-style pickguard, and vintage Grover tuners, this guitar faithfully recreates the look and feel of the original 1955 J-45.
  • Murphy Lab Light Aging Treatment – This finish treatment simulates decades of gentle playwear, giving the guitar a unique vintage character and enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

Specifications

Body

  • Body Shape: J-45 Round Shoulder
  • Top Wood: Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce
  • Back Wood: Mahogany
  • Bracing: Traditional Scalloped X-bracing with Hide Glue
  • Binding: Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back

Neck

  • Neck Wood: Mahogany
  • Neck Profile: Round
  • Nut Width: 1.725” / 43.815mm
  • Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
  • Scale Length: 24.75” / 628.65mm
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Nut Material: Bone
  • Fingerboard Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot

Hardware

  • Bridge: Traditional Belly-up Rosewood
  • Tuners: Vintage-style Grover with Cream Buttons
  • Plating: Nickel

Additional information

Weight 36.5 kg

About the manufacturer

Gibson

Gibson has long stood as a symbol of American craftsmanship and musical heritage, shaping the sound of rock, blues, and jazz for over a century. Founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1902, Gibson became legendary with instruments like the Les Paul, SG, and ES series, each known for their rich sustain, premium tonewoods, and iconic designs. The brand’s pioneering use of humbucker pickups and carved maple tops created the warm, powerful sound that defines countless classic recordings. Played by greats such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Angus Young, Gibson guitars continue to represent timeless quality, innovation, and a deep connection between player and instrument.

More info about this Product

Acoustic Guitars

Acoustic guitars produce their sound naturally through the vibration of the strings and body, offering a direct and expressive playing experience. They come in a wide range of styles, including steel string and classical designs, each with its own feel and tonal character. Body shape, wood choice, and construction all influence warmth, projection, and balance, making acoustics suitable for everything from gentle fingerstyle to confident strumming. Whether used for songwriting, practice, or performance, acoustic guitars provide a simple, honest connection between the player and the music.

Guitars

Guitars cover a wide range of instruments designed to suit different styles, techniques, and sounds, from acoustic and classical models to solid body, semi-hollow, and hollow electric designs. Factors like body shape, scale length, neck profile, string type, and pickups all influence how a guitar feels and responds, making each type suited to different players and musical approaches. Whether used for rhythm, lead, songwriting, or experimentation, guitars are expressive, versatile instruments that form the heart of countless genres and playing styles.

Steel String Acoustic Guitars

Steel string acoustic guitars are known for their bright, clear tone and strong projection, making them a popular choice for strumming, fingerpicking, and songwriting. Using steel strings gives them more tension and volume than classical guitars, resulting in a sound that cuts through well whether played solo or alongside other instruments. They come in a range of body shapes and sizes, each influencing balance, resonance, and comfort. From delicate fingerstyle passages to powerful rhythm playing, steel string acoustics are versatile instruments that respond well to dynamics and playing style, both at home and on stage.

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