The Workhorse
Gibson introduced its iconic round-shoulder body shape in the early 1930s, and it was a gamechanger for the music industry. Following on from its close cousins, the Advanced Jumbo and J-35, the J-45 was introduced in 1942 and became known as “The Workhorse” thanks to its no-nonsense simplicity and understated elegance. With a warm, mid-rich tone beloved by producers, the J-45 has featured on some of the best-known recordings of all time in the hands of legendary artists from Buddy Holly and Bob Dylan to Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves.
Today’s Gibson J-45 models carry on that legacy and are handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana. They offer players variations on the time-honored recipe for different tones and budgets, sophisticated pickup systems for use on stage, and premium gig bags and hardshell cases for peace of mind en route to your next performance.
Today’s Gibson J-45 models carry on that legacy and are handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana. They offer players variations on the time-honored recipe for different tones and budgets, sophisticated pickup systems for use on stage, and premium gig bags and hard cases for peace of mind en route to your next performance.
Although nominally a flat-top, the Gibson J-45 features a domed top and back. This effect is created by subtly radiusing the bracing, which the top and back conform to when glued. This tension is a key ingredient in the magic midrange tone of a J-45.
Louder and with more bass than a small-body acoustic, the round-shoulder design of a J-45 offers more clarity and balance than a typical square-shouldered dreadnought and tames some of that booming low end.
At Gibson Acoustic in Bozeman, Montana, we pride ourselves on doing more work by hand than any other major manufacturer, on every guitar we build. Our acoustic guitar necks are still fitted by hand with a dovetail joint and hot hide glue for maximum transfer of vibrations, light weight, structural strength, and optimal balance.
For more than 80 years, the Gibson J-45 has provided the backbone for more hit records than we can count, across diverse genres like country, folk, Britpop, and rock ’n’ roll. Quite simply, these machines have songs in them. Ask our artists which guitar they’d happily be stranded with on a desert island and more often than not, the answer is a J-45.
