1944 Gibson Banner J-45 Maple Sunburst
Description
SN 402(?). It’s always cause for celebration when a Banner Gibson arrives in the shop; especially one as clean and thrilling to play as this one. It has the rare combination of maple back and sides, Sitka spruce top and the fat maple/walnut five-piece neck. The insides are clean as a whistle. Only a light over spray keeps this guitar from being grade A prime.
The Banner J-45 with maple back and sides first hit my radar screen via Russ Barenberg, the melodic fiddle tunes interpreter and bluegrass musician. I’ve sought them out ever since. Because the grain of the laminated maple is so dense, the finish sometimes does not adhere very well. Some of the examples I’ve had are flaked and chipped, the finish rubbed off the neck. But the density of the maple also produces a unique and beguiling tone; a more pronounced attack and ringing sustain. It’s somewhere between rosewood and mahogany.
The guitar otherwise has all the same specs as the beloved J-45. The nut is 1-3/4 wide and the depth of the neck at the first fret is .92”. The string spacing at the bridge is 2-1/8” and the scale length measures 24.5”. It has an adjustable truss rod. Inside there are two scalloped tone bars and scalloped X-bracing. The bridge plate and bridge bolts are original and healthy. The rosewood bridge has been lowered slightly to bring down the action, which is currently very low (I’ll probably add a taller saddle). New frets and a neck reset have been done recently. The over spray was applied very carefully, lightly and evenly; and for purely cosmetic reasons. There are no cracks or signs of unusual wear. Original checking can be seen and felt through the top. No over spray has pooled anywhere. It’s a professional job.
The bridge pins, end pin and tuner buttons have been replaced; otherwise all parts are original. It comes in a modern TKL case.
CONSIGNMENT
SPECS:
Year: 1944
Top: Spruce
Band & Sides: Maple
Bridge & Fretboard: Rosewood
Appointments: Pearl dots, banner decal
Nut width: 1-3/4”
String spacing: 2-1/8”
Body width: 16”
Depth: 4-3/4”
Scale length: 24.5”
Case: HSC
The Banner J-45 with maple back and sides first hit my radar screen via Russ Barenberg, the melodic fiddle tunes interpreter and bluegrass musician. I’ve sought them out ever since. Because the grain of the laminated maple is so dense, the finish sometimes does not adhere very well. Some of the examples I’ve had are flaked and chipped, the finish rubbed off the neck. But the density of the maple also produces a unique and beguiling tone; a more pronounced attack and ringing sustain. It’s somewhere between rosewood and mahogany.
The guitar otherwise has all the same specs as the beloved J-45. The nut is 1-3/4 wide and the depth of the neck at the first fret is .92”. The string spacing at the bridge is 2-1/8” and the scale length measures 24.5”. It has an adjustable truss rod. Inside there are two scalloped tone bars and scalloped X-bracing. The bridge plate and bridge bolts are original and healthy. The rosewood bridge has been lowered slightly to bring down the action, which is currently very low (I’ll probably add a taller saddle). New frets and a neck reset have been done recently. The over spray was applied very carefully, lightly and evenly; and for purely cosmetic reasons. There are no cracks or signs of unusual wear. Original checking can be seen and felt through the top. No over spray has pooled anywhere. It’s a professional job.
The bridge pins, end pin and tuner buttons have been replaced; otherwise all parts are original. It comes in a modern TKL case.
CONSIGNMENT
SPECS:
Year: 1944
Top: Spruce
Band & Sides: Maple
Bridge & Fretboard: Rosewood
Appointments: Pearl dots, banner decal
Nut width: 1-3/4”
String spacing: 2-1/8”
Body width: 16”
Depth: 4-3/4”
Scale length: 24.5”
Case: HSC