Gibson '50s J-45 Original Vintage Sunburst
Known as The Workhorse, the Gibson J-45 body style is among Gibson's most beloved. This particular workhorse features a superb blend of tonewoods, giving you rich, strong sound with well-balanced tonality. The '50s J-45 Original features a solid Sitka spruce top for presence, while premium mahogany adorns its back and sides. Other touches include traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing, a compound dovetail neck joint, and multi-ply top and single-ply back body binding. The Gibson '50s J-45 Original's fretboard comprises high-grade rosewood, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson experts before it enters the Gibson factories. It's a resilient and durable wood, making way for a balanced and stable fretboard, and giving each chord and note enhanced clarity and bite. The dot inlays on the J-45 are made of genuine mother-of-pearl and are added to the fretboard using a special Gibson process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require fillers. What's more, the '50s J-45 Original's fretboard boasts a rolled edge that's lightly beveled, which enhances the instrument's smooth playability. The Gibson Acoustic '50s J-45 Original comes with LR Baggs's popular VTC acoustic pickup system, a popular choice among acoustic guitarists. This system features a low-profile under-saddle transducer that enhances the coupling between the pickup and the guitar for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. Combined with an onboard preamplifier with unobtrusive and removable volume control, mounted just inside the soundhole, the VTC gives your '50s J-45 Original the amplification you need, with zero compromises for tone or convenience.
Known as The Workhorse, the Gibson J-45 body style is among Gibson's most beloved. This particular workhorse features a superb blend of tonewoods, giving you rich, strong sound with well-balanced tonality. The '50s J-45 Original features a solid Sitka spruce top for presence, while premium mahogany adorns its back and sides. Other touches include traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing, a compound dovetail neck joint, and multi-ply top and single-ply back body binding. The Gibson '50s J-45 Original's fretboard comprises high-grade rosewood, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson experts before it enters the Gibson factories. It's a resilient and durable wood, making way for a balanced and stable fretboard, and giving each chord and note enhanced clarity and bite. The dot inlays on the J-45 are made of genuine mother-of-pearl and are added to the fretboard using a special Gibson process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require fillers. What's more, the '50s J-45 Original's fretboard boasts a rolled edge that's lightly beveled, which enhances the instrument's smooth playability. The Gibson Acoustic '50s J-45 Original comes with LR Baggs's popular VTC acoustic pickup system, a popular choice among acoustic guitarists. This system features a low-profile under-saddle transducer that enhances the coupling between the pickup and the guitar for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. Combined with an onboard preamplifier with unobtrusive and removable volume control, mounted just inside the soundhole, the VTC gives your '50s J-45 Original the amplification you need, with zero compromises for tone or convenience.
Known as The Workhorse, the Gibson J-45 body style is among Gibson's most beloved. This particular workhorse features a superb blend of tonewoods, giving you rich, strong sound with well-balanced tonality. The '50s J-45 Original features a solid Sitka spruce top for presence, while premium mahogany adorns its back and sides. Other touches include traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing, a compound dovetail neck joint, and multi-ply top and single-ply back body binding. The Gibson '50s J-45 Original's fretboard comprises high-grade rosewood, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson experts before it enters the Gibson factories. It's a resilient and durable wood, making way for a balanced and stable fretboard, and giving each chord and note enhanced clarity and bite. The dot inlays on the J-45 are made of genuine mother-of-pearl and are added to the fretboard using a special Gibson process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require fillers. What's more, the '50s J-45 Original's fretboard boasts a rolled edge that's lightly beveled, which enhances the instrument's smooth playability. The Gibson Acoustic '50s J-45 Original comes with LR Baggs's popular VTC acoustic pickup system, a popular choice among acoustic guitarists. This system features a low-profile under-saddle transducer that enhances the coupling between the pickup and the guitar for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. Combined with an onboard preamplifier with unobtrusive and removable volume control, mounted just inside the soundhole, the VTC gives your '50s J-45 Original the amplification you need, with zero compromises for tone or convenience.
Known as The Workhorse, the Gibson J-45 body style is among Gibson's most beloved. This particular workhorse features a superb blend of tonewoods, giving you rich, strong sound with well-balanced tonality. The '50s J-45 Original features a solid Sitka spruce top for presence, while premium mahogany adorns its back and sides. Other touches include traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing, a compound dovetail neck joint, and multi-ply top and single-ply back body binding. The Gibson '50s J-45 Original's fretboard comprises high-grade rosewood, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson experts before it enters the Gibson factories. It's a resilient and durable wood, making way for a balanced and stable fretboard, and giving each chord and note enhanced clarity and bite. The dot inlays on the J-45 are made of genuine mother-of-pearl and are added to the fretboard using a special Gibson process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require fillers. What's more, the '50s J-45 Original's fretboard boasts a rolled edge that's lightly beveled, which enhances the instrument's smooth playability. The Gibson Acoustic '50s J-45 Original comes with LR Baggs's popular VTC acoustic pickup system, a popular choice among acoustic guitarists. This system features a low-profile under-saddle transducer that enhances the coupling between the pickup and the guitar for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. Combined with an onboard preamplifier with unobtrusive and removable volume control, mounted just inside the soundhole, the VTC gives your '50s J-45 Original the amplification you need, with zero compromises for tone or convenience.
in 34 offers
The lowest price for Gibson '50s J-45 Original Vintage Sunburst right now is $2,790.54 at Reverb, compared across 18 retailers.
The all-time low was $1,056.15 on 17 June 2024 — today's price is 164% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 3 Oct 2026.
Last updated at 03/10/2026 06:31:29
Gibson '50s J-45 Original Vintage Sunburst
Delivery $452.75
Gibson 1950's J-45 (2021) Acoustic Guitar Used
Delivery $28.81
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Gibson J-45 50s Faded - Vintage Sunburst
Delivery $855.12
Gibson 50's J-45 Original Vintage Sunburst Acoustic Electric
Delivery between 9–13 Oct $257.14
2017 Gibson Custom Shop '1950's J-45' (USA, Sunburst, COA, OHSC)
Delivery $79
Gibson 50'S J45 Original Vintage Sunburst Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Delivery $55
GIBSON 50S J45 ORIGINAL VTG SB
Delivery $18.74
Gibson 50s J-45 Original w/Case - Vintage Sunburst
Free delivery between 7–13 Oct
Gibson 50's J-45 Original in Vintage Sunburst
Delivery between Wed – Fri $20
Gibson 50's J-45 Original (Vintage Sunburst) w/ Pickup inc Hard Case
originally posted on americanmusical.com
I believe the J-45 to be one on the most well balanced , beautiful sounding acoustic guitar models, and I find this Slash signature to be outstanding compared to all J-45s I have heard. Some J-45 models have different woods and sound out of balance relatively. This model has the same sitca spruce and mohagany , but with the thicker neck, and it just sounds better and louder than the rest (to my ears). Maybe less vibration escapes through a thick neck than a thin neck...I dunno. The fretboard is flatter too , so easier bends. After looking at several specimens of J-45 standards, the Slash models appear to have finer looking woods, (same with Slash signature Les Pauls) with nice book matched woods in case you go for that kind of thing too. In a nutshell, you will have ... MoreI believe the J-45 to be one on the most well balanced , beautiful sounding acoustic guitar models, and I find this Slash signature to be outstanding compared to all J-45s I have heard. Some J-45 models have different woods and sound out of balance relatively. This model has the same sitca spruce and mohagany , but with the thicker neck, and it just sounds better and louder than the rest (to my ears). Maybe less vibration escapes through a thick neck than a thin neck...I dunno. The fretboard is flatter too , so easier bends. After looking at several specimens of J-45 standards, the Slash models appear to have finer looking woods, (same with Slash signature Les Pauls) with nice book matched woods in case you go for that kind of thing too. In a nutshell, you will have a hard time finding a better sounding or looking J-45, and this model has a thick neck and a flatter fretboard.
originally posted on mannys.com.au
A beautiful-sounding instrument, as you might expect, but not anywhere near set-up, which you would not expect at this price.Gibson supplies a blank truss rod cover in case you don't want to use the Slash one, but the blank cover is cheap 1-ply plastic and already has scratches on it though it has never been fitted or handled.The hard case is good quality and holds the guitar very well.If you can, play this guitar before you decide to buy. It is a little different than the standard J-45, and those differences may matter to you.
originally posted on guitarcenter.com
I played multiple high end guitars at the Savannah GC and fell in love with the Gibson J-45 standard. Thank you Zac and Tray for your incredible help, understanding, and guidance in the purchase of my new guitar. The guitar is even better than I could have hoped for. Incredible sound and very easy to play. I highly recommend this guitar and the Savannah GA, GC.
| Finish | Ebony Vintage Sunburst |
| Year | 2019 - 2023 |
| Made In | United States |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
Gibson '50s J-45 Original Vintage Sunburst
Delivery $452.75
Gibson 1950's J-45 (2021) Acoustic Guitar Used
Delivery $28.81
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Gibson J-45 50s Faded - Vintage Sunburst
Delivery $855.12
Gibson 50's J-45 Original Vintage Sunburst Acoustic Electric
Delivery between 9–13 Oct $257.14
2017 Gibson Custom Shop '1950's J-45' (USA, Sunburst, COA, OHSC)
Delivery $79
I believe the J-45 to be one on the most well balanced , beautiful sounding acoustic guitar models, and I find this Slash signature to be outstanding compared to all J-45s I have heard. Some J-45 models have different woods and sound out of balance relatively. This model has the same sitca spruce and mohagany , but with the thicker neck, and it just sounds better and louder than the rest (to my ears). Maybe less vibration escapes through a thick neck than a thin neck...I dunno. The fretboard is flatter too , so easier bends. After looking at several specimens of J-45 standards, the Slash models appear to have finer looking woods, (same with Slash signature Les Pauls) with nice book matched woods in case you go for that kind of thing too. In a nutshell, you will have ... MoreI believe the J-45 to be one on the most well balanced , beautiful sounding acoustic guitar models, and I find this Slash signature to be outstanding compared to all J-45s I have heard. Some J-45 models have different woods and sound out of balance relatively. This model has the same sitca spruce and mohagany , but with the thicker neck, and it just sounds better and louder than the rest (to my ears). Maybe less vibration escapes through a thick neck than a thin neck...I dunno. The fretboard is flatter too , so easier bends. After looking at several specimens of J-45 standards, the Slash models appear to have finer looking woods, (same with Slash signature Les Pauls) with nice book matched woods in case you go for that kind of thing too. In a nutshell, you will have a hard time finding a better sounding or looking J-45, and this model has a thick neck and a flatter fretboard.
A beautiful-sounding instrument, as you might expect, but not anywhere near set-up, which you would not expect at this price.Gibson supplies a blank truss rod cover in case you don't want to use the Slash one, but the blank cover is cheap 1-ply plastic and already has scratches on it though it has never been fitted or handled.The hard case is good quality and holds the guitar very well.If you can, play this guitar before you decide to buy. It is a little different than the standard J-45, and those differences may matter to you.
I played multiple high end guitars at the Savannah GC and fell in love with the Gibson J-45 standard. Thank you Zac and Tray for your incredible help, understanding, and guidance in the purchase of my new guitar. The guitar is even better than I could have hoped for. Incredible sound and very easy to play. I highly recommend this guitar and the Savannah GA, GC.
When making this kind of investment you worry and you second guess yourself. I'm blown away. It's the signature Gibson J45 sound. It's what I thought it was and so much more. I play country music. Well worth the buy. I have no more worries. Gibson delivered.
The overall craftsmanship on this guitar is good. That said there is a imperfection on my guitar, more specifically the glue being observable to the naked eye, which is pretty disappointing considering the huge price it retails for. Sound is really great, no complaints here. The guitar looks and feels great, with the exception of the glue like I said. If you have the money to spend it's a great guitar, that said the price is preeety steep, so it comes to personal opinion in regards to Price/Performance. I believe you can find great guitars for half the price of this one. Still I've tested it on a lot of different tracks and genres and it is very malleable. It's a great guitar to have and I have definitely enjoy playing it!
I owned a Gibson j-45 years ago in the 70's with an adjustable bridge. That guitar sounded great, plenty of bass, even response across the strings comfortable to play. I sold it to buy something else. About 10 years ago I bought another one and really didn't like it. Then about five years ago I bought yet another used J-45 that was OK. Ended up selling it also. Often I'd try a J-45 whenever I saw one just never had the sound of the one I had long ago. Enter the 60's J-45 this guitar sounds and plays a lot like the original guitar I owned all those years ago. It might be the adjustable bridge, the woods. Who knows? But it sounds and plays great. Really am enjoying the guitar.Two things I bought one in Black from GC which looks really cool. There are no electronics ... MoreI owned a Gibson j-45 years ago in the 70's with an adjustable bridge. That guitar sounded great, plenty of bass, even response across the strings comfortable to play. I sold it to buy something else. About 10 years ago I bought another one and really didn't like it. Then about five years ago I bought yet another used J-45 that was OK. Ended up selling it also. Often I'd try a J-45 whenever I saw one just never had the sound of the one I had long ago. Enter the 60's J-45 this guitar sounds and plays a lot like the original guitar I owned all those years ago. It might be the adjustable bridge, the woods. Who knows? But it sounds and plays great. Really am enjoying the guitar.Two things I bought one in Black from GC which looks really cool. There are no electronics just like the one I used to own in the 70s. Now can't wait till I can get out a play again. If you are thinking about getting a Gibson acoustic the guitars coming out of Boseman are really good. As always Guitar Center is a great place to do business with. Overall highly recommended.
I've been hearing chatter about a new golden era taking place right now with Gibson guitars. This is in relation to the "reset" by the new CEO, post bankruptcy, and a getting back to their roots and producing quality instruments. I took the bait...and I am not disappointed! I purchased a 2023 50's J-45 in vintage sunburst, wood chips still in the body and the intoxicating smell of nitro curing, and it is flawless cosmetically and, more importantly, the tonality is superb!! A new Golden Era, or not, this thing is amazing. I can't even imagine how this beauty will age...
This guitar sings beautifully and is very comfortable to play. The warm J-45 tone is perfect and sounds vintage out of the case. You will never want to put it down. It is made with all solid wood and the old style neck is actually a comfort in the hand which surprised me. This is the best Gibson I have ever played, and compared to the other standard J-45's, I would never go back. The sunburst style is timeless and beautiful to look at and the pick guard has some character. This is a masterpiece heirloom guitar that I will never part with.
Perfect tone, killer looks, what's not to like? I had a very long guitar journey looking for "the one" and I never imagined I would end up with a j45. I fiddled with them here and there but never got it. Always hyper focused on martins. But something crazy happened over night, the j45 tone just clicked and now I can't scratch the itch with anything but a j45. Do yourself a favor and get one !
I recieved my guitar yesterday, and it didn't come in a Gibson box or any paperwork that you usually recieve with one , no warranty card or information on how to take care of it. It had no plastic cover over the pickkguard. I'm not sure but I think this was a display. So this is not a new guitar to me. The strings look rusty to me. When you buy a new guitar you should recieve a new guitar. But my rep Jeremy Eggers was great
| Finish | Ebony Vintage Sunburst |
| Year | 2019 - 2023 |
| Made In | United States |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
