Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 Light Aged Vintage Sunburst
The Original Workhorse, Aged to Perfection The allure and legend of the Gibson J-45 live on in the new Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45. Inspired by the holy grail of vintage acoustic instruments, luthiers in Montana meticulously crafted a J-45 just like the most popular and celebrated version in structure and components. The new 1942 Banner J-45 includes a Thermally Aged Adirondack red spruce top hand-sprayed with a historic-style burst, hot hide glue top bracing for better tonal response, and a bone nut and saddle. It features Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.
The Original Workhorse, Aged to Perfection The allure and legend of the Gibson J-45 live on in the new Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45. Inspired by the holy grail of vintage acoustic instruments, luthiers in Montana meticulously crafted a J-45 just like the most popular and celebrated version in structure and components. The new 1942 Banner J-45 includes a Thermally Aged Adirondack red spruce top hand-sprayed with a historic-style burst, hot hide glue top bracing for better tonal response, and a bone nut and saddle. It features Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.
The Original Workhorse, Aged to Perfection The allure and legend of the Gibson J-45 live on in the new Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45. Inspired by the holy grail of vintage acoustic instruments, luthiers in Montana meticulously crafted a J-45 just like the most popular and celebrated version in structure and components. The new 1942 Banner J-45 includes a Thermally Aged Adirondack red spruce top hand-sprayed with a historic-style burst, hot hide glue top bracing for better tonal response, and a bone nut and saddle. It features Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.
The Original Workhorse, Aged to Perfection The allure and legend of the Gibson J-45 live on in the new Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45. Inspired by the holy grail of vintage acoustic instruments, luthiers in Montana meticulously crafted a J-45 just like the most popular and celebrated version in structure and components. The new 1942 Banner J-45 includes a Thermally Aged Adirondack red spruce top hand-sprayed with a historic-style burst, hot hide glue top bracing for better tonal response, and a bone nut and saddle. It features Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.
in 13 offers
The lowest price for Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 Light Aged Vintage Sunburst right now is $4,425.46 at Reverb, compared across 10 retailers.
The all-time low was $4,130.88 on 2 Feb 2025 — today's price is 7% above the lowest ever. That's a little above the best price we've seen.
Prices last updated 5 Nov 2026.
Last updated at 05/11/2026 15:27:39
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab '42 Banner J-45 Reissue Light Aged Vintage Sunburst
Delivery $310
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Delivery between 11–13 Nov $260
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Delivery between 12–20 Nov $55
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Open Box: Gibson Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 (Light Aged Vintage Sunburst) inc Hardcase
Free delivery between Mon – Thu
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Delivery $23
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originally posted on sweetwater.com
Absolutely love this guitar ,,have had all the brands over 40 yrs playing ,this one is as good as it gets ,,light so responsive just a magic guitar so happy with it
originally posted on musiciansfriend.com
Looks old, sounds great but needs to be broken in. I also own a Martin 1937 GE and a Collings om2h. If you're lucky enough to find one of these J-45 Banners, just buy it.
originally posted on musiciansfriend.com
This guitar plays like a dream. Will need some fret work soon, but the action is still great! Also, I have played the Gibson Humming Bird guitar which is very nice as well. Be prepared to pay the price for a quality guitar which will hold their value for many years to come.
| Handedness | Right-handed, Left-Handed |
| Instrument Type | Guitar |
| Sub Type | Acoustic |
| Nut Width | 43.81 mm / 1.72 in |
| Nut Material | Bone |
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab '42 Banner J-45 Reissue Light Aged Vintage Sunburst
Delivery $310
Gibson Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged
Delivery between 11–13 Nov $260
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 - Light Aged - Vintage Sunburst
Free delivery between 7–13 Nov
Gibson 1942 Banner J45 Light Aged VTG SB Acoustic Guitar
Delivery between 12–20 Nov $55
Gibson 1942 Banner J45 Light Aged VTG SB Acoustic Guitar
Absolutely love this guitar ,,have had all the brands over 40 yrs playing ,this one is as good as it gets ,,light so responsive just a magic guitar so happy with it
Looks old, sounds great but needs to be broken in. I also own a Martin 1937 GE and a Collings om2h. If you're lucky enough to find one of these J-45 Banners, just buy it.
This guitar plays like a dream. Will need some fret work soon, but the action is still great! Also, I have played the Gibson Humming Bird guitar which is very nice as well. Be prepared to pay the price for a quality guitar which will hold their value for many years to come.
I have multiple acoustic guitars that include Martin, Collings, John Allison, and of course this Gibson. It required additional setup after delivery but was completed without difficulty. An under saddle acoustic pickup was added for small venues requiring amplification. The sound quality with and without amplification is warm, balanced, and sweet. Its been used repeatedly in all settings without disappointment. Audience members have frequently assumed it was vintage, often commenting on how well the tone has aged. Would recommend it without reservation and find that I use it often because I'm least fearful of it being "aged" (scarred) while still delivering tonally.
This guitar is extremely versatile, and plays smoothly and beautifully, with a wonderful action. This is one of my favorites out of my personal quiver. I highly recommend. :)
I've owned over 50 guitars over the years and currently own 16, 11 of them Gibsons. I have newer ones and a couple vintage from the 50's but this is by far the best of them all. The sound is amazing. I have average size hands and was a little concerned about the large neck, but that's why I bought from Musicians Freind since they have a liberal return policy. It is larger than I'm used to, but it plays great and is of no concern. This acquisition may cause a couple of my others to leave. A little pricey but well worth it.
A wonderful guitar, looks aged due to the thin lacquer, light as a feather and sounds awesome - terrific resonance and that bark when you dig into it. Got this in a sale so got £1000 off making it great value for money. Excellent service by Paul at Andertons. Highly recommended both Andertons and this Gibson.
A dream come true, thank you Andertons!
The Banner Reissue j45 is one of the best guitars i've ever put in my hands. I cannot think of one that ever sounded better. I've got several torrefied tops from several brands. They all sound better than standard tops, for sure, without a doubt; but this is the first one that actually sounded....just.....OLD. Gibson has come a long way w torrefaction. my 2016 j45 vintage sounds amazing but it doesn't have that "old", dusty, chimney, dry, ol' timey sound that this has Ya Know? What's amazing is that this guitar is 5-6 yrs newer. Anyway, you won't be disappointed. this guitar is awesome. It has that old guitar sound u have in your head. It has that low end growl but has great sparkly high end as well. You can bang the. crap out of it or lightly fingerpick and it's ... MoreThe Banner Reissue j45 is one of the best guitars i've ever put in my hands. I cannot think of one that ever sounded better. I've got several torrefied tops from several brands. They all sound better than standard tops, for sure, without a doubt; but this is the first one that actually sounded....just.....OLD. Gibson has come a long way w torrefaction. my 2016 j45 vintage sounds amazing but it doesn't have that "old", dusty, chimney, dry, ol' timey sound that this has Ya Know? What's amazing is that this guitar is 5-6 yrs newer. Anyway, you won't be disappointed. this guitar is awesome. It has that old guitar sound u have in your head. It has that low end growl but has great sparkly high end as well. You can bang the. crap out of it or lightly fingerpick and it's gonna do whatever u ask. just better. This is it! this is the one I'm very happy.
already own several acoustic guitars and sound from other 40 years; I purchased this wonderful Gibson last year ... and only now that the guitar begins to mature as I perceive the great potential. the sound is clean and precise, powerful, rich in harmonics. ideal for flat picking, for blues and jazz especially on fingerpicking. cost much is true but it sounds is fantastic
| Handedness | Right-handed, Left-Handed |
| Instrument Type | Guitar |
| Sub Type | Acoustic |
| Nut Width | 43.81 mm / 1.72 in |
| Nut Material | Bone |
