acoustic · dreadnought
J-45
| Maker | Gibson |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Type | acoustic · dreadnought |
| Introduced | 1942 |
| Price | USD 2999 (2026-09) |
| Maker founded | 1894 |
| Status | current |
The J-45 is Gibson's round-shoulder dreadnought, in production since the 1940s and still the acoustic most associated with singer-songwriters.
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Why it matters
Gibson introduced the J-45 in 1942 and has built it in various forms ever since, making it one of the longest-running acoustic designs still in production. Its shorter scale and round shoulders give a warmer, less boomy balance than a square-shoulder dreadnought, which is why it records so easily. The Standard version sits in the middle of Gibson's acoustic range, with the Studio models below it.
Note
"The Workhorse" — round-shoulder dreadnought, the definitive singer-songwriter acoustic.
Specifications
- Scale length: 628.65 mm (24.75 in)
- Neck shape: SlimTaper
Before you buy
- The shorter scale and full shoulders suit some playing styles and not others, so try one seated as well as standing
- Gibson acoustic pricing has moved widely, so used values fluctuate
- Ask about recent setup and storage conditions on any used example
Other opinions
One video is one opinion. These are the other videos for this entry, most-viewed first. The order is the view count, not a ranking of ours.
Play and Trade Guitars · 2023-10 · 87,961 views
“🛒 SHOP NOW: Gibson J-45 Standard Acoustic Electric 🎸 GUITAR GIVEAWAY: Subscribe and turn on notifications to win!”
Play-through of a Gibson J-45 Standard straight from the shop floor.
Long & McQuade Musical Instruments · 2023-04 · 61,649 views
“André Skinner from Long & McQuade explores and showcases Gibson's J-45 Acoustic guitar.”
Shop demo of a Gibson J-45 Standard, strummed and fingerpicked.