I found a banner 1943 J45 for $4200USD with a few professionally fixed cracks on the top and a repainted and refinished top (someond has scraped the original finish off to make it look like a j50). And new tuners.
That was this year I made this purchase. Found it on the local craigslist (kijiji up in Canada)
Keep looking on the used market. An actual banner Gibson isn't as unobtainable as you think, you just might lose out on a couple of the 'collectability' traits to get down go a manageable price.
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1943 Banner Gibson J-45
1971 Martin D-35
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