NGD: Gibson 1942 Banner J-45

[Jeremy]

Originally Posted by gmr

My darling wife gave me a Gibson True Vintage J45 some years back. It is supposed to be a real copy to the original 42 models, at least as could be derived. The case does indeed appear to be a fair copy as well. Every time I play it I am thrilled. It was my first really nice guitar and remains a favorite. But then I am a big Gibson fan. Congratulations on your new guitar.

Thank you.

[robroy]

Lovely guitar! I don’t think the chunky v neck is the same as the baseball bat size associated with those Banner years, is it? I had a couple Banner Lg-2s that I let go because the neck was a bit much. cheers

[Kerbie]

Outstanding, JB... congratulations! Look forward to hearing how it sounds. Hope you enjoy it.

[BOOSE]

I would love to own on of these amazing 45's but my left hand just can't cope with the V neck, never seen a bad review!

[T.Lime]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

Not even the same ballpark. No hyperbole at all. I used to really think Gibsons just weren’t for me. Played one of these, and it blew my mind. Totally different sounding guitar. Boomer bass, louder, drier, more high overtones, fat trebles, enhanced experience. I was floored and surprised when I found it. These are such good guitars.

This^ many times over. The Banner J45 has much the same build as my custom shop- Adi top ( the banner is torriefied however) adi bracing, etc. There is a whole 6 lane of highways difference between these and a standard J45.

They still have issues putting the pickgurad exactly right tho'

[GeneralDreedle]

Congratulations, I've been lusting after the 1934 Jumbo

[WAYTALL]

Beautiful piece. I hope to own one someday.

[zombywoof]

The V carve and depth at the 1st fret of around .88" (based on the specs on the Wildwood site) sounds like Gibson is putting an Advanced Response neck on these guitars or at least one which is very similar. My experience as been though that a V neck will feel chunkier than a thicker neck with say a Flat C carve. While all discussions of Banners will be based on purely anecdotal evidence the neck on my 1942 J50 has a round carve (not really sure if you would call it a C or a D) and a depth at the first fret of over 1.0".

[Jim Owen]

Stellar, Jeremy. I can feel the thump from here.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

Not even the same ballpark. No hyperbole at all. I used to really think Gibsons just weren’t for me. Played one of these, and it blew my mind. Totally different sounding guitar. Boomer bass, louder, drier, more high overtones, fat trebles, enhanced experience. I was floored and surprised when I found it. These are such good guitars.

Thinking the Banner is the one for me.

[stormin1155]

That's a beautiful guitar! Congratulations!

I was honored recently by having an original 1942 J-45 in my shop. The original owner was the grandfather of the current owner. He had done some unorthodox things to it like installing cheap, modern tuners and an adjustable bridge, but since that's the way Grandpa had it, that's the way we left it. It was well worn, but still in good structural shape... a few loose braces and minor fret work was all it needed. Definitely one of the sweetest sounding guitars I've ever played.

In eighty years yours should sound just like it!

[Kh1967]

Congratulations, Jeremy! Enjoy!

[Charmed Life Picks]

Enjoy that beauty, Jeremy!

sm

[hairpuller]

The neck on my Banner LG-2 is a very comfy C-shape; not too big, not too small...just right.

I did put on some retros today, and oh my, does this thing sound awesome!!

Can't imagine how great your J45 would sound with those.

scott

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by GeneralDreedle

Congratulations, I've been lusting after the 1934 Jumbo

One of my good friends played one of the new Jumbos, and he said it is was a monster and the neck is big.