2019 J45 Banner

[00045]

With Gibson Acoustics, if you want one and find a great one you have to buy exactly that guitar. Gibsons are very inconsistent, the same model can differ quite a bit. But a great Gibson is hard to beat. I was a die hard Martin guy for many many years till I discovered Gibson.
The spec on these new Historic Custom Shop guitars read very interesting. Haven't played one yet, but I am very interested in the 1936 J-35.
When Gibson did the limited run in 2013 of the OJ and AJ I bought one each, I just love 'em both. They are like the Authentic series from Martin, all hide glue and copied from a specific instrument.

I would say go for it.

[LeftyKev]

Pictures please bbigsby, looking at one of these myself, so pics/review would be very welcome!

[hat]

does this have the tall, very thin back bracing like the originals do? or is it the more typical wide flat bracing?

[libtech]

Does it look like this one:
https://reverb.com/item/33013841-gib...-45-vintage-19

Or this one?
https://reverb.com/item/33019510-gib...-frets-limited

I just grabbed one like the second with 19frets, hope its awesome!

[dave42]

Originally Posted by libtech

Does it look like this one:
https://reverb.com/item/33013841-gib...-45-vintage-19

Or this one?
https://reverb.com/item/33019510-gib...-frets-limited

I just grabbed one like the second with 19frets, hope its awesome!

Yep, second one, all day.

[archerscreek]

Whether it’s true or not, who knows, but I’ve seen reviews by retailers that claim Gibson has made huge leaps regarding the consistency of quality under the new management. They say they are no longer getting the dogs like they used to. I came across one story that said the old management wouldn’t even replace light bulbs that had gone out. So one of the first things new management did was close down factory floors for a day or two swapping out all the burnt light bulbs for new ones. Some of the stories are quite comical if true.

[bbigsby]

Yes the 2nd one.

[Wildflowers]

These are a thin finish, 19 fret version. They are a limited edition run from the custom shop with baked Adi top and long bone saddle and bone nut. Same rectangular bridge as the 1942. I can't see any difference in specs from the Banner 1942 J45 reissue except for the tuners. The 1942 Banner J45 has the strip tuners and this particular Banner J45 has closed back. Same finish as far as i can tell. I am hoping to try one soon. Will report back. I am wondering how it compares to the new Vintage J45s with hand rubbed finishes and relic tuners, etc.

[Matts67]

Originally Posted by archerscreek

Whether it’s true or not, who knows, but I’ve seen reviews by retailers that claim Gibson has made huge leaps regarding the consistency of quality under the new management. They say they are no longer getting the dogs like they used to. I came across one story that said the old management wouldn’t even replace light bulbs that had gone out. So one of the first things new management did was close down factory floors for a day or two swapping out all the burnt light bulbs for new ones. Some of the stories are quite comical if true.

I've heard the same thing and assumed it was true, until I purchased a newer J-45 Vintage. Extremely sloppy glue job, sharp fret and nut edges, rubbing compound residue around the fretboard/body junctions, and when tuned to pitch, it developed a nice wrinkle in the soundboard. My luthier inspected it and informed me that the sloppy glue job wasn't just cosmetic - one of the top braces was loose. That guitar got returned in a hurry.

Ummm so why are there no NGD photos yet?

[Wildflowers]

Originally Posted by Matts67

I've heard the same thing and assumed it was true, until I purchased a newer J-45 Vintage. Extremely sloppy glue job, sharp fret and nut edges, rubbing compound residue around the fretboard/body junctions, and when tuned to pitch, it developed a nice wrinkle in the soundboard. My luthier inspected it and informed me that the sloppy glue job wasn't just cosmetic - one of the top braces was loose. That guitar got returned in a hurry.

That is frightening on such an expensive guitar. Why is this happening to their more premium line. The standard stuff seems stellar and yet you tack a couple of grand onto the price of a J45 Standard (when buying a J45 Vintage) and you get this sloppy workmanship. This is seems a theme on these Vintage models. I saw one just last week still sitting in a shop since 2016 with a bad nut job (poorly cut slots), some of the laquer flaking on the headstock. What is going on?

[archerscreek]

Seems like they have a ways to go, then. I’d like to see Gibson start signing labels in their acoustics like they do in their mandolins. The labels attest to a certain individual, usually the head of the division or someone right up there, inspecting and approving each instrument. Perhaps if individuals were publicly signing off on an instrument, the bad ones would get sent back.

[rokdog49]

I see we’re back to this again.