I haven't played many but one of the best sounding acoustic guitars I ever played was in 1983 at the Elderly guitar Shoppe,it was a 1940 J-45 with two juicy cracks in its top.
And from what John Greven (Gruhn Repair guy & luthier) writes the Pre War J45 is THE one to get.
In new as you ask, most Bozeman Montana's are very nice but like any instrument, you have to try them individually ,not mail order it ,cause they always vary.
For example I saw a J45 Vine on LI at the Music Zoo once..it was the first very ornate one id ever seen..(the inlay really struck me as looking a little crude and unrefined incidently)..but from a little distance a stunner.
But when I played it ..it was the most incredible dud.. that it had the tone quality of a crate..just like the 60's-88" Gibsons.
I made it a point to drive out there another couple of times to try it because I could not believe my ears.
Good luck
