samthelima Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 In a completely unexpected turn of events, I found (and purchased) this J-45 Banner at an auction this weekend. It is in good, but well used, condition, but with a partially detached bridge (currently being sensitively repaired by a local luthier to make it playable). The exact model and year wasn't advertised at the auction (no other guitars were present either), and the broken bridge kept the price down, so I was very fortunate. It has a mahogany top, back, and sides, and may be a 1944, based on the stamped batch number on the neck block. It doesn't have any previous repairs, and the tuning machines are original (though I'm not sure about the plastic knobs and the plastic strap button (see photo)). I plan to enjoy playing it for a while, and perhaps eventually sell it! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Congrats - looks like it has real possibilities ! Great shape for it's age ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Wow, how cool is that? This is going to be a good week... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 What a great find! Congrats! I hope it gets repaired & is an excellent sounding & playing Guitar… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Hog top! What a find. I think them tuners were late ‘43 thru ‘44. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Nice Score. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 (edited) Cool & Congrats. There is just something special about a Banner that no other J45 ever built can capture. And your J45 is in a whole lot better shape than my 1942 J50 was when I first stumbled across it. Your guitar though would have initially stumped me. Without looking at the FON, based on the seven-ply rosette I would have guessed it was built no later than early-1943. But while I have seen other guitars which sported those riveted Kluson tuners dating to later in 1942, I have never run across them on a Gibson which had left the factory before 1944. If the FON dates the guitar to 1944, I would wonder if Gibson re-purposed an older top. Anyway, there are others here who know a whole lot more about Banners than I do so hopefully they will chime in. Edited September 26, 2022 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 14 minutes ago, zombywoof said: Cool & Congrats. There is just something special about a Banner that no other J45 ever built can capture. And your J45 is in a whole lot better shape than my 1942 J50 was when I first stumbled across it. Your guitar though would have initially stumped me. Without looking at the FON, based on the seven-ply rosette I would have guessed it was built no later than early-1943. But the riveted tuners without the manufactuer's stamp make me think more of a guitar which left the factory in 1944. If the FON dates the guitar to 1944, I would wonder if Gibson re-purposed an older top. Anyway, there are others here who know a whole lot more about Banners than I do so hopefully they will chime in. I sold a hog banner about 8 years ago. Mine was almost but not as nice looking as the ops, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Very nice. Looks like it was toted around more than it was played, the exception being the fretboard divots. Unless there is some paper trail in the ledgers or some info from the original owner, even the experts would probably describe it as a '43/'44. Lots of mahogany-topped guitars in that era, and the way the top loads up under a heavy hand can reward the player engaging in some serious chord chunking. Hopefully yours is playable even with that mild bridge lift. Does it have a 3-piece neck? Hard to see from the photos if there is a walnut stripe going up the back of the neck (?).ps- what 'Woof was saying about the tuners makes sense- somewhere early '43? Congrats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 Another gorgeous example of the work of the Kalamazoo Gals! Congratulations. Thanks for sharing the photos with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermonter Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 Very cool!! What a beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 28, 2022 Share Posted September 28, 2022 Finding a treasure while digging for a shell May it serve and entertain you well The top is particularly beauti- and soulful. This is guitar you must promise us we'll get the pleasure to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevendaymelee Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 That may be the prettiest burst I've ever seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 (edited) Now that is relic'ed the old fashion way by actual age. Edited September 29, 2022 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 (edited) That's definitely a home run for scoring a mid 40s Gibson Once she's restored to your liking you maybe never let it go Often times, there is magic in that old wood. Let us know how the restoration goes One thing for sure, you will not suffer the "first dent" blues with that one! Edited October 4, 2022 by kidblast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 It looks like a 44-45 guitar. You can date them roughly by the relation of the headstock label to the location of the tuners. Here is picture of my banner headstocks roughly by year -- 1942--1945. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.