Gibson J-45 Banner Model Acoustic Guitar (1943), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # FON 2143-21, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.

This Gibson J-45 was built during the Second World War when the company's instrument production was severely limited. The specifications of individual instruments can vary greatly, dictated by the materials available. This particular guitar has the expected combination of a sunburst-finished spruce top over the mahogany back, sides and neck standard for the J-45. A concession to wartime specs is the use of a maple insert under the fingerboard instead of the standard adjustable truss rod, as metal was severely rationed. The tuners are the slim flat-plate riveted Klusons of the period, specifically designed to use the minimum of metal possible.

The soundhole rosette is the earlier 7-ply style, while the top is single bound. The tuners are wartime Kluson strips designed to use the minimum of metal. The Gibson Factory Order Number (FON)2143-21 on the heelblock identifies this guitar as a 1943 model, based on recent research. The neck has a very deep round profile but is not as bulky as some of these wartime guitars without a metal rod installed. The sunburst is deep and rich with a stately hue. The headstock bears the gold script Gibson logo introduced at this time over the "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner decal that gives this era's guitars their identifying name. This is a great playing, huge sounding instrument that has survived nearly 80 years in fine condition, one of the nicer "Banners" we have ever had.



 
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

This guitar shows some minor wear and repair but is in excellent playing condition. Excellent - Condition.