2024 Gibson Custom Shop J-45 Custom – Ebony – L.R. Baggs Session VTC – Includes Original Hardshell Case – Used Very Good
The J-45 is the most popular acoustic guitar Gibson has ever made, and its reputation rests on a simple, enduring formula — spruce over mahogany, round-shoulder dreadnought body, hand-scalloped X-bracing, and a voice that has driven more recorded music across more genres than perhaps any other acoustic guitar in history. Warm, full, and immediate, with a midrange presence and punch that sits in a mix with uncommon authority, the J-45 has been the working musician's guitar since 1942. The Custom Shop J-45 Custom takes that foundation and elevates it with Les Paul Custom-inspired cosmetics that give the guitar a visual personality unlike anything else in the acoustic world. The ebony gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish is deep, rich, and commanding — exactly the kind of finish that rewards careful lighting and looks extraordinary on stage. Multi-ply binding on the top, back, and headstock, a bound Les Paul-style peghead with a split diamond mother of pearl inlay, a bound ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl graduated block inlays, and gold Grover Rotomatic tuners complete a visual package that is simultaneously familiar and genuinely distinctive. The ebony fingerboard and bridge are premium appointments at any price point, the bone nut and saddle optimize tone and sustain, and the compound dovetail neck-to-body joint set with hot hide glue reflects the kind of construction detail that Custom Shop instruments are built to. The L.R. Baggs Session VTC electronics — an undersaddle pickup with a soundhole-mounted volume and tone control — deliver a natural, transparent amplified signal that holds up on a stage without fighting the guitar's acoustic character. Built in Bozeman, Montana at Gibson's acoustic facility, this is a guitar that delivers all of the J-45 goodness you would expect with a uniquely slick and elegant colorway that sets it apart from the standard catalog.
This one is set up well and structurally excellent — good neck angle and plenty of room on the saddle for action adjustments in either direction. The black nitrocellulose finish shows superficial marks consistent with normal play and a few small areas where the finish sinks into the grain, both entirely typical characteristics of black nitro and shown in the photos. Brass bridge pins throughout. Nothing structural, nothing concerning — a great playing guitar with a lot of life ahead of it.
- Make: Gibson
- Model: Custom Shop J-45 Custom
- Year: 2024
- Country of origin: USA (Bozeman, MT)
- Body shape: Round shoulder dreadnought, J-45
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce
- Back and sides: Solid mahogany
- Bracing: Traditional hand-scalloped X-brace
- Neck: Mahogany, SlimTaper profile, compound dovetail joint, hot hide glue
- Fingerboard: Ebony, bound, mother of pearl graduated block inlays
- Bridge: Ebony, traditional belly up
- Bridge pins: Brass
- Nut: Bone, 1.725"
- Saddle: Bone, room for adjustment
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Fingerboard radius: 12"
- Frets: 20, standard
- Binding: Multi-ply top, back, and headstock; single-ply fingerboard
- Finish: Ebony gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
- Headstock inlay: Custom split diamond, mother of pearl
- Pickguard: Teardrop
- Tuners: Grover Rotomatic, gold
- Electronics: L.R. Baggs Session VTC — undersaddle pickup, soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls
- Modifications: None
- Condition: Used Very Good – superficial play marks consistent with black nitro, minor finish grain sinking in a few areas (both typical of black nitro finish), good neck angle, structurally excellent
- Includes: Original Gibson hardshell case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
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