2011 Gibson J-45 Custom Rosewood – L.R. Baggs VTC – Original Hardshell Case – Used Very Good
SKU: 193008
The J-45 has been Gibson's workhorse acoustic since 1942 — the guitar that working musicians reached for when they needed something that could handle anything thrown at it night after night without complaint. The Custom Rosewood variant takes that foundational platform and elevates it with a meaningful tonewood substitution and a suite of premium appointments that distinguish it from the standard J-45 in both appearance and voice. Where the standard model uses mahogany back and sides, the Custom Rosewood substitutes East Indian rosewood — a change that brings additional punch, precision, and low-end complexity to a platform already known for its full, balanced sound. The result is a J-45 that retains all of the warmth, midrange presence, and projection the model is famous for while adding the tighter bass response and harmonic richness that rosewood players love. The AA Sitka spruce top is braced with Gibson's traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing, the rosewood fingerboard features rolled edges that give the neck a broken-in feel, and the premium appointments throughout — herringbone trim, double ring rosette with abalone inlays, custom hand-crafted headstock inlay, gold Grover Rotomatic tuners, and tortoise teardrop pickguard — put this guitar firmly at the top of Gibson's J-45 lineup. The L.R. Baggs VTC under-saddle pickup system is one of the most natural-sounding and transparent acoustic pickup solutions available, delivering a clean, unprocessed signal that lets the guitar's acoustic character come through on stage without fighting the natural voice of the instrument.
This one has been just set up through our shop with a fresh set of Martin SP 12-54 phosphor bronze strings, plays beautifully, and has an extremely healthy neck angle with plenty of saddle remaining for adjustment in any direction — a genuinely strong structural picture for a fifteen-year-old guitar. Electronics function and sound great. Minor fret wear in the cowboy chord area that does not affect playability. The body has some small dings and honest wear and tear, and the neck finish shows some worn areas, all consistent with a guitar that has been genuinely played and appreciated. All the goodness of the classic J-45 with a bit more punch and precision from the Indian rosewood, good volume, and remarkable versatility across a wide range of playing styles.
- Make: Gibson
- Model: J-45 Custom Rosewood
- SKU: 193008
- Year: 2011
- Country of origin: USA (Nashville, TN)
- Body shape: Round shoulder dreadnought
- Top: AA Sitka spruce, gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
- Back and sides: East Indian rosewood
- Bracing: Traditional hand-scalloped X-brace
- Finish: Vintage Sunburst
- Binding: Herringbone top trim
- Rosette: Double ring with abalone inlays
- Neck: Mahogany, rounded profile, tapered dovetail joint
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, rolled edges, dot inlays
- Fingerboard radius: 16"
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Nut width: 1.725"
- Frets: 20, minor wear in cowboy chord area
- Bridge: Rosewood, belly-up style
- Saddle: Tusq, plenty of material remaining
- Tuners: Gold Grover Rotomatic
- Pickguard: Tortoise teardrop
- Electronics: L.R. Baggs VTC under-saddle pickup, fully functional
- Strings: Martin SP 12-54 phosphor bronze (just installed)
- Modifications: None
- Condition: Used Very Good – small dings and wear on body, worn neck finish in areas, minor fret wear in cowboy chord area, extremely healthy neck angle
- 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.
