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Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst

Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$7,499
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Vintage Sunburst and Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 74 to 74 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Vintage Sunburst wins on

No standout advantage.

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Lower price ($3,199 vs $7,499)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Vintage SunburstJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Overall7474
Build9191
Playability7575
Sound6060
Value6363

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Vintage SunburstJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardRosewoodRosewood
Strings66
Frets1920
Scale24.75"24.75"
Pickups—LR Baggs VTC
Rating——
Price$7,499$3,199
AccessoriesGibson Accessory Kit, Certificate of AuthenticityIncludes Gibson Accessory Kit
BackMahoganyMahogany
BindingSingle-ply Top and BackMulti-ply top, single-ply back
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeJ-45J-45
Body StylesRound ShoulderRound Shoulder
BracingTraditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing, Red Spruce Braces with Hide GlueTraditional hand scalloped X-bracing
BridgeRosewood; Rectangle, Open SlotTraditional belly up
Bridge PinsBoneTusq
CasePeriod Correct CaseHardshell Case
FinishAged NickelNickel
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl DotMother-of-pearl dots
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count1920
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-BodyCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelCSRS45VSHAOCRS4550VS
NutBoneBone
Nut width43.81mm / 1.72in43.81mm / 1.72in
PickguardTear Drop Tortoise, Aged50's, Tortoise
ProfileHistoricRounded
Saddle MaterialBoneBone
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideMahoganyMahogany
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .0530.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
Top woodThermally Aged Red SpruceSitka Spruce
Truss Rod CoverBlackBlack
TunersStrap Style, Open Back, Cream Buttons, AgedGrover Strap Cream Button
Controls—Volume and Tone Controls
Tuner Plating—Nickel
Under Saddle Pickup—LR Baggs VTC

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