Gibson Custom Shop 1955 J-45 ‘Vintage Sunburst’ Round Shoulder Acoustic Guitar - Murphy Lab Light Aged

The Gibson J-45 was introduced in 1942 and earned the nickname “The Workhorse” almost immediately - a title that has stuck for more than eight decades because it describes the guitar so precisely. No-nonsense in its construction, understated in its aesthetics, and devastatingly effective as a performing and recording instrument, the J-45 is Gibson’s best-selling acoustic model of all time and one of the most recorded acoustic guitars in the history of popular music. The year 1955 was a pivotal one for the model: Gibson lengthened the fretboard to 20 frets and introduced the larger 50s-style pickguard that replaced the earlier teardrop, producing the visual and playing character that would define the J-45 through the most celebrated years of its history.

This Gibson Custom Shop recreation of that specific 1955 specification is handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana by Gibson Custom’s expert acoustic luthiers using vintage-accurate materials, methods, and appointments throughout. The thermally aged Sitka spruce top has been treated to replicate the tonal properties of a well-seasoned vintage instrument - the cellular changes that come with decades of playing and natural ageing replicated in a controlled process that delivers the open, warm, and immediately responsive acoustic character that makes original 1950s J-45s so sought after. Traditional scalloped X-bracing fitted with hide glue, compound dovetail neck-to-body joint also fitted with hide glue, solid mahogany back and sides, rosewood fretboard and bridge, bone nut, saddle, and bridge pins, and Grover strap tuners with cream buttons represent a specification of meticulous vintage accuracy in every detail. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment - applied by Gibson’s most skilled finishing artisans - simulates decades of gentle play wear in the nitrocellulose lacquer and hardware, giving this instrument the unique character, patina, and feel of a well-loved original from the Gibson Golden Era. 50s-style Lifton hardshell case included. No electronics.

Features

• Thermally aged Sitka spruce top replicates the cellular and tonal changes of decades of natural seasoning, delivering the open, warm, and immediately responsive acoustic character that defines a well-played original 1955 J-45.
• Traditional scalloped X-bracing and compound dovetail neck-to-body joint, both fitted with hide glue, reflect the original construction methods of the 1955 specification and contribute to the guitar’s natural resonance and sustain.
• Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment on aged nitrocellulose lacquer, paired with lightly aged nickel hardware, simulates decades of gentle play wear - giving this instrument the patina, character, and feel of a genuine Gibson Golden Era original.
• 1955-correct appointments throughout: 20-fret rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays, larger 50s-style tortoise pickguard, Grover strap tuners with cream buttons, and multi-ply top/single-ply back binding.
• Bone nut, saddle, and bridge pins, rosewood belly-up bridge, and cream strap buttons complete a specification of genuine vintage accuracy handcrafted by Gibson Custom’s expert acoustic luthiers in Bozeman, Montana.

• Model: Gibson Custom 1955 J-45 Light Aged (CSRS4555VSLA)
• Body: J-45, round shoulder
• Top: Thermally aged Sitka spruce
• Back & sides: Mahogany
• Bracing: Traditional scalloped X-bracing, hide glue
• Binding: Multi-ply top, single-ply back
• Neck: Mahogany, Rounded profile
• Neck joint: Compound dovetail, hide glue
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, 12" (304.8mm) radius
• Fingerboard inlays: Mother of pearl dot
• Nut: Bone, 43.82mm (1.73")
• Scale length: 628.65mm (24.75")
• Frets: 20, standard
• Bridge: Traditional belly-up, rosewood
• Bridge pins: Bone
• Saddle: Bone
• Pickguard: 50s-style J-45, tortoise
• Tuners: Grover Strap with cream buttons, nickel plating
• Strap buttons: Cream endpin
• Headstock inlay: Gibson logo, gold silkscreen
• Body finish: Murphy Lab aged nitrocellulose lacquer, Vintage Sunburst
• Electronics: None
• Strings: .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
• Includes: 50s-style Lifton hardshell case
• Made in: USA (Bozeman, Montana)