Gibson J-45 Banner Head Guitar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania For Sale

xxxx Gibson J-45 Banner Head Guitar
Price : $xxxx
This is a super early issue Gibson J-45 from around xxxx or xxxx, and it's in great playing condition. It has some of the interesting features found on Gibsons made during World War II, including a laminated maple neck with no truss rod and the 'Only a Gibson is Good Enough' banner logo on the headstock. Some of the wartime J-45's were made with different woods, but this one appears to have the standard mahogany back and sides. I THINK the top is spruce, but as you can see the grain is a little unusual so I guess it could be maple.
As for the year of manufacture. Interestingly, in my research on this one I ran across several references to the fact that the J-45's from the 907 factory order batch seem to be unusually good sounding guitars and this one certainly backs that up. It's in very good shape for its age.
There is a typical small crack between the soundhole and the end of the fingerboard, and a couple of small cracks at the edge of the of the pickguard . None of the cracks appear to have ever had any repair work done to them. There are the expected nicks and dings in the finish, all or most of which should be clearly visible in the photos. The tortoiseshell guard has a few cloudy spots. The top is nice and flat with no bulge, and the bridge is firmly attached with no gap.
The neck is a little chunky but not uncomfortable, and the nut is 1 11/16 inch wide. The frets show some wear marks in the lower positions I but I don't hear any buzzing or dead notes when I play. On a guitar of this age it's hard to say for sure but I don't think it's been refretted. If it has it was done a long time ago, and done well.
The guard may not be original, and I imagine the saddle has been changed over the years. I do think the nut is original. Bridge pins look and feel like wood. The guitar plays and sounds great, having strong volume and a well balanced tone.
It has good bass response, but it's no TOO bassy or dark sounding. I didn't get the original case with it but will include the new Guardian brand case.
This is a really special guitar, and I should point out that it hasn't been in circulation before.