Gibson MCRS45PB J-45 Standard Acoustic Electric Guitar - Purple Burst

A veritable icon of American craftsmanship, the Gibson J-45 Standard traces its storied legacy back to 1942, earning the nickname “the workhorse” of acoustic guitar designs. Originally named for its $45 price tag and “jumbo” body, the J-45 has inspired generations of guitarists and shaped countless classic recordings — if you’re familiar with 20th-century rock, pop, or country, you’ve likely heard its unmistakable voice. This slope-shouldered dreadnought features a Sitka spruce top with hand-scalloped X-bracing and mahogany back and sides, delivering midrange-focused projection, deep bass, and crisp decay — defining what many consider the quintessential steel-string acoustic tone. The mahogany neck in Gibson’s SlimTaper profile, paired with a 12-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard, ensures comfortable, modern playability. Stage-ready and versatile, the J-45 Standard includes LR Baggs VTC electronics, Grover Rotomatic tuners, and a nitrocellulose lacquer finish that ages beautifully with time and play. Available at Sadek Music, the Gibson J-45 Standard isn’t just a guitar — it’s a piece of American musical history in your hands.

Gibson’s Steel-String “Workhorse”

Debuting in 1942, the Gibson J-45 arrived during one of the most challenging periods in American history, shortly after the Great Depression and at the onset of World War II. Designed as an affordable “workhorse” guitar, it forwent the elaborate aesthetics of Gibson’s higher-end models to provide musicians with a reliable, accessible, and acoustically exceptional instrument. Over the decades, the J-45 became a favorite among country, rock, and pop artists, leaving an indelible mark on popular music with its dry, thumping drawl. Available at Sadek Music, the Gibson J-45 continues to uphold its legacy as a dependable and iconic steel-string acoustic.

Spruce and mahogany: a winning combination since 1942

The J-45 has seen its fair share of modifications over its nearly century-long history. Yet, this Gibson Acoustic J-45 Standard retains the key tonewood formula that’s defined the model’s sound from the very beginning: spruce and mahogany. Backed by traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing, this slope-shouldered dread’s Sitka spruce top responds as well to a fierce flatpicking attack as it does to delicate fingerstyle. Factor in mahogany sides and the classic 24.75-inch short Gibson scale, and you get the J-45’s iconic focused “thump.” This familiar tone barks right out of the soundhole, declaring its presence with a crisp, dry, and focused voice before decaying quickly to get out of your way. In short, it’s the familiar sound that’s supported scores of singer/songwriters, rock strummers, and country pickers since 1942.

What Makes a Standard?

Gibson Acoustic offers a wide range of J-45 models, from ultra-accurate vintage re-creations to cutaway-equipped modern performance guitars. So, what sets the J-45 Standard apart? It’s a thoughtful blend of classic elements and modern enhancements that honor the J-45’s storied legacy while addressing a few vintage quirks. The mahogany neck features an easy-playing SlimTaper profile, a far cry from the thick “baseball bat” necks of earlier J-45s. Kidney-style Grover Rotomatic tuners ensure reliable tuning stability, and LR Baggs VTC electronics allow you to deliver a powerful acoustic-electric performance while retaining the J-45’s signature thumping drawl. Available at Sadek Music, the J-45 Standard combines historic tone with contemporary playability.

American craftsmanship at its finest

While the Gibson Acoustic factory in Bozeman embraces modern construction technologies where necessary, guitars such as the J-45 Standard remain largely handcrafted by a seasoned team of skilled craftspeople. Gibson is rightly celebrated for the sound, style, and performance of its iconic “flat-top” guitars, though the term is something of a misnomer. From the company’s very beginnings, Gibson non-archtop acoustics have featured subtly radiused tops and backs, not truly flat surfaces. To honor that legacy, today’s Gibson acoustics continue the tradition with 28-foot-radius tops and 12-foot-radius backs shaped by carefully curving the hand-scalloped bracing. Why go to such lengths when a true flat-top would be easier to produce? That curvature adds stiffness to the back and sides, marking an integral element of the classic Gibson steel-string sound and contributing to its clarity, resonance, and signature note-to-note definition. From binding installation and fingerboard fretting to neck setting and the painstaking finishing process, the Bozeman team’s expertise guides every step. They even bend the sides using traditional presses, a technique used for generations. Across every detail, Gibson Acoustic guitars represent the spirit of a traditionally crafted American instrument, built using time-honored methods that forged Gibson’s legendary reputation throughout the 20th century.

Built in Bozeman in the Handcrafted Kalamazoo Tradition

For more than eight decades, Gibson’s acoustic instruments were crafted at the historic Parsons Street Factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the birthplace of some of the world’s most revered guitars. During much of Gibson’s history, acoustic and electric models were built side by side in this legendary facility. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, production gradually moved to Nashville, Tennessee, which proved ideal for electrics but less so for acoustics due to the region’s warm and humid climate. To preserve the meticulous craftsmanship of Gibson’s acoustic heritage, production was eventually moved to Bozeman, Montana, where the cool, dry mountain air provides the perfect environment for building precision acoustic instruments. Today, the Gibson J-45 Standard, available at Sadek Music, continues this proud Kalamazoo tradition — expertly handcrafted to deliver the tone, feel, and quality that define Gibson’s legacy.

Gibson Acoustic J-45 Standard Features:

• The highest-selling acoustic guitar model in Gibson’s history, with a legacy that stretches back to 1942
• Handbuilt by Gibson’s veteran team of craftspeople in Bozeman, MT
• Iconic slope-shouldered “jumbo” dreadnought body delivers ample acoustic projection and deep, lush bass
• Sitka spruce top with hand-scalloped X-bracing offers a remarkably resonant and responsive voice
• Mahogany back and sides provide a clear, dry, and midrange-rich tonality
• 24.75-in. scale length provides a slinkier feel and a crisp decay
• Easy-playing mahogany neck in Gibson’s SlimTaper profile
• Elegant rosewood fingerboard, planed into a 12-in. radius
• Rock-solid Grover Rotomatic nickel tuners
• Nitrocellulose lacquer finish will continue to age and develop the more you play, true to a vintage Gibson guitar
• Stage-ready LR Baggs VTC electronics
• 1.725-in. nut width is slim enough for strummers while simultaneously providing fingerpickers enough room to maneuver

Tech Specs

• String Type:Steel
• Number of Strings:6
• Left-/Right-handed:Right-handed
• Body Shape:J-45 Slope Shoulder Dreadnought
• Back & Sides Wood:Solid Mahogany
• Top Wood:Solid Sitka Spruce
• Top Finish:Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Color:Purple Burst
• Body Bracing:Traditional scalloped X-bracing
• Neck Wood:Mahogany
• Neck Finish:Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Shape:Slim Taper
• Radius:12"
• Fingerboard Material:Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlay:Dots
• Number of Frets:20
• Scale Length:24.75"
• Nut Width:1.725"
• Nut Material:Tusq
• Saddle Material:Tusq
• Bridge Material:Rosewood
• Tuning Machines:Grover Rotomatics
• Electronics:LR Baggs VTC preamp
• Strings:Gibson, .012-.053
• Case/Gig Bag:Hardshell Case