c. 1943 Gibson J-45S
Maker
Gibson
(American, founded 1902)
Date1943-1944
ClassificationsMusic
DescriptionLate 1943 to early 1944 Gibson J-45, FON number 2420, in Sunburst finish. The guitar features a dreadnought style body, with a mahogany top, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard. The headstock features the Gibson "Banner Logo" at top with the slogan "Only a Gibson is Good enough" at center.Gibson J-45 models of the 1940s are known for their build quality and superior sound. Gibson guitars of this era carry an additional historical significance as being products of wartime manufacturing ingenuity. With the United States' entry into World War II in late 1941, manufacturing across the country was shifted toward supporting the war effort. Many male factory workers of military age were drafted into service and sent overseas. With a few older master luthiers staying behind, Gibson's Kalamazoo, Michigan factory continued to produce high-quality guitars while staffed by a new set of workers - women. These talented craftspeople continued the quality guitar construction that Gibson was known for in the pre-war era.
Guitars of this era, including this guitar, feature the Gibson "Banner Logo," which refers to the script style branding of the Gibson name at the top of the headstock. The Banner Logo was used on Gibson guitars from 1942-1945, and indicates a guitar was produced during this wartime shift in manufacturing.
