Gibson J-45 All Mahogany TV Yellow Gloss NH

direct from the gibson custom shopThe iconic Gibson J-45 has been one of the defining American acoustic guitars since its introduction in 1942, earning the nickname “The Workhorse” thanks to its combination of projection, balance and straightforward gigging practicality. This limited-run Custom Shop version takes that familiar round-shoulder dreadnought and gives it a distinctly different voice with an all-mahogany construction and striking TV Yellow Gloss finish.

Rather than the more familiar spruce-topped J-45, this model uses mahogany for the top, back, sides and neck. Mahogany brings a different character to the J-45 recipe, with a focused, warm response and a strong midrange that works particularly well for strumming, songwriting and vocal accompaniment. The traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing helps the body respond freely, while the familiar slope-shoulder J-45 shape provides plenty of low-end presence without losing the guitar's characteristic attack.

The TV Yellow Gloss finish is a particularly distinctive touch. Originally associated with Gibson's solidbody instruments, the translucent yellow finish allows some of the mahogany character to show through while giving this J-45 a look that's a long way from the usual natural and sunburst finishes. A tortoise teardrop pickguard, cream multi-ply binding and nickel hardware complete the vintage-inspired specification.

The neck uses Gibson's Slim Taper profile, with a 24.75" scale, 12" fingerboard radius and 20 frets on a rosewood fingerboard. A traditional dovetail neck joint and Gibson's carefully executed Custom Shop construction keep the instrument firmly rooted in the company's acoustic-building traditions, while the 1.725" nut width provides plenty of room for fingerstyle work without making the guitar feel unwieldy.

For amplified use, the J-45 is fitted with an L.R. Baggs Element VTC pickup system, with discreet volume and tone controls. That makes the guitar just as useful on stage as it is unplugged, while the supplied hardshell case gives the instrument the protection you'd expect from a limited Custom Shop model. This is a J-45 for players who already know what they like about Gibson's classic slope-shoulder design but want something a little less conventional. All-mahogany construction, hand-scalloped bracing, Custom Shop build quality and that unmistakable TV Yellow finish make it a particularly characterful take on one of Gibson's most important acoustics.

at a glance • All-Mahogany Construction – Mahogany top, back, sides and neck give this J-45 a focused, warm response with plenty of midrange character.
• Gibson Custom Shop Build – Limited-run construction with the attention to detail and traditional craftsmanship you'd expect from Gibson's Custom Shop.
• Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing – Traditional acoustic bracing helps the mahogany body respond freely, with plenty of projection and dynamic range.
• Iconic J-45 Design – The classic round-shoulder dreadnought shape and 24.75" scale retain the familiar feel of Gibson's legendary “Workhorse”.
• TV Yellow Gloss Finish – A striking vintage-inspired finish that sets this J-45 apart from the usual natural and sunburst models.

It doesn’t matter what the value of the guitar, if you buy it from us we take extra steps to ensure you are completely satisfied with your instrument. Each guitar goes through a 22 step professional guitar set up process to make sure your new instrument sounds as the manufacturer intended it to play.

This means that your guitar may take an extra day to deliver, just so we can get these checks done. You’ll receive email updates once your guitar is ready for despatch.

We hope you feel it’s worth the extra time and patience we spend on your instrument.

More about our setup Process