SALE
  • Front of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029.
  • Front left angle of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029.
  • Front right angle of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029.
  • Full frontal of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029.
  • Headstock of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029.
  • Back of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029 body.
  • Back right angle of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029.
  • Back of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029.
  • Back of Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029 headstock.
  • Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany 23205029 in case.
  • Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity on a purple surface
1 11

Gibson Acoustic

Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany w/case 23205029

Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 J-45 Historic Sinker Mahogany w/case 23205029

$6,579.00

Gibson Custom Dealer Select 1942 Banner J-45 Sinker Mahogany

Serial: 23205029

This Dealer Select 1942 Banner J-45 takes Gibson’s most iconic wartime acoustic design and elevates it with one of the most prized tonewoods available today: sinker mahogany. Using old-growth mahogany recovered from riverbeds, the back and sides offer noticeably deeper warmth, enhanced harmonic complexity, and a broken-in sweetness right out of the case. Paired with the classic Adirondack spruce top and period-correct 1942 construction, this build delivers the dry, woody, punchy voice J-45s are famous for — but with an even richer low end and bloom.

Every detail follows the 1942 Banner spec: the traditional slope-shoulder body, hide-glue construction, vintage-correct braces, bone nut and saddle, and the unmistakable “Only a Gibson Is Good Enough” banner on the headstock. The lightly aged finish adds character and gives the guitar the feel of a well-cared-for vintage original. This Dealer Select edition was spec’d exclusively for Tone Shop Guitars and represents the very best of Gibson’s acoustic Custom Shop.

Highlights

  • Dealer Select exclusive with sinker mahogany back and sides
  • Adirondack spruce top with vintage 1942-spec construction
  • Hide-glue dovetail neck joint and period-correct bracing
  • “Only a Gibson Is Good Enough” Banner headstock
  • Slim early-’40s neck profile with comfortable playability
  • Lightly aged finish for a vintage look and feel
  • Includes Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case

Specifications

Body

  • Body Style: 1942 Slope-Shoulder J-45
  • Top: Adirondack Red Spruce
  • Back & Sides: Sinker Mahogany
  • Bracing: 1942-spec X-bracing (scalloped, hide glue)
  • Binding: Multi-ply top, single-ply back
  • Finish: Aged nitrocellulose, Vintage Sunburst

Neck

  • Neck Profile: Historic 1942 Banner profile
  • Neck Material: Mahogany
  • Neck Construction: Hide-glued dovetail joint
  • Scale Length: 24.75"
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Inlays: Mother-of-pearl dots
  • Nut Width: 1.77" (approx., 1942 spec)
  • Nut Material: Bone
  • Finish: Aged nitrocellulose

Hardware

  • Bridge: Rosewood, traditional belly-down
  • Saddle: Bone
  • Tuners: 3-on-a-plate open-gear tuners (aged)
  • Bridge Pins: Traditional black with white dot

Miscellaneous

  • Case: Gibson Custom Shop Hardshell Case
  • Interior: Period-correct lining
  • Strings: Gibson coated phosphor bronze
  • Orientation: Right-handed

Why Buy from Tone Shop Guitars?

Our Dealer Select acoustics are built through direct collaboration with Gibson’s Acoustic Custom Shop using hand-selected tonewoods and exacting vintage specifications. Every guitar is photographed, inspected, and professionally set up before it ever hits the showroom, ensuring exceptional playability from day one.

View full details