2026 Gibson J-45 Original Acoustic Electric Vintage Sunburst HiFi DNA
The J-45 is the best-selling Gibson acoustic model of all time. Nicknamed “The Workhorse” and introduced in 1942, this iconic acoustic has become the cornerstone of the Gibson round-shoulder dreadnought line. World-renowned for its full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection, the J-45 has been refined to carry this legacy to new heights. The Gibson J-45 Original delivers incredible dynamic range, warm mids, and tight, punchy bass. It now comes equipped with the Gibson-exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA pickup system, delivering the guitar’s unique voice and every nuance of your playing with exceptional realism when amplified.
The Gibson J-45 Original features a round-shoulder dreadnought body crafted with solid mahogany back and sides paired with a solid Sitka spruce top. Scalloped X-bracing supports the top, which is framed with multi-ply binding, while the back features single-ply binding. The gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish completes the classic appearance that has made the J-45 a musical and cultural icon since its introduction.
The mahogany neck features a fast, comfortable SlimTaper profile and is secured to the body with a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint for superior tonal transfer and sustain. The neck is topped with a rosewood fretboard equipped with 20 standard frets and simple mother-of-pearl dot inlays. The headstock displays the Gibson logo and is equipped with high-quality Grover Rotomatic tuning machines, which work with the TUSQ nut to ensure smooth, reliable tuning with excellent stability.
The traditional belly-up bridge is crafted from rosewood and equipped with a TUSQ saddle and bridge pins, while a teardrop tortoiseshell pickguard reinforces the familiar J-45 aesthetic.
Inside, the J-45 Original is now equipped with the all-new Gibson-exclusive Baggs HiFi DNA™ pickup system. This active system uses two lightweight sensors mounted on the internal bridge plate. The sensors are matched with optimized individual preamps to deliver full-bodied, amplified acoustic tone that lets the guitar’s character and personality come through when amplified, with no impact on the unamplified tone. The Baggs HiFi DNA system offers comparable gain-before-feedback to an under-saddle pickup. The system also includes soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls that are quick and easy to access while playing, and all but invisible to your audience.
The inclusion of high-quality, natural-sounding electronics makes the J-45 Original ready for the stage, studio, rehearsal room, and wherever the road leads next, from the moment you take it out of the included hardshell case.
Specifications
- Saddle Material: Tusq
- Pickguard: Tear Drop
- Bridge Pins: Tusq
- Bridge: Traditional belly up, Rosewood
- Under Saddle Pickup: Baggs HiFi DNA
- Preamp: Baggs HiFi DNA
- Output Jack: 1/4"
- Controls: Soundhole-mounted volume and tone
- Scale Length: 628.65mm / 24.75in
- Profile: SlimTaper
- Nut Width: 43.82mm / 1.73in
- Nut Material: Black
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Inlays: Mother-of-pearl dots
- Frets: Standard
- Fret Count: 20
- Fingerboard Radius: 304.8mm / 12.0in
- Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
- Top: Sitka Spruce
- Side: Mahogany
- Bracing: Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing
- Body Styles: Round Shoulder
- Body Shape: J-45
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Back: Mahogany