Gibson J-45 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1958), ser. #T2600-26, original brown alligator chipboard case.

Gibson J-45 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1958), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # T2600-26, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original brown alligator chipboard case. Gibson's slope-shouldered Jumbo guitars have been very popular since their introduction with folk, blues, and pop players, and as always picking this one up it's easy to see why. This is a very clean 1958 J-45 showing only light wear for its 60+ years on earth and is a superb player with a comfortable round-backed neck, slightly slimmer in feel than some '58-9 examples. These 1950s Gibson Jumbos are generally great-sounding instruments, with a big, warm sound that can still cut through the mix when pushed. This example remains all original and in fine-playing shape. It includes typical period features, including the fairly dark sunburst top with a "top belly" style rosewood bridge and larger post-1955 tortoise celluloid pickguard. This J-45 is the non-adjustable bridge version, generally preferred for sound over the adjustable feature offered as an option around this time. The headstock is fitted with Kluson Deluxe strip tuners and gold decal "modern" Gibson script logo on the face. We love J-45s from this period. Whether near mint or heavily worn, they are always classics in both looks and sound. This model really exemplifies the best of Gibson's "workingman's Jumbo" with no frills but plenty of splendid tone. This example is an excellent player with a big, rich, but still well-defined sound.Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). Overall this is a clean, great-playing and sounding example of this 1950s Gibson stalwart, with just minor wear and the most minor repair. The finish shows an assortment of small dings, dents, and scrapes but no large areas worn away. The back has one small "strap burn" spot. The only visible repair is a very tight sealed split just above the pickguard on the soundhole rim below the fingerboard. The back of the neck has a few small dings and a spot of finish rubbed away behind the nut where an old around-the-headstock strap was fitted.The neck has never been reset, the original rosewood bridge and thin maple bridge plate remain intact with a later saddle, the original frets have just a little wear and playability is excellent. The tuners are original as well; there have been no alterations at all, not even a strap button ever fitted. While not mint this is one of the cleanest old J-45's we have seen in a while, playing perfectly with sound to spare. It still rests in the original alligator grain chipboard case. Overall Excellent Condition.