Gibson 1966 J-45 Cherry Sunburst

A comprehensive analysis of Gibson J-45s from the 1940s to the 1960s. It’s truly the definitive guide to the J-45!

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Gibson / 1966 J-45 Cherry Sunburst

With the cherry sunburst completely faded, this is the quintessential '66 look.
It’s one of the ideal examples of a 1960s J-45.
The thick plastic pickguard and matte ceramic saddle give it a great vintage look.

The tuners have been replaced with Gotoh models, but the original Gotoh tuners are included.

While Gotoh tuners were used very frequently starting in 1967,
they are very rarely found on 1966 serial number models as well.
It’s interesting to note that the currently installed tuners have larger knobs.
While the original Goto tuners are more commonly seen, it’s likely that variations existed even within the same era due to slight differences in production timing or the specific models they were originally used on.

It feels a bit unusual to see Gotoh tuners on this body finish, but it has a nice vintage look that really captures the era.

Other notable features include the 14-degree headstock angle and the narrow neck.
While it may have been compared to the early 1960s regular neck in terms of "pros and cons" in the past,
I believe the sound and playability of the Gibson narrow-neck era are truly one-of-a-kind.
Since this is rarely reproduced in current models, I highly recommend picking one up and trying it out at least once.

For example, in terms of playability, I believe the narrow neck offers a more comfortable grip and greater freedom of expression for players who frequently use the “Western grip,” where the thumb is used to fret the root note.
Singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata uses a 1966 J-45, and I get the impression that he plays in exactly this style.

In terms of sound, the narrow neck also has its own distinctive character. Its appeal lies in a sharp, crisp, and well-defined tone.A prime example is the 1967 J-45 used by Takuro Yoshida. On the track “Ringo” from the classic album *Genki desu.*, Takahiko Ishikawa plays using Yoshida’s J-45, allowing you to fully appreciate that crisp, cutting sound. Percussive bass and a tight tone with a hint of compression.
This is a charm that can truly only be found in J-45s from the late 1960s.

With this particular instrument, you can enjoy the compressed mid-low range and crisp tone.



The dents and weather checking on the headstock and body give it a vintage guitar’s unique character,
and since it is in good overall condition with no major damage, please consider taking advantage of this opportunity.

Please see the [Condition] section below for details on replacement parts and modifications made to this specific guitar.

[Specs/Case]
TOP: Spruce
BACK/SIDES: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD/BRIDGE: Rosewood
NECK: Mahogany
NUT WIDTH: 39.5 mm
SCALE: 628mm
CASE: Gibson Gig Case

[Condition]
- String action at the 12th fret: 2.5mm on the 6th string, 2.0mm on the 1st string
-The adjustable saddle allows you to set the string height to your preference.
- The tuning pegs are generally stiff, but this does not interfere with tuning and is not a problem for normal use.
- There is wear on the ball ends of the bridge plate.
- There is a crack repair on the lower left side of the soundhole (reinforced).
- The nut, tuners (contemporary Gotoh), and frets have been replaced. The saddle has likely also been replaced from a wooden saddle to a contemporary matte ceramic saddle.
*The original nut and tuners are included.

- The neck has been over-lacquered, but the body retains its original finish.

[Peace of Mind Warranty: 6 months]

[Mail-Order Assurance Service]
Since we cannot offer customers the opportunity to try out the instrument before purchase, we provide a 6-day trial period after the product arrives.
Please take your time to try the product at home, and if you are not satisfied, we will refund the purchase price.
*You are responsible for round-trip shipping costs.