Model: Gibson Banner J-45, FON 2149-40. Circa 1943-45
Supply shortages during World War II forced manufacturers to scavenge for materials. This Gibson Banner J-45 guitar is an excellent example. This piece has a poplar neck and tail block lacks a truss rod and has an enormous 1 23/32” wide neck.
While the fingerboard is Brazilian Rosewood, the original bridge was gumwood. This one is often used as a secondary wood in furniture making. It’s brown, but otherwise has no similarities to rosewood, and it chips and warps easily, as this one has.
For my repairs, I had a small stash of Madagascar Rosewood and found a piece similar in appearance to the fingerboard. This bridge was fun to make, as I spent some time replicating the subtle unique qualities of the original. Who wants a new bridge with crisp, sharp edges? This Gibson Banner J-45 is at least 80 years old and shows lots of wear. However, with a new bridge and bridge plate, I was able to flatten the significant bellying behind the bridge.
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