Your opinion will help: 1972 Gibson J45

[Antney]

I inherited a 72 J45 burst in awful condition:

needs a neck reset
Broken truss rod
Cracked top
Dry and falling apart binding
Probably needs a new saddle and pins
And has a dime size hole on the underside of the neck that is open to the truss rod

my guess is the cost of the repairs will be much more than the value of the guitar, but I would love to hear what this almost 50 year old box would sound like. The burst is pretty, with just enough mojo to make it interesting.
What do you suspect the repairs might cost?

 

[dreadnut]

Hang it on the wall in your music room.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I am thinking on the cheap side, $700 to fix. To make it playable again.

 

[bobouz]

The ‘70s was Gibson’s least desirable decade, especially regarding acoustic guitars - so don’t count on a compelling tone after repairs. There certainly were some good ones produced (I owned a nice Heritage & Dove), but they were more the exception rather than the rule!

 

[Antney]

The ‘70s was Gibson’s least desirable decade, especially regarding acoustic guitars - so don’t count on a compelling tone after repairs. There certainly were some good ones produced (I owned a nice Heritage & Dove), but they were more the exception rather than the rule!

That’s what I’m thinking...not worth the investment

 

[geoguy]

Can you put on a set of extra light strings, without it folding up?

If so, give it a strum, & see if it makes sounds that move you . . . then decide what to do next.

 

[walrus]

I might add that it depends who you inherited it from. A family member you really loved? A parent? Did they play the
guitar at family gatherings? etc. etc. There may be some "emotional value" to you that we don't know about, which may make it worth it to you to repair and hopefully play.

walrus

 

[Antney]

I might add that it depends who you inherited it from. A family member you really loved? A parent? Did they play the
guitar at family gatherings? etc. etc. There may be some "emotional value" to you that we don't know about, which may make it worth it to you to repair and hopefully play.

walrus

I have no attachment to the guitar. It’s tone with new strings is thin and dry. But it’s looks with its cherry sunburst and a bit of mojo and aging is to die for. I want it to. Be more than it is, but I know it can’t.

 

[Cougar]

The ‘70s was Gibson’s least desirable decade...

Yeah -- not a good year for a Gibson.

Hang it on the wall in your music room.

Probably the best idea for it.

 

[HeyMikey]

Sell it. Put the money towards something you want.