When collaborating with Gibson on the design of his signature J-45, Brad Paisley tried to recreate the magic of his own early '60s model. The rich tone, the rhythmic capabilities, and the unmistakable feel are all qualities Paisley and Gibson have brought to this guitar. Only 300 of the Brad Paisley J-45 will ever be produced, and with a myriad of modern features, each is destined to be a collectors item.
Fit for a Country Superstar
You don't need to be a chart-topping country superstar like Brad Paisley to recognize the magnificence of his signature J-45. Based on Paisley's prized '63 edition and maintaining its classic look and feel, Gibson included the latest advances in quality guitar craftsmanship to make this J-45 even better. The added warmth and unbeatable projection of the Adirondack red spruce top combined with the fine mahogany back and sides creates a brilliant tone. Plus, the sound-hole mounted Fishman Ellipse Aura pickup and preamp system provide the quality electronics needed to project quality sound through even the largest PA systems.
Handcrafted in Bozeman MT
Like all the signature Gibson acoustics, each Brad Paisley signature J-45 is hand-built by the luthiers in Bozeman, Montana to the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality. The neck is carved from a single piece of quarter-sawn mahogany in the modified V profile and attached with the compound dovetail method for enhanced stability and resonance. At Brad's specification, the pickguard sports a engraved flourish to match the stunning cherry sunburst finish, and the vintage-style tuning machines are hand-built for extreme stability. The headstock even includes the classic era Gibson banner declaring, "Only a Gibson is Good Enough."
Features:
- Original J-45 round shoulder body type for comfortable playability and tonal excellence
- Sound-hole mounted Fishman Ellipse Aura pickup and preamp system
- Vintage flair with cherry sunburst finish, classic era inlays, pickgaurd and Gibson banner
- Single piece mahogany neck with modified V profile attached with Gibson's compound dovetail method
- Vintage style tuners hand-built for maximum tuning stability
- Includes custom hardshell case, manual and Gibson Gold warranty
The Brad Paisley J-45 combines all the classic qualities of a vintage Gibson acoustic with the modern features demanded by today's performers. When he received his signature model from Gibson, Brad was thrilled that he would no longer have to risk taking his original J-45 on the road.
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Product Description
Regarded by many players and fans alike as the savior of genuine country guitar picking and known for his fiery electric twang, Brad Paisley is also an unparalleled singer and songwriter whose acoustic moments are every bit as powerful as his amped-up excursions. Songs like "Letter to Me", "Who Needs Pictures", "He Didn't Have to Be", and "Two People Fell in Love" speak to the hearts and souls of listeners like few others on the country charts--and throughout these mellower moments, Paisley's choice of accompaniment to that molasses-rich voice has always been a Gibson flat-top guitar.
In celebration of his dedication to the instrument, and his achievements in his field, Gibson presents the Brad Paisley Model, a custom-appointed acoustic guitar from the luthiers of Bozeman, Montana. Constructed in the image of the beloved J-45 "round-shouldered" dreadnought with Paisley's own preferences for a prized solid Adirondack Red Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and one-piece custom mahogany neck with "modified V" profile and 24 3/4"-scale rosewood fingerboard, it's a sultry instrument on par with the best pre-War Gibson flat-tops, yet equipped as a top-flight performance machine for today's professional.
A Rare Acoustic for an Uncompromising Artist
Details such as original 1942-spec scalloped red spruce & hide glue X-bracing, a Fishman Ellipse Aura pickup and preamp system and a bone nut and saddle all work to ensure rich, resonant tones, either unplugged or fully amplified, while a hand-sprayed nitrocellulose a bright Cherry Sunburst finish, multi-ply top binding, double-ring rosette, tortoiseshell pickguard with paisley engraving, mother-of-pearl dot inlays with MoP paisleys at the 12th fret, and "Brad Paisley" signature engraved truss-rod cover all declare that this is a rare and exclusive instrument. Only 300 Brad Paisley Model guitars will be produced by Gibson, and each one comes with a formfitting hardshell case with plush blue lining, an owner's manual, Gibson's Gold Warranty, label personally signed by Brad Paisley, and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Body and Finish
This big-bodied, round-shouldered dreadnought is built in the image of the legendary 1942 J-45 Legend Model, from the classic tonewood combination of solid Adirondack Red Spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. Its top is supported by original 1942-spec red spruce scalloped X-bracing bonded by hide glue, a structure and design known for its superior strength and resonance. To top it off, a hand-sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer custom early 1960's style Cherry Sunburst finish, elegant multi-ply top binding and single-ply back binding, and a tortoiseshell pickguard with paisley engraving ensure the Brad Paisley Model looks just as sublime as it sounds.
Species
The body's top is made from solid Adirondack Red Spruce, a rare and highly prized wood for use in the construction of soundboards of acoustic guitars. Its back and sides are made from solid Honduras mahogany, a select tonewood employed by many classic flat-top guitars.
Tonal Characteristics
The Brad Paisley Model presents superb depth and tonal complexity comparable to the great large-bodied pre-War mahogany flat-tops. The solid Adirondack Red Spruce top and hide glue vintage replica bracing contributes to a rich, luscious voice with excellent clarity, while the mahogany back and sides add definition and complexity to the tone. All of this, and unsurpassed volume and projection, suit the Brad Paisley Model to a surprisingly wide range of playing styles.
Design
The Brad Paisley Model is designed along the lines of the large-bodied, round-shouldered 1942 J-45 Legend model, an all-time classic that Gibson introduced that exactly recreates an original J-45 released in 1942. Its 16 1/4"-wide body produces the superior volume and full, vibrant tone that leading singer-songwriters have relied upon for nearly 70 years.
Color
The Brad Paisley Model is finished in Gibson's custom bright Cherry Sunburst like the J-45s of the early 1960s.
Process
Gibson's acclaimed acoustic facility in Bozeman, Montana, hand finishes these guitars in nitrocellulose lacquer, which is kept to a low build-up and hand buffed to a high sheen. In addition to looking great and aging beautifully, this thin nitrocellulose finish avoids impeding of the guitar's resonance.
Neck and Headstock
The guitar's neck and headstock are custom made much in the tradition of the original J-45, with the 24 3/4"-scale length as featured on several classic Gibson flat-tops. Carved from a single piece of quarter-sawn mahogany to Brad Paisley's preferred "modified V" profile, and topped with a rosewood fingerboard, the design incorporates Gibson's lauded 17-degree back-angled headstock, which contributes greatly to the instrument's resonance and sustain, and the narrower dimensions of 1.625" at the nut, as specified by Paisley himself. The headstock is adorned with the pre-War "Gibson" logo with the "banner" emblem across the center of its face.
Neck Species
The neck of the Brad Paisley Model is constructed from one solid piece of quarter-sawn, lightweight mahogany. The luthiers in Gibson's Montana plant carefully select the grain orientation of the mahogany used for necks to optimize tone and sustain. Tonal Characteristics
The wood, construction, and headstock pitch all contribute greatly to the superior resonance, sustain, and overall tone of the Brad Paisley Model.
Neck Profile
The custom neck of the Brad Paisley Model is carved to a modified "V" profile, as specified by the artist himself.
Tolerance
When fitting the neck and body together, we take advantage of our precise measuring equipment so that all angles, pitches and alignments maintain a tolerance within .005 of an inch. Not only does this help to keep your guitar in tune but it also maintains proper string alignment relative to the fingerboard.
Joint
Gibson uses a compound dovetail joint fixed with hot-hide glue to attach the neck of the Brad Paisley Model to the body at the 14th fret. This technique, traditional in cabinet making and high-end luthiery, creates a joint with superior strength to that of a single piece of wood. Joint Angle
3* (+/- 15 seconds).
Headstock Angle (Pitch)
Just like the original J-45, and many other classic Gibson models, the Brad Paisley Model's headstock is carefully angled at Gibson's traditional 17 degrees. This subtle yet crucial element of the guitar's design increases pressure on the strings and helps them stay in the nut slots. An increase in string pressure also means there is no loss of string vibration between the nut and the tuners, which equals better sustain.
Truss Rod
Gibson's traditional truss rod, found in nearly all of our guitars, is highly responsive to the individual adjustments you'll want to make to personalize and optimize string action and sustain.
Logo
A pre-War Gibson logo across the top of a traditional advanced jumbo-style headstock, accompanied by a mother-of-pearl "banner" emblem across the center of the headstock's face.
Hardware
The Brad Paisley Model carries an up-market hardware set, including custom hand-made vintage-style nickel tuners with cream buttons, and belly-up rosewood bridge with traditional bridge pins and bone saddle.
Tuning Keys
The headstock of the Brad Paisley Model carries six vintage-style, open-back nickel tuners with cream buttons, as seen on classic pre-War Gibson flat-tops like the 1942 J-45 Legend Model.
Bridge
A traditional belly-up pin bridge made from rosewood offers firm string anchoring and outstanding vibrational coupling with the body, while a one-piece bone saddle helps to keep the tone resonant and clear.
Strap Button
The guitar's endpin jack doubles as pickup output and body-end strap button.
Pickup and Electronics
The Brad Paisley Model comes equipped with a Fishman Ellipse Aura pickup and preamp system with endpin jack and sound-hole-mounted controls. This unparalleled system allows the blending of the guitar's under-saddle piezo pickup with one of four digital sound images that match the instrument's own tonal characteristics. In addition, the preamp includes controls for volume, phase, anti-feedback, and a two-position low frequency tone-shaping switch. Put it all together, and it's a brave new world in electro-acoustic pickup and preamp technology.
Truss Rod Cover
The Brad Paisley Model carries a blend of traditional and updated plastics, including a custom tortoiseshell pickguard with paisley engraving, classic antique-bell-shaped truss rod cover engraved with the artist's signature, multi-ply top binding and soundhole rosette, and single-ply back binding.
Strings
Gibson's Light Gauge phosphor-bronze acoustic strings, sizes .011-.052, are installed at the factory.
Accessories
The Brad Paisley Model comes protected with a Gibson hardshell case with blue plush lining and includes an owner's manual and Gold Warranty.
Case
The Brad Paisley Model comes with black Gibson hardshell case with plush blue lining. Extras
Each Brad Paisley Model comes with an owner's manual and Gibson Gold Warranty and label personally signed by Brad Paisley.
Quantity
The Brad Paisley Model is a limited-run instrument from Gibson's acclaimed acoustic guitar facility in Bozeman, Montana, and only 300 guitars will be produced.
