For over a decade, the Gibson J-45 has held a special place in the hearts of acoustic guitar enthusiasts, including myself. Having owned both a Gibson J-45 and a Blueridge BG140, a high-quality replica, I recently acquired the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson (IBG) J-45. This review dives deep into my experiences with this guitar, offering insights for anyone considering adding an Epiphone J45 Guitar to their collection.
A Long-Time Admiration for the Gibson J-45
My journey with the iconic Gibson J-45 began around 2010. After exploring various Martin and Taylor guitars, I experienced a revelation in a quiet Guitar Center – the magic of the J-45. Its focused mid-range and exceptional performance in acoustic-vocal settings captivated me. The comfortable, substantial neck profile and the perfect 1.725″ nut width further solidified my admiration. However, the price of a new Gibson J-45 Standard was beyond my reach at the time. This led me to discover the Blueridge BG140, an exceptional J-45 copy under $1000, and later, a fantastic deal on a vintage early 2000s Gibson J-45.
Epiphone’s Acoustic Guitar Legacy: From Value Brand to Inspired Recreations
My interest in Epiphone guitars spans several decades. In the early 1960s, Epiphone produced remarkable acoustics, notably the Texan model popularized by Paul McCartney. However, the Norlin era in the late 1960s shifted Epiphone’s direction towards a value-focused brand, primarily producing laminate guitars throughout the 70s and 80s.
In the early 2000s (2003-2005), Gibson briefly allowed Epiphone to create the Elite series, a limited run of all-solid wood Gibson replicas manufactured in Japan. While these guitars, including an Elite J-45, featured quality solid woods, they incorporated compromises compared to their US-made Gibson counterparts, such as polyurethane finishes instead of nitro lacquer, narrower nut widths, and generic tuners. The Elite series, which also included J-200 and L-00 models, are now highly sought-after collector’s items, often selling for double or triple their original price.
Early 2000’s Elite series, all-solid wood, Made in Japan, Epiphone J-45
Following the Elite series, around 2004-2005, Gibson introduced the Masterbuilt series, another line of all-solid wood Epiphone acoustics at a similar price point. However, instead of replicating Gibson models, Epiphone shifted to original designs with subtle nods to Gibson aesthetics. The most popular Masterbuilt models were likely the AJ-500M and AJ-500R (Mahogany and Rosewood versions of the Advanced Jumbo shape). Unlike the Elite J-45, the AJ-500 adopted a longer 25.5″ scale length and a narrower 1.68″ nut width across the entire Masterbuilt range, even on budget-friendly models like the AJ220S.
The all-solid wood Epiphone Masterbuilt AJ-500M built 2004-2011. Notice Epiphone distinct rosette, pick guard design and head stock.
In 2015, Epiphone reintroduced a short-scale, slope-shoulder guitar inspired by the J-45, named the AJ45ME. While closer to the Gibson J-45 in concept, it featured a 14″ fingerboard radius and a SlimTaper neck profile, resulting in a feel quite different from a true J-45. The AJ45ME, still in production in 2022, incorporated a 60s-style Gibson J-45 pickguard and vintage-style open-back tuners but retained the distinctive Epiphone Masterbuilt headstock and rosette. It also featured a shallower body depth and a satin finish.
Epiphone Masterbuilt AJ45ME
The “Inspired by Gibson” Epiphone J-45: A New Standard
So, what distinguishes the “Inspired by Gibson” epiphone j45 guitar? With the IBG J-45, Gibson has allowed Epiphone to create a model that more closely mirrors the specifications of a USA-made Gibson J-45 than ever before.
2020 “Inspired by Gibson” Epiphone J-45
Notice the Gibson-esque rosette and binding, the shorter scale length, the 12″ fretboard radius, and the comfortable, rounded C-profile neck. It boasts a solid Sitka Spruce top and solid Mahogany back and sides, a bone nut and saddle, vintage-style 3-on-a-plate tuners, and a Kalamazoo-era Gibson-style headstock. Epiphone even included a traditional orange oval paper label inside the soundhole, further enhancing the Gibson aesthetic. Moving away from the thick polyester finishes of entry-level Epiphones and the satin finishes of the Masterbuilt line, the IBG J-45 features a thin, varnish-like, buffed-out polyurethane finish that convincingly replicates a vintage look and feel.
The thin finish beautifully showcases the grain of the solid Sitka Spruce top, a detail often obscured on previous Epiphone models like the AJ45ME or AJ500M. Historically, Epiphone models often featured non-scalloped bracing. However, the IBG epiphone j45 guitar incorporates scalloped X-bracing and quarter-sawn bracing, a significant upgrade.
The guitar is visually appealing from every angle. The finish on the back mirrors the darker tones seen on USA Gibson J-45s, yet it’s subtly lighter, allowing the wood grain of the solid Mahogany back and sides to remain visible.
Priced slightly higher than the Masterbuilt AJ45ME, the IBG epiphone j45 guitar represents a step up in quality and accuracy. While remarkably close to a Gibson J-45, it’s not a perfect replica of any specific USA Gibson J-45 model. It features a 1.69″ nut width, bone nut and saddle, and pickguard and tuners reminiscent of the 1960s J-45s. However, the non-adjustable saddle design is more akin to 1950s and modern J-45s. The body depth also presents a slight deviation.
As you can see, the IBG Epiphone has a body depth approximately 0.5″ shallower than a Gibson USA J-45. The modern J-45 body mold adheres to the 1940s J-45 specifications. I believe this shallower body depth, found in Epiphone models and even some USA-made Gibson series like the Generation and Studio J-45s, might contribute to a slightly less pronounced “thumpy” low E string resonance, a characteristic often associated with genuine J-45 Standard models. The 1.69″ nut width, while narrower than modern Gibson J-45 Standards, was common on USA J-45s in the 1960s. Personally, I find the 1.69″ nut width combined with the substantial rounded C neck profile to be a very comfortable and playable combination.
A Hard Case Deserves This Guitar
While Epiphone continues to minimize costs by selling cases separately, the quality of the Epiphone Dreadnought case available for the IBG series is noteworthy. This case features the same arched molded top as the Gibson J-45 case but with enhanced appointments. The latches and handle appear to be of comparable quality to the Gibson case. These cases are often available at discounted prices or even as incentives from online retailers. If you invest in an Inspired by Gibson series guitar, including the epiphone j45 guitar, I highly recommend protecting it with one of these cases.
Minor Drawbacks and Considerations
Even purchasing my IBG epiphone j45 guitar used, I noticed some minor fret scratchiness in the 10th to 12th fret range when bending strings. To be clear, the overall fretwork was good, with no sharp edges or buzzing. However, slight scratchiness during bends is a common occurrence in new acoustic guitars in this price range and usually resolves with play. I used Lizard Spit Fret Polishing system to easily eliminate this minor issue.
The included pickup is a basic Fishman Sonitone under-saddle pickup. These budget-friendly pickups, commonly found in overseas-made acoustics, are mass-produced and relatively inexpensive. While functional, they lack high-end quality. Personally, I would prefer if Epiphone offered these guitars without electronics.
Although I appreciate the slightly shallower body depth of my IBG J-45, I do wish Epiphone would fully replicate the body depth of the USA Gibson J-45 mold for sonic authenticity. The IBG J-45 is also noticeably heavier than a new Gibson USA J-45, weighing almost a pound more. On the positive side, this heft imparts a feeling of robustness and durability, which is reassuring for gigging musicians. While not “overbuilt” in the same way as Norlin-era, double-braced J-45s, the extra weight suggests potentially denser wood or a different drying process compared to Gibson Montana. Regardless of the reason, this guitar feels built to withstand rigorous use, truly embodying the “workhorse” label.
Sound Quality and Performance
Like its USA-made J-45 counterparts, the IBG epiphone j45 guitar is a mid-range focused instrument with a full yet controlled unplugged sound. Renowned artists like Jeff Tweedy of Wilco have famously stated that “every songwriter should own a J-45.” In line with this sentiment, the IBG Epiphone J-45 is arguably the best songwriting guitar I’ve personally owned. It consistently inspires new song ideas whenever I pick it up. It’s an instrument that’s both incredibly playable and difficult to put down. Even with vigorous strumming, it remains balanced and doesn’t overpower vocals, making it an ideal companion for live vocal performances.
Competition and Alternatives
In terms of Epiphone’s own history of J-45 inspired guitars, the IBG epiphone j45 guitar represents the closest recreation Gibson has permitted. This is the first all-solid wood model to bear the J-45 name since the short-lived Elite series of the early 2000s. I believe the IBG Epiphone J-45 deserves serious consideration from any player seeking a reliable gigging workhorse or a songwriting partner.
Other compelling alternatives in this category include the Eastman E10SS and the Blueridge BG140. Both are all-solid, short-scale, slope-shoulder guitars. The Eastman E10SS features an Adirondack Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides (mirroring vintage Gibson J-45 specs), scalloped bracing, and a thin nitrocellulose finish, covering high-end details comparable to Gibson. Blueridge opts for a gloss polyurethane finish but utilizes non-scalloped bracing, contributing to a period-correct voicing (interestingly, Gibson doesn’t use non-scalloped bracing on their 60s-inspired reissue models, despite its historical accuracy for that era). Both the BG140 and Eastman E10SS are excellent guitars with their distinct J-45-inspired tones. It’s remarkable how different these guitars can sound despite their similar specifications.
Also, don’t overlook the Slash signature IBG Epiphone J-45. The Slash version adds modern appointments to the IBG platform, including Grover tuners, a TUSQ nut and saddle, an LR Baggs pickup system, and a hard case, all for a moderate price increase. The Slash edition IBG J-45 aligns more closely with modern J-45 Standard specifications, and the TUSQ nut and saddle further refine the tone towards a modern J-45 sound.
