Gibson unveils The Donovan Model

A vintage styled workhorse with modern technology? Oh, go on then...
A vintage styled workhorse with modern technology? Oh, go on then...

Gibson has unveiled a new signature guitar, the 1965 J-45 The Donovan Model.

Renowned for his work in the '60s, singer-songwriter Donovan has worked with Gibson to create the guitar, a '60s style J-45 which features a Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, cherry sunburst finish and a bridgeplate mounted LR Baggs Lyric microphone - basically, the working acoustic troubadour's dream.

The Donovan Model has a pricetag of $2999, which in the grand scheme of things is pretty good going for a beautifully spec'd vintage style acoustic of this calibre.

For more information visit the official Gibson website.

Gibson press release

Gibson continue celebrating 120 years of making top quality instruments by releasing the 1965 J-45 The Donovan Model. This is the guitar that helped make the folk singer a legend. The Donovan Model comes with a mahogany back and sides, and a Sitka spruce top in Cherry Sunburst, with a 60s style radiused body. For those times when you need to plug in, The Donovan Model comes with a bridge plate-mounted LR Baggs Lyric microphone.

The J-45 dates all the way back to 1942 and is nicknamed "The Workhorse," and The Donovan Model is no exception. It comes with a custom hardshell case with a plush-lined interior, made to withstand a grueling road schedule. As an added bonus each guitar comes with autographed label, and a personal letter from Donovan himself. Fans of the J-45 appreciate the smooth playability of the neck, and newcomers will love it as well. The mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard is simply a songwriters dream.

Body
Type: J-45 Series
Top: Sitka Spruce
Back and Sides: Mahogany, '60s-style Body Radius
Binding: Multi-ply Top, Single Ply Back, Traditional Double Ring Rosette
Bracing: Scalloped X-braced Top

Neck
Species: Mahogany
Profile: Modified Round
Thickness: 1.75" at Nut
Truss Rod: Single Action

Neck Fit
Joint: Compound Dovetail
Construction: Joint at 12th Fret
Adhesive: Hide Glue

Fingerboard
Species: Rosewood
Scale Length: 24 3/4"
Radius: 12"
Fret Wire: Gibson Acoustic Standard Fret Wire
Inlays: 1/4" Mother of Pearl Dots
Adhesive: Wood Glue

Nut
Material: Bone
Width: 1.75

Headstock
Type: Traditional CF-100
Angle: 17 Degrees
Logo: Gold Block Decal
Truss: Rod Cover Black

Tuners
Model: 3 In-line White Button
Tuning: Ratio 14:1

Bridge
Type: Belly up with Adjustable Tusq Saddle
Material: Rosewood

Hardware
Pickguard: 50's Style Tortoise
Strap Buttons: End Pin Jack
Strings: Gibson Light Guage .012" - .053"

Pickup
Preamp: L. R. Baggs Lyric