1962 Gibson J-45 ADJ Cherry Sunburst – Formerly Owned by Amy Wadge

This is something rather special.

A genuine 1962 Gibson J-45 ADJ in Cherry Sunburst, formerly owned by the acclaimed singer-songwriter Amy Wadge — and, rather wonderfully, a guitar with a genuine songwriting history attached to it.

This is the actual instrument presented to Amy by her publishers, BDI Music and Buck Music, to celebrate the phenomenal success of “Thinking Out Loud”, the number one hit she co-wrote with Ed Sheeran in 2014.

Amy has used this very guitar in her studio for songwriting and recording, giving it a provenance that goes considerably beyond simply owning a great vintage Gibson. This is a working songwriter’s instrument that has been part of the creative process of one of the most successful songs of the era.

The guitar comes with the original presentation card from BDI Music and Buck Music, documenting the gift, and Amy will provide a personal letter of authenticity for the next fortunate owner.

As a vintage J-45, it is an exceptional example.

The guitar is completely honest and gloriously original in appearance, with plenty of beautifully developed lacquer checking and the signs of use you would expect from a 60-plus-year-old instrument that has actually been played and used for its intended purpose.

Importantly, there are no breaks or repairs.

The original adjustable rosewood bridge remains untouched, and the original machine heads are still fitted and functioning exactly as they should. The neck is particularly impressive, with a lovely low playing action and a wonderful feel. There is no evidence of a neck reset having been carried out — and, importantly, none is required.

This is a guitar that simply feels right.

The 1962 J-45 ADJ represents one of Gibson's classic early-'60s specifications. The familiar round-shoulder body combines a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, giving these guitars their distinctive combination of warmth, projection and midrange character. The adjustable bridge and saddle arrangement also allows the playing action to be set to suit the player, while the rosewood fingerboard and bridge and original-style machine heads complete the period specification.

And tonally, this is exactly why the J-45 became known as “The Workhorse”.

A good J-45 has an incredibly useful balance. There is plenty of warm, woody low end, a strong and articulate midrange and enough top-end definition to keep individual notes clear. They respond beautifully to a light touch but can be driven hard with a pick, producing that compressed, punchy Gibson voice that works so naturally for strumming, flatpicking and, above all, songwriting.

The classic J-45 formula of spruce over mahogany is responsible for much of that character: warm, dry and focused rather than overly hi-fi, with a strong fundamental and a wonderfully musical midrange. This particular guitar has that wonderful vintage quality where the instrument seems to have settled into its voice. It is woody, open and remarkably responsive, with a depth and complexity that is difficult to replicate in a new instrument.

There is no pretending this guitar is untouched — the lacquer checking and honest playing wear are part of its story. But that is precisely what makes it so appealing. It has been played, written with and recorded with, and it has the scars to prove it.

The guitar is supplied with a later Gibson brown Tolex hardshell case, along with the original presentation card from BDI Music and Buck Music. Amy Wadge will also provide a personal letter of authenticity for the next owner.

This is one of those rare occasions where the instrument, condition, provenance and musical history all come together. We have given it a light clean and a fresh set of stings but the original strings that she used are in the case.

A superb 1962 J-45 in its own right, but also an instrument with a genuine connection to Amy Wadge and the songwriting history of “Thinking Out Loud”.

A wonderfully honest vintage Gibson, full of character, provenance and musical history. The serial number is

One for the player, the collector — or perhaps the songwriter looking for a little inspiration from an instrument that has already been part of something rather extraordinary.

Gibson J-45ADJ 1962 Ex Amy Wadge Cherry Sunburst