The new Margo Price J-45, also known as the Red-tailed Hawk, is designed with both playability and tone in mind. Inspired by Margo Price’s own vintage J-45, this guitar blends traditional craftsmanship with modern enhancements, making it a versatile option for a wide range of musicians.
Key Features
Mahogany Body
The body of the Margo Price J-45 is slightly thinner than a standard J-45, which contributes to a tighter bass response. This design makes it a good choice for players who want clear, well-defined low-end tones without excessive boominess. The slimmer profile also makes the guitar more comfortable to hold, especially for extended playing sessions.
Red Spruce Top
Red spruce has long been associated with vintage acoustic guitars due to its bright, clear tone and strong projection. While it became less common over the years due to limited availability, its inclusion in the Margo Price J-45 brings back a tonal quality prized by many guitarists. The combination of a mahogany body and red spruce top results in a balanced sound that is warm yet articulate.
L.R. Baggs Electronics
For those who perform live or record in a studio, built-in electronics can be a valuable addition. The Margo Price J-45 is equipped with an L.R. Baggs Element VTC system, featuring an under-saddle pickup and active preamp. This system allows for easy plug-and-play functionality while maintaining a natural acoustic tone. The soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls provide quick adjustments without altering the guitar’s classic appearance.
Distinctive Double Pickguards
One of the most visually striking aspects of this guitar is its double 50s-style pickguards, featuring a red-tailed hawk graphic. This design was chosen by Margo Price, who finds personal and symbolic meaning in the bird. The unique pickguards add character while also providing practical protection for the guitar’s top.
Country’s Next Star
For uninitiated, Margo Price is an American country singer-songwriter, producer, and author based in Nashville. Her debut solo album Midwest Farmer’s Daughter was released in 2016 and was recorded in only three days. On tour, she is backed by her band The Pricetags. Margo was inspired by red-tailed hawks, which feature prominently on the distinctive double 50s-style pickguards of her new signature guitar. As Margo says, “Red-tailed hawks have always been symbolistic to me. I see them everywhere, and I always have, as they are common all over the United States, but to me, they are otherworldly, and they always come to me in my time of need with messages of strength and perseverance. Red, as a color, relates to love, passion, and even anger, matters that we typically would associate with the heart, but if you look closely, the ends of the feathers are dipped in white, and the bird itself has a spiritual nature to them. When I’m on long road trips, I look out the window and count them alongside the highway. They pass over me at the most kismet times, reminding me to find strength in my vulnerability and to open up and connect to those around me. I hope this guitar will remind those who play it these lessons as well.”.
The Guitar
The music Margo Price transcends the boundaries of traditional country, Americana, and classic rock, her Gibson J-45™ acoustic has always been by her side during her rise as a top country artist. The Margo Price J-45 was inspired by her mid-60s J-45, a guitar she’s called “my main baby; my guitar I play all the time.” The Margo Price J-45 features a slightly thinner mahogany body with a red spruce top with traditional hand-scalloped advanced X-bracing, a mahogany neck with a Rounded profile and rosewood fretboard, and Grover® strap tuners with white buttons. The nut and saddle are bone, and the bridge pins are TUSQ®. The Margo Price J-45 also comes equipped with L.R. Baggs electronics, so plugging it in to a live mixing desk, acoustic amp or recording interface won’t be a problem. Gibson also includes a hard-shell case. If you appreciate the classic J-45 sound but prefer a slightly more compact body with improved playability, this model is worth exploring. The red spruce top adds brightness and projection, while the L.R. Baggs electronics make it a practical choice for amplified performance. The distinctive aesthetics, including the red-tailed hawk pickguards, make it stand out as a visually unique instrument.
The Gibson Margo Price J-45 will be available in Australia starting late March 2025. For more details, visit Gibson’s official website.
