Tidewater Arts Outreach announces it will raffle off a Gibson J45 True Vintage guitar (MSRP $3,847).

Gibson’s new J-45 True Vintage captures the genuine spirit of Gibson’s most popular acoustic. Nicknamed “The Workhorse” for its simple, rock-solid construction, the new J-45 True Vintage—hand-made by Gibson Acoustic in Bozeman, Montana—offers the build, materials, looks, and tone of this legendary guitar as it was the day it was first introduced in 1942. This new model stays true to the original in every way, including the same round-shoulder dreadnought body design, with a top made from AA-grade Sitka spruce, custom vintage top bracing, and back and sides constructed from pattern-grade mahogany from Honduras.

Raffle tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by mail with a check made out to TAO with “guitar raffle” in the memo field and mailed to TAO, 512 Twelve Oaks Court, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Entrants must send a self-addressed stamped envelope for ticket stub and entry must be postmarked prior to April 3, 2009.

No more than 500 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held at the Naro theater on the evening of April 9, 2009. You need not be present to win, but the winner must either pick up the guitar at a mutually agreed upon time, or pay for shipping and handling.