Gibson J35 - current 30s Faded vs 2010s Banner?

[PineMarten]

I'm shuffling some things around at present and one of the aforementioned seems like it might suit me quite well. I've seen some good prices on the current J35 30's Faded model, but there are also some of the banner headstock model from around 2013-14 on the used market for a little less (though perhaps not as big a differential as I'd expected)
The obvious ones are that the Faded has the matt finish, the newer model Baggs Element VTC and open tuners, while the Banner model has gloss, an older model Baggs Element and closed, white button tuners. But are there any notable differences in neck profile, bracing etc that affect the feel and sound?
The pickup system isn't a huge concern - I'm quite a light user of them and if I hate it I'll change it. Though from demos I get the impression that the newer Element VTC has a better chance of being tolerable with my playing style and use - the older one seems very typical harsh UST sounding. I often like satin finishes on necks, too.
There are a couple of other possible strong contenders on the used market locally, but the J35s do seem appealing. I'll pop into a local shop and try the Faded this week, but I'd be interested in any perspectives on how the two compare.

[abn556]

The banner guitars are made in the Custom Shop and are generally better guitars than the production line guitars. Generally…

Fullers in Houston has about 4-5 of the Custom Shop J-35s . They are right at $5k.

[PineMarten]

Originally Posted by abn556

The banner guitars are made in the Custom Shop and are generally better guitars than the production line guitars. Generally…

Fullers in Houston has about 4-5 of the Custom Shop J-35s . They are right at $5k.

I don't mean the Custom Shop models, but the lower priced ones from the 2010s that used the banner logo on the headstock. I think they were priced a little below the standard J45

[abn556]

I am not sure why Gibson used the banner logo on lower priced guitars at the same time they were using it on much more expensive Custom Shop models. I have seen the J-35 Banners for sale recently for well under $2k.

Like this one:

https://reverb.com/p/gibson-j-35-reissue-1994-2018

[Charlie Bernstein]

The "faded" part would be a deal-breaker for me. Cheap, cheesy, phony. The banner on the other one is an odd embellishment — probably there to attract authenticity cravers — but of the two, that's the one I'd get.

[Lillis]

I recently bought a 2016 J35 off the forum. I love it. Nice full neck and it came with the VTC pick up stock (although I never use it). It has a beautiful tone. I have no experience with the faded but I think I would opt for a 2016 or newer “banner” at a good price. Half my guitars are satin but there’s something about the nitro gloss finish on my J35 I really like.

[PineMarten]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

The "faded" part would be a deal-breaker for me. Cheap, cheesy, phony. The banner on the other one is an odd embellishment — probably there to attract authenticity cravers — but of the two, that's the one I'd get.

I'm not sure why they called them "Faded", it's just a simple satin nitro finish rather than any sort of "relic" job, which would be a hard nope for me.

[JMW01]

The J-35 banner has advanced bracing and the J-35 faded does not.

[PineMarten]

Originally Posted by JMW01

The J-35 banner has advanced bracing and the J-35 faded does not.

Aha, that's the sort of thing I was wondering. I'll still try the Faded, but I guess that implies that the two aren't going to sound the same

[Jim Owen]

Originally Posted by abn556

I am not sure why Gibson used the banner logo on lower priced guitars at the same time they were using it on much more expensive Custom Shop models. I have seen the J-35 Banners for sale recently for well under $2k.

Like this one:

https://reverb.com/p/gibson-j-35-reissue-1994-2018

There are good deals to be had—these guitars were bargains. Essentially a J 50 at a much better price.

[PineMarten]

In an unexpected twist, I popped in to the local shop that had the J35 Faded in stock, and they also had a used 2020 G45 Standard (the walnut models) that side-by-side I liked better. I wouldn't have anticipated that, but it was a bit under my budget too, so it came home with me. I'll probably take out the Sonitone pickup, fit a bone saddle and some type of bridge plate pickup, but I can do that. I guess there's no substitute for actually playing them. Right now it appears to have 11s and an overly high saddle, but I can fix that when I do the saddle.

[abn556]

You are right. There is no substitute for holding and playing guitars. This is the only way I buy guitars any more.