Gibson J-45 and J-15 questions

[Nick84]

If it's loud your after you need to check out a J-29. They are discontinued now but still plenty about. Price is inbetween a j-15 and a j-45

[ChrisE]

I haven't really played any of them (except a couple of J-45's) but I'd have to say if it were me, I'd go for the J-45 because for me it's one of those iconic bucket list guitars (for me, anyway).

If I bought the J-15 I'd probably tell myself that I like it just as much as the J-45 but in the back of my mind I'd always be longing for the J-45. So I'd just get the 45 and be done with it.

[Mike CT]

I just looked at my original post and realized that I left out the sentence saying that I bought a late 2016 J-15 back in Feb 2017 (pristine shape from seeetwater) but have been kicking myself for not exploring the J-45 because of the price at the time.

I can actually get the J-45 now but wanted to make sure it was worth the extra net cost of 1) a good j-45 price offset by the 2) j-15 resale loss

I'm leaning toward paying a little more for one "keeper" and I keep coming back to the 45. My j15 sounds better than others that I've tried but I'll bite the bullet and not look back if I can get something reasonable. Lesson learned.

For sale section here and/or eBay here I come ...

All of the comments have been very helpful - thanks!

Mike

[Mike CT]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

I haven't really played any of them (except a couple of J-45's) but I'd have to say if it were me, I'd go for the J-45 because for me it's one of those iconic bucket list guitars (for me, anyway).

If I bought the J-15 I'd probably tell myself that I like it just as much as the J-45 but in the back of my mind I'd always be longing for the J-45. So I'd just get the 45 and be done with it.

That's what I just did. The 15 is on the way to its new home as I type this and I'm on day 3 or so with the J-45. I love it. Sounds so rich and, just different. Very tight and I love the way that the high notes stand out in a non in your face way. I also feel that being a little less bright helps to hide my not great, but improving, playing!

Very happy that I bit the bullet. I bought it through Sweetwater and asked the sales person to try a bunch to get a sound that I was looking for and that was the one that I bought. I'm very happy with it.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Mike CT

That's what I just did. The 15 is on the way to its new home as I type this and I'm on day 3 or so with the J-45. I love it. Sounds so rich and, just different. Very tight and I love the way that the high notes stand out in a non in your face way. I also feel that being a little less bright helps to hide more poor (but improving) playing!

Very happy that I bit the bullet. I bought it through Sweetwater and asked the sales person to try a bunch to get a sound that I was looking for and that was the one that I bought. I'm very happy with it.

Congrats Mike!

[rokdog49]

Watching Tony's video, the J45 is a more "throaty" voice with clearer note definition. I have played both and I like them both. I don't own either one, but if I had to pick, I would pick the 45 because my Pono SS Dread sounds remarkably close to the J15 especially with Monel strings.

[Mike CT]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Watching Tony's video, the J45 is a more "throaty" voice with clearer note definition. I have played both and I like them both. I don't own either one, but if I had to pick, I would pick the 45 because my Pono SS Dread sounds remarkably close to the J15 especially with Monel strings.

This is going to sound a little odd but I have been a metal guy all of my life: maiden, priest, Metallica, Motörhead, motley, volbeat, etc. I started getting hooked on some more modern country a couple of years ago and love it. I've seen Jason Aldean, Eric Church, and am seeing Kenny Chesney this summer. That's about how broad it is right now but I really wanted an acoustic to play those songs and I'm pretty pumped right now.

For my electric I have a Fender strat that is very good for metal. Given my background, I wanted to make sure that in getting an acoustic I ended up with something that wouldn't come across a thin and super bright (no offense meant if someone loves that sound!). The J-45 seems to check off all of the boxes, the short scale has grown on me, and I love the look of it and that it's hand made here.