J-45 GAS, 2016 upgrape electronics...

MaxLaMenace · #1 02-03-2016, 11:25 AM

Hi guys

I've been searching for the perfect J-45 forever, and I think I finally found it yesterday.

The only thing that makes me hesitate is that it's a 2015 model, and I know the 2016 has better electronics (VTC). I play gigs pluggued in everyweek so the pick up is important for me, and I like to keep my guitars stock.

I know there's a tone control now (it has just volume before 2016), but LR Baggs also mention "a special low frequency compression circuit" on this VTC electronic that the standard one doesn't have.

Is anyone of you had the chance to compare the two systems? Element active (volume only) vs Element VTC?

Thanks for your input!

Br1ck · #2 02-03-2016, 12:19 PM

Buy the guitar. Electronics can be replaced if you need to. Tone and feel trump electrons.

Laurent G · #3 02-04-2016, 04:33 AM

When I got my 2016 J-45 Custom, with the DR Baggs Element VTC, first thing I did was plug it into my Fishman SA220. Played one chord and went "Yuk". Very thin, metallic sound. I had the Element removed and replaced by a Pure Mini. Now it sounds awesome, don't even have to really bother with EQ.

pmarino · #4 02-04-2016, 04:35 AM

My take... Buy the guitar! Replace the pickup. I see no reason to stick with stock if there are better options. There are better options. That's my opinion, of course.

MaxLaMenace · #5 02-04-2016, 07:46 AM

Thanks for your input guys... I think I'll buy it, i tried some very bad (dead) J-45, this one was a very good one.

I'll see if the pickup is ok for me. I play a Martin DCPA4 every week straight into a mixer and think it sounds ok. It has the Fishman Analog F1 in it (no aura image). Maybe the Lr Baggs sounds just as good...

pmarino · #6 02-04-2016, 07:54 AM

Good call to buy the J-45 that's working for you!

For mine, I started with the standard LR Baggs Element. Replaced it for the K&K Pure Mini. Wasn't happy with that, so I switched to the Baggs M80. I played a lot of shows with that and liked it, but have recently changed to the Baggs Anthem and I am very happy. A great pickup system. Best of luck with yours.

MaxLaMenace · #7 02-04-2016, 08:12 AM

I'm curious, what did you did'nt like about the Pure Mini... it seems to be the holy grail everytime I look on this forum...

pmarino · #8 02-04-2016, 09:19 AM

Yep, that's true!

I really like(d) the K&K. A few people who play in my region have them now in their guitars because of hearing me play, so there's nothing bad to say about them. The thing for me was consistency. I've been fortunate over the past few years to play a fair bit in many different venues. That's great, but you don't always (as an unknown singer/songwriter) get lots of sound check time at these venues. They like a full bill with relatively fast turnaround times between acts. When I DID get the time to work with a sound person and we could really tweak the sound, the K&K was nice. When I didn't get that time (more times than not), or when I had a sound person who just couldn't be bothered to deal with it, I would end up with a boomy, sometimes muddy, sound that made my lovely guitar sound much worse than I knew it could.

I needed something that was more plug-and-play capable. The M80 certainly was that. No feedback ever, and a very nice sound. It definitely lost some of the naturalness of the K&K, so when I heard some Anthems I knew that was probably the right choice. It's been just that... Plug-and-play and natural. The regular host of a local open mic (who's heard me play for years with all these pickups) said to me the other night that the J-45 with the Anthem sounded as good or better than when I would occasionally play through a Fishman Aura Spectrum. To my ears, it's even better, because there's no imaging going on... It's a natural reproduction of the guitar. Very transparent.

Either way, I'm glad to hear you've found a J-45 that speaks to you. I love playing mine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxLaMenace

I'm curious, what did you did'nt like about the Pure Mini... it seems to be the holy grail everytime I look on this forum...

MaxLaMenace · #9 02-04-2016, 11:41 AM

Thanks you very much for all these details, very interesting. I'm looking for the same thing: consistancy. A lot of different venues, I need a plug and play solution. I might consider the Anthem if I'm not happy with the stock electronics. Have a nice day

MaxLaMenace · #10 02-05-2016, 08:59 AM

I did it! I'm so happy! Thanks for your input guys!

pmarino · #11 02-05-2016, 04:10 PM

Great stuff!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxLaMenace

I did it! I'm so happy! Thanks for your input guys!

G_Sin · #12 02-05-2016, 04:13 PM

Nice! She's a beauty.

sbpark · #13 02-10-2016, 05:43 AM

If you play plugged in every week and are at all picky about your sound I doubt that there is much difference between the '15 and '16 electronics aside from the added tone wheel. Both pickups sound like garbage and don't do the guitar justice. But whichever one you like best and replace the pickup with something that sounds good.

GibbyPrague · #14 02-10-2016, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Br1ck

Buy the guitar. Electronics can be replaced if you need to. Tone and feel trump electrons.

Absolutely. How many 'perfect' J-45's are out there ?

Ah, you did it, excellent Skywalker.

SpruceTop · #15 02-10-2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxLaMenace

I did it! I'm so happy! Thanks for your input guys!

HOT TIP! If you're not satisfied with the plugged-in tone of your new J-45, add a Fishman Aura Pedal to your signal chain loaded with the downloadable J-45 Aura Images. The LR Baggs Element UST works well with a Fishman Aura Pedal. I've done this and can vouch for the combination as sounding very good and quite natural!