Gibson J-45 vs Epiphone AJ45ME, here we go...

Rmz76 · #1 04-11-2015, 11:32 AM

I know many here have been waiting to hear and play the new Masterbuilt Epiphone AJ45ME. In another thread this morning I noticed someone posted a video of a talented singer-songwriter doing a well recorded live performance with the new Epiphone J-45. I have to say unfortunately I'm let down by what I'm seeing and hearing from this first glimpse of this guitar (not the performer, I actually like her song). I'm not hearing much sustain and that trademark J-45 thud is nowhere to be found in this clip. I'm curious what others think.

Because she's playing an original song we can't do a one to one comparison. But I did find a song by a country singer-songwriter I like. In the clip below he is playing a radio live session with just his J-45, mostly open chording it with a capo pretty low on the neck.

I don't think any guitar should be judged without being able to experience it in person, but from these two clips what are your thoughts?

Meghan Patrick performing with her Masterbuilt AJ-45ME.

Wade Bowen performing with his modern Gibson J-45 Standard

I'm really hoping this is just a case of poor mixing, but her vocals sound balanced. I am thinking the problem here is the AJ-45ME. It also looks like the top has a satin finish. That may be just the lighting, but cosmetically I don't think the AJ-45ME is a very good looking guitar either.

Woodstock School Of Music · #2 04-11-2015, 11:52 AM

The first video sounds like it was recorded with a camera mic and has room sound and the second video is recorded more direct and processed so your comparing apples to oranges as far as sound comparison not to mention it's two different people in two different settings.

cliffmac · #3 04-11-2015, 12:11 PM

I totally agree apples to oranges. Listen to her at 4:24 even with the capo on the third it has a nice boom also it is new and needs time to get that nice sound. But really 2700 or 750 is that a fair comparison? Put them together same room, voice and song I will bet it would be a different opinion of this guitar.

Rmz76 · #4 04-11-2015, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The dman

The first video sounds like it was recorded with a camera mic and has room sound and the second video is recorded more direct and processed so your comparing apples to oranges as far as sound comparison not to mention it's two different people in two different settings.

Fair enough, but I don't believe that's a camera mic you're hearing. Why would Epiphone make a video to showcase a guitar and record it with a camera mic? Think about that. In fact you can see a microphone in the first video from a distance... I agree they are different scenarios, but the recording quality of both is reasonably even if the means of capturing the audio and processing it is a bit different. There's more reverb on the second clip. Regardless the AJ45ME isn't sounding anything like a J-45 to me in this clip.

For another comparison. Here's a clip of a the same artist playing what appears to be a J-45 Custom. I've observed he sometimes plays with a J-45 Standard and sometimes other models. I believe the guitar he's playing in the top post is a Standard. In this video the recording is done by what sounds like a camera mic. Very low quality and yet still still sounds much better than the AJ-45ME sounds in the first clip. I would go so far as to say if I were just to judge it by this clip the J45ME sounds worse than many other mid-range guitars I've heard

Rmz76 · #5 04-11-2015, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffmac

I totally agree apples to oranges. Listen to her at 4:24 even with the capo on the third it has a nice boom also it is new and needs time to get that nice sound. But really 2700 or 750 is that a fair comparison? Put them together same room, voice and song I will bet it would be a different opinion of this guitar.

I'm looking forward to more clips of it for comparison. If the guitar is capable of sounding much better than what's captured here they should have done more work on recording it properly for a video used to promotional purposes. The lighting is also pretty bad and does not make it look very appealing.

Whaleblue · #6 04-11-2015, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmz76

...but from these two clips what are your thoughts?
...

Mostly that Meghan Patrick is cute (and has a nice voice).

Whaleblue · #7 04-11-2015, 12:57 PM

But as far as the guitar comparison goes it's hard to judge anything with two different players, picks (probably) and, most importantly recording equipment and rooms.

sbpark · #8 04-11-2015, 01:13 PM

This is my humble opinion but the Masterbuilt will never sound like a J45 Standard, new, old, whatever incarnation of Gibson J45 you are going to compare it to. With that said, I am a huge Epiphone fan. I currently own an amazing 2014 Casino that I love, and in the past have owned an IB Texan, which was also an incredible guitar (for the money). The thing I have noticed with the Epi's are they really are great guitars. Some may need a little more work than others out of the box, but the Epi acoustics I've played are really good (I recently played an AL200S that blew my mind for a $200 guitar), and the Masterbuilts are even better, however, I still have yet to play one that has the same 'mojo' as my Gibson J45. That isn't to say that they are bad instruments. They just always seem to be just that slight bit heavier, that slight bit whatever it is, that is that tiny little difference that separates them from their Gibson brothers. I still think they are fantastic guitars, but what I have come to realize over the years is if you have your heart set on one particular model but it's out of your reach financially, do yourself a favor and be patient and save up until you can afford the exact one you have your heart set on, instead of buying what you can afford at the moment to satisfy your instant gratification desire. Over time that instant gratification will fade, you'll sell that cheaper guitar you bought for a loss to fund another lesser guitar than what you really want, and go down a road where in the end, you would have ended up spending less if you just would have saved up and bought what you really wanted.

I realize that all of this may be a bit off topic, but the point I'm trying to make is there's no free lunch here so to speak. I am sure the Masterbuilt J45 is a fantastic instrument in it's own right, but it most likely will not satisfy someone who want's a Gibson J45.

Bunny64 · #9 04-11-2015, 01:30 PM

Thanks for posting. I have been looking forward to the new Epi 45 all solid and your clip has not put me off checking it out. I have a Texan at the moment in my stable and that guitar sounded a lot like it. May not have the boum as you say but I have picked up J45s in stores that didn't deliver either in that department. I hope to have a short scale at some point maybe a used J45 or maybe an Epi. I will keep an open mind for the time being.

duluthdan · #10 04-11-2015, 01:34 PM

Tell you what... the Masterbuilt may not have the Gibson's throatiness, but for $600 I would not kick it out of bed.

cliffenstein · #11 04-11-2015, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunny64

Thanks for posting. I have been looking forward to the new Epi 45 all solid and your clip has not put me off checking it out. I have a Texan at the moment in my stable and that guitar sounded a lot like it. May not have the boum as you say but I have picked up J45s in stores that didn't deliver either in that department. I hope to have a short scale at some point maybe a used J45 or maybe an Epi. I will keep an open mind for the time being.

I thought it sounded much like the Texan as well. I'll be picking this up upon release.

Rmz76 · #12 04-11-2015, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffenstein

I thought it sounded much like the Texan as well. I'll be picking this up upon release.

Yes, from this clip it reminds me of the Inspired By Texan too. Maybe they share the same bracing pattern? I don't hate the Inspired By Texan, but it's tone isn't even in the ballpark of a J-45.

Rmz76 · #13 04-11-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whaleblue

Mostly that Meghan Patrick is cute (and has a nice voice).

True that

SalFromChatham · #14 04-11-2015, 02:51 PM

I have owned three masterbilts. I even ordered this one but canceled it. They re nice guitars. My prior AJ 500s were well made and sounded just fine. But, do not buy these thinking you will get a Gibson sound. You won't.

cliffenstein · #15 04-11-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmz76

Yes, from this clip it reminds me of the Inspired By Texan too. Maybe they share the same bracing pattern? I don't hate the Inspired By Texan, but it's tone isn't even in the ballpark of a J-45.

I love the Texan. It sounds like an old-time guitar. Heavy on the mid-range, dry and immediate. I'll pay the extra $200 for the solid sides, vintage sunburst color and masterbilt appointments. It's very worth it to me. If, after buying it, I decide it would be better with lacquer then I'll get my luthier to nitro it for me.

Is Gibson going to allow it's offshore division to make a $599 guitar that sounds exactly like their $2199 US build?

I don't think so.

Will this fulfill a market demand and make the company money while simultaneously exciting people about their instruments?

You betcha!