NGD: Gibson J-15! (and Chicago Music Exchange report)

ribsareyummy · #1 02-16-2020, 06:29 PM

Well, never really thought I'd have a Gibson, but here we are. Headed out to Chicago Music Exchange today as part of GuitarQuest for my 40th birthday, spent about 4 hours there. I was intending to look at some of those Road Series Martins and maybe some of the cheaper Gibsons. Ended up looking at this J-15, a used J-45, and a used D-18 all around the same price.

The J-15 sounded great, and also was part of their 15% off Valentine's sale, so I didn't even have to haggle. The J-45 sounded kind of dead, and the D-18 was very nice, but the guy said they couldn't budge on the price. I would have put up the extra cash since I've always wanted a D-18, but while it was great, for some reason the J-15 spoke to me more. Also the J-15 was way louder than the D-18, which I was not expecting. And the D-18 was from 2016, and I'm wary of Martins from that period with all the reports I've seen of binding issues. But it did have a Baggs Lyric installed. Not bad for $1795. Really hoping I don't get remorse over not getting it.

Also tried out a couple G-45s. 1 of the 3 they had sounded pretty good, the only G-45 Studio they had was not great. They had a 1980 Guild that I thought might be nice, birth year guitar and all, but it was also not great. And the edge of its very pointy cutaway looked like it could be used as a lethal weapon.

Anyway, pictures. Love the maple neck and subtle bling of the rosette!

Edit: Do Gibsons usually come strung with Santa Cruz parabolic strings? Because there was an empty packet of those in the case.

llew · #2 02-16-2020, 06:35 PM

Congrats on you new Gibson! The J-15 seems to get a lot of love here on the forum. Very nice...enjoy! You cam always get a D-18 later...

SalFromChatham · #3 02-16-2020, 06:43 PM

congrats! beautiful guitar.

i recently got my first walnut Gibson as well... but a thinner body: the J45 -Studio. i love mine. and im sure yours is louder. happy for you. you will have fun experimenting with strings... Elixir, Martin, Daddario... PB. 80/20. monel. so many permutations. enjoy the journey.

Rev Roy · #4 02-16-2020, 06:50 PM

Congrats! Those J-15s are fantastic guitars.

foxo · #5 02-16-2020, 06:54 PM

Looks excellent, good job finding the guitar that spoke to you.

Skarsaune · #6 02-16-2020, 06:59 PM

Congrats. Got my J-15 in my lap right now.

kcnbys · #7 02-16-2020, 07:25 PM

You got yourself a great Gibson there! Congrats! LOVE CME!!

Rosewood99 · #8 02-16-2020, 07:29 PM

The J-15 is one of the best guitars for the money I have heard in a long time. I didn't already have to Gibsons I would get one for sure. Congrats!

ABrown · #9 02-16-2020, 07:58 PM

Too bad you weren't a week later. I just shipped off a 2012 D-18 to CME on trade in. It is an excellent guitar that I believe they are going to list at $1800, it should be there Tuesday. Awesome guitar though, I really like those J-15s.

Dru Edwards · #10 02-16-2020, 08:12 PM

Congrats! Great that you were able to try out a bunch of guitars and come home with the J-15.

I've been the Chicago Music Exchange a few times. That wall of 100 Gibson Les Pauls always makes me want to play each of them.

ziapack · #11 02-16-2020, 08:38 PM

That Gibson is a beauty, congrats on the find. CME is an awesome place to get to hang out, about a 20 hour drive for me, looking forward to my next visit to Chicago.

DCCougar · #12 02-16-2020, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribsareyummy

Well, never really thought I'd have a Gibson, but here we are....

Yep, Gibson really hit it out of the park when they came up with the J-15. The tone seems to have surprised everyone! Major congrats!

Back a couple years I was ready to spring for a new J-15 but I got waylaid by a used but mint jumbo Guild F-50R. Totally cured my 6-string GAS, but if I come into some extra money some day, the J-15 is still a serious consideration!

DCCougar · #13 02-16-2020, 08:53 PM

Oh, and CME? I got my Songwriter 12 from them at a HUGE discount. Super guitar! Like new. They're great to work with.

FOG01 · #14 02-16-2020, 08:58 PM

That's a beauty!

Sax Player Guy · #15 02-16-2020, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribsareyummy

Edit: Do Gibsons usually come strung with Santa Cruz parabolic strings? Because there was an empty packet of those in the case.

Congratulations on your J-15! I am a big fan of this model. Mine, which coincidentally also came from Chicago Music Exchange, came with Gibson Marsterbilt 80/20s, which sound great on this guitar. Enjoy!