Help me pick my next guitar

[Tycobb73]

I have a Martin and a Taylor so I'm looking for the Gibson sound. My ears change so much i just can't go try out everything because today it Errol sound awesome, tomorrow it will sound like crap. Now i want something with electronics and i want a dread. If budget was $1700, give or take what would you buy? There's so many different models out there. This is for popular music, singing shows and nut width isn't a factor. Would be nice if the neck wasn't gloss but not a deal breaker. I don't even know if Gibson does a neck that isn't gloss. Is Gibson one of those brands that you have to buy a Gibson to get that sound?

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Too easy. Used Gibson J45. You're welcome.

[Tycobb73]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob

Too easy. Used Gibson J45. You're welcome.

Yes but what model j45, there's a ton of variants. How are the studios and avante gardes. Do the mahogonys get respect, etc.

[Lakewood_Lad]

Lakewood A-36

Spruce top, cypress body. Concert size. 12 fret.

Why sound like everyone else when you can sound perfectly and distinctly like you.

You're welcome.

This recording aint great but it should show you enough.

This is a better quality recording.

[tinnitus]

My nicest guitar popped into my life one day when I left the house with a bulging pocketful of Taylor/Gibson/Martin cash and headed for a high-end one-off store with a huge inventory.

I promised myself that I would play, feel and listen with my ears rather than looking for any particular brand. Never heard of one before, and ended up coming home with a Larrivee. 20 years later, it still feels good to pull that guitar out and have players/non-players all comment on the beautiful tone.

Very satisfying guitar to own and play.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Tycobb73

...I'm looking for the Gibson sound....

Years ago I was in line for a new burst Gibson J-15 out of Music Villa in Bozeman. I had played one and was super impressed, and the reviews were generally stratospheric....

Then a used but mint jumbo New Hartford Guild F-50R showed up on reverb. I put in an offer that was just a bit more than the new J-15 and it was accepted. I'd put this baby up against an SJ-200 any day. Never looked back.

[ataylor]

I have the exact Taylor and Martin models you have, so I feel like I can reasonably suggest a few options that will be complementary to the tone and feel and aesthetics of those two guitars.

My first suggestion would be a J-45. In the price range you’re looking, you should be able to get (or get close to) a new old stock standard model or a very lightly used one. Better still would be to save a bit more and get either a J-45 “Vintage” or “True Vintage” which will have a red spruce top and a little bit more of a dry vintage tone.

My second suggestion would be an Advanced Jumbo. They’re harder to come by, but are consistently excellent guitars. They have a big, bold sound that is more fundamental and direct than a D-28.

A third suggestion would be to get much of the Gibson tone and aesthetic from another brand, either a bit cheaper — such as Farida (sold by Elderly) or Eastman — or to spend a bit more (admittedly quite a bit more if buying new) and get something from a luthier like Fairbanks, Kopp, et cetera.

Good luck and enjoy the search!

[oldwasichu]

A used Gibson Songwriter will be right in your budget. I'll never part with mine - it's that good. My son has a new J-15 (2017 model, I think) and it is also a great guitar, but even he prefers the Songwriter. Electronics work well with my Fender Acoustasonic Jr amp. Haven't yet tried it with the Fishman Loudbox Mini, but aim to do that next week.

[Tycobb73]

Can anyone compare the songwriter to the j45? How about an Eastman e10ss or e1ss to Gibson.

Like i said, this isn't as easy ada just going in and trying because my ears seem so unstable. I'll think my d18 sounds awesome then go back 2 hours later and it sounds like crap. Tomorrow I'll think something different.

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by Tycobb73

Yes but what model j45, there's a ton of variants. How are the studios and avante gardes. Do the mahogonys get respect, etc.

A standard J-45 will get you what you're looking for, however if you have the extra cash for a J-45 True Vintage it'll be even better. As far as J-45's go mahogany is the standard, that's what they're supposed to have (and in my opinion a J-45 isn't a J-45 without mahogany). The studios are a bit thinner and while they are excellent guitars, they don't sound exactly like a J-45 due to the thinner body.

Another option in the Gibson line if you're looking for classic tone is an L-00.

[Tycobb73]

Originally Posted by Goat Mick

A standard J-45 will get you what you're looking for, however if you have the extra cash for a J-45 True Vintage it'll be even better. As far as J-45's go mahogany is the standard, that's what they're supposed to have (and in my opinion a J-45 isn't a J-45 without mahogany). The studios are a bit thinner and while they are excellent guitars, they don't sound exactly like a J-45 due to the thinner body.

Another option in the Gibson line if you're looking for classic tone is an L-00.

So do you think studios sound still in the Gibson family or are they so fsr off not worth the cheaper price and thinner body?

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by Tycobb73

So do you think studios sound still in the Gibson family or are they so fsr off not worth the cheaper price and thinner body?

I think if you really want the J-45 growl, you're not going to be really happy with the Studio. We have several members with J-45 Studio guitars and from what I've seen they love them but they're not going to sound like a traditional J-45.

My question to you is (and I promise I'm not trying to be snarky), if you can't really hear the difference why are you spending the money chasing tone? Personally I'd pick up a Farida or maybe an AMI Sigma or Epiphone Masterbuilt. Any of those will get you most of the way there for a lot less money.

[DukeX]

Gibson J-15

Larrivee SD-40

[hotroad]

A totally different idea is to look at Alvarez. I have an AJ60-SC and it is very similar in tone to a J-45. Very nice looking guitar, great neck, good tuners, great electronics. Go for a large body to get that Gibson tone.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob

Too easy. Used Gibson J45. You're welcome.

What he said.