Gibson Surprise

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by davenumber2

The differences on paper are only cosmetic. Any sonic differences I would just chalk up to variation between guitars same as you would see from a standard J-45 to another standard J-45.

I do not even know what a J45 Southerner Jumbo is. Then again, if you can come up with a J45 Natural anything is possible.

While I do not know about these two specific models, a key difference when it comes to Gibsons is they go with two bracing patterns. It is not about forward or rear shifted. That is a Martin thing. With Gibson it has to do with the angle of the X brace. What they call their AJ style bracing has a wider angle than I guess what you would call their standard bracing. This is one of those things you do not need dog hearing to tell the difference.

[brencat]

I owned a 2014 1960s style J-45 for almost 5 years. And then a more recent J-45 Vintage for about 6 mos. The Sitka topped 1960s was my church service guitar and it was great for that. The Adi topped Vintage was bone dry and much less versatile.

Neither was particularly good for bluegrass flatpicking due to the short scale. I hold onto the idea that maybe someday I'll have another one -- maybe something vintage, but I just don't see it given my musical focus these days.

[Gchord]

The finish of my J-50 (2020) is flawless (it smells great too!). Only quibble was high nut slots - better than too low I guess!

[High_Colorado]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

This is one of those things you do not need dog hearing to tell the difference.

ZW, I was drinking coffee and NOW you owe me a screen cleaning cloth!




.

[davenumber2]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

I do not even know what a J45 Southerner Jumbo is. Then again, if you can come up with a J45 Natural anything is possible.



While I do not know about these two specific models, a key difference when it comes to Gibsons is they go with two bracing patterns. It is not about forward or rear shifted. That is a Martin thing. With Gibson it has to do with the angle of the X brace. What they call their AJ style bracing has a wider angle than I guess what you would call their standard bracing. This is one of those things you do not need dog hearing to tell the difference.

I just assumed he meant a modern J-45 vs. Southern Jumbo

[dnf777]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

I never considered Gibsons until the past couple years. Now I have one acoustic and one electric, and I'm a huge fan. The electric is a Les Paul. I used to be only a Fender electric guy, but that LP is the special.

I'm with you. still favor Fender teles, but Gibson certainly seems to have upped its acoustic game. One of the new sound-port G-00s followed me home the other day, and its become my current favorite couch buddy. (since a MCL tear, a significant portion of my time for a while)

[Br1ck]

Bozeman has been making good product for a couple of decades now, but when they try to make a cheaper variant they fall short. When you're willing to pay three gand or better tet five or six, they do a good job. Beware when the expansion hit as they are doubling capacity. The G guitars are what they are.

[Glob]

Originally Posted by davenumber2

I just assumed he meant a modern J-45 vs. Southern Jumbo

Specifically these two:
- GIBSON SOUTHERN JUMBO ORIGINAL VINTAGE SUNBURST - OCRSSJVS
- Gibson 50's J-45 Original in Vintage Sunburst

Both 'Vintage' versions. Same woods, same shape, same measurements, same everything, except for the neck profile and the appointments. To the point it's funny (from a marketing standpoint) that Gibson doesn't call the SJ a J45 (I guess it wouldn't have costed $45 at the time with the extras)...

The J45 'feels' like a real Gibson, whereas the SJ seems to be a blinged up version with a modern twist on the neck side.

I get the disclaimer around "every guitar" is different, etc. but whilst I tried the J45, I can't the SJ - but they're both the same price at the moment. I was just curious as to what people's opinions where on the SJ - which you don't really a lot about on the forum (I get it's a 'new' old model).

Choices...

[Rad]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

Recently I've seen more boutique or high end factory guys buying J 45 or D 18 type guitars. Don't know why exactly, except they liked them.

I’m not a factory guy, but those are the two acoustics I own. I was playing the J45 for a few hours this am.

[Brucebubs]

'Gibson Surprise' ... sounds like a good name for a new line of Gibson guitars.

[Honkycat]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

Recently I've seen more boutique or high end factory guys buying J 45 or D 18 type guitars. Don't know why exactly, except they liked them.

I'd say that's exactly why.

[tippy5]

I like the Gibson throw anything at it, it delivers, dynamic range.
Except altered tunings ( because of the scale ).

Very adept to different moods, whims and approach's ....
Especially uptempo songs.

My 00-15 Martin, Furch and Goodall's are long scale. They lend themselves to a narrower range of expression. Super instruments, smooth and powerful. A fun palette of colors to choose from.

But Gibsons are like wrestling with one of your brothers at 7 years old.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by tippy5

But Gibsons are like wrestling with one of your brothers at 7 years old.

mmm ... always ended in tears.

[Sasquatchian]

I bought a 2020 Southern Jumbo two years ago from Sweetwater and a couple of things that pushed me in that direction were that it had scalloped bracing rather than straight bracing, thinner nitrocellulose lacquer finish and bone saddle and nut in addition to the Grover Sta-Tites that have been replaced with Waverly 21:1's.

This guitar sounded pretty good straight out of the box and just kept getting better with every string change. About two months ago I decided to intonate the saddle and it was just a little too easy to file. Hmmm. The intonation really improved the blend in chords but that original saddle was Tusq, not bone, so I ordered up a new "Gibson" blank from Stew-Mac and it was too short, so I took a generic bone saddle blank I had laying around and carved up a new one, intonated and using the original as a template. Now, that new bone saddle really made a difference. Almost like a whole different instrument with more detail and articulation in every note and more of an edge on the low notes on the bottom E string.

Now I left the LR Baggs VTS in there that came from the factory but I mays order up a few more saddle blanks and take the Baggs out so the saddle isn't sitting on top of that flattened pickup element. My thinking is that that might take it just a bit further but that'll be a project for another day. Well, month really.

So, overall, i've been super happy with this instrument. It plays very well with very low action from the git-go, records very well, looks fabulous with Gibson's unrivaled sunburst.

There is a rosewood and spruce version that was around $5K but mine is hog and spruce for a couple grand less.

[aeisen93]

I was always a Taylor guy, but I bought a Gibson G-45 Studio in 2020, and a G-00 a few weeks ago, and they are two of my favorite guitars now.

From a quality control perspective, both are perfect. And obviously they sound great too!