Chasing a Gibson J-45 A/E, what if it's a Studio?

negriljerry · #1 10-20-2021, 12:55 PM

Meeting a guy later today to buy a J-45 a/e cutaway. Price is really awesome, makes me wonder if something's amiss. I've gigged the same venue with seller and he's legit so maybe it's a studio model? If so what are the downgrades to the studio series?

I might've made a huge mistake in asking why he is selling...it'd be just my luck for him to ponder on it and go "Hmm, yeah, why? I better keep it."

davenumber2 · #2 10-20-2021, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by negriljerry

Meeting a guy later today to buy a J-45 a/e cutaway. Price is really awesome, makes me wonder if something's amiss. I've gigged the same venue with seller and he's legit so maybe it's a studio model? If so what are the downgrades to the studio series?

I might've made a huge mistake in asking why he is selling...it'd be just my luck for him to ponder on it and go "Hmm, yeah, why? I better keep it."

Why not just ask him what model it is? Pretty sure the Studios say so on the label.

Goat Mick · #3 10-20-2021, 01:02 PM

The Studios are nice guitars and sound really good, but they don't have the body depth of the non-studio J-45s. It's not going to have as much bottom end. You'll need to play it to see if it works for you.

gr81dorn · #4 10-20-2021, 01:11 PM

J-45 studios don't really have any downgrades as far as fit and finish, but (as mentioned) are 000 depth and they are walnut in place of mahogany. They're actually pretty fantastic values.

I don't think they fully capture the great mellowness of a J45 because the wood complement plays a big role in that sound, but they are great sounding and comfortable, great-playing guitars. They are obviously lower value items, so pay appropriately if that is the case and you want to buy it.

I personally don't see it as any less-than true Gibson lines because they haven't really cut any major corners compared to the rest of the line. The G series intentionally cuts a bunch of corners and the distance between the Gs and a J-45 Studio is pretty massive.

negriljerry · #5 10-20-2021, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Mick

The Studios are nice guitars and sound really good, but they don't have the body depth of the non-studio J-45s. It's not going to have as much bottom end. You'll need to play it to see if it works for you.

Walnut, wondering if it's solid or lam

Goat Mick · #6 10-20-2021, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by negriljerry

Walnut, wondering if it's solid or lam

It's solid. And I like walnut as a tone wood. The body depth of the guitar is the only thing that would have me concerned. But if you play it and you like the way it sounds, it'll be a good guitar for you.

Rogerblair · #7 10-20-2021, 01:26 PM

The cutaway is perhaps a negative for hard core J45 fans. He may have had some negative response because of that ?? Just a wild guess, I don’t know.

In general, J45s are just plain awesome. Good luck.
Rb

gr81dorn · #8 10-20-2021, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogerblair

The cutaway is perhaps a negative for hard core J45 fans. He may have had some negative response because of that ?? Just a wild guess, I don’t know.

In general, J45s are just plain awesome. Good luck.
Rb

Oh, I missed that cutaway - then it's definitely not a Studio as those dont have a cutaway.

It is likely one of the recent Avant Garde series which were very nice and the entry point to made in USA Gibsons prior to the G series and Studios came into the world.

DCCougar · #9 10-20-2021, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr81dorn

It is likely one of the recent Avant Garde series...

Apparently those also come with walnut back and sides (at least an option), AND have a slimmer body....

Quote:

"The J-45 Walnut Avant Garde offers an innovative, slim body cutaway guitar..." Gibson webpage

Nothing wrong with walnut. In fact, if you're going walnut, you might want to look into the full-bodied J-15, which has got nothing but great reviews from the very start....

Dean Riley · #10 10-20-2021, 02:12 PM

Do you know it's a 45 for sure? Could also be a J-15... they are walnut (solid) B/S and can come in a cutaway/walnut burst. They are full thickness (contrary to studio models) and great guitars

Dean Riley · #11 10-20-2021, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCCougar

Apparently those also come with walnut back and sides (at least an option), AND have a slimmer body....

Nothing wrong with walnut. In fact, if you're going walnut, you might want to look into the full-bodied J-15, which has got nothing but great reviews from the very start....

Sorry missed what you said - yea the J-15 IMO is preferable to the studio series due to body thickness... I have a natural J-15 and it is a great guitar

negriljerry · #12 10-20-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Riley

Do you know it's a 45 for sure? Could also be a J-15... they are walnut (solid) B/S and can come in a cutaway/walnut burst. They are full thickness (contrary to studio models) and great guitars

Yeah, it's a 45 Studio - he paid $2K for it, selling for $1500 like new since he has a 60's reissue J-45 and a J-200.

Actually the slimmer body might work quite well for gigs and open mics - I'll still have two dreads around the house. I expect less bass but we'll see. Playing action is more important to me, along with octave integrity (no belly lift).

Hmm... Reverb has the J-15 w/elecs in a burst for $1450, worth considering

negriljerry · #13 10-20-2021, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr81dorn

Oh, I missed that cutaway - then it's definitely not a Studio as those dont have a cutaway.

It is likely one of the recent Avant Garde series which were very nice and the entry point to made in USA Gibsons prior to the G series and Studios came into the world.

Yep, that's it - must be an AG model.
MUCH THANKS to all for the info!

Bushleague · #14 10-20-2021, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by negriljerry

Yeah, it's a 45 Studio - he paid $2K for it, selling for $1500 like new since he has a 60's reissue J-45 and a J-200.

Actually the slimmer body might work quite well for gigs and open mics - I'll still have two dreads around the house. I expect less bass but we'll see. Playing action is more important to me, along with octave integrity (no belly lift).

Hmm... Reverb has the J-15 w/elecs in a burst for $1450, worth considering

I'd play it and see how it sounds, I've played some J-45 studios that sounded great, and J-15's I didnt care for.

Personally, I'd buy a studio that I've played and liked over a J-15 I cant play first any day.

negriljerry · #15 10-21-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushleague

I'd play it and see how it sounds, I've played some J-45 studios that sounded great, and J-15's I didnt care for.

Personally, I'd buy a studio that I've played and liked over a J-15 I cant play first any day.

Played it, bought it, amazed by how much I like it. Great easy neck, gentle Martin-style C curve with no extra girth out the outsides of the neck like a couple of Eastmans and Larivees than I had to let go of for that reason. The SOUND is exponentially better than I would have expected by some descriptions re the (slightly) slimmer body and walnut b&s - big but not boomy, with crazy loud midrange if you dig in.

Excellent amplified, a relatively smooth undersaddle rig compared to the Fishman in my Blueridge BR-160CE (which is on the selling block now). While I may miss the extra controls, all I really need (and must have, for any open mic etc when I'm not in control of my sound) is volume.

Very impressed.