Gibson J45 Problem / Alternative

[zbach]

Hey together !

I'm a long year passiv reader and this is now my first post here

I have the following problem :

I currently own a Gibson j45 standard and a Taylor GS Mini . While the Gibson is clearly a well built Guitar it always sounds "sterile", not open and woody as I think it should. The Taylor instead sounds great but the neck width etc is too small ( it's a travel guitar) .
Also playing slide on the Gibson sounds terrible lifeless ... and not because of my technique ... even on a cheap Yamaha acoustic guitar of a friend of Mine, playing slide sounds much much better!

Now Im looking for a new guitar which sounds like the gs mini but more professional and better built ( no laminated sides etc) .....

I have a martin 0018 in mind but I can't play and test the guitar because there are no shops nearby.

Maybe someone could help me

Thanks in advance !!

[ChrisE]

The J-45 is a dream guitar for a lot of people. Try a few different kinds of strings on it before you do anything irrational.

[zbach]

It was a dream guitar for me too ! I've tried every brand of strings and every gauge.. but it's just the way it responses ... sometimes it sounds kind of a acoustic guitar played electric through speakers if you see what I mean. ( this is of course exaggerated but I have no idea how to describe it better )... no natural warmth and earthy woody sound as i would like it to

[ChrisE]

Originally Posted by zbach

It was a dream guitar for me too ! I've tried every brand of strings and every gauge.. but it's just the way it responses ... sometimes it sounds kind of a acoustic guitar played electric through speakers if you see what I mean. ( this is of course exaggerated but I have no idea how to describe it better )... no natural warmth and earthy woody sound as i would like it to

Well, if that's the case then I see where you're coming from. Maybe it's just not the one for you.

[fishstick_kitty]

00-18 is great...000-18 is great too!! It's the guitar I find myself reaching for most often lately. Maybe the smaller body makes you more "connected" to it versus the slope D shape.

[Goat Mick]

It sounds like the Gibson voicing just isn't for you. Honestly I prefer the dry compressed thump of a Gibson to the open sparkle of a Martin, but it's just my personal preference. It's not right, it's not wrong...it's just what I like for me. I think you just prefer a different tone than what a J-45 is going to give you.

[drive-south]

The Gibson J45 may benefit from a setup and possibly replace the nut and saddle with bone. Gibson has been using Tusk for many years and most Gibsons sound better with bone. If you do opt for a setup tell the person doing the work that you will be playing bottleneck slide and raise the action slightly.

I'd go this route before getting rid of a J45. It sounds like yours has very low action. Low action means a shallow break angle over the bridge which translates to a thin sound.

[Proclaimer888]

Hi......Sounds like from your post, you cannot get the sound you want from your 45. So, you will get all sorta folks commenting on what they think you want, but how will they know the sound you want? Only you have an idea what sound you want so I must highly recommend that you play or have someone play the guitar you are interested in and send you sound samples if you cannot play in person. I have a J 45 and cannot get enough of it...but, its the sound I want. Good luck with your search and keep us posted!!

[smurph1]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

The J-45 is a dream guitar for a lot of people. Try a few different kinds of strings on it before you do anything irrational.

Yep +1000000000

[chitz]

Sell the J45, buy a 000-18.

Welcome!

[zbach]

thank all of you for the informative replies by now !

Originally Posted by chitz

Sell the J45, buy a 000-18.

Welcome!

would you recommend the 000-18 over the 00-18 ?

right now i tend to play alot of fingerstyle stuff like michael chapman and steve gunn ( whom i saw last week in rome where he played a 000-18 and it sounded incredible ! ) but i also like to strum and have a nice and balanced sound.
In my opinion a 00-18 / 000-18 is suited for all styles of guitar playing isnt it ?





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AetBG8e-ECs

here blake mills is rocking his vintage 00- 17 . love that crisp and open sound .

would a new martin 00/ 000 18 come close, tonewise, to such a vintage 00- 17 or 0- 15 ?
I know that the 0- 15 is full mahogany and the old 00-17 is mahogany is mahogany sides with sitka top but in general do they play in the same ballpark ?

[chitz]

Originally Posted by zbach

thank all of you for the informative replies by now !




would you recommend the 000-18 over the 00-18 ?

right now i tend to play alot of fingerstyle stuff like michael chapman and steve gunn ( whom i saw last week in rome where he played a 000-18 and it sounded incredible ! ) but i also like to strum and have a nice and balanced sound.
In my opinion a 00-18 / 000-18 is suited for all styles of guitar playing isnt it ?





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AetBG8e-ECs

here blake mills is rocking his vintage 00- 17 . love that crisp and open sound .

would a new martin 00/ 000 18 come close, tonewise, to such a vintage 00- 17 or 0- 15 ?
I know that the 0- 15 is full mahogany and the old 00-17 is mahogany is mahogany sides with sitka top but in general do they play in the same ballpark ?

I strongly recommend you play both. One of them will probably be "the one".
Good luck in your quest. May the force be with you!

[HHP]

I would try a set of Martin Retro Monel strings on it. They are warm and woody in spades.

[TBman]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but this is an outrageous example of backhanded brand bashing.

[zbach]

Originally Posted by TBman

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but this is an outrageous example of backhanded brand bashing.

what do you mean? It wasn't my intention to bash any brand ... just looking for a new guitar that is more suited for me. Sorry if that came off the wrong way!