J-45 Advice Needed - GAS and Re-balancing the "Portfolio" - Page 2

Larry Mal · #16 04-25-2018, 08:25 AM

Really? I couldn't find one for that, I ended up going with a J-35 (which I'm hardly unhappy about). Oh well.

Maybe a J-29 would be in the future. This is my first "J" and the J-35 has me pretty sold on the concept.

Proclaimer888 · #17 04-25-2018, 09:20 AM

J29....I want one......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe_8tRZ2Tm4

davenumber2 · #18 04-25-2018, 11:59 AM

From what I have read the J-29 is the rosewood version of the J-35, so different bracing than the 45.

Ruppster · #19 04-25-2018, 12:25 PM

I had a similar urge and purchased a 2017 Custom J45. It has a little less bling than the 2016. It is the favorite guitar of the groups I play with. Really great tone and looks the part. Good luck in the search. Got one for 40% off list. Message me and I'll share the info.

Br1ck · #20 04-25-2018, 01:48 PM

Playing a rosewood J 45, my first thought was why would they make a J 45 that took away the essence of what a J 45 is? They couldn't call a rosewood, short scale J body a J 46?

This would be like Martin building a rosewood D 18. Marketing folks run amok.

The j 45 to buy is the J 45 vintage. Stellar.

Rosewood99 · #21 04-25-2018, 01:51 PM

My j45 rosewood is the one guitar I will never part with.

Rosewood99 · #22 04-25-2018, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Br1ck

Playing a rosewood J 45, my first thought was why would they make a J 45 that took away the essence of what a J 45 is? .

Says who? Certainly not me. Has an even better "Gibson growl."

JBCROTTY · #23 04-25-2018, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the great input folks! Great ideas and I will go do my homework!

Mking · #24 04-26-2018, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryantjudoman

How about a Gibson advanced jumbo? It's a rosewood dred. I have tried a few and they sound great. Some are darn well spectacular. I have a hog. j-45 and it is a sweet sweet guitar. Everywhere I go people are always telling me how nice it sounds. It makes me practise more lol.

The fellow I play music with has a 2003 Advanced Jumbo. It is an amazing guitar playing wise and sound wise. If I had been really clued in on this Gibson way back when I would have purchased it over my 1999 Martin HD-28V. The Gibson (to me) has a different and stronger sound than the rosewood Martin.

To me, a J-45 that is not mahogany is wrong. Just my opinion folks. The AJ would be the way to go if you want a rosewood guitar and have the mahogany guitar covered in your collection.

TBman · #25 04-26-2018, 06:29 AM

I played a custom while shopping for my J-45. Outstanding guitar.

GeneralDreedle · #26 04-26-2018, 07:04 AM

I was in a very similar position as the OP last year, and I had a J-45, but it was Custom Rosewood and a HD28 VTS. My problem was they both sounded very similar in that they both had a fair amount of projection and sustain and the J-45 did not have that thumpiness. So I traded the 45 in and got a Southern Jumbo, and now i'm happy, but the J-45 was a great sounding guitar. My point is, that you should try the J-45 Rosewoods first if you want to balance out your sound with your guitars-- they are great guitars but may not fit your needs/wants.

samthinguy · #27 04-26-2018, 07:43 AM

To me...the question is what is fueling your gas? If it’s the j45 look, I’d say the advanced jumbo is a good option. If it’s the “tone” and heritage thing you have to go with the quintessential model and that’s be the mahogany.

Br1ck · #28 04-26-2018, 12:48 PM

Before you buy a J 45, go try to play some old ones, 1950s or earlier. I'll take that back. Better you don't know what a "real" J 45 sounds like. LOL.

I never got what J 45s were all about until one day by mistake I picked up a banner from 1942 that had not been put back in the display case. I just thought I was picking up an old used J 45. Oh, what an education I got.

Spent a lot of time trying to find that sound in a new J 45. The J 45 vintage comes really close, but for that money I started playing every old Gibson I could get my hands on. I ended up with my Epiphone Texan after playing a dozen older J 45s. But if I had $8000, I'd get a banner. They are truely special.

The modern regular J 45 is a fine sounding guitar, and a great value, the J 45 vintage sounds pretty close to an old guitar. A banner will have you considering selling your soul to the devil, provided that's the sound you lust for. Play at your own risk.