NGD : Gibson J45 - Page 4

Br1ck · #46 06-19-2018, 01:27 PM

Gibsons have there own sound. In the mandolin world there are many fine mandolins, Collings being one of them, that sound superb. There's something called the modern tone that has clear forward sounding highs. Simply beautiful. Then you pick up a Gibson, play a chop chord, and can't get the tone out of your head.

Same thing happened when I picked up an old J 45.

leew3 · #47 06-19-2018, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Br1ck

" Gibsons have there own sound. In the mandolin world there are many fine mandolins, Collings being one of them, that sound superb. There's something called the modern tone that has clear forward sounding highs. Simply beautiful. Then you pick up a Gibson, play a chop chord, and can't get the tone out of your head."

I love my Breedlove mandolin....so I'm going to avoid picking up a Gibson mandolin as long as I can as I know I'd have to have it after that chop chord!

TDavis · #48 10-29-2018, 02:22 PM

I'd never even played a Gibson acoustic until three weeks ago...and now I have a 2008 J45 Redwood that'll be winging its way to me tomorrow. I can't wait! The one I played at my guitar store was a mohogany on back and sides...and it sounded great, but I have a thing for rosewood lately because of the variety of overtones it produces.

This is my first non-Martin in quite a while. Hope I'm as gleefully satisfied as the OP!

nickv6 · #49 10-29-2018, 02:46 PM

I'm late to this thread but hav to add praise. I recently picked up a new j45 and could not put it down. Walnut back and sides. Beautifully built, made me reconsider the quality control worries. Fabulous sound...just has that something. Sadly, an expensive casual pick as I had to take it home with me......
Nick

cuthbert · #50 10-29-2018, 05:48 PM

You can't go wrong with a Gibson square shoulders:

But let's be honest the SJ looks better!

GeneralDreedle · #51 10-29-2018, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuthbert

You can't go wrong with a Gibson square shoulders:

But let's be honest the SJ looks better!

Agreed

Larry Mal · #52 10-29-2018, 10:17 PM

I got a Gibson Dove in trade a couple of years ago, I was looking to explore the Gibson acoustic thing. I have always liked their electrics but had always thought their acoustics were second class.

So, I loved that Dove, then I got myself a J-35. Liked that a lot. Traded a Martin 000-18 for a J-45 and all of a sudden I knew I had a guitar that, if I could only have one, I would be just fine with.

Man, how had I waited so long. What was I thinking?

Well, then I became aware that Gibson acoustics are basically great, so I bought a J-60, and then I knew I had a guitar that if I could have only one I would be happy with.

Again.

I recently got a J-100 and that makes five Gibson acoustics, all are great in their own way.

Gibson is wonderful. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to find out.

davidd · #53 10-30-2018, 08:31 AM

I have 2 J45's. 2016 and 2017 and they both sound so great that I'm having a hard time deciding which one to sell. I'm starting to think I'll keep both. Yes, I know this is redundant but what the heck?

Larry Mal · #54 10-30-2018, 09:52 AM

I thought about getting a second one... one for alternate tuning, maybe?

jjrpilot · #55 10-30-2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Mal

I thought about getting a second one... one for alternate tuning, maybe?

More than one J45? Sounds good to me!

cuthbert · #56 10-31-2018, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Mal

I got a Gibson Dove in trade a couple of years ago, I was looking to explore the Gibson acoustic thing. I have always liked their electrics but had always thought their acoustics were second class.

So, I loved that Dove, then I got myself a J-35. Liked that a lot. Traded a Martin 000-18 for a J-45 and all of a sudden I knew I had a guitar that, if I could only have one, I would be just fine with.

Man, how had I waited so long. What was I thinking?

Well, then I became aware that Gibson acoustics are basically great, so I bought a J-60, and then I knew I had a guitar that if I could have only one I would be happy with.

Again.

I recently got a J-100 and that makes five Gibson acoustics, all are great in their own way.

Gibson is wonderful. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to find out.

I see a progression: J35 ->J45->J60->J100.

This directly leads to the J200....

Proclaimer888 · #57 10-31-2018, 06:08 PM

Owned many a guitar....nothing quite compares to the feeling of a J45 against my chest....no words can explain...its just a feel. It seems to tell its own story, vibes and woody sounds that I cannot pull from other guitars. Its not for everyone and purists might scoff, perfectionists will see the hand made imperfections....nothing sounds better at 4am in my hands.

Larry Mal · #58 10-31-2018, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuthbert

I see a progression: J35 ->J45->J60->J100.

This directly leads to the J200....

That would be very nice, wouldn't it? I think I'm a little tapped out on money, though!

Maybe I would go in the opposite direction and get the J-29...

Shades of Blue · #59 11-01-2018, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Mal

I got a Gibson Dove in trade a couple of years ago, I was looking to explore the Gibson acoustic thing. I have always liked their electrics but had always thought their acoustics were second class.

So, I loved that Dove, then I got myself a J-35. Liked that a lot. Traded a Martin 000-18 for a J-45 and all of a sudden I knew I had a guitar that, if I could only have one, I would be just fine with.

Man, how had I waited so long. What was I thinking?

Well, then I became aware that Gibson acoustics are basically great, so I bought a J-60, and then I knew I had a guitar that if I could have only one I would be happy with.

Again.

I recently got a J-100 and that makes five Gibson acoustics, all are great in their own way.

Gibson is wonderful. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to find out.

I had a very similar situation. I started life as a Taylor fan boy, then I converted into a Martin guy, and I never gave Gibson a second look. I think this is mainly because there aren't nearly as many shops that carry Gibson as Taylor and Martin. A guy at my church had an old Gibson LG and it just had the best tone ever. I started looking around but never really jumped on anything.

Earlier this year I bit the bullet and ordered a J-45. You just have to experience it. I love the thing and it's the first acoustic that I can say that I will never get rid of.

Larry Mal · #60 11-01-2018, 06:39 AM

I'll also say that the playability of Gibsons in the stores is always terrible. I would play them and just think, no way do I want to fight with this expensive guitar for the rest of my life.

And since I wasn't clear exactly what a good setup would do, I always felt leery of the brand.

But like I say, I got that Dove in trade, and it is an early 2000's model, so it had long settled in (although I had to do some work to it immediately like having the bridge glued down).

Regardless it was enough to show me that Gibsons could play and sound as good as anything else.

I recently moved two Martins on and while I'd like a D-18, I feel I could do without the Martin thing- that J-60 is an attempt to directly copy a HD-28, anyway, and I'd say it gets there.

I also sold my beloved Taylor 410, something had to go, and frankly it just seemed somewhat lacking in character compared to my Gibsons so I guess that's that.