Gibson Southern Jumbo vs J45

[FingahPickah]

My adult son, a fine player (and owner of a Martin M36, Breedlove American Series OM/SM and a Gibson J15) went shopping for a J45. When he compared a few J45s to an SJ in a local shop, the SJ thunderbolt struck him.

We jammed on Thanksgiving - his new SJ and my new D18. Both tobacco sunburst Sitka/Mahogany - distinctly different, signature tone instruments. The two complemented each other like two grand pianos.

I've (never owned but) played several J45s over the years, but this was the first SJ... Killer sound AND looks.

[b1j]

The Southern Jumbo is a handsome guitar. Remind me of the differences between it and the J-45.

Tuners
Fretboard inlays
Binding/soundhole ?

What did I miss?

[SalFromChatham]

Same guitar- the difference is typically bling (inlays, Pickguard sometimes, tuners).

Years back I owned a Southern Jumbo True Vintage. Killer indeed.

Have fun with your son… good stuff.

[Glob]

So what made you switch the SJ for the J45?

[SalFromChatham]

Originally Posted by Glob

So what made you switch the SJ for the J45?

I think I sold it for a Hummingbird Vintage, which I the sold for a D35, which I then sold for…..

And here I am twenty guitars later.

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by b1j

The Southern Jumbo is a handsome guitar. Remind me of the differences between it and the J-45.

Tuners
Fretboard inlays
Binding/soundhole ?

What did I miss?

This seems to describe the differences pretty well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03KyQNAZJyQ&t=1s

[mikeconklin]

I played a new Southern Jumbo when I was out trying to decide between a D-28, D-18 and a J-45. If I had the luxury of not thinking about money at all, I probably would have gotten the SJ without blinking an eye -- it sounded great, had a what felt to me like a unique and comfortable neck carve and was set up beautifully. When it came down to it, I just couldn't justify the upcharge for what is essentially cosmetics.

Especially when that same shop had a 2020 J45 that also felt great but had a set of extremely old, dead strings on it. I asked them if they'd be willing to restring it, then I went back a few days later to try them both out again, and with the new strings it was a no-brainer in the J-45's favor. I paid $2300, while the SJ would've set me back a little over 3k. My feeling was that if I was gonna go over $3k (which I hope to for another guitar someday soon!), it was gonna have to be for more than split parallelogram inlays. That SJ was a real looker, though, for sure.

[Wellington]

Isn't the scale length full scale on the SJ?

[Jim Owen]

Originally Posted by Wellington

Isn't the scale length full scale on the SJ?

I think it’s the same guitar with different appointments. Originally called The Southerner.

The AJ is a different scale. It’s also Rosewood and made to rival the D 28.

[JC.]

Unless its the 1942 Banner SJ....which is Rosewood....

[davenumber2]

Originally Posted by Wellington

Isn't the scale length full scale on the SJ?

SJ is short scale, same as the J-45.

[hubcapsc]

AJs are long scale...



-Mike "mine's just a copy"

[dilver]

They all sound a little different. My J-45 sounds a little different than the one they had in my local Guitar Center. And if you listen to this video, even through the YouTube compression and all that, you can hear the differences:

[Br1ck]

These guitars are one of the better examples in what changing only the scale length does to sound. Those and the 000 to OM comparison.

I've gotten to play a few mid sixties J 45s during the time I've owed my 65 Texan. I like the snappy sound of the long scale. I like the feel of the J 45. One of each is the only solution.

[jt1]

Originally Posted by JC.

Unless its the 1942 Banner SJ....which is Rosewood....

Only a couple of batches. Most Banner SJs had mahogany backs and sides.

My comparison of rosewood and mahogany Banner SJs: