Gibson model closest to Martin D-28

[Troubador]

Those Gibson models that have been suggested to me include: J-60, Advanced Jumbo, J-45 Rosewood, J-29, Songwriter Deluxe Standard.

I welcome all opinions!

[hiddenmickey]

Advanced Jumbo. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, long scale.

[Wade Hampton]

The one that was (or is) a deliberate attempt by Gibson to attract some of the players whose normal choice would be a Martin D-28 would be the J-60 in rosewood. Those have never made much of a dent in the marketplace, however, and Gibson has only ever made that model on an occasional and sporadic basis.

I did own a walnut J-60 for a while and still own an Advanced Jumbo. The AJ might appeal to some D-28 fans, as it’s more Martinesque than most Gibsons. But in terms of which commonly available Gibson comes close, to my ears it’s unquestionably the Songwriter series guitars. They’re square-shouldered rosewood dreadnoughts.

They have Gibson’s long scale, and their bracing pattern is the same as what’s in the AJ.

But the square shoulders of the Songwriter do have an impact on the tone, and it isn’t the same sort of tone as an AJ.

So that’s why I nominate one or the other of the various Songwriter models as the closest Gibsons to a D-28 that you’re likely to find at your friendly local Gibson dealership.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

The one that was (or is) a deliberate attempt by Gibson to attract some of the players whose normal choice would be a Martin D-28 would be the J-60 in rosewood. Those have never made much of a dent in the marketplace, however, and Gibson has only ever made that model on an occasional and sporadic basis.

I did own a walnut J-60 for a while and still own an Advanced Jumbo. The AJ might appeal to some D-28 fans, as it’s more Martinesque than most Gibsons. But in terms of which commonly available Gibson comes close, to my ears it’s unquestionably the Songwriter series guitars. They’re square-shouldered rosewood dreadnoughts.

They have Gibson’s long scale, and their bracing pattern is the same as what’s in the AJ.

But the square shoulders of the Songwriter do have an impact on the tone, and it isn’t the same sort of tone as an AJ.

So that’s why I nominate one or the other of the various Songwriter models as the closest Gibsons to a D-28 that you’re likely to find at your friendly local Gibson dealership.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

Wade, I found this video comparison, and I like the Martin best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzfQlp6slp0

[GeneralDreedle]

I had a d28 and a j45 custom rosewood at the same time and I thought they sounded remarkably similar

[tippy5]

I call my 1999 Gibson J-45 Rosewood my Gibson Martin.
It sounds like no other Gibson that I have ever played.
Plus it has a huge high E string which a lot of D 28's do not especially up the neck.
It has a scooped sound which complements most Gibson mid strong tonal palette.
I have a J 45 TV that gets my Gibson tone.
Plus a vintage slope that is kind of bold and wild to play so I don't get that one out often.

There's a Gibson Custom on eBay right now for $2K. I haven't tried it but it could be strong?

[JayBee1404]

Help me out here - if I bought a Gibson, I’d want it to sound like a Gibson. If you want a guitar that sounds like a D-28, why not buy a D-28?

Genuine question, BTW.

[tomopoole]

J45 Rosewood.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Help me out here - if I bought a Gibson, I’d want it to sound like a Gibson. If you want a guitar that sounds like a D-28, why not buy a D-28?

Genuine question, BTW.

I might be able to get a Gibson for less money. But I like the tone of a D-28 more than any other guitar I've heard. I have to say that I am only going by Youtube videos, as I haven't played one in person yet.

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by Troubador

I might be able to get a Gibson for less money. But I like the tone of a D-28 more than any other guitar I've heard. I have to say that I am only going by Youtube videos, as I haven't played one in person yet.

I'd wait a while to buy the 28... or find a good used one.

[Troubador]

To GeneralDreedle, tippy5: In the Youtube videos I've seen which compared the D-28 and the J-45 rosewood, the D-28 sounded better to me. But since you have had them both, I respect your opinions.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by GeneralDreedle

I had a d28 and a j45 custom rosewood at the same time and I thought they sounded remarkably similar

If you could choose to keep only one, which one would it be?

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Wade, I found this video comparison, and I like the Martin best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzfQlp6slp0

mmm, good demo
Certainly shows off the bass bias of the Martin dread, and I bet it would work for almost all of us.

Apart from the thinner sound and the ghastly pick guard of the Gibson it has a ............................... SILLY MOUSTACHE !!!! (ugh!)

[Goat Mick]

Buy the D-28. You're not going to be happy with anything else. I love the Gibson tone, but you can't turn one into a Martin no matter how much you want to.

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

I'd wait a while to buy the 28... or find a good used one.

The absolutely definitive answer!

I’ve been down the rabbit hole of wanting a guitar and buying a different, cheaper guitar that ‘kinda sounds like’ the guitar I really wanted. Some way down the line I’ve inevitably sold/traded the substitute (at a loss) and bought the guitar I wanted in the first place.

Net saving - zilch. And time lost....

Save a bit longer and buy the D-28. Ya know ya wanna...