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Old 06-16-2019, 10:28 AM
Rexsblues Rexsblues is offline
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Default Best years of the "modern" J45?

I'm currently in the market for a J45, and I'm curious what you guys think is the best years of modern J45 standards? When I say "modern" I'm essentially talking about 1990 to the present. I've heard some models made in the 90s are great, but I've also tried one from 97 with the block logo/banner headstock and felt that it was too heavy and didn't have a great sound. What years are your favorite?
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Old 06-16-2019, 11:26 AM
mcduffnw mcduffnw is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rexsblues View Post
I'm currently in the market for a J45, and I'm curious what you guys think is the best years of modern J45 standards? When I say "modern" I'm essentially talking about 1990 to the present. I've heard some models made in the 90s are great, but I've also tried one from 97 with the block logo/banner headstock and felt that it was too heavy and didn't have a great sound. What years are your favorite?
I am a big fan of the Ren Ferguson Gibson's of the late 1990's...say 96' to 99'/2000 all models.

For one...I think morale was super high in the Bozeman plant at that point, and also ALL of the guitar makers...factory, boutique factory, solo luthier had some really really fantastic tonewoods at that point, especially Sitka Spruce. There was just some stellar Sitka Spruce being used at that point, some really nice old growth, light and stiff, and vibrant Sitka with high levels of silking and gorgeous color.

There was also some absolutey stellar real actual old growth Indian Rosewood, and still some black, dense, very tight pored Gaboon and Madagascar Ebony being used.

Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Guild all had supplies of these great woods and were just building some fantastic guitars in that 1990 to 2000 era, but especially to me, in the 1994 to 1999 range...just best of the best caliber.

If I were looking for a late model Gibson, I would be looking 1995 to 1999 range myself.

duff
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Old 06-16-2019, 11:42 AM
bryantjudoman bryantjudoman is offline
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Take a look at some of their guitars built in the year of 2016. I had a j-45 that sounded especially nice (traded for vintage). Plus as I have been tooling around window shopping I have found guitars built during that year have been consistently great.
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Old 06-16-2019, 11:58 AM
Rexsblues Rexsblues is offline
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Originally Posted by mcduffnw View Post
I am a big fan of the Ren Ferguson Gibson's of the late 1990's...say 96' to 99'/2000 all models.

For one...I think morale was super high in the Bozeman plant at that point, and also ALL of the guitar makers...factory, boutique factory, solo luthier had some really really fantastic tonewoods at that point, especially Sitka Spruce. There was just some stellar Sitka Spruce being used at that point, some really nice old growth, light and stiff, and vibrant Sitka with high levels of silking and gorgeous color.

There was also some absolutey stellar real actual old growth Indian Rosewood, and still some black, dense, very tight pored Gaboon and Madagascar Ebony being used.

Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Guild all had supplies of these great woods and were just building some fantastic guitars in that 1990 to 2000 era, but especially to me, in the 1994 to 1999 range...just best of the best caliber.

If I were looking for a late model Gibson, I would be looking 1995 to 1999 range myself.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher
Appreciate your thoughts! I’m thinking about grabbing a J45 “early”. Because I’ve heard such stellar things.
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Old 06-16-2019, 11:59 AM
ataylor ataylor is offline
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I’ve liked the mid-2000s models best — with the gold silk screened decal, vintage-style tuners (not the big Grovers), and bone nut and saddle. They have that really nice early 50s look and I feel like they’re built a little lighter than the current models. Their only drawback is that they’ve got the pickguard over the rosette since Gibson used to incorrectly install them that way.
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Old 06-16-2019, 12:00 PM
Cameleye Cameleye is offline
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+1 above ^^^
I've a 2016 J-45 bought used not too long ago. Really like it. Captures that ol' Gibson bass thump and dry midrange twang just like a 45 should.
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Old 06-16-2019, 12:17 PM
Rexsblues Rexsblues is offline
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Originally Posted by ataylor View Post
I’ve liked the mid-2000s models best — with the gold silk screened decal, vintage-style tuners (not the big Grovers), and bone nut and saddle. They have that really nice early 50s look and I feel like they’re built a little lighter than the current models. Their only drawback is that they’ve got the pickguard over the rosette since Gibson used to incorrectly install them that way.
I’ve played one of these and loved it. I really hate the Grover’s honestly.
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Old 06-16-2019, 02:04 PM
wbeaver wbeaver is offline
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The 2019s are great actually. At least the one I bought
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Old 06-16-2019, 02:28 PM
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2013 and 2014 produced some nice Gibsons, but I don’t think it’s fair to generalize or categorize entire years (let alone decades) as “good” or “bad.”
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Old 06-16-2019, 02:39 PM
rumble rumble is offline
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My J45 and sj200 from2000-2001are both orange label Historic series . As good as I’ve ever played. 1999 -2001 seems to be the sweet spot. I drop into GC and a few other independent Shops and most often pick up the J45 and the sj200. And since the early 2000’s. Few have really had the magic for me.

I think the builds got a bit heavier and lost that feather light quality that both my J45 AND SJ200 posses.

I do agree with Willie V. Statement above. Nuff said
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Old 06-16-2019, 03:09 PM
beljum beljum is offline
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I don't think you can go wrong with any Bozeman J45s. I have a 2012 TV and feel like a giddy teenager every time I pick it up (I'm 61)...I'll never sell it. Only thing to watch is that all TV models are not the same. The specs changed over the years.
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Old 06-16-2019, 03:16 PM
nickv6 nickv6 is offline
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2019 models are brilliant in my opinion.
Nick
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Old 06-16-2019, 03:54 PM
Rexsblues Rexsblues is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rumble View Post
My J45 and sj200 from2000-2001are both orange label Historic series . As good as I’ve ever played. 1999 -2001 seems to be the sweet spot. I drop into GC and a few other independent Shops and most often pick up the J45 and the sj200. And since the early 2000’s. Few have really had the magic for me.

I think the builds got a bit heavier and lost that feather light quality that both my J45 AND SJ200 posses.

I do agree with Willie V. Statement above. Nuff said
I'd really like a Historic Series, they aren't too far off from the True Vintage series.
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  #14  
Old 06-16-2019, 03:59 PM
J185-4Me J185-4Me is offline
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My experience differs a bit from some of the earlier posts, but hey -- that's the differences that folks have in their perceptions of things, right?

My general thought is 1994-1998 can be dodgy in terms of quality and tone, for Bozeman-produced guitars. Sure, there were exceptions that were great, but overall -- in my limited experience -- that period represents a time of inconsistent quality in which finding great examples was an exercise in 'patience of the hunt'.

From about the early 00s on, I'd say your chances of encountering good, very good or great stuff is far increased. Especially the last ten years or so.

The early stuff -- '89 - '93 -- I would classify as being better/more consistent than the mid- to late '90s.

As always, YMMV.

Fred
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  #15  
Old 06-16-2019, 04:01 PM
Woodstock School Of Music Woodstock School Of Music is offline
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My 2013 J45 sounds wonderful
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