Traded My Gibson J-15 for a J-45.

Atalkingsausage · #1 01-29-2017, 10:00 PM

So a couple weeks ago I traded my J-15 for a J-45 standard. And I think I have two resulting opinions that sum up the experience pretty well. A) I didn't realize how much I had bonded with the 15 until it was gone, and B) I don't know that the J45 is really "better" just different. I will say that the tone of the J45 is more of what I personally have always been looking for, and I love a good sunburst. But I sure did love the J-15. I'm hoping that as time goes on I grow attached to brunette like I did the blonde. I think new relationships always take time to settle in to. Anybody else experienced anything similar?

Note: I think the main reason that this is interesting to me, is due to the fact that I was expecting to be blown away by finally owning a J-45. And don't get me wrong, the J45 imo is a superior guitar but the J-15 certainly holds it's own.

TBman · #2 01-29-2017, 10:27 PM

I'd like to have a J-15 as well as my J-45. I think they are different enough that owning both isn't a big overlap.

Atalkingsausage · #3 01-29-2017, 10:37 PM

I think I would really like to have both as well. Unfortunately I must adhere to a strict 1 in1 out policy imposed on me by you can probably guess who

DenverSteve · #4 01-29-2017, 11:32 PM

Congrats. Both are certainly excellent guitars.

Rev Roy · #5 01-30-2017, 06:22 AM

I traded my J-15 in for a J-45, too. Haven't regretted it at all. Both are fine guitars...just different. But - like you - I have a firm "1 in 1 out policy"...and the Workhorse definitely deserves to be the "1 in".

WindChaser · #6 01-30-2017, 06:32 AM

Congrats on the J45. What you are feeling is probably the attachment you had with the J15. I sold a Taylor GA4 many years ago, and although my current guitars debatably sound better, I still miss that GA4 because that was my only guitar for about 2 years and I bonded with it. As some time goes by, I think you will feel better about your trade.

GibbyPrague · #7 01-30-2017, 06:32 AM

They are similar, and also different. There are real good arguments to own both.

Mking · #8 01-30-2017, 06:35 AM

I have never owned a J-15, never played one. However, I thought I was a rosewood fellow with my Martin HD-28V until I bought my J-45TV. That is the sound I love and my go to guitar.

eljay · #9 01-30-2017, 09:12 AM

having owned both, my take is j45 > j15.

j15 has moved to new home.

everyone is happy.

#10 01-30-2017, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atalkingsausage

I don't know that the J45 is really "better" just different.

I agree. Hope the J-45 continues to grow on you and that you bond with it like your J-15.

baimo · #11 01-30-2017, 06:17 PM

I originally bought a J-15 because I liked the sound in the store when I tried it and it would be a nice relatively inexpensive route to have a J-45. I was wrong. They are both great guitars but one has nothing to do with the other. I ended up selling both and bought a really great slope shoulder dread type guitar made of mahogany and spruce I liked better than the J-45. I should not have gotten rid of the J-15.
Someday I will run into a great walnut guitar that says buy me.

woodbox · #12 01-30-2017, 06:44 PM

Well, I'll jump in on this.

For many years now I've had a very nice J45 Standard Natural that is just right.
It's pure Gibson, and I love it!

Then about a year or so ago I acquired a slightly used J15.

The J15 was brighter, the J45 mellower.
Thats about the single "big" difference.
OK, the neck was Maple vs Mahogany, and I noticed that as I played it.

But when a new friend was interesting in the J15, I sold it to him.
I dont miss it.

But I really cannot imagine being without my J45.
I'm a Martin Guy, but there's something my J45 delivers that I can't get anywhere else.
Theres just something about a Gibson J45.

#GoKingsGo · #13 02-04-2017, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodbox

Well, I'll jump in on this.

For many years now I've had a very nice J45 Standard Natural that is just right.
It's pure Gibson, and I love it!

Then about a year or so ago I acquired a slightly used J15.

The J15 was brighter, the J45 mellower.
Thats about the single "big" difference.
OK, the neck was Maple vs Mahogany, and I noticed that as I played it.

But when a new friend was interesting in the J15, I sold it to him.
I dont miss it.

But I really cannot imagine being without my J45.
I'm a Martin Guy, but there's something my J45 delivers that I can't get anywhere else.
Theres just something about a Gibson J45.

Recently I switched from electric to acoustic guitars (I was ready to chase a new, different mistress I suppose). I went in to buy a D18e Retro..........as I was admiring the D18e, I glanced wishfully at "the other woman" - a J45 on the wall.......having never held/played a J45, I sat the D18e down to try the J45. I also tried the J15, but it seemed to me th J45 had a more rich & fuller sound.

............an hour later, I left with the J45 and the D18e - both similar in construction but different ways of obtaining their own unique tones.....so far the J45 is my new #1........

Kelly Grayum · #14 02-04-2017, 02:01 AM

I'm sitting here reading this playing my J-15 that I got a few months back. I was on the hunt for a J-45 that I thought would cure my gas...turns out the J-15 did it for me more than the 45. I really like the maple and Walnut combo. To me it sounds like a slightly brighter J-45 and I've been playing the heck out of it and it is loosening up nicely

To each his own! Maybe someday I'll get a 45 to compliment my 15. Until then I am just fine!