Singing along with a J45

[arwhite]

Man, what is it that makes a J45 such a sweet guitar to sing along with? I love singing with my D18, but the J45 takes it to a whole 'nother level. I could get lost in it for hours just playing and singing. It's easy to see why it is so beloved by singer/songwriter types.

[cheer tunes]

my experience is the J45 shines as an accompaniment instrument like you expressed. D18 will have more dimensions (highs and lows) and if you're not careful can overpower the vocal. J45 tends to stay out of the way and sounds great lightly strummed.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by cheer tunes

my experience is the J45 shines as an accompaniment instrument like you expressed. D18 will have more dimensions (highs and lows) and if you're not careful can overpower the vocal. J45 tends to stay out of the way and sounds great lightly strummed.

I couldn't say it better

[rokdog49]

I agree. I love playing and singing with my J45.
Actually, my J15 comes in second. There’s something about that dry Gibson voicing that works for me. Plus being short scales, they are both easier to play than my D18.

[jspe]

I'm taking mine with me,

[Mike McLenison]

Great accompaniment for vocals indeed. Gets out of the way of those midrange vocal frequencies.

[woodbox]

Yup,
my J 45 was the last to go, largely for the very reasons you have stated.

[evening_crow]

I just realized most of my guitars could be considered singer songwriter guitars.

Hmm...

[1Charlie]

It also helps that they are short scale.

When I am the only musician on stage, any mistakes I make are more obvious. I make fewer of them with 24.75 than 25.5, allowing me to set the guitar on autopilot and concentrate on my vocals.

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by cheer tunes

my experience is the J45 shines as an accompaniment instrument like you expressed. D18 will have more dimensions (highs and lows) and if you're not careful can overpower the vocal. J45 tends to stay out of the way and sounds great lightly strummed.

This was such a pleasant surprise to learn about the J-45. Looking inside mine, the bracing is heavier, chunkier, and more crudely scalloped than my D-18GE bracing (which has lighter, more gracefully scalloped bracing). Intellectually, I would have expected the opposite. But the J-45 really sings on really light playing--a much more responsive guitar than it gets credit for.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

This was such a pleasant surprise to learn about the J-45. Looking inside mine, the bracing is heavier, chunkier, and more crudely scalloped than my D-18GE bracing (which has lighter, more gracefully scalloped bracing). Intellectually, I would have expected the opposite. But the J-45 really sings on really light playing--a much more responsive guitar than it gets credit for.

My J45 bracing is pretty much the same as my D18 as far as the way it’s finished....pretty smooth and it doesn’t look “chunky” by comparison.

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

My J45 bracing is pretty much the same as my D18 as far as the way it’s finished....pretty smooth and it doesn’t look “chunky” by comparison.

Internal bracing might look similar to the standard 18 bracing. I was referring to the finer scalloped GE bracing. My particular J45 is pretty crudely scalloped, honestly, not real smooth like the Martin GE. But it sounds incredible.

[D41Fan]

I have been very happy with the Ernie Ball Earthwoods on my cedar topped mahogany back and sides guitar. Very smooth and somewhat mellow sounding.
These are 80/20..

Sorry delete, this is the wrong thread.

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by cheer tunes

my experience is the J45 shines as an accompaniment instrument like you expressed. D18 will have more dimensions (highs and lows) and if you're not careful can overpower the vocal. J45 tends to stay out of the way and sounds great lightly strummed.

Agree totally. Check out some Milk Carton Kids. One guy with a J45, the other with a small mahogany Martin. The way those guitars fit together is really cool. Oddly enough, their voices kinda work the same way.

[cheer tunes]

Yes, very familiar with MCK. Great blend across the guitar and vocal spectrum! In that duo the J45 is really back in the mix, very supportive/structural while the Martin dances over the entire thing...that's how I hear it.

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

Agree totally. Check out some Milk Carton Kids. One guy with a J45, the other with a small mahogany Martin. The way those guitars fit together is really cool. Oddly enough, their voices kinda work the same way.