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Old 12-31-2022, 07:15 AM
jensb jensb is offline
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Default Could a Gibson J-45 with minor cracks/cuts be restored completely?

I'm thinking of buying a used 1975 Gibson J-45 Deluxe from a person online (in my city though, so I'll pick it up myself), but I'm a bit wary of a few minor cracks on the body that he has mentioned. He said minor, and then in quotation marks, “cracks”, and sent some closer pictures of what he was referring to. To me it barely even looks like cracks, more looks like cuts or scratches or something. He says that he hasn't noticed the sound being affected and that it still sounds great. He also mentioned I could, if I wanted, get it repaired at a guitar place for around $250. But that it wouldn’t be necessary. I would definitely do so if that would remove any risk of a worse sound.

I should mention he seems very genuine, answering with long answers and several paragraphs to all my questions, using perfect grammar and good vocabulary. And also sends additional pictures when asked to.

I've included here the pictures he sent me, what do you think? Does it look like something that could affect the sound? If so, could a guitar workshop restore it so that there is no risk of the sound being affected?

The photos aren’t showing up so I'll just post the links so you can click on them:

https://imgur.com/a/JJNenga

https://imgur.com/a/kDMMubA

https://imgur.com/a/k6so2ZF

https://imgur.com/a/kfpAqhx

I'm buying it for roughly 70% of the price of a new one, so it's not pennies. I don't care for the aesthetics, but it would really suck if the sound was bad.

Thanks in advance!

Last edited by jensb; 12-31-2022 at 08:09 AM. Reason: Added that it's a Gibson Deluxe
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Old 12-31-2022, 07:31 AM
rmp rmp is offline
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Good responses from the owner does offer a hint of good will. He seems to be forthcoming enough so far.

But, It looks like you tried to include a photo, it's showing as a broken icon.

And without pictures, we can only guess at the condition.

Try to setup an IMGUR account (free) and upload there, and the just paste the link into your post using the "picture" tool in the edit tool bar.
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Old 12-31-2022, 07:35 AM
TennesseeWalker TennesseeWalker is offline
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Sounds like a perfect opportunity to play before you buy.

Also, you can take your own pictures and get them over to your tech for a review, possibly while the guitar is still in hand.
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Old 12-31-2022, 07:45 AM
jensb jensb is offline
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Have no idea why they're not showing up. I added them like this at the end of my post (but with the IMG thing in brackets):

https://imgur.com/a/JJNenga

https://imgur.com/a/kDMMubA

https://imgur.com/a/k6so2ZF

https://imgur.com/a/kfpAqhx

Maybe I should just edit them to regular links so people can click on them?

Last edited by jensb; 12-31-2022 at 07:50 AM. Reason: links disappeared
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Old 12-31-2022, 07:54 AM
jensb jensb is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmp View Post
Good responses from the owner does offer a hint of good will. He seems to be forthcoming enough so far.

But, It looks like you tried to include a photo, it's showing as a broken icon.

And without pictures, we can only guess at the condition.

Try to setup an IMGUR account (free) and upload there, and the just paste the link into your post using the "picture" tool in the edit tool bar.
Thanks! I am using Imgur but I changed the photos to regular links since they kept disappearing
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Old 12-31-2022, 08:02 AM
davidd davidd is offline
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70% of a new one? I would run away as fast as possible. $2850 is street price for a new J45 so 70% would be close to $2k. Is that what the price is? In general the 70's was a lousy period for Gibson. I'd much prefer a Bozeman J45 any day of the week over the one you are looking for.
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Old 12-31-2022, 08:08 AM
jensb jensb is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidd View Post
70% of a new one? I would run away as fast as possible. $2850 is street price for a new J45 so 70% would be close to $2k. Is that what the price is? In general the 70's was a lousy period for Gibson. I'd much prefer a Bozeman J45 any day of the week over the one you are looking for.
Yeah, $1900. Is that outrageous? I mean it's a J-45 from the seventies that is in pretty good shape? But I don't know too much about this stuff so I don’t know
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Old 12-31-2022, 08:09 AM
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I ain’t a fan of the square-shouldered 45s. I would wait for a slope. This guitar might have a very thin neck, too—the dudes in Corporate made a lot of changed to lure electric players.

The Norlin era is not much loved. My experience has been hit or miss.

Be wary.
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Old 12-31-2022, 08:10 AM
jensb jensb is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidd View Post
70% of a new one? I would run away as fast as possible. $2850 is street price for a new J45 so 70% would be close to $2k. Is that what the price is? In general the 70's was a lousy period for Gibson. I'd much prefer a Bozeman J45 any day of the week over the one you are looking for.
Oh and I should mention it's a J-45 Deluxe, not a standard
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Old 12-31-2022, 08:10 AM
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Jim Owen Jim Owen is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jensb View Post
Yeah, $1900. Is that outrageous? I mean it's a J-45 from the seventies that is in pretty good shape? But I don't know too much about this stuff so I don’t know
That’s not a good price for a square shoulder.
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Old 12-31-2022, 08:14 AM
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Zissou Intern Zissou Intern is offline
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No, don’t do it, not at that price, and probably not at any price. If he gave me the guitar, I’d possibly consider spending the money to get the cracks repaired and a proper setup done… but it’s more likely I’d politely turn down the offer of a broken, yet free, guitar from the worst period in Gibson’s history.
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Old 12-31-2022, 08:17 AM
davidd davidd is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jensb View Post
Yeah, $1900. Is that outrageous? I mean it's a J-45 from the seventies that is in pretty good shape? But I don't know too much about this stuff so I don’t know
IMO, yes, it's a very bad deal. I had a mid 70's Gibson Blue Ridge acoustic. It was just plain awful. Also, not too many people think of square shouldered Gibson J45's as true J45's. I wouldn't pay anything over a grand for it even if I wanted it. Just because something is 50 years old doesn't mean squat to me.
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Old 12-31-2022, 12:57 PM
gibpicker gibpicker is offline
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I had a perfect 72 (?) square shouldered J-50, but looked more like a Martin with a tear drop pick guard. Loved the guitar but was disappointed it wasn't a slope.
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Old 12-31-2022, 01:21 PM
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How about a nice new Faded J-45?
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Old 12-31-2022, 01:22 PM
joejessal joejessal is offline
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Default Cracks?

Nothing about that guitar looks minor. There appears to be multiple cracks and issues there. Look for a slightly used new J45. They go for around $2200 and the newer Gibson are built really nice. Just my opinion.
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