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  #16  
Old 12-31-2022, 02:17 PM
Br1ck Br1ck is offline
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70s Gibsons are perhaps the worst era for their acoustics. I have heard only a very few that were even ok. Old does not equate for good. The 72 Strat I had, long since gone, is still the dog it was when I owned it. It might command a high price, but it's still the ice pick it always was. And yes, a J 45 should be a slope IMHO. Any used J 45 from the last ten years is almost certain to be better.
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  #17  
Old 12-31-2022, 03:23 PM
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Pictures are now working.

That crack and separation at the heel of the neck would definitely scare me off. Looks like the top has multiple unattended cracks as well.

If it was my decision to make, I'd keep looking. you'll do better elsewhere.
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  #18  
Old 12-31-2022, 04:53 PM
Spook69 Spook69 is offline
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The neckheel looks like it might have been pushed up causing that damage.

As others have said, Norlin era guitars were over built, which was detrimental to their tone.

Nice sunburst though.
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  #19  
Old 12-31-2022, 05:06 PM
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SalFromChatham SalFromChatham is offline
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You can buy a new Gibson from a place like Fullers for 10-15% off every day.

That guitar, assuming no loose bracing, stable cracks, proper neck geometry, proper frets… is a $1300 guitar.

I’ve run up $500 prepaid bills on guitars I thought were in great shape, so be careful.
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  #20  
Old 12-31-2022, 07:31 PM
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as an addendum to my post above, don’t walk away from this deal, run

listen to the others, much wisdom in what they say
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  #21  
Old 12-31-2022, 08:23 PM
rstaight rstaight is offline
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I'm with rmp. I would be leary of the separation of the back near the heal.

I competent luthier can repair everything but it will cost.
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  #22  
Old 12-31-2022, 10:17 PM
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That guitar has been rode hard. In my opinion you are going to put a lot of money in it and all you will have an old beat up guitar. Granted an old Gibson, but still just an old beat Gibson.
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  #23  
Old 12-31-2022, 11:30 PM
joejessal joejessal is offline
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Default Just go buy it

I guess I don’t even know why this post keeps on going? Just buy it. Everyone has probably given you all the info you need.
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  #24  
Old 12-31-2022, 11:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joejessal View Post
I guess I don’t even know why this post keeps on going? Just buy it. Everyone has probably given you all the info you need.
Sorry, I think all that info says don’t buy it.
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  #25  
Old 12-31-2022, 11:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joejessal View Post
I guess I don’t even know why this post keeps on going? Just buy it. Everyone has probably given you all the info you need.
Sorry, I think all that info says don’t buy it. I agree. Life is too short and for that money you can get into a contemporary Gibson. Today’s Gibson is a serious place that is burnishing its reputation by making excellent guitars.
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  #26  
Old 01-01-2023, 03:31 AM
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That era of J45 IMNSHO is the worst in Gibson's history! The bracing was way over the top heavy, and many of them were tone TURDS! I have never heard one that I liked the sound of. Most of them just sounded dead. Don't be sucked in by the vintage thing here. They are not representative of what made Gibson great.

And to be clear I am a huge Gibson and J45 fan.
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  #27  
Old 01-01-2023, 06:02 AM
LeftyKev LeftyKev is offline
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If you go for it, be sure to take it to a good luthier for the repairs and not a guitar tech who might fudge it if he doesn't know what he's doing.

For the record, get the price down. It's a lovely thing imo.
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  #28  
Old 01-01-2023, 07:31 AM
rmp rmp is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joejessal View Post
I guess I don’t even know why this post keeps on going? Just buy it. Everyone has probably given you all the info you need.
..seems as though you have not actually read all the replies...
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  #29  
Old 01-01-2023, 12:06 PM
rollypolly rollypolly is offline
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On a 50 year old guitar I would expect a few cracks, scratches and play wear. I don’t understand when people expect or wants a vintage guitar to be like new.

P.s. get a vintage Guild
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  #30  
Old 01-01-2023, 05:32 PM
zombywoof zombywoof is offline
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Cracks are generally not a big deal and I would never let them get in the way of buying a guitar. My 1942 J50 had an open back seam and two open cracks on either side of it when I stumbled on it. It was repaired and today you would never know those issues existed unless you looked under the hood and saw the cleats. As to the guitar itself the only thing I might suggest would be just for grins play a few other J45s before you decide to jump on it or pass. It would be a good place to start acquiring a frame of reference.
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