the three J-45 comparison

[jaytee32]

Hi,

So I have three J-45s to try : I got 30 days (of which about 14 left) to decide which one(s) stay. The lineup:

1. The 50s Faded J-45 (note we're talking about the "50s model" produced in 2023)
2. The J-45 standard
3. The 1942 Banner reissue J-45

I've had the Faded for a bit longer, they received that one (which I bought on 30 day try-out) and a bit later the other two showed up.

I did a compare and contrast with my AD17 at rehearsal last week, my duo partner listening. She clearly preferred the J-45 over the AD17, the sound being clearer. I had not noticed it until she mentioned it. It really helps to have someone who knows your playing listen, someone who is also sitting in front of the sound hole.

Caveat : the shop had restrung the 50s faded with 011s, and the AD17 runs 012s (d'Addario XS). I will rectify this this week with a set of EJ16s (012) which is what is on the J-45 standard. Then we will both give all three a good listen.

My preliminary impressions, having heard all three (with the 50s faded still running 011s):

• The Banner is not what I thought it would be. A very light guitar, so you'd think it would be really resonant. Soundwise, I actually prefer the J-45 standard, also the Banner neck is my least favorite. The other thing is that the neck-side strap button was already installed; I suspect that somebody else has tried this one out and was also not so impressed. For the other two guitars, the strap button was provided, in the case.
• J-50s faded : I really like this guitar. Resonant, sparkly (probably has something to do with the 011s), and a nice neck feel. If the other two had not shown up, I would have been happy just to keep this one.
• The standard : I like this guitar. Warm, lots of bass, enough sparkle on top, and there is something "beefy" about it. Hard to describe. It's like, "oh yeah, this is what it feels to have a GUITAR in your hands".

I think it's gonna come down to the 50s faded vs the standard, will have to wait and see how the 50s reacts to having 012s on it.

Thanks again for all your comments in the earlier thread:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...21#post7145021

[tomcstokes59]

I did something similar at Fullers Guitars last week with 3 J45s - Faded, Standard and J45 Red Spruce Exclusive. I wish I could have taken them home for a 30 day trial. That surely beats 30 minutes with each guitar in the store. Congratulations on the new guitar, whichever you select.

[rollypolly]

very cool to be able to try all three of these. A J-45 is one guitar that I haven't yet owned or even played for a significant amount of time, but one I know I should try - it could be the tone and vibe I've been looking for.

[baseball]

Totally had the same experience with the Banner. That neck was reeeeaaally big (and I like big necks) but I just thought the sound was 'good'...not OMG amazing like some other J-45's I have played.Perhaps is needed time to loosen up? The one I played was new,new, new like just out of the box

Regular old meat and potatoes J-45's are pretty darn consistent. I know we often like 'special' cuz we're all guitar crazy, but a lot of guitars are famous because they are always good. I think J-45's are on that list

[Br1ck]

Buy the one you like best period. Modern J 45s sound very different from vintage J 45s. The best of Gibson J 45 recreations come very close. Gibson knows what most people want these days, a modern resonant guitar.

I don't have your guitars in hand but you just may be hearing a close approximation of what the vintage sound is all about. You don't have to like it.
Many do and pay the price. All the 50s and 60s J 45s are marketing cosmetics on a modern sounding guitar. They look great and have a variety of specs but are modern guitars. They sound great and give you the romance without a sound you don't like.

Bravo on your approach, buy the way.

[ghostnote]

I jumped on the J45 bandwagon about 10 years ago. I got a Custom Shop Sixties J45, which is not the same as the more recent ‘60s model. It came with a bone nut and saddle already installed. It’s a nice guitar, and I’ve come to love it - it just sounds good in every situation. I’ve been considering other Gibson acoustics ever since I got this one. So far I’ve resisted, but the flesh is weak.

[aeisen93]

Can the OP or someone else here explain how the tone of the Faded differs from the tone of the Standard? I am considering getting the 50s Faded and I won’t have a chance to play it ahead of time

Edit: I mean explain in more detail. I know the OP already provided some observations…

[Floridapicker]

I've had my eye on a J45 for sometime until i found out for a wee bit more one could procure a "southern jumbo" I havent been able to locate one anywhere near me though. I will be in Nashville in March and called gibson and they said odds are the garage in nashville wont have one either...

[jaytee32]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

Can the OP or someone else here explain how the tone of the Faded differs from the tone of the Standard? I am considering getting the 50s Faded and I won’t have a chance to play it ahead of time

This may help!

[rstaight]

If I could three J-45's past my wife I would have to keep all three.

[zombywoof]

I think Br1ck nailed it. There is a difference between Old School and New School Gibson Tone. Bozeman is in the business of selling guitars. So, with a few notable exceptions of past models such as the J45 Legend and the short run of 2013 Banners produced as part of the Kalamazoo Gals project, they are seemingly not all that interested in creating spot on replicas of guitars from past catalogs but going with what they believe will appeal in both sound and feel to a wider modern audience, There is a reason they have yet to come out with a Jumbo or a J35 with three tone bars. So, you get guitars wrapped in a vintage looking skin but which are pure modern Gibson under the hood and with more user friendly necks (the exception being the '34 Original Jumbo which has the only neck I would describe as getting you into Louisville Slugger territory). In the end it is not a good or a bad thing - just different.

[Br1ck]

A manufacturer has about ten minutes to sell a guitar, two or three with me. If you put the average dread or slope next to a guitar designed with balance and clarity in mind, the big bass hyped and resonant sound will win. Taylor knows an easy playing neck and a certain aesthetic will sell many guitars. Yet, I've had a very balanced dread, a 70 Guild D 35, for eight years that continues to earn my respect. It would likely loose the10 minute contest because it took a year to attach itself.

So if you are in business to sell guitars, the first ten minutes needs to appeal to a lot of people. I remember the first J 45 vintage I played. It did not have that classic burst because they could not do it on the torrified top at the time. The burst was just a faded brown, but it sounded as close to an old Gibson as I'd heard. I was floored. But it certainly was not a pretty sound if that makes sense.

One needs to realize marketing from reality, and there is no shame liking the sounds new, looks old guitars. And remember that a faded cherry top was not a plus, but an unfortunate effect of sunlight.

[pickinray]

I love my J-45 standard. It has the tone I was looking for - thumpy bass and emphasis on the midrange. The neck profile feels great, too. As the OP said, there is something "beefy" about it, in a good way.

[b1j]

I’m in pickinray’s camp, so glad to own a J-45. It has the sound of a full-voiced acoustic I have in my head. I just tracked it as the main rhythm track in my song and the sound is blowing me away. First time: I’ve been stumbling along for a while now with trial and error setups. Yesterday was the first time I successfully used spaced-pair SDCs for a nuanced stereo image. The J-45 delivers, both solo and in a rather dense mix. Great-sounding guitar. Plus, the Rounded neck shape of the 50s Original was right for me

Isn’t the Faded J-45 just the 50s Original with fewer lacquer coats, closed (but separate) Gotoh tuners, and that super cute faded color palette? Oh, and less expensive. Looks like a winner all around. I’d buy one today if I didn’t already have mine. If they’d had a Faded in November 2021 that’s what I’d have now.

Have fun with the comparison. Let us know which sings your tune.

[dilver]

See, the thing is, I honestly believe some guitars require a bit of tinkering to get them to sound and play their best. And some need to be played a while before they start to sound great. One could argue that if it doesn’t sound great off the bat, then you shouldn’t buy it. But I think changing out a Tusq saddle for a bone saddle that’s maybe a little higher, swapping out bridge pins for bone or Ebony (depending on guitar), giving a neck a bit more relief, putting on medium gauge strings instead of light… all these little things add up and can make a guitar go from good to great.

I lucked out; I got a J45 Standard and it did go from good to great.

30 days is a good stretch of time. I think if I had $10-12,000 to plunk down and get three J45s at once, I’d take a month off from work and do nothing but play all day, every day for 30 days.