Gibson J-35

arwhite · #1 10-23-2016, 01:27 PM

This has probably been beaten to death on here, but owners of recent model Gibson J-35 tell me about them. What do you like and dislike about them? Are they good to go right out of the box or do they need setup/upgrades/etc to get the most from them? Do you recommend them to others?

I do singer/songwriter, Americana, country rock, etc. I had a 2000s model Gibson J-50 for a while and really liked it (finances dictated selling it or I would have kept it). Of all the guitars I've sold that is about the only one I wish I had back. I've been looking at the J-35 and like what I see, but haven't had a chance to play one yet. Will likely not be able to play before buying either.

My current guitar is a Taylor 324 mahogany top. I like it and will likely hang on to it even if I do get the Gibson. I suspect they could cohabitate well.

DHillshafer · #2 10-23-2016, 01:42 PM

Of the new Gibson J series guitars I liked the J-29 best, then the J-15, then the 35. It was a little bright and single dimensional to my ear. For less money, the J-15 is a better guitar. For a little more money, you can have the powerful, harmonically-rich Rosewood with the J-29. For a little more than that, you can have the classic versatility of the J-45. J-35 was nice, but outclassed in my experience: YMMV.

jpbrooks · #3 10-23-2016, 01:53 PM

I have a J-35 and it is extremely lively. It definitely depends on what you like. The J-15 and J-45 have more of a dry thump to them. To my ear they almost sound muted a little bit. The J-35 on the other hand has more sparkle.

The other day I played a Martin D28 and an HD28 in a local store. I thought the difference between those is similar to the difference between the J45s I have played and my J35. Different tone for sure, but a similar difference.

SJ VanSandt · #4 10-23-2016, 02:14 PM

Come on, man, it's not like New Braunfels is in the Yukon! You would be crazy not to drive up to Guitar Resurrection in Austin and try them out. They are a 5-star Gibson dealer and you will be able to compare all of the different models. I've played several J-35s and have had a different reaction to every one of them, which isn't unusual for factory guitars. For what it's worth, I also like the J-29 best of the sub-45s (and I imagine it will contrast the most with your all-mahogany guitar), but you shouldn't take my word for it, or anybody else's. Go try them out!

SalFromChatham · #5 10-23-2016, 02:55 PM

I own a modern J50. Standard bracing versus the J35's advanced bracing. Different sound... I find the J35 more bright. I prefer the J45/J50 sound.

I agree you should try a few out, since you loved your J50. If you are near Houston, you could hit Fuller...

Other than that, regarding playability, I have played J35s in Guitar Centers where the action was too high more than I'd like. price of a setup is a small price to pay to get the action where you want.

Petty1818 · #6 10-23-2016, 02:59 PM

Don't own one but have tried a few. I was pretty impressed by the weight and how resonant they were. They have a lively sound that has the tone of a much older instrument. The downside is that they are fairly bright and a bit string heavy. What I mean by that is, the strings seem to dominant the sound so you don't get a lot of the bass/warmth. I think of finger style they are great but for strumming, I would look elsewhere.

I too liked the J-29 and J-15 more. Actually the J-15 was the biggest surprise. The J-29 has an incredible amount of bass and projection but the 15 is such a sweet little guitar.

cisco7 · #7 10-23-2016, 03:06 PM

There is nothing like a j45, i used to own a j35. The 45 suits my voice greatly, the 35 was too harsh sounding, less refined.

TBman · #8 10-23-2016, 03:16 PM

I like the J-15, but I've never played a 29.

Mr. Jelly · #9 10-23-2016, 03:20 PM

Sounds like I want to try a J-35.

#10 10-23-2016, 08:14 PM

The J-35 is probably my favorite Gibson slope shoulder model. I owned one for over a year, until my shoulder issues forced me to sell it.

Super lightweight, very punchy. Wonderful neck profile. It's a little bright, but a judicious string choice can really bring out the best in this great guitar. The only thing I didn't like about it was the Baggs Element, but that's an easy fix. For singer/songwriter Americana stuff, it should definitely be on your short list.

Like SJ VanSandt said, call Guitar Rez in Austin and see if they have one you can try.

FFKing · #11 10-23-2016, 09:05 PM

I've played four and thought all of them were great. I've never done that with any other model of guitar. Light in weight and very woody, clear, and articulate sounding to me. I've got a killer d18 and I considered buying a j35, but I changed my strings instead. If I didn't have an amazing guitar already, I'd have bought a j35. I almost did anyway.

Nick84 · #12 10-24-2016, 10:15 AM

I have both a J-35 and a J-15. I really like both. The J-35 feels more responsive to me and has a chunkier neck profile which I prefer. Paired with Martin retros the 35 doesn't sound bright and brittle to my ears.

If I could only keep one it would be the J-35. I've also played a few J-29s. Awesome guitar I'd have bought one but 3 slopes is overkill!!

I'd definitely try if you can though. Gibson can vary in sound. In terms of set up from 2016 the gibsons are set up with the plek machine so should play similar. I still got mine set up though.

Rmz76 · #13 10-24-2016, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arwhite

This has probably been beaten to death on here, but owners of recent model Gibson J-35 tell me about them. What do you like and dislike about them? Are they good to go right out of the box or do they need setup/upgrades/etc to get the most from them? Do you recommend them to others?

I do singer/songwriter, Americana, country rock, etc. I had a 2000s model Gibson J-50 for a while and really liked it (finances dictated selling it or I would have kept it). Of all the guitars I've sold that is about the only one I wish I had back. I've been looking at the J-35 and like what I see, but haven't had a chance to play one yet. Will likely not be able to play before buying either.

My current guitar is a Taylor 324 mahogany top. I like it and will likely hang on to it even if I do get the Gibson. I suspect they could cohabitate well.

J-35 shares the Advanced Jumbo bracing, although the J-35 is made of the same solid woods as the J-45, the bracing gives the J-35 a distinctly brighter voice than the J-45. Your J-50 shared the same voicing as the J-45.... As others have pointed out, it's more a "dry tump" sound that's mid-range focused. It's a great guitar to sing over for acoustic solo gigs, in fact regardless of price, it's the best guitar I've found for this purpose.

If you want something with scalloped bracing similar to the sound of the modern J-45/J-50 at a lower price point you are in luck... Eastman E10SS, E20SS, Blueridge BG140, Epiphone Masterworks AJ45ME all deliver a great dry mid-range although IMO none do it as well as Gibson and none of them have Gibson's distinct 1.725" nut width and wider string spacing.

The Gibson built models be it a J-15, J-29, J-35, etc... are all created from the same distinctive Gibson round shoulder molds. They all have the same body depth and nut width, etc... I agree with those who have said go to the Gibson dealer and try a few out.... If you really loved you old J-50 and you only have the budget for a J-35, I'd suggest buying a J-45/J-50 used.

arwhite · #14 10-24-2016, 11:51 AM

Wow! Awesome feedback, everyone. I appreciate y'all taking the time to chime in.

It does sound like I need to play a few before I put the money down. I'll see what I can find in Austin and San Antonio.

Thanks again!

arwhite · #15 01-09-2017, 08:06 PM

I finally got to play a couple of J35 side by side and was able to compare them with a J45 and a J15. A J35 will likely be my next acoustic. Couldn't pull the trigger today due to finances, but I would have been happy with either of them. They were very consistent and similar in tone and work really well for what and how I play. Loved the neck on the J35. Nice playing guitar. Hopefully, I'll be able to bring one home soon.