swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Jan 13, 2020 14:31:09 GMT -5
After obsessing over D-18's, J-45's and the cheaper alternatives online, reading reviews, forum chatter and youtubes, I finally zipped off to the local GC to try them out. I was as curious about the difference between nut widths as anything, but honestly I couldn't really tell despite playing my more challenging tunes.
I always thought I was more of a Martin guy, currently owning a 000-c16. But I owned both a D18 (returned due to neck issues) and a J45 back in the 70's. Although I liked how the J45 played, it was a Norlin-era guitar which sounded muted and dead. I swear my '80's Washburn D18M sounds better than my Gibson ever did.
If I had to choose one of the 2 guitars I tried today I'd have picked the Gibson. It felt better in my hand (love the neck), and I was able to coax more of the tones I'm looking for out of it. Of course my budget doesn't come close to the price of a new version of either guitar, so I'll have to do the legwork to try seek out used guitars to try. Unfortunately, GC has put alot of the smaller shops out of business around here, so it's either GC used gear or private sales.
How many of you have purchased a used guitar from GC and tried out in the store, and "returned" it without ever leaving the store? Is that a legit way of trying stuff without having to go to far off locales? I'm not sure how else I could do this and spend the time necessary to find "the one".
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 13, 2020 21:12:50 GMT -5
I gave always really liked Gibson electrics, but acoustics just seem to lack tone, at least when I play them
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Post by budg on Jan 15, 2020 17:02:10 GMT -5
I haven’t found a Gibson yet that I’ve bonded with, but I’ve found plenty of Martins. Good luck with your search.
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 15, 2020 18:37:30 GMT -5
I gave tried out a few Taylor guitars and liked them all.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Jan 16, 2020 11:24:07 GMT -5
How many of you have purchased a used guitar from GC and tried out in the store, and "returned" it without ever leaving the store? Is that a legit way of trying stuff without having to go to far off locales? I'm not sure how else I could do this and spend the time necessary to find "the one". I don't know why you shouldn't take advantage of their willingness to let you do this. It's kinda nice: You find a used guitar you like halfway across the country; they ship it to your local GC, and you get to try it out in person without any $$ commitment yet - nothing wrong with that. How else are they going to move product? They're marketing to the whole country, so you're simply using a service they are willing to provide. Now - as to Gibsons; I still find that they are all over the map in tone and quality. I owned a J-45 that I really liked the tone of, but I never seemed to be able to get it fully in tune, the intonation was somehow off up the neck! Then I owned a nice J-35 (used, purchased through Chicago Music Exchange: they were great to deal with) that while very nicely made, I never fully bonded with the tone. It didn't have that thick thump I was looking for, and the trebles seemed thin (for a Gibson). Maybe I should have been patient and kept it longer to see if it would open up...it was only about a year old when I got it. Martins are MUCH MORE consistent in both quality and tone, especially in their Standard Series and up. Most D-18's are going to look gorgeous and sound great (esp. the post 2012 "Re-imagined" ones); some will just sound "greater" than others. I don't think you can lose with a D-18 (or D-28 or HD-28, etc.) as long as you like the specs. This is coming from a guy who currently owns six Martins and zero Gibsons (hey, I've tried twice!) |
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Jan 16, 2020 12:01:12 GMT -5
Good advice. I was looking thru GC used stuff last night and earmarked a couple of D18s and a J45. Very tempted to have one shipped in to try.
In the meantime, I've been hankering for a Morgan Monroe M-00 TBV to replace the one I traded off several years ago. I found one with case on GC this morning and bought it. Should be here in a week or so. Maybe that'll take the GAS off for now.
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Post by budg on Jan 16, 2020 15:52:54 GMT -5
Good advice. I was looking thru GC used stuff last night and earmarked a couple of D18s and a J45. Very tempted to have one shipped in to try. In the meantime, I've been hankering for a Morgan Monroe M-00 TBV to replace the one I traded off several years ago. I found one with case on GC this morning and bought it. Should be here in a week or so. Maybe that'll take the GAS off for now. Swampyankee, I have bought quite a few Martins over the years and I’ll repeat what lefty rev said in that they are consistent in quality and tone. I love my D18 . A punchy tone with nice bass . I bought new and paid almost used prices . There are some dealers that charged 60 percent of list. I admit the GC used is a good way to audition some good guitars. |
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Jan 17, 2020 9:45:47 GMT -5
It seems like, although I liked the J-45, there are alot more used D-18's out there to choose from, and lower prices as a result. I just need to try out a bunch to see if I find one I bond with, and make sure it's playable enough for me.
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