swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Feb 5, 2020 15:55:49 GMT -5
I've been looking for a decent quality acoustic for a couple months now. Perusing the new models, and looking at used inventory, reading reviews, and listening to youtube sound bites.
Kind of narrowed it down to a Martin D-18ish (D-16 is more affordable), or since I already have a Martin 000, a Gibson j-45ish for something completely different. The -ish would include all the lesser models of the brand as well as their off-brand wannabees.
Kind of narrowed it down to a J-45, but the price tag is putting me off. So I looked at the variants and found a couple used vintage 2013 J-35's in more my price range.
They look really nice, reviews and sound bites on youtube sound close enough to a J-45 to get me there.
Beautiful natural spruce top, light hog sides, back and neck, and that lovely slope shoulder. I've tried out a new J-45 and thought the neck was comfortable, albeit slim. The J-35 is said to be a bit thicker. I'm sure it's not a variation I haven't experienced with my many electrics.
The trigger finger is getting mighty itchy.....
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Feb 5, 2020 16:10:34 GMT -5
I certainly won't talk you out of it.
My only advice here is to get your hands on the guitar before you buy, because the neck carves do seem to vary a bit, despite the specs advertised by Gibson. The neck on my J45 is a fatty, but that's what I wanted. I played several that were thinner and/or narrower too.
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Post by jefe46 on Feb 6, 2020 0:20:40 GMT -5
Play before you pay, especially with a Gibson.
I am a Gibson fan, but it took me years to find the ones I iwned. The great ones are few and far between, but when you find oine, you'll kow it.
I played a J-50 ADJ 1967 today..
Simply outstanding in spite of the tone killer bridge. No sale 1 9/16ths nut width .. Unplaybale by anyone other than a child or someone with spider fingers.
Consider a Martin D-16 D-16 H or 16- M from the late 80s early 90s with the dovetail neck block.
Also the elusive WM-45 Gibsons.
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
|
Post by swampyankee on Feb 6, 2020 7:40:16 GMT -5
I certainly won't talk you out of it. My only advice here is to get your hands on the guitar before you buy, because the neck carves do seem to vary a bit, despite the specs advertised by Gibson. The neck on my J45 is a fatty, but that's what I wanted. I played several that were thinner and/or narrower too. As fortune would have it, a guitar I had on consignment sold yesterday, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the J-35 last night. The seller is unfortunately just out of reach, mileage-wise but he offers a 7 day return policy. I've read conflicting reviews about the neck profile on this guitar as well as the modern J-45. One says slightly thicker than a J-45, the other says a slim V profile. What year is your J-45? I tried a brand new one at GC and I'd rate it as slim, soft V. Slimmer than the D-18 I tried next to it. I'm ok with any since I have a pretty wide variety as is. My understanding is the nut is 1.720" wide. I'm looking forward to that, since I feel a bit cramped on my '02 000C. Not my purchase, but a another J-35 for show and tell.  |
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Feb 6, 2020 10:42:06 GMT -5
"What year is your J-45?" It's a 2016 Progressive model. This model was equipped with some 'progressive/modern' (goofy) features--robotuners and a tune-o-matic bridge--both of which I dispensed with. They made the guitar a turkey and it didn't sell well at all, but they were easy to remedy. The under-saddle PZM pickup system sounds superb, though, and the unique sunburst finish and split parallellogram markers borrowed from the ES175 make this guitar look a bit different from a usual J45.  If you gig with an expensive acoustic and it's equipped with that stupidly inadequate output-jack-strap-button, install a real strap button (I like Dunlops) like this:  |
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
|
Post by swampyankee on Feb 6, 2020 11:52:28 GMT -5
Interesting about the Strap locks. I don't plan on gigging any time soon but I'll keep it in mind.
I had heard about the TOM bridge on some of these models, and how it was immediately swapped out by alot of buyers. Didn't know about the robotuners though. Seems completely out of place on an acoustic.
I'm really looking forward to getting this guitar home and playing it. The only dread I have right now is the old Washburn and although it kind of does the dread thing, I'm it's going to sound like a shadow of a solid wood dread.
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Post by Leftee on Feb 8, 2020 8:18:09 GMT -5
TOM bridges and robotuners on acoustics.
Just how far Gibson lost their way.
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
|
Post by swampyankee on Feb 10, 2020 10:30:31 GMT -5
Ya gotta wonder about their marketing people. At least the basic guitar remained sound.
Of course, it's nothing compared to what Norlin did to Gibson in the '70's - cheapening the whole line nearly put them out of business with the
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Post by Lefty Rev on Feb 10, 2020 13:37:44 GMT -5
J-35's can be nice guitars, I had one for a short time. It was well made and intonated well (something I can't say for a nice sounding J-45 I owned before it and sold!). But the top strings were too plinky for me, and I didn't want to wait 5 years to see if it was going to thicken up or open up, so I sold it (GAS, you know...).
The neck is thicker, U-shaped but very comfy. I haven't felt anything like a "slim V-shaped" neck on any recently built Gibsons... If you like the 50's Les Paul necks, you should dig the J-35. Good luck!
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