Gibson J-45 -- Questions
Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:50 pm
So, I have been playing a lot more acoustic the past year or so and in that year I've picked up a few new acoustics.
I've gotten two in particular sort of by accident but also sort of intentionally: A Taylor 317e and a Martin MMV. I like them both a lot but they are very, very different. The Taylor is extremely well balanced and plays like a dream. It sounds almost EQ'd, which was actually a little disconcerting at first. For its size it's not that loud. The Martin is also nice to play if not quite as comfortable, has a very different voice which is less balanced but much more dynamic. I was worried that I'd find the Martin as a "regular" dreadnought shape uncomfortable to play, but I must have modified my technique since I had my last dreadnought of that shape because it doesn't bother me.
But that brings me to where I am now. I went to the local shops yesterday to try out a few things (wanted to try on some basses, wanted to see what the deal is with bass ukes and acoustic basses)... Including a Gibson J-45. So anyway, I picked up a J-45 and I'm not even sure which model it was and while it wasn't the most comfortable acoustic I've ever played (that might just be my Taylor), it sounded divine, like the Martin and the Taylor had a sweet, sweet sounding baby.
They had a G-45 there and I played it a bit but it sounded brash and extremely bright by comparison. I asked the guy about the J-45 Studio and he said it was also a much brighter guitar, presumably because of the walnut, but they didn't have one for me to try out. So I'm kind of wondering where I should be focusing my energies: A J-45 Standard is out of my price range any time soon new, I really don't want to spend more than about $1,500. There are some used ones which are just a little out of that range, but I am also reluctant to buy sight-unseen and unplayed a guitar that costs that much without the opportunity to return it (unless, I guess, it's a no-brainer that I could sell it for at least what I paid).
So I guess my question is, if I loved the way the J-45 Standard sounded (and disliked the G-45), am I likely to be satisfied with a J-45 Studio? There's also a J-45 Studio Rosewood which seems like a great choice (except for the truss rod cover) except the neck is different and the body is a little thinner. Is anybody familiar with these and can tell me what to expect?
I've gotten two in particular sort of by accident but also sort of intentionally: A Taylor 317e and a Martin MMV. I like them both a lot but they are very, very different. The Taylor is extremely well balanced and plays like a dream. It sounds almost EQ'd, which was actually a little disconcerting at first. For its size it's not that loud. The Martin is also nice to play if not quite as comfortable, has a very different voice which is less balanced but much more dynamic. I was worried that I'd find the Martin as a "regular" dreadnought shape uncomfortable to play, but I must have modified my technique since I had my last dreadnought of that shape because it doesn't bother me.
But that brings me to where I am now. I went to the local shops yesterday to try out a few things (wanted to try on some basses, wanted to see what the deal is with bass ukes and acoustic basses)... Including a Gibson J-45. So anyway, I picked up a J-45 and I'm not even sure which model it was and while it wasn't the most comfortable acoustic I've ever played (that might just be my Taylor), it sounded divine, like the Martin and the Taylor had a sweet, sweet sounding baby.
They had a G-45 there and I played it a bit but it sounded brash and extremely bright by comparison. I asked the guy about the J-45 Studio and he said it was also a much brighter guitar, presumably because of the walnut, but they didn't have one for me to try out. So I'm kind of wondering where I should be focusing my energies: A J-45 Standard is out of my price range any time soon new, I really don't want to spend more than about $1,500. There are some used ones which are just a little out of that range, but I am also reluctant to buy sight-unseen and unplayed a guitar that costs that much without the opportunity to return it (unless, I guess, it's a no-brainer that I could sell it for at least what I paid).
So I guess my question is, if I loved the way the J-45 Standard sounded (and disliked the G-45), am I likely to be satisfied with a J-45 Studio? There's also a J-45 Studio Rosewood which seems like a great choice (except for the truss rod cover) except the neck is different and the body is a little thinner. Is anybody familiar with these and can tell me what to expect?
