Buc McMaster Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 After spending a few months now with the long-neck, short-neck versions of the J-45, a few things have emerged...... The 14-fret is lightweight.........noticeably lighter than the 12.......which I find curious. The 12 is obviously heavy relative to the other. Difference in sitka v. adirondack? Braces? The 14 has a fat, chunky C neck with a slight V and is much larger than the 12.......I find the 14 neck more comfortable in the hand but the smaller profile on the 12 is no problem to play. The 12 is degrees louder and warmer than the 14, while the 14 is crisper, more articulate. I've had both strung with DR Sunbeam 12 for two or three weeks now so none of the differences are string related. The highest I capo is at the 6th and on the 12-fret it took a little while to adapt my hand position to get to just one chord I use when capo-ed there.........with the 14 it's not an issue at all. I really do like the feeling of compactness with the 12 as everything feel so close and accessible, and switching to the 14 makes it all feel open and free. Both have excellent intonation anywhere on the board and both hold tuning for days on end. The 12 has gotten the lion's share of play time over the last months but every time I pull the 14 out of the case it's like wow! what a guitar! Do I have to choose?!?! Just a few observations of a 12 and a 14 fret version of the same guitar................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Two beautiful guitars! That is curious about the weight. I hope to try one of the 12-fretters one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Am curious, are the neck shapes the same at the first position? 5th fret position? QM aka Jazzman Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Thankfully, you have listed the guitars in your sig. line- the J-45 Vintage has the top of toasted wood; isn’t torrefied wood considered to be lighter? That could explain some of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 Both necks are quite consistent in depth from the nut to the heel with very little increase in girth over their lengths. And yes, perhaps the cooked top is a bit lighter but given the difference I feel between the two I cannot imagine that's all of it. Made a video of the two just now, but listening back it's perhaps not the best tune for comparing the tone..........ah well. Been retired for two years now and the company I worked for reached out to me for some help........so I agreed to work part time, three days a week. On the front end of the job I'm doing a lot of dusty work and my voice has suffered a bit despite using a mask, so pardon a croak here and there. And where the hell is James Burton?!?!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhtjiTOKlJ0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Hmmm I prefer the 14 fret sound But the 12 looks so ... classic? I want to like it more Nothing wrong with either ya know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Buc, I find it hard to get a feel for the differences with that very percussive playing style you are using in this comparison. Maybe something with only the guitars (no vocals) might be helpful, although with your voice it's all about the singing rather than the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 The 12 has gotten the lion's share of play time over the last months but every time I pull the 14 out of the case it's like wow! what a guitar! Do I have to choose?!?! As you aren't under financial pressure, I seriously think you should keep both and define yourself as a 45-guy. I know you've been through a lot of guitars over the years, but every time you talk about these two, the words ring with a certain depth. Having both will keep the inspiration alive - the back'n'forth of a pendulum always makes the other pole magnetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 Buc, I find it hard to get a feel for the differences with that very percussive playing style you are using in this comparison. I agree. This was done not long after I landed the 12 fret. While the volume differences is not so up front in this video, the 12 fret is definitely warmer......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aR3D8fAISM Em7.........oh yes, I'll be keeping the both of these and have no desire to hunt for more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 I for the life of me do not have a clue as to why one guitar would be substantially heavier. Assuming the scale is the same there would be no reason to put a bulkier neck block and more substantial bridge plate in one over the other. Just a question but is the bridge plate in the same position on both guitars? The reason I ask is I play with my fingers and tend to favor 12 fretters, especially the slotheads. To begin with, I don't really need the extra two frets but on 12 fretters the bridge is generally located more in the center of the lower bout which to my ears is in part what gives you a distinct sound. Then you throw in the slotted headstock which is thicker and thus has more mass than a paddle headstock which also impacts the sound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 It’s obvious you bunch of idiots One has a bigger body with more air in it Therefore lighter !! 🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 I agree. This was done not long after I landed the 12 fret. While the volume differences is not so up front in this video, the 12 fret is definitely warmer......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aR3D8fAISM Em7.........oh yes, I'll be keeping the both of these and have no desire to hunt for more. Good comparison. The 12 sounds a bit tight in the lower end, the 14 a bit more open and "projective" all around, and also louder. From that particular comparison, I would go with the 14 every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Hay Buc ,you asked. ..... "Do I have to choose?!?!? Buc your retired, or at least semi-retired, so .. .........No you do NOT have to choose. So if your feeling strong pick up the heavy one if not then it's the light weight for the day jmhofwiw 😋😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalex Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 I think the 14 frets my favourite. I agree the 12 fret sounds a little tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Firstly, I’ve been meaning to say for AGES...you’re one helluva singer, Buc. Every time I hear you I’m blown away. Your voice reminds me a little of Lowell George, one of my very favourites. 12 fretter is sweetest to my ears by the way...i can imagine they’ll both be interstellar in a couple of years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie King Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 How much go they weigh? I have a 12 fret SJ that is just over three pounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 "do I have to choose" yes, you can choose to keep both of them.. there.. problem solved.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Defo prefer the 14 fretter, both in tone and looks, by quite a margin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 I always have trouble with these comparos because once my ears and brain decide, they can never really get along. And the brain is outnumbered. And, it's difficult to pick BETTER, from DIFFERENT if both are really good. You and them sound great Buc, so that's really all I've got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 It’s obvious you bunch of idiots One has a bigger body with more air in it Therefore lighter !! 🙄 That made perfect sense to me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Buc I love both guitars, but prefer the 14. And I too think your voice is Golden. Pitch control. Discipline. You have been a big help to me, as I have tried to follow your advice. Enjoy those guitars; I am enjoying mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlejohnny Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 I Like the 12 fret better on the Ricky Nelson song, but the 14 fret in that other video. As far as the weight is concerned, I would guess the 12 fret is build like the standard models, whereas the vintage evolved from the true vintage line, which is noticeable lighter build than Gibsons standard models, the tv and vintage models have a different, lighter bracing, don't know if thats the only difference though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 It would be interesting to actually weigh them. Do they have the same electronics? Minus 2 frets worth of neck wood (except for the fretboard extension). Shorter truss rod on the 12'er? Both neck blocks come out from the rim 1.5 inches, yes? Finishes weigh, and wood densities vary, too. Strange, but not hard to see the 14 being lighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 Thanks for the interest! To be honest, I'm just too damn lazy to go poking around inside inspecting braces and neck blocks...........really doesn't matter much but there is a notable weight difference between the two. Both have K&K Pure Mini pickups, all passive. Love 'em both! Put Sunbeams on the 14'er just to remember what they sound like on that guitar but I've gone back to Retro 12's as they do it for me on this guitar. The 12'er works best with Sunbeams. Thanks for the kudos to Jinder & Sal! I'll never be any more of a guitar player than I already am, with mediocre skills, but being what I like to call a songster is enough for me.......I just love to bang on a few chords and sing a song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 'Measured it before I typed it: shorter truss rod. Both neck blocks come out 1.5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.