NJ Tom Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 I'm the guy who was asking questions about J-45 price swings, and a J-45 with a bridge mate installed. Thanks to all for the advice. I ended up getting a used 2013 J-35....the price was much more agreeable than the J-45, although I sure would have liked a sunburst guitar. Maybe next time. Anyway, I'm what you might call a re-beginner. I didn't pick up a guitar until age 52, took some lessons, had some nice guitars...a few Martins including a D-18 and others...but lost interest after several years. I never got too far past the "I suck-at-this" stage. And now in my Medicare and retirement years the bug bit me again. I almost pulled the trigger on an all 'hog 2001 Martin D-17, but having never owned a Gibson I began to investigate. I remembered how comfy my Epiphone Masterbilt J-45 copy felt while sitting as I attempted to play, so a slope shouldered dread was high on my list. The J-35 arrived this afternoon. It's a stunning looking instrument in all it's 'plain-ness' The mahogany grain is gorgeous and I love the reddish-orange stain. It appears there is very little wear, and just a few slight scuffs on the back, nothing I can't live with. I never played a short-scale prior, but it feels very comfortable and the neck seems just right for my hand. And it's LOUD. I ran through a couple of chords and some simple strumming and I liked it immediately. It'll take a little time before I get the callouses back though. Couldn't leave well enough alone though. I found a set of antique white, plain bone bridge pins that I once had on a Martin and yanked the plastic ones from the Gibson. I don't know if there's a difference in sound, but they sure look nice on the J-35. This is a pretty cool guitar...hope I can stick with it this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Welcome to the party! 35s are definitely a different Gibson than a 45. I've played two and both were incredibly loud and raucous instruments. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Enjoy it Tom. Hope the action is nice and low, because hand tiredness and fingertip callousing is one of the early hurdles. I recommend buying a nice capo to allow you an even easier fretting experience for when you start getting tired or sore. As you know, the more time you put in the better you play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 . Great choice. Seems like you’re going to be liking your re-beginner status. Congrats and enjoy! . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ Tom Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 Welcome to the party! 35s are definitely a different Gibson than a 45. I've played two and both were incredibly loud and raucous instruments. Enjoy! Not being real familiar with Gibsons, what makes a 45 different than a 35 other than cosmetics? Admittedly I have little experience skill-wise but in my short tenure previous to this 're-beginning' I became very familiar with Martins (I live fairly close to Nazareth and have visited the factory many, many times). I learned enough about them to understand differences in construction, woods, and styles, and really prefer the sound of mahogany more than other tone-woods, hence the J-35. In fact, the J-35 tone reminds me a bit of the D-18 I once owned...and both are very light and loud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pittgibson45 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Not being real familiar with Gibsons, what makes a 45 different than a 35 other than cosmetics? Admittedly I have little experience skill-wise but in my short tenure previous to this 're-beginning' I became very familiar with Martins (I live fairly close to Nazareth and have visited the factory many, many times). I learned enough about them to understand differences in construction, woods, and styles, and really prefer the sound of mahogany more than other tone-woods, hence the J-35. In fact, the J-35 tone reminds me a bit of the D-18 I once owned...and both are very light and loud. The biggest difference is the bracing pattern. A J 45 has a standard X brace, and a J 35 has the wider advanced brace. The wider advanced brace pattern leaves the bottom bout opened a little wider. Enjoy your J 35, they are awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Congrats. When I retired I figured I would finally have time and be able to accept the offers to back singers, do some sitting in with bands and such. Problem is that the powers that be seem intent on keeping me doing what I used to do for a living. Now that I do it for free I seem to be busier than I was while working. But enjoy yourself. If nothing else a new guitar can inspire to sit down and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 The biggest difference is the bracing pattern. A J 45 has a standard X brace, and a J 35 has the wider advanced brace. The wider advanced brace pattern leaves the bottom bout opened a little wider. Enjoy your J 35, they are awesome! As far as I know, Gibson does not shift the bracing forward on either of its two standard bracing patterns. That is more of a Martin trademark. But yeah, the J-35 does share the wide angle bracing, longer bridge plate, and lighter first brace above the soundhole with the J-45TV and AJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 the (std)J-35 does share the wide angle bracing, longer bridge plate, and lighter first brace above the soundhole with the J-45TV and AJ. Its also has girth on the neck than the wafer-thin standard. I Good get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Congratulations....I need to look at one of the 35's, I have always liked them in the stores and I love the look...Have fun and enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Congrats !!! As far as the differences - the main one is the bracing. Most of the rest are cosmetic, with the J45 being a little nicer. The attached youtube explains it very well. J35 more base, J45 more midrange. Very different sound. Nuances aren't subtle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Congrats !!! As far as the differences - the main one is the bracing. Most of the rest are cosmetic, with the J45 being a little nicer. The attached youtube explains it very well. J35 more base, J45 more midrange. Very different sound. Nuances aren't subtle. Nuances or nuisances ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Nuances or nuisances ? Can't we have both? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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