Buc McMaster Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 ......and in with the new. The J-45 12 fret just wasn't working for me. Sounds wonderful, looks beautiful but that skinny neck carve was not comfortable. I really tried to make it work but, as with all things that I cannot make good use of, it was a nice piece of trade bait for a J-35. This one has a nice neck carve, not quite as big as the 45 Vintage but a big improvement over the feel of the 12 fret. Loud, quite bright in tone, it's a nice contrast to the low end chunk of the Vintage. There was also a very nice J-35 Collectors Vintage model there as well........muted finish of the Vintage series, red spruce top, big neck, cut thru saddle......but it sounded very much like my J-45 and I decided I wanted a different tone for the second instrument. Strung it with Monel 13-56 (want to give mediums a shot on this one) tuned down a half step (my usual) and the Sunrise installed........ready to rock! The honeymoon is on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george wooden Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 That is one fine looking instrument for sure, is that the one with mahogany back and sides? When are you going to break it out so we can hear it? Really looking forward to that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pittgibson45 Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 I really like my 35 and hope you will to. One blonde and one burst is cool, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatgumbino Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 Congrats, Buc! I love the look of the natural and fire stripe combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash_Starkiller Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 How do you like the Monels? I use Martin retros on all my guitars except my j45 adj because it doesn’t seem to sound right. But on the southern jumbo it sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 What the ? ? ? You really shattered my gas on the J-45 12 fret with that review of the neck carve. . . hard to believe, on a 12 fret. Kinda how I felt trying to make peace with the Jackson Browne 12 fret- yes, it had the 1.805 nut, but that shallow neck . . . felt like a slab of fretboard. . . (keep trying to tell Zombywoof, but he keeps on gassing for one). Yes, look forward to hearing the '35. and you have a capo on it already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vw1300 Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 ......There was also a very nice J-35 Collectors Vintage model there as well........ Looks good - if I didn't already have a J-50 I would have liked to pick up one myself. Where did you find it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted May 25, 2018 Author Share Posted May 25, 2018 Yep, mahogany back.......the pale, unstained stuff, looks good with the blonde top. Neck set on this one is most excellent, one of the best I've seen lately. Top has lots of medullary rays and relatively wide grain.....looks like red but it's sitka. I like the feel of the .013 monels so far......don't feel "heavy" at all. Jury is still out but I do like the dry tone of the nickel wraps on this sitka top......didn't like them on the sitka-topped 12 fret......love them on the red spruce Vintage. I pulled the factory pickup system as I always do (don't like active systems) and wired the Sunrise hard to the jack.......easily removed if need be. Ordered a sheet of the 3M stuff to reattach the pickguard.....it's lifted in a couple spots and the re-stick is easy. I did take the factory saddle down a bit too far with the initial sanding and got a bit of fret rattle on the high E and B......forgot to account for removing the piezo strip! Doh! But that's ok as I had already ordered a Colosi bone saddle to replace it anyway....... BIG tonal difference between the two guitars! J-45 is very warm and fat in the lows and mids while the 35 is all brash and loud yet well balanced. Much more discernible contrast than with the 12 fret. No remorse over this swap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 . Great looking box there Buc. Very nice. Congrats and enjoy the honeymoon! . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Can't wait to hear this one Buc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 I think that is an excellent choice to complement a J-45. The tone of the ones I have played have been very bright, and different, in a good way. A blond and a sunburst also make for a good pairing. Let us hear it! Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 . . . and you get the nice rectangle bridge. That is one barky looking top- 'could easily be mistaken for Adirondack; also showing some nice silking in the upper bout on the lower photo. You only ordered one of the 3M adhesive sheets? Feeling lucky, I guess. . . if it doesn't release from the backing sheet just right, a bubble will form under the pickguard. Always good to order at least one extra. Looking forward to hearing it, and maybe even a comparo with the J-45V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriv58 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 i still think that hummingbird vintage was the best sounding guitar in your recordings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Nothing cooler than breaking in a new one. Congrats, she's a beauty ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Nicely done and Congrats! Whoa, I can't get past the Sunrise pickup. If I ever were to go with a current production pickup that would be it. The problem is they only produce 1,000 or so a year and so are not the easiest pickup to get hold of especially as the year goes on. If I recall they actually announce the production number and tell you the exact date the last one will be made. But I have yet to hear any modern pickup I like better. Anyway, more with an out with the new and in with the newer. No matter what a guitar sounds like if it does not feel right it does not matter. I agree with your assessment of the stock J-35 sound. They are bright sounding guitars at least for a Gibson. And I like your now for something completely different attitude in not wanting a sound alike for a guitar you already own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Very cool, Buc! I know what you mean about the feel of a neck. I have found that I can keep trying over and over, but I can't will things to feel right if it's not for me. Good trade! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatwhite_10 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Congrats on the new Gib. Mighty fine looking and I’ll bet it’ll breaks in and sing sweet. Looking forward to hearing what you do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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