[Lars68]

I just took delivery of a brand new Sheryl Crow Southern Jumbo (the version without the Amulet system). I live in Sweden where the opportunities to try Gibsons are few and far between. The Swedish importer only had two of these guitars available, and I ordered one from the dealer closest to me. I ordered it based only on the specs, since I have found no reviews at all on the net, only a few pretty poor sound samples. I got the guitar today and all I can say is, WOW! Between my own guitars and those of my friends, I have pretty exstensive playing time on quite a few "modern classics", like a Martin D-28 Marquis, a Martin D-18A, a Gibson AJ, a Gibson J-45 TV and a few others. I also own an original 1942 J-45. I was expecting this Sheryl Crow SJ to be very similar to the J-45TV, but boy was I surprised!! This guitar is simply outstanding. It has a tone like I have never heard from any of the other new guitars mentioned above. It has tremendous clarity and power with a woody rawness that took me totally by surprise. The old Banner 45 is indeed a better guitar, but this new SJ comes close and at a fraction of the price.

Aside from tone, the guitar is also very beautiful with a very striking sunburst which is more red than the AJ and J-45TV for example. It looks very similar to the old J-45. The workmanship is perfect, with perhaps one exception that I find weird. On the inside, where the back strip meets the endblock, a small piece of backstrip wood (about half an inch long) is added to the backstrip to make it go all the way up to the neckblock. Just as if the normal backstrip was cut too short. Very odd. I would not have noticed it had the extra piece not been glued somewhat missaligned with the rest of the strip. Oh well, it is a Gibson after all :-) Has anyone seen this before? Also parts of the vinyl lining on top of the case, as well as a massive part of the inside lining, were loose. It seem like the glue has failed. The dealer will take care of it and send me a new case, so no big deal.

I have never posted here before about a new guitar, but I was so surprised by this great guitar and just wanted to share my excitement with you. Has anyone else tried one of these?

Lars

Now, if I can only figure out how to get Sheryl Crows name off the orange label... :-)

[flatbaroque]

that sounds outstanding Lars.So many good Gibsons being got on this board at the moment!

[j45nick]

Congratulations, Lars!

There's lots of SJ love going down here right now. My Fuller's 1943 SJ is a great guitar as well, and quite different tonally from my 1948 J-45. Gibson seems to be hitting them out of the park these days (except for the occasional bizarre cosmetic issue like the back centerline cleat on yours, as well as other oddities reported here).

[duluthdan]

Outstanding ! Odd about the backstrip being pieced together, odd too that you noticed it? Just from the enthusiasm from Gibson you knew this would be a nice run of guitars with perhaps a bit of extrat TLC. Sounds like they have another winner, and another raving fan !

[Lars68]

Thanks guys!

I find the backstrip issue more interesting than bothersome, really. Very strange. When I change strings I will add some liquid hide glue mixed with maple dust to the seam at the patch just to make it look a little less obvious.

Does anyone know how this guitar differs from the J-45TV besides the obvious cosmetic differences? The only thing I know is that the TV I am familiar with has Madagascar bridge and fingerboard. The new SJ appears to have Indian rosewood, but I'm not sure. Also the bridge is the thin rectangular kind as compared to the belly up version on the TV. I don't know what goes on under the hood, but I think the back braces are thinner on the new SJ. They are almost as thin and knife-like as my -42. The SJ is also quite a bit lighter than the TV I played. Infact it is the lightest modern guitar I have ever experienced. It is very comparable to my old Banner in that regard.

Lars

[J-1854Me]

Nice review, Lars! Knowing of your journey to get that old J-45 thru Willi's shop, it is particularly interesting to hear of your impressions of this brand new Gibson!

The Sheryl SJ is not a model that I have had a chance to play yet; I DO have an 'early' Sheryl Country Western model, from about 2001/2, I think. It's a very good guitar.

You're the first non-salesperson whose review of the Sheryl SJ I have read, so I take your review with a lot more authority.

You DO know, of course, that you'll now have to post some pix of the new guitar...

Fred

[Lars68]

Fred, I am aware of the picture rule and will see what I can do... :-)

My old J-45 will always be my number one guitar. It is so special to me and has a tone to die for. Having said that, from a tone per dollar perspective this new SJ is just incredible. With all I know now I would take this guitar before any other new guitar I have ever played, and that is not because I favor the Gibson tone over Martin or any other. I love Martins too, but this one is simply better than anything I have tried, and it is still brand spanking new with light strings on. I have bought about ten or so new high end guitars over the years and never been this excited before. I think a great journey has just begun.

Lars

[j45nick]

Lars68, on 30 November 2012 - 06:22 PM, said:

Fred, I am aware of the picture rule and will see what I can do... :-)

My old J-45 will always be my number one guitar. It is so special to me and has a tone to die for. Having said that, from a tone per dollar perspective this new SJ is just incredible. With all I know now I would take this guitar before any other new guitar I have ever played, and that is not because I favor the Gibson tone over Martin or any other. I love Martins too, but this one is simply better than anything I have tried, and it is still brand spanking new with light strings on. I have bought about ten or so new high end guitars over the years and never been this excited before. I think a great journey has just begun.

Lars

Love is a wonderful thing......

[jdd707]

Lars,

Ask the dealer to order an orange lable without the S. C. name .... that can be done in the States, perhaps Sweden also.

[onewilyfool]

The tuners on that guitar are fantastic...congratulations!!!

[j45nick]

onewilyfool, on 30 November 2012 - 08:39 PM, said:

The tuners on that guitar are fantastic...congratulations!!!

It was only a matter of time, Wily. I'm surprised you didn't rise to the occasion with my Pamela Anderson reference in another thread here earlier today. You are slipping, my friend......

[62burst]

The "tuners"?? Is that your little name for them?

At least you provided photo documentation.

[onewilyfool]

j45nick, on 30 November 2012 - 08:44 PM, said:

It was only a matter of time, Wily. I'm surprised you didn't rise to the occasion with my Pamela Anderson reference in another thread here earlier today. You are slipping, my friend......

Nick....check my post....lol

[GotTheSilver]

Congrats, Lars! I have not gotten to play a Sheryl SJ, but from the specs it sounds like a great model. Glad you are enjoying yours!

[Gruffchris]

Congrats Lars .

I was in my local music shop to pick up my guitar the other day, and they had one of your guitars, she looked amazing.

[Lars68]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. Here are a couple of picture of the new SJ:

http://images.yuku.c...e8a6034277c.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...7f96db85f14.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...81f63e67ee6.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...84509df8147.JPG

The wood on the top is beautiful with not even a hint of runout from any direction. The color of the burst is almost identical to my -42 J-45. See here for a comparison.

http://images.yuku.c...72d70dc67b6.jpg

Anyone know of any differences, apart from cosmetics, between the Sheryl SJ and the J-45TV?

Lars

[EuroAussie]

Lars68, on 01 December 2012 - 03:20 PM, said:

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. Here are a couple of picture of the new SJ:

http://images.yuku.c...e8a6034277c.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...7f96db85f14.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...81f63e67ee6.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...84509df8147.JPG

The wood on the top is beautiful with not even a hint of runout from any direction. The color of the burst is almost identical to my -42 J-45. See here for a comparison.

http://images.yuku.c...72d70dc67b6.jpg

Anyone know of any differences, apart from cosmetics, between the Sheryl SJ and the J-45TV?

Lars

Wow, thats a stunning looking guitar there Lars. Love in particular the last shot where you see all the guitar. The burst is very special. Now you will need to give us a sound clip !

[retrorod]

Lars68, on 01 December 2012 - 03:20 PM, said:

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. Here are a couple of picture of the new SJ:

http://images.yuku.c...e8a6034277c.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...7f96db85f14.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...81f63e67ee6.JPG
http://images.yuku.c...84509df8147.JPG

The wood on the top is beautiful with not even a hint of runout from any direction. The color of the burst is almost identical to my -42 J-45. See here for a comparison.

http://images.yuku.c...72d70dc67b6.jpg

Anyone know of any differences, apart from cosmetics, between the Sheryl SJ and the J-45TV?

Lars

Gasp! Is that an original '42 J45 or a reissue? Stunning at any rate
Your new SJ looks nice as well!!!!!

[retrorod]

62burst, on 30 November 2012 - 09:57 PM, said:

The "tuners"?? Is that your little name for them?

At least you provided photo documentation.

I would refer to them as ......the tuner "buttons"....

[j45nick]

retrorod, on 01 December 2012 - 03:31 PM, said:

Gasp! Is that an original '42 J45 or a reissue? Stunning at any rate
Your new SJ looks nice as well!!!!!

Rod, that's a real 1942 J-45. It may just about be the best one I've ever seen. "Stunning" is no exaggeration.