Gibby46

https://imgur.com/a/3yf4HVB Hope this works. My Best.

Last post from me on this. The 12 string headstock was starting to breakdown and crack. Needed a neck reset and refret. Was becoming unplayable. Luthier said we need to make a decision. I could just throw it away or fix it correctly. Sounded to good to just throw away. I will not sell this guitar and it will go to my son. I looked 6 months for a neck or luthiers that could help repair it and this was the best option. Looked at Gibson repair and restoration and they were out over a year and also more expensive. Luther said he could carve a neck for this guitar, but it would cost over $1000 or more because of labor. That’s why Birkonium is a life saver for something like this. Stewmac or LMI had nothing that could work. Luthier still had to carve the headstock and he wanted do the dovetail so it fit perfectly. James D, you should be able to find a neck that works and a good luthier to help you. My Best and good luck.

Final results picture. Again Birkonium makes necks and does custom orders. A luthier can do this project no problem.

I was able to decrease the image quality which allows me to post them. Sorry about the quality but could not figure out another way. Kids are away at college :).

Yes, absolutely have pictures and can get sounds. Had started 12/22 and completed in 3/23. Don’t post allot but what is the easiest way to post a pictures ? Keeps saying file to big, do you have to change the file size on the picture ?

I had done something similar. I picked up a 1957 Gibson country western with a headstock break and someone attached a 12 string headstock to the neck. Price was good and guitar sounded amazing. This was done in the 70’s apparently. Any way I had my luthier take off the neck, sent it to birkonium who makes necks in Michigan for guitar companies and luthiers and they used their CAD program and measurements to make the exact neck with a 6 string headstock. My luthier said it was a perfect match. He attached it, stained it and transferred the headstock logo and turned out perfect. I only did this because the guitar sounded so good otherwise would of never done that. It needed a neck reset and refret when I bought it and after a long discussion with my luthier he was confident he could do this. He builds acoustics and repairs vintage guitars with 40 years of experience. You could contact birkonium and they may have the exact neck your looking for or could make one to your specific needs. They do custom order necks and are a pleasure to work with.

I I did the same comparison back in 2016 with my 1946 J-45, New Vintage J-45 and a Standard. My Standard was my favorite also because of better note separation, it was actually louder and just had the sound I wanted. I love Vintage tone don’t get me wrong but something about my standard is perfect. I’ve played about 10 J-45 standards over the years and never settled until I played this one. A few strums and I new it was special. I was very surprised how much my 46 and Vintage sounded alike. They had the same weight which was interesting. My standard is a heavy lug compared to them. I enjoy the aesthetics and weight on the 46 and Vintage but I like the standard tone the best. Could be we like the Sitka over Adirondack. I also sent the Vintage back. I have a 65 J-50 that I love, so I do love vintage guitars and their tone. I think if the guitar sounds good it doesn’t matter if it’s a Vintage, Standard or 1/2 the price, it’s good. I have played plenty of very expensive vintage guitars that sucked in tone and playability as well as new ones or used one. If it’s good it doesn’t matter who made it or the value.

https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2018/11/1964-gibson-j-50-adj-slope-dreadnought.html

This is from his web site in the " museum section" where is has all the guitars he has repaired. Around 1960, Gibson changed the bracing on their flattops to be a lot lighter and thinner and also decreased the top thickness. This gives these early-'60s guitars an enlarged, '30s-like bass presence and the classic, Gibson-toting folksinger/blues-player sound with its mids and bass oomph. They're great cowboy-chord, folk-centric guitars but the quick necks also make them rock-n-roll staples, too. By around 1966-67, the bracing was getting a little stiffer and the nut widths were shrinking, so the '61-'65 models are basically the sweet spot for those seeking the "classic Gibson J-45/J-50 tone."

I remember Jake Wildwood who repairs allot of Vintage guitars said the 61-65 J-50's have lighter bracing and slightly thinner tops. When I look at my 65 J-50 the back braces are definitely smaller. Brace size is even smaller than my 46 J-45. I just remember he mention that's a sweet spot for a J50 's. where you can get a bigger fuller tone because of the smaller braces and thinner top. I still have the adjustable saddle still in but it sounds amazing so I'm going to leave it.

Sorry to post again but want to clarify, I don't think all standards are better. Just the good ones. I had the 46 for many years and wanted something to take out and play with my band or play solo and didn't want to worry about having a Vintage out. So over 6 years I would continue to sample J-45's and all the variations. One time at Dave's Guitar I picked up my Standard and strummed it and was blown away. Sales guy said "that one has it" and I new. I probably played about 10 standards over that time frame and 2 were just amazing and the others were OK to sub-par. I also played many other variations. One that got away was 1942 Banner reissue that Jon Thomas "Kalamazoo Gals" had done with Gibson. Some one bought that guitar before me. After I got the Standard I would continue to compare it to TV models because I like the look, weight and just like the Vintage style better but nothing really could beat that standard. My thoughts are some guitars just have it. Went so far that I bought the J-45 Vintage picturd above with the adi/torrfied top but still thought my Standard was better. It could be a custom shop, plain Standard, vintage or whatever, if the guitar has it that's all that matters. I think the TV is a cooler guitar, looks better and you probably get 8 out of 10 TV's that are amazing and standards seem to be about 2-3/10 are good/great. There is just something in a really good/great Standard that I like better. Hope this helps. I do like vintage guitars and that vintage tone, my favorite is my 1965 J-50 I found on the local craigslist for $500, it has it all and it's a Standard (or was a one time). Trying to pass along my experience (or lack of) to help someone else's journey. My advice is play them and judge the guitar, not the model. I learned this an expensive way. Hope that helps. My Best.

Yes, I enjoy my standard the best, 2013 model. As you see in the picture I have a 1946, TV (newer version) and a Standard. My standard just has it. I love the look of the other two but the standard is really balanced, dry sounding and perfect with Martin retros. Standard is the heaviest which I don't like but it has the tone. I like the TV next and then the 46. I sold the TV and keep the 46 because I got it from the original owner and has a little sentimental value. I did play a recent TV in January that just blew me away at Dave's Guitar. Sounded better than all of them. I'm done chasing J-45's for a while but I really think you got to play them and judge. So to answer your question: Yes I like "my" standard better than the TV. My Best.