RBSinTo

My 2001 j-45 Standard came with a black TKL case with dark blue plush interior and the Gibson logo screened on the outside. The leather tab for lifting the accessory compartment door is branded "TKL made in Canada". A cursory search revealed that these cases are produced for TKL in Montreal by a company called Boblen that does not deal with the public, but produces them for guitar dealers and music stores. I live in Toronto but am at least the third owner of this guitar, so I don't know if the case is original, or a replacement. RBSinTo

Assuming the guitar was purchased from a store, contact them, and just to be safe, get in touch with Gibson directly. Unless you play professionally, there is no reason that a defect like this should appear after seven months. And assuming you have or have had other guitars, it seems from your surprise, that this hasn't happened to any of your other instruments, which would rule out rings, nails or capos as the cause. RBSinTo

Questions like this are why God made Professional Luthiers. When I decided to get rid of the neck strap attachment on my D-28, I took it to a reputable guitar store (The Twelfth Fret) here in Toronto, and in five minutes one of their Luthiers had attached a strap button. Both the guitar and I survived the experience without any ill effects. RBSinTo

If someone here has the same guitar, you could ask them to either measure its dimensions, or do a quick outline on paper along with its thickness and send it to you. Of course the question is, if your guitar fits the case to be restored, the restorer shouldn't have any problems. RBSinTo

And I seriously think your Gibson schtick is incredibly self-righteous: that while everyone can have an opinion, yours is somehow special, and irrefutably (as you said) the right one. It is not. It is just yours, and no more or less valid than anyone elses'. RBSinTo

I didn't (he he) ask you. RBSinTo

There is nothing special or unique about Gibson guitars, compared to the other high quality instruments. These comments can be applied equally to those of us who prefer and play Martins, Taylors, Guilds or whatever. RBSinTo

Buying tools, taking them home and then returning them because they don't fit, over and over. Does it not occur to anyone to simply schlepp the guitar with them to Home Depot and show one of the staff the screw or nut that requires an adjustment tool? Problem solved in one trip in five minutes. RBSinTo

I have an ES 335 knock off, and put a cheap, easily removable pick-up on my Washburn acoustic parlour (so I can sit in on our 11 year-old Grand-Daughter's guitar lessons-she uses a Squier Mustang electric that I bought her). Those are all the pick-ups I require, so there is no need to add them to either of my other acoustics. RBSinTo

C.F. Martin & Co. My D-28 was made in 1974 and was built without a pick-up, and I have no need nor desire to add one.

I don't know if they're under-rated or just overlooked by many people, but Eastman makes excellent guitars, and they are vastly less expensive than the same Martin and Gibson models. I've played them and heard them played by vastly better musicians than me at the Twelfth Fret, and except that I got a head-stock repaired j45 for $1,200.00 Canadian, would have purchased the Eastman Spruce-Mahogany sloped shoulder dreadnought over it. RBSinTo

Jinder, Don't want to spoil your recollections, but nonetheless thought you might appreciate this: Hope you enjoy it. RBSinTo

Never understood the need to have "the whole set", but different strokes......... I drew the line at four guitars, ( two dreadnoughts, an acoustic parlour with a removeable pick-up, and an ES style knock-off ) and that works well for me. My wife doesn't complain, they don't take a ton of space, and all my musical needs are covered. And I'l likely dispose of them in my will. RBSinTo

Bluesking777, Doesn't get any better than a D-28. No ugly moustache bridges, or pickguards with birds on them. Just quiet, unassuming good taste, and a sound to die for. And anyone who wants one can check out The Twelfth Fret here in Toronto. They've got four in stock. RBSinTo

Zob, just thought if you really want to go crazy, check this one out, from here in Toronto: https://www.12fret.com/instruments/gibson-sj200-jumbo-steel-string-sunburst-1951/ RBSinTo

Zob Bimmerman, This isn't a $20.00 purchase, so I don't think you are being unreasonable or too demanding. Additionally, with the current economic situation being what it is, I doubt that either seller has a long line of prospective buyers banging down his door, so you probably will have more leverage with respect to information requested before buying. RBSinTo

Colin, I bought a used j45 which had the input jack but no pick-up. To prevent the strap from slipping off I moulded a mushroom shaped plug using two-part epoxy. It is pressure fit into the jack and works very well. If you are handy enough to try this, let me know and I'll explain in detail how to make one. And if not, I believe Stu mac sells similar flanged plugs. Hope this is helpful. RBSinTo

fortyyearspickn, Thank you, but, I have no need for a translator or spokesperson. What I said was that I disagreed with his opinion, and then stated mine. RBSinTo

cunningham26, I completely disagree. In the best of all possible worlds one's guitar/car/camera/whatever would not only perform its function really well, but also be as aesthetically pleasing as one could wish for. However, in the real world this isn't always the case, and often for any number of reasons, compromises must be made. In my opinion, if it is not possible to have both criterion, then it is more important that an item be as functional as possible rather than pretty. And rather than purchase a lower priced guitar that has appointments that mimic those of a vastly better sounding instrument, I'd prefer that the time and expense in producing the look-alike be used to make a plainer looking, but better sounding guitar. RBSinTo

Raul, I don't care what guitar anyone else plays. What I'm saying is it seems to me that people here do care about what brand other people play, and that factors into their choice of guitars. RBSinTo

Yeah, The "Mister Congeniality" trophy, and the "Participation" Trophy for having the good manners to pick up and play a j-45 from time to time in a store to show the Fans that you're not an Anti-Gibsonite. (Well, not really). Ferris Bueller, you're my hero! RBSinTo

j45nick, I absolutely do. I play the guitars I play because I like the way they sound when I play them, and not because this or that artist also plays them. I'm a big enough boy to make my own decisions on instruments and don't need reassurance that I made a good choice just because some pro musician also uses them. Nor do I care. However I get the impression from this thread that many of the posters rationalize their instrument choices based on what this pro or that uses or used, as if that matters. I suppose to them it does. I have no need to follow suit. RBSinTo

A little unclear on the concept presented here. So now part of the decision on whether one likes a particular musician and their work is the brand of guitar they use? Seriously?????? I've never heard anyone ever kvetch that they would have liked C.S.&N. and their music much better if only they had been playing Gibsons instead of Martins. The brand of guitar being played by any musician other than me is completely immaterial to my like, dislike or enjoyment of them or their work. RBSinTo

Mr. Pickn, Sgt. P.'s reply pretty much reflects my thoughts. And for the record, I have never tried to "ren " anyone off, nor would I. Like me, or hate me as you want. That is your privilege. As it is mine not to care. RBSinTo

Sgt., Well said. Perhaps Monsieur Renouf would get an answer more to his liking if he posted this in the proper forum. RBSinTo