RBSinTo

LMW28IF, I had a similar problem with my j45. It originally had a pick-up which was removed except for the input jack. Straps would never properly fit over the flange on the jack and would invariably slip off. I solved the problem by molding a mushroom-shaped plug from five-minute epoxy that pressure fits into the jack and keeps the strap in place. For those who are less handy, I understand StewMac sells a similar jack plug. This of course assumes that you don't play the guitar with an amplifier, which I don't. Hope this helps. RBSinTo

Docr, I believe "fora" is correct, but not used as much as "forums". Still not clear on what the "flubber" is. I understand it to be an additional flexible, transparent layer that is applied over the "hard" guard and protects the engraved/etched/molded designs on it. Is that correct? Then perhaps you can explain why there are designs on a pickguard in the first place. RBSinTo

Docr, Never owned a guitar with a flubber pickguard. However, three years ago the pickguard on my then 43 year old D-28 curled, and was replaced by excellent Luthiers here in Toronto. I never, even for a moment considered trying to make the repair or replacement myself. No problems with its guard before or since. My j45 is 19 years old and its guard shows no signs of lifting. Just lucky I guess. RBSinTo

This discussion reminds me of the very serious talks we had as teens when we spent time listening over and over to "Louie, Louie" trying to tell if they said "****" in the lyrics. Silly and a waste of time, in retrospect. So I am just curious why it is so important to "prove" that Lennon used a Gibson rather than a Martin in a particular song? Please enlighten me. RBSinTo

Hall, By way of full disclosure I had no idea what you were talking about until I did some research, and found out what a "flubber" is. I think you should speak directly with Gibson, to find out what material a flubber is made from, and what adhesive they recommend for re-gluing it . Failing that, try a reputable Luthier, rather than looking for what may not be good solutions here. RBSinTo

You already know the answer. The correct thing to do is to either tear it up and discard it, or return it to Gibson so it can be mated to the guitar it belongs to. Any other choices will just lead to mischief. RSinTo

What's a COA? Too many people on this site use jargon when they post. COA? Collection Of Aardvarks? CME? Could Mystify Everyone! At least I know what LOL means. RBSinTo

Life as we know it will never be the same? RBSinTo

If you want to sell without the idly curious, scammers, lookers, and lowballers, then trade or sell the guitar at a music store, or a pawn shop. You won't get as much, but you won't have to put up with all the crap. RBSinTo

The ad says these guitars make a statement. I can only assume it comes from the marketing department, and can be stated as, "If we build it, they will buy" Gibson uses literally any excuse to produce j45 varients. I just never dreamed that a tribute to Kermit the Frog would be one of them. RBSinTo

Why must there be an alterior motive to everything? The man said he purchased a guitar and wasn't happy with it. Just curious why you don't believe him? Do you think he's a troll, or is it that you find it difficult to believe that Gibson is capable of producing a product that is less than stellar? RBSinTo

Leonard, Pictures won't tell you how it sounds. RBSinTo

Thank you. That's all I was looking for. RBSinTo

And if you try hard enough, you can rationalize virtually anything. RBSinTo

Sweeping statements like yours should always be fact-checked before being posted. Yes this is an electric guitar, but a Gibson is a Gibson, and a lemon is a lemon. RBSinTo https://reverb.com/news/mysterious-video-shows-bulldozing-of-hundreds-of-gibson-firebird-x-guitars

The complaints in this thread sound similar to those commonly expressed about Chinese knock-offs of various western brands of instruments: the differences between what was promised, and what was received. And please, before anyone here gets their knickers in a twist, my observation was not meant to infer any secret connection between Gibson and the Asian counterfeit factories. RBSinTo

I'm really more inclined to believe that the company's reputation will suffer if their guitars are poorly made and finished, and most important, are acoustically inferior. A re-issue of a vintage guitar is just that, a re-issue, and not an original. If having identical specs is the most important reason for the purchase, then buying an original and not an re-issue should be one's aim. RBSinTo

I am unclear on the concept. What is the more important aspect of these re-issued instruments? The appointments or the sound? It is a re-issued musical instrument, so why would anyone care if it has "split parallelograms" or not? Especially if it sounds wonderful. RBSinTo

All I think of when I look at this guitar is that the bridge looks like the moustache of the man on the Monopoly game cards. RBSinTo

Kidblast. Glad you're happy with he guitar. Just wondering about the truck's transmission? Still working ok? RBSinTo

Taylor makes excellent guitars, and based on playing a few at a local music store, know they hold their own against the Martins, Gibsons, Waterloos et al., very nicely. Oh. And about the heresy business, while I don't believe the guitar gods are a vindictive bunch, please be sure to let us know if lightning strikes your house, or your transmission falls out. RBSinTo

My one fully electric guitar is an ES335 knock-off that was made in the '60s or '70s at the Matsumoku factory in Japan. They made guitars which were badged for many different sellers. Mine is a Granada, made for a music school in Western Canada. Except for a very narrow neck at the nut, it is a very nice guitar. Extremely pedestrian by the standard of the guitars described here by others, but more than enough for my musical needs My other electric guitar is a Washburn Parlour acoustic that a friend and I added a removable pick-up to. Because of a badly torn supraspinatus muscle ( one of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff) in my right shoulder, the large bouts on my D28, j45 and Granada make playing for long periods painful, so currently the Washburn is my most played instrument. RBSinTo

Gee. Lemme guess. When they issue variations like the j45-j50 look-alike and such, I'd say profit. RBSinTo

So what is this all about? Owning the whole set, or having a good musical instrument to play? RBSinTo

Retrorod, I'm with you. I suspect Gibson has an in-house marketing motto: "If we build it, they will buy." Which is why I'm a "one and done" kinda guy. 2001 J-45 standard, and I'm good. RBSinTo