RBSinTo

BeHappy, My "blending" could very well be different from yours, as it is a subjective quality. So again, to my mind, only you can answer this question based on playing a variety of instruments until you find one that meets your criteria. RBSinTo

And exactly how will everyone's personal favorite opinion help with your variable? Walk into a guitar store and let them smell the smoldering wad of cash in your pocket, and I'll bet if they know you're a shopper and not a browser, they'll slap whatever strings you want on any guitar for you to try. RBSinTo

Asking a question like this of others is pointless. There will be no consensus of opinion, and everyone will naturally suggest their favorite guitar, and you will be no further ahead. Go to a reputable music store and play a variety of guitars (including non-Gibson brands) until you find one whose sound you like. Then you'll have the correct answer to your question. RBSinTo

Get thee to a Luthier. You wouldn't ask a Cardiologist instead of a Renal Surgeon to transplant a Kidney, even though they are both doctors, so why would you consider taking a guitar for repair to a Furniture-maker instead of a Luthier, even though they both work with wood? Spend some time to find the right person for the job, if you want a guitar that is stable and playable when they're finished repairing it. RBSinTo

There was no need to go to Stewmac, as it took very little time to make my button-headed plug for the female jack. I like to make and fix mechanical things, so this was a fun project. RBSinTo

My 2001 j 45 was stripped of its pick-up long before I bought it, but the female input jack in the bottom of the guitar remains. Its strap flange is so small and thin that the strap was constantly slipping off. To avoid a catastrophe, I made a mold in a candle and cast an epoxy mushroom-shaped button whose shaft was pressure-fitted with a tape shim into the jack. The buton head is large enough to keep the strap safely in place, and the only other modification required was to the guitar case to accommodate the button head. Works like a champion. RBSinTo

I have a 1974 D28, and a 2001 J-45 standard, and even to my untrained ear the Martin has a fuller, richer sound than the Gibson (which also has a wonderful voice). I suppose mine isn't a fair comparison, as the Martin is Rosewood, and the Gibson is Mahogany, but I like them both. However, if forced to choose, I would take the Martin in a heartbeat every time. RBSinTo

Always glad to contribute good advice. RBSinTo

As I said, j45s are not rare, and easy to come by. In the present circumstances unless this particular instrument is being given away, the need for instant gratification should be put aside if there is any concern that the guitar is not genuine. RBSinTo

I don't understand why anyone would ask people at what is essentially a fanboy site to verify whether a guitar is genuine or a fake, based on a few photos. If it was me, I 'd either check the guitar at an authorized Gibson dealership, and If that isn't possible, then I'd put off buying one until genuine guitars can be viewed in person. J45's are like streetcars. There will be another one coming by in a few minutes. RBSinTo

Try telling that to Joan Baez, Judy Collins, David Crosby, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jim Croce, Maury Muehleisen, Neil Young, Bob Shane, Dave Guard, just to name a few decent, and knowledgeable guitar players who come to mind. Oh. And me, RBSinTo, who despite being a crappy musician has had a 1974""Rosewood" Martin since 1977.

Tom, In all three versions, your voice is too high and reedy to the point that I cannot make out the lyrics. My suggestion would be to try this again in a much lower key. RBSinTo

I'm not a Luthier, so I have no idea what it would cost. But Bigbadjohn obviously thought it was worth having, so whether to have it fixed or not is his decision to make. But he'll never know unless he checks. RBSinTo

After reading all those really clever comments, I think I tore a muscle laughing. So now how about a bit of good advice? Any Luthier worth his salt can fix this, so if the rest of the guitar is good, or can be saved, look one up and get it repaired. RBSinTo

Sal, Great little song. My only nitpick with your video is that we can't see your left hand. Except for one chord that uses your thumb (d/f# or d7/f#?) we can't see what you're playing, and how you're playing it. For me that's far more important than seeing half of your bright, smiling face. Something to keep in mind for your next video. RBSinTo

Doubtedly a combination of factors, luck being one of them. Long story short: I bought a used 1974 Martin D-28 in 1979, and played it for a couple of years until life got in the way. Thereafter was only taking it out of the case to play for maybe a half hour once or twice a year. It was never humidified , but the strings were always completely tuned off. Our bedroom has always been extremely dry in winter and we never bothered to humidify it. In 2017, I decided to re-learn to play, and discovered the pick guard curling at the edges. Luthiers at The Twelfth Fret here in Toronto, replaced the guard, put on new strings and did a set up. I was told that despite the rather careless way I stored it for almost 40 years, the guitar had no cracks, or loose braces, and did not require a neck re-set. I was also told to buy lottery tickets based on my very good fortune. Sometimes the Guitar Gods cut us a break. RBSinTo

"Dreamboat Annie" by "Heart". 2:02. Haunting, melodious and waay too short. RBSinTo

Gearbasher, As for Gibson repairing it under warranty, that is a question you'll need to ask them directly, keeping in mind the "new" company may not honor warranties on guitars the "original" Gibson produced. Your second question only you can answer. The value of a guitar with a potentially catastrophic problem, or even one that has had a cracked/broken neck repaired will be significantly reduced, even if the sound is unaffected. If you like the guitar, and the way it plays, then fix it for yourself. Otherwise be prepared to take a lot less for it than a physically complete guitar. Two months ago, I paid $1,200.00 (Canadian) for my 2001 J-45 because the neck had been broken and repaired, and at the seller's original asking prices of $1,750.00 (Canadian), and then $1,500.00 (Canadian) he didn't even get a sniff from anyone else. RBSinTo

There are any number of excellent Luthiers to be found in the U.S., and Canada who could do this type of repair. Unless the neck was unrepairable and needed replacing, (and I understand Gibson will not provide replacement necks even to authorized dealers) there would be no compelling reason to ship it to Bozeman. RBSinTo

Gearbasher, It certainly looks like the beginning of a neck break, but the good news is that if it is indeed, and is properly repaired, the neck will be stronger than it was originally. The 2001 j-45 that I recently bought had a broken neck that was repaired and is stable and I play it at properly tuned pitch without problems. But again, get thee to a Luthier in have it checked by an expert. RBSinTo

Terri If you have no experience repairing guitars, I suggest taking it to the local music store that has a Luthier on staff and have him/her do it. This is an expensive musical instrument so don't mess it up with a do-it-yourself fix. RBSinTo

I would never disparage the knowledgeable people who contribute to these threads, but in a case like this where depending on what the owner used to clean the guitar, he could do permanent damage to the finish of a vintage instrument, I'd suggest taking the guitar to a reputable Luthier for professional advice and guidance. Better safe than sorry. RBSinTo

I'm playing a lot of '60s and '70's rock (since there has been virtually no music since the Beatles broke up) on a 1974 D-28, 2001 j 45, Washburn Parlour guitar, and a 1960's Japanese Matsumoku factory ES-335 knock off. RBSinTo

Paper label may have been lost when the bridgework was done. There are places on-line where you can check the serial number and possibly determine which model it is. RBSinTo

Paul, Unbelievable coincidence! I don't know what it is either. Obviously means it must be pretty rare. RBSinTo