Jay-45
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Posts posted by Jay-45
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Hi Guys! Thanks for all of the input, advice and tips on how to make to J-45 work for me. I listened to a lot of side by sides and can see that the J-45 is equal to or slightly better than to Martin D18 to my ears. So, that is good, Then, I also listened to D28, HD28, 000-28 and D35 comparisons. I think that I can see the future need to get a Rosewood back and sides guitar to playing the NY style acoustic note runs that I like. Like "Tell Me Why" for example.
So, my plan is to keep the J-45 and have it setup for easier playing. Then, keep my eye out for a used Rosewood model. Unless someone would like to trade me a D28 for for J-45 :-)
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This is my first experience with a short scale guitar. I am wondering which frets are most impacted with shortened widths. It seems that I am have to tighten up my shapes of open chords in the first three frets. Can you enlighten me on what the benefits and drawbacks are with the 24.75" scale vs the normal 25.5" scale that I was used to on other dreadnaughts.
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39 minutes ago, jedzep said:
...or, check their return policy and get a refund so you can buy the Martin.
Many of us own some of each, loving the different tone.55 minutes ago, j45nick said:Welcome.
For starters, a J-45 sounds nothing like a D-28. They are completely different guitars, so if that is your goal, you are almost bound to be disappointed with a J-45.
You may want to play if for awhile, like weeks, to get a feel for what you like and don't like about your current setup.
You don't necessarily need a luthier to do a setup. You need a good guitar tech. A professional setup is fairly cheap, and generally well worth the cost.
Typically, they may ask you to play a few things in your normal style, so they can get a better feel for how to set the guitar up for that style of playing.
As you have learned, extra-light strings are not a particularly good match for the J-45.
Strings are a very personal choice. As you may have noticed, there is a pinned thread at the top of the Gibson acoustic forum dedicated to strings and the bits that go with them.
Start your research there.
This is my first experience with a short scale guitar. I am wondering which frets are most impacted with shortened widths. It seems that I am have to tighten up my shapes of open chords in the first three frets. Can you enlighten me on what the benefits and drawbacks are with the 24.75" scale vs the normal 25.5" scale that I was used to on other dreadnaughts.
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That's a bit mean-spirited! I just got my J-45 and am still learning about what it can and can't do as far as sound goes.
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On 2/19/2019 at 7:57 PM, Justbluefish said:
I got my new J45 Standard from Sweetwater and I’m not sure if I should be concerned about how it sounds.
I didn’t have the luxury of going and playing and picking out a guitar, ordering one was my only option - so this is the first J45 I’ve heard in person but it doesn’t sound quite like what I’ve heard in videos I’ve watched.
The guitar has nice tone overall but there is what I would describe as a higher pitched metallic ringing especially noticeable on the G B E strings while strumming open chords. The tone is a whole lot brighter, almost annoyingly, than I was expecting on the higher strings. It almost feel like I'm hearing a high pitched dog whistle like overtone when I strum those open strings.
The guitar was setup at Sweetwater before leaving with DAddario EJ15 Phosphor Bronze extra lights. It's what I've been using on my Epiphone DR100 for a while and I've had no problems with those strings, but is it possible this guitar just doesn't like them? Could it be something else? Could the guitar just be a dud?
The finish of the guitar is fantastic and the setup and playability is great. I’m just not sure why it sounds so bright, with this tinny or metallic ring, when all the review videos have it sounding very dark and mellow (which is what I’m after).
What do you think, does this seem standard for the J45 Standard?
I have a 2021 J-45 Standard and changed the stock strings to Elixer PB Extra-Lights, last week, The sound with the Extra Lights was horrible. I quickly put on a set of D'Aaddario PB EXP16 Lights, and the sound improved immensely! I do not think that the J-45 likes Extra Light strings. Go back to Lights of your choice and your J-45 will come back to life!.
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I recently purchased a 2021 J-45 Standard from an Authorized Gibson Dealer in another state.. They told me that the J-45 that I purchased came expertly setup from the factory. I found it a little hard to play and replaced the original strings with Elixer PB Extra-Lights. The sound with the Extra-lights was horrible. So, I put on some D'Addario PB EXP16 Lights, and now the sound is back to better. So, I have a few questions.
1. What are the best strings to put on to try to achieve the same type of sound that Neil Young gets from his Martin D28. That is the type of music that I play.
2. What additional setup can be done to my J-45 to achieve better play-ability for my short fat finders?
I read elsewhere that lowering the action, or changing the saddle can really impact the tone, negatively. So, I would really appreciate any advice or tips to help get my setup right, for me.
I am in Orange County, California and do not know any Gibson Luthiers.
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New J45 Standard Sound Question
in Gibson Acoustic
Posted
The problem that you are experiencing is because the J-45 does not sound good with Extra-Light Strings! Switch the to Lights and you will hear a world of better sound! The DAddario EXP16 Lights, sound good.