jedzep

I'm kind of like you, except with Taylors. I've never heard a Taylor that didn't sound a little too boxy, maybe lacking in fullness, or maybe balance, so I can say I'm no fan. So when you noted the 714 was 1/4 of the theoretical Martin price, I just did the economic calculation. I find that 'boxy' lack of balance true in big bod Guilds, too, at least after Hoboken and perhaps Westerly models. They've been cutting corners a little, too, though Guild nerds are claiming the newer USA models are now built to higher standards. Prices are reflecting this. Many guitars have their place in the more affordable player market. Maybe Taylor's trying to jack up their top tier, too. Since no one can sample everything under every condition, it'll all just be opinion anyway.

Well, maybe, Dave. But if you plunked a Taylor down in your mix, wonder what your ear would tell you. Mine say cheap build equals cheap tone. If one always drove a Rambler, a Chevy Vega would seem like a nice ride. These stories of GC comparisons say more about GC than Martin.

Good. Just trying for a chuckle. If you have a good sound system connected to your computer or device, are there any demo vids of Martins that impress you?

Absurd. Might be earwax. That mutes all sound.

Jack up your budget a notch. Baby (Mexican) Martin and 15 series mahogany are no bell weather samples. What 000 did you try? GC floor model upkeep is notoriously lax, so could be strings, could be dry, etc. Love my Gibson tone but Martin builds a different beast altogether. Try a 018 side by side with your LG2.

Look who pops up?! Ol' BK. Where you been? You are one of the legit yardsticks of what can be fingerpicked, in my view, and in everyone's opinion I know here, you can make a POS sound like a blues box. I think the question of whether a J45 is good for fingerpicking can only be answered by a great fingerpicker playing one. Of course, the answer is yes.

Says he's booked first class. For that $$$, he could prob get the co-pilot to play in the cockpit in flight.

Hey ZW. Was there ever a adj bridge setup on the LG2? I couldn't find any.

There would also be a pickguard shadow. I've sanded and refinished hopeless tops before, and that was always the toughest to conceal.

Lovies chart says '67. LG1 is what it is, looks all original, and maybe folks here have found the correct fairly good case for LGs, but if you're pressed for time you can probably get along with a gig bag traveling 1st class, from a local guitar shop until you get home with time to look for a permanent one. Loosen the strings to travel. https://loviesguitars.com/gibson-serial-number-identification-dating/ I believe the Silver Creek 'Classical' case fits, but you'll have to fine tune your search and fit. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/silver-creek-classical-guitar-case/541695000001000?pfm=krecs+541695000001000+31556+MFWPDPT

Yours could very well have been a J45 stripped to blond. Here's a GC '67 J50. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Gibson/Vintage-1967-J-50-Acoustic-Guitar.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP

Not ADJ anyway, but probably was. Someone put an ebony belly down bridge on. Loss of originality, but I hate the adj saddle contraptions anyway. Guard is wrong for either J, so also replaced. Tuners look right. Number says '67? Guys here know better. If it sounds and plays good... https://loviesguitars.com/gibson-serial-number-identification-dating/

Your stinky left hand was a pretty good clue. That unsealed fretboard wood probably absorbed much odor. The back of the neck is sealed, along with the rest of the outside, but I'd remove the strings and put my nose to the fingerboard where it might be the most concentrated. Try a little ZORB-X or other ozone odor remover, as ZW suggested, on a dampened cotton cloth, rubbing dry immediately. A lot of the odor may transfer to the rag. Don't oil the fretboard, as it may trap the smell. I've used activated charcoal in a perforated baggie inside the body with some success also. I'd persistently hound the shop with how dissatisfied I am. They must really have needed your $$$.

More depressing virtuoso vids. He's truly the next tier.

Hah! You could try soaking a couple sponges in a nice Macallan single malt and...ah, never mind. Good luck.

Naptha is a good start. If you live where the weather is nice, sitting it often on a lawn chair in the shade or on a porch diminished the odor problem I had. However, Right Guard got into my guitar right where the armpit would rest, and though it reduced the problem, it never went away. sold it to a guy who didn't mind the smell. Probably used RG. Many good guitar shops keep an ozone generator around for this issue. Ask if they would deodorize it for you. Smoke is one of the things it's most effective in removing.

Well, after you finish arguing with them, you still may be able to neutralize the odor. I had an unsolvable problem, but it was cologne or deodorant related.

Think so, bring it back. I've used all the tricks on the smelly guitars I've owned over the years. Never had any work. Yellowed binding on a 4 yr old guitar tells the story.

Way to go. Glad you got satisfaction. The Martin to compare to would be a D, not 000 anyway. The body isn't quite deep enough to compete. Love the grain irregularities on the fingerboard.

My dislike of the heel position, for every instance I've used them, is that when I let go with my fretting hand, most guitar pegheads are weighty enough to drop down. This means that part of your playing freedom of movement can be slowed by the need to partially support the neck. With the headstock loop, the guitar is equally supported when you let go and doesn't move, allowing optimum agility for fretting. Yeah, the serious risk is simply that you can screw up. Having a pro do it makes sense, especially if you have your dad's old Black & Decker with drill bits that haven't been used since '63. Murph is off his meds again.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144384598157?hash=item219dfe208d&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABAFQA7NTGdY%2FiVyn18WMNIRM1iqUVc6VkMpYsnDd4I23abi17bwyhY2ae5oLhzqqqClQ6kPYJhPCDhLwzDft1UlNk2vm9rsSL6ZP7l%2B2%2BNTl%2BtrHQJO1ihe7CdGYudZ6cvDy5JbBW9wv90W2wnvn%2BVQx7%2FovAfhB5Oh%2F38D1SRkxuIyJSDHf2tg2QbftRY6auYPmO8fJIdQbXxBaBxtzceuoIyjUqB6RbrXRuWMvzPrmSSOtQ3LaAH50EbhKPJg4wJ01cAu5%2FjfX8e4lqZLurBJJIsfxn%2Be%2FE1RgPzYZYp8ix7AT4%2BrXlTFJdgowz%2Bg05K6mkBGPAdceFQd3%2FFS%2Bq55Q%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK

Very cool! Outstanding matters. I'm an old funck and can't handle big bodied guitars anymore, though I'll never part with the J50, but that Heritage Series guitar is something I'd love to hear. Yeah, don't rush to judgement. Have fun.

I'm a lover of old Gibsons, and that tone. I have a 1950 J50 and a '36 L00. I have owned 6 or 7 others from the 30's thru the 50's. All bought online, as I live in rural upstate NY near Cooperstown. No good shops nearby, especially vintage. Shiny and new doesn't interest me much, and I've lately filled in my old Gibson 'forevers' with a bunch of newer Martins. They seem to be higher build quality, and one strum tells the tale. Shop around. Many would kill to have that much money for window shopping.

I think wherever you bought it, 4K deserves a pristine guitar, perfectly set up to your playing comfort.

That's distressing. I'd never buy a new Gibson, as they've obviously cut corners in the modern era. $3800 buys a lot of choices. I'd learn from the experience and take time to spend that on a true gem, that the maker took pride in the details, and the seller backs up the product. Are you in rural Canada, far from quality music shops?