johnnybregar
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Posts posted by johnnybregar
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The new 1936 AJ reissue sounds quite good to my ears - maybe I should sell my J-45 and D28 and snag one of those.... I need to get somewhere where I can play some.
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3 minutes ago, E-minor7 said:
Don't - it's funny - 'ave a nice weekend. I'll personally play 2 vintage Gibsons tonite : A 1963 Southern Jumbo and a 1965 Country Western will go on tape.
I'd love to hear those - I'm seriously considering selling a few higher end guitars to get into a vintage J50, SJ, AJ or something like them. I've been craving that old thick, dusty tone for years....
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1 hour ago, tpbiii said:
Well this is an area I have thought about a lot -- and as arguably a 50 year acoustic string band musician (mostly bluegrass now, but historically folk revival, old time and traditional mountain styles) and vintage guitar collector, I currently own quite a few iconic power flat tops.
As a matter of personal choice, my late wife and I avoid all forms of electrified instruments except when forced by circumstance. I own several banner, late 40s and early 50s J-45s and SJs, and as much as I love them for folk, gospel, blues and ragtime, none of them IME have the kick to adequately perform in a strong traditional string band.
I actually love a few old Gibsons for this role, but they are rare -- mostly I historically used old herringbones (D-28) ad for lighter sessions old D-18s for this role. The four Gibsons I have are a 36 AJ, 35 RSRG, 43 SI RW (rare) and my latest 40 J-55 RW (super rare). I talk about this on my blog -- https://vintageacousticinsruments.blogspot.com/2015/12/1934-1943-rosewood-gibson-j-guitars-for.html?fbclid=IwAR3SFYnvToVEolsw47OvLbLrsW1Ctnyio6PbSeOK7nkPWGlN86-MNvYuE70
Best,
-Tom
These are beautiful guitars. I wish I had just one sweet vintage dread... I do own an early 60's B-25, which is so lovely and round sounding - one of the best of this model I've ever heard - but the neck is super narrow at the nut, so it's a little hard to play live. And it's not a loud guitar. But it records like a dream.
Yesterday, I strung up my J-45 with mediums on the bottom B and E strings. I have to confess that I've been running lights lately, because I like the woody overtones I get with them. But I do agree that perhaps if I really want the J-45 to get as loud as it can, it really needs a full set of mediums. I don't mind the string tension, or playing them - I just like the tone with the lights. But perhaps for our string band, I just need to forgo a little subtle tone, and just let it rip with mediums to get the volume I need.
I should say that the J-45 and my D-28 are both quite sufficient in the lows and mids - they totally do the trick. It's just when I want the high end to be heard that I need extra help. If I could switch to my L-00 instantaneously during a solo section, it would be perfect.....
Imma try some mediums. But since I live in the middle of nowhere, I'll need to order them.
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9 hours ago, E-minor7 said:
This comment needs volume. .
I tried, but I guess my iPhone is too quiet. Maybe an iPad would be louder?
I can't figure out how to delete it either....
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9 hours ago, E-minor7 said:
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Some good bits here to look into - thank you all!
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52 minutes ago, E-minor7 said:
When is the 45 from ? Mine from 10 is remarkable louder than my pal's from 03-05-something. .
Let the 28 go for a HD-28 or even a HD-28V. And use medium or heavy gauge ! , , , 13/14s.My 45 is from 2019. It sounds killer - super round and lovey. Just doesn’t have projection on the higher (treble) strings. They just get sucked back in.
My D28 is from 2008 and is essentially an HD28, it’s a custom with an Adirondack top from Dusty Strings. It’s closer, but I think most dreads just don’t have the volume on the high end.
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Hi,
I play in a 4 pc string band, called Buckshot. We are based on Bainbridge Island, in Washington State. Prior to the pandemic we’d been playing quite a bit - and it turns out that busking is actually pretty dang profitable for us. Problem is, my J45 just doesn’t cut through everyone. Nor does my D28. I have an L-00 that can get pretty loud, and has the fuller tones on the high notes that I like, but the low end is lacking. It’s amazing for recording. I gave my Advanced Jumbo to my brother, because he really needed a nice guitar - and that one was actually a canon - it was loud and had everything I wanted. I thought a J45 might offer a similar tone, but sadly I’m left without the volume I need.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a nice guitar that can give me thicker highs, decent lows, and some punch (besides an Advanced Jumbo which is hard to find, and I found quite big swings in sound from model to model when I was trying them)?
I’m wondering about a 000-17 Martin, or maybe an LG2?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
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Did I read this correctly.... The AJ "PRO" has Madagascar B&S? Opposed to the traditional EIR of the regular AJ?
Tag says Rosewood back and sides - I doubt it's East Indian....
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I went shopping last week for a J-45 TV. I played a bunch of guitars to get my bearings (unfortunately Guitar Center was the only spot that had a good inventory of Gibby's).
As much as I wanted the TV that was there - even had them put on new strings - I kept coming back to something called the Advanced Jumbo Pro. It was loud, but not obnoxious. It was clear as a bell, lovely deep, chimey lows, and played really well.
For over $1000 difference, I ended up walking out with this AJ Pro. When I got home I started looking around for what it was and couldn't find any except at GC. The guitar sounds amazing. I played the heck out of it over the weekend. Even recorded it. It sounds like a Gibson should - clearly it has the AJ lineage, but I'm having issues around the fact that it's not a well known member of the Gibson lineup.
Should I keep it? Or should I go try a true AJ somewhere? What are your thoughts on Gibson's like this that are made specifically around custom dealer specs?
Dang. I'm torn. It's one of the nicest guitars I've ever played though. Tempted to keep it, even if one day I have to go out and get a true AJ....
I need some volume!!!
in Gibson Acoustic
Posted
Definitely gonna check out a D-35 sometime.
And yes - that old J50 kinda sound, I know, is not loud. But it is lovely....