Boyd
-
Posts
1,399 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Posts posted by Boyd
-
-
16 hours ago, Buc McMaster said:
I'd wager most Gibson acoustic players most of time use flat picks and do a lot of strumming
That's quite an assumption. Recently I've been playing with just my fingers and really loving the sound. As for string spacing, that would be a meaningless spec for me. All I know is that my 1965, 1974, 2008 and 2020 J-50's are all quite playable.
-
I have worked as a carpenter and managed several carpentry shops, so I understand the phenomenon. I guess they are trying to use every single board-foot to keep the costs down, but it's not something I've seen on other Gibsons and I find it unattractive. I also think the hole in the side is weird though, so obviously this just isn't the guitar for me. 🤣
-
Nobody here can tell you whether it's intentional, but you could have contacted Gibson if you really wanted an answer. Earlier you said "I can't believe a company like Gibson would make this big of a screw up." So, it seems like you are more than just "curious" about it. Personally, I would not have accepted a guitar like that.
-
On 2/3/2022 at 10:28 AM, Roblukacs said:
I bought one of these new about 2 years ago and the back of the guitar body has an unfinished stripe in the bottom center.
Sorry, but I don't quite get this. You bought it new two years ago, and only now you're complaining and asking random people on a forum whether it's normal? Two years ago you could have gotten it exchanged by the dealer or contacted Gibson directly if you were unhappy.
-
3 minutes ago, egoidealmusic said:
From what lots of folks here have said the adjustable bridge makes a J-45 sound quiter and brighter
Then, as usual, I don't agree with "lots of folks here". 🤣 In addition to the 60's re-issue I also have a 2008 J-50, which should be very similar to a J-45 Standard. It is not any louder than the 60's re-issue but the sound has a somewhat different quality. Very similar, but I'd say the 60's re-issue with the ADJ bridge is a bit brighter.
-
4 hours ago, Manley74 said:
Would also be interested in feedback on the 50's J45 Reissue for the same reasons as above.
I have a 1965 J-50 ADJ which is probably very similar to your J-45, however mine still has the original rosewood saddle. I got a 2020 60's J-50 re-issue last summer. The neck is different on the 50's re-issue and it also has a pickup. But pretty sure the construction of the guitar is the same otherwise.
First, I love the 60's J-50 re-issue, it's the only guitar I've been playing since I got it. But these have absolutely nothing in common with the real 1960's guitars other than appearance. They have a modern Gibson sound - which is a good thing IMO. However, it's not going to sound anything like your 1967 J-45. @zombywoof has pointed out the biggest difference, the heavy plywood(?) plate behind the ADJ bridge on the 60's guitars, this is why they are not so loud. The re-issues don't have that, the ADJ bridge is braced the same as the other modern Gibsons.
If you like the neck on your 1967, seems like you'd want the 60's re-issue instead of the 50's. The neck on my 60's re-issue has the same nut width as my real 1965 J-50 (1-9/16") however the real 1965 has a much more slender carve to it. So they are actually quite different, the re-issue 60's neck is really more similar to a J-50 Standard than a real 1960's guitar. But the neck on the 1950's re-issue is going to be much fatter than your 1967 J-45.
-
Wondering how literal "sticky" is here. I made the mistake of spraying DEET insect repellant (Deep Woods OFF) on my shirt before playing once. It ate right into the finish and the guitar was literally "sticky". It even left a print of my t-shirt fabric weave on the back. I used Virtuoso cleaner on that, but the finish still took awhile to harden. Now, I think the real problem was the alcohol content of the DEET spray, which attacks the nitro finish. So, in these pandemic times, it makes me wonder if somebody tried to clean that guitar with alcohol? That might soften the finish and make it sticky.
-
28 minutes ago, zombywoof said:
Ithe luthier who told you about the nut width chronology got it bass ackwards.
Or perhaps he got what the luthier told him bass ackwards? 🤣 What is the actual measurement of the nut? If it's 1-11/16" then I'd agree it's a later version although I don't know exactly when it changed. I once played a 1969 J-50 with a 1-11/16" nut however and my own 1965 J-50 is 1-9/16". Gibson even used 1-9/16" on their current 1960's J-45/J-50 re-issues.
That pickguard is pretty weird, but the headstock looks like my 1965 J-50 and mine also has similar finish checking although I have the original bridge. Congratulations on the new guitar!
-
Sure looks like thin foil to me. Look at the area around the holes, where it's curled up, as though it was just "poked" through. The "plate mate" is much thicker, squared-off and has drilled holes with smooth edges. Might also be brass shim-stock which is thin metal, like a heavy foil.
-
I wonder if it's some kind of electromagnetic sheilding to prevent the sort of problem I described in this post?
-
I have the J-50 version of this guitar and really love it, it's all I have played since I got it last spring. Got it used from Guitar Center online and had it shipped to my local store, it looked like new but $700 cheaper. Nothing like that on my bridge but maybe the black finish makes it more visible? No idea what originally came with the guitar, there was a Gibson polishing cloth and keychain in the case but no checklist or warranty.
I don't know, have not bought a new Gibson since my J-50 Deluxe in 1974. If I had those issues and the dealer had another one in stock then I might exchange it. But if I liked everything else about the guitar and would have to wait awhile for an exchange then I'd probably just keep it and play the hell out of it. 😀
-
This is the Pro II. As per my post above, it fits my 1965, 1974, 2007 and 2020 J-50's perfectly so a J-45 should be no problem. I believe I posted some pictures back in 2014 but the search function here leaves something to be desired. 😉
https://hiscoxcases.com/products/dreadnought-folk-style-hard-guitar-case-pro-ii-spec
-
1
-
-
I thought it might be like the current Original 1960's J-50/J-45 but it's not. Nut width of the Donavan is 1.725" (too wide for a real 60's J-45) but the new 60's models are 1.69". It also has a pickup and the new ones don't. I have a 2020 original 60's J-50 and really like it. Has been my favorite acoustic since I got it last Spring. But I also have a real 1965 J-50 and aside from the appearance, the new one is completely different (in a good way however).
-
1
-
-
My 1974 J-50 developed a big crack where the neck joins the headstock, by 1980 is was basically un-playable. A couple years later I had it fixed by a little local shop, the repair wasn't pretty but it has held up through all kinds of abuse and playing for about 40 years with no problems.
-
10 hours ago, egoidealmusic said:
note that all the modern models have tusq, all the originals have bone, I think
Not true, the 60's original J-50 and J-45 have tusq saddles (and adjustable bridges). These models don't have built-in pickups however. I have the J-50 version and it sounds great, but I have never wanted to be like "most people". 🙂
https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Guitar/ACC26R79/60s-J-50-Original/Antique-Natural
https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Guitar/ACCJ5F910/60s-J-45-Original/Ebony
-
Looks exactly like my 1965 J-50, but the headstock on mine is in better shape and I have a rosewood saddle. Obviously the tuners have been replaced with replicas, I also replaced the originals on mine because I just couldn't get them to work smoothly.
-
Those look like the Gibson "vintage" tuners that are currently available
-
17 hours ago, E-minor7 said:
As said, it's the adjustable bridge/saddle concept - a replica of the originals from the 60s. Those oldies would have had either ceramic or rosewood inserts (the white saddle) - the one in question has a tusq version, which creates a different sound.
Looks exactly like the contemporary adjustable bridge on my 2020 J-50 60's original. I also have a real 1965 J-50 with a rosewood adjustable bridge. I really love the sound of the new guitar with the tusq saddle, but I don't know anything about Hummingbirds.
-
1 hour ago, RBSinTo said:
Isn't this a general policy of selling? Nothing new here.
RBSinTo
I agree completely, I was responding to DaveF who posted the only way to get a good deal was to "grab it when it comes in the door".
-
13 minutes ago, Dave F said:
I’ve got a couple deals from them but you have to grab it when it comes in the door before they call it in and put it up for sale on line.
My experience is just the opposite. Saw a 1965 J-50 for $3400 at a local Guitar Center on their website. It just sat there for over 9 months and they marked it down to $2400. I went to the store, played it, liked it and offered $2000. The salesman had to talk to the manager, who made one or two phone calls. Came back and accepted my offer with no haggling. So, in other words, my experience was the longer it sits around with no sale, the more likely they are to lower the price.
Of course, I have no idea what they paid for the guitar. And this was back around 2015, so the pandemic may have changed everything for all I know. But I bought a used 2020 J-50 1960's original online from Guitar Center last spring. It was truly in "like new" condition. At that time, a new one was going for $2500 (now it's up to $2600 IIRC) but I only paid $1700. Seemed like a very good deal to me, and I love the guitar. Would be interesting to know what they paid for it. Clearly, it had hardly been played. And I also snagged it right after they listed it online, they didn't even have a picture available yet.
-
13 hours ago, BluesKing777 said:
But it could be an opportunity to....go shopping and start again, depending what we can squeeze out of the insurance co.😁
My thinking exactly! My ex-father-in-law lived in Paradise, California and his house was completely destroyed in the big fire a few years ago. He was in his 90's and thought all the fire warnings were just BS. The police came to his door and said "you have to leave RIGHT NOW, we will wait here and watch". He and his wife grabbed the dog, got in the car and left with only the clothes on their backs, they lost everything from their long lives.
He was surprisingly philosophical about it and went out to look for a new house the next day.
-
Honestly, a guitar wouldn't even be on my list if the storm was bearing down on me. That's what insurance is for. If it was a matter of calmly packing the car in advance, probably my 2020 J-50 historic, just because it's the one I play all the time right now.
-
1
-
-
Very nice! And it looks exactly like my 1965 J-50. Funny, I had to look closely at your picture to see the difference. The finish on mine is just as dark as yours and yours has darkened so much that the burst is hardly noticeable. Mine has the original rosewood adjustable saddle however, is that the original on yours or a replacement? FWIW, I wouldn't want "electric guitar action" on any acoustic - but the nice thing about the ADJ bridge is that it's easy to change.
Enjoy your new vintage guitar!
-
I have a 1965 J-50 ADJ with original rosewood saddle. It's certainly a different sound, but I like it for the variety. About 6 months ago I got a 2020 J-50 60's Original which has the new version of the ADJ bridge with a tusq saddle. I really like this guitar and it's pretty much the only thing I've played since then. Would I like it just as much without the ADJ bridge? Who knows?
As for pickguards, the batwing is the only way to go for me. I also dislike burst finishes, which is why I have three J-50's plus the 1974 J-50 Deluxe that I bought new and gave to my son in law a few years ago because he loved it so much.
I've Retired...
in Gibson Acoustic
Posted
As Dean Martin used to say, "I feel sorry for you people who don't drink. When you get up in the morning, that's as good as you're going to feel all day."
I retired at 62 in 2011, best thing I ever did. Had a great but very demanding job designing scenery and managing the crews/technical operations for a major opera company. So I was up late at rehearsals and performances, then back for tech work at 8:00 AM the next morning. I'm quite sure I would have died young if I continued that. There are so many things that interest me, I've never been bored and each day ends with unfinished projects to continue the next morning. Started teaching myself advanced javascript code at the age of 69 and am developing a complex (free) gps/mapping web app.
Knowing that I wasn't going to work forever, I moved to a "cabin in the woods" five years before retirement. Made for a rough commute of over 100 miles a day before I retired, but it's been great since then and I spent the covid lockdowns in my own private nature preserve.
So, retirement is what you make of it. Has been the best years of my life, but I had a purpose. I also don't get Murph's comment about Social Security. Why would you want to go to an office? I don't really remember what I did, probably printed out some PDF forms and mailed them in. It was basically a no-brainer.