Larsongs

I have 3 LP's, 3 Casino's & 2 Tele's. I need them as back up just in case.. They are my most used Guitars.. Even though, each of the 3 different types of Guitars are almost identical none of them sound exactly the same.. I have a Royal Tan USA Casino with Nickel Dogear Covers ordered... None of my Acoustics are the same.. That said, I'm looking for the right D-28 as a backup for my D-35. I'm also looking for a Gibson CF-100E to pair with my Gibson Bozeman Masterbilt J-160E Solid Top...

Did you check the Specs on your J-45? Is it Traditional Spruce & Mahogany? Or Spruce & Rosewood?

And indeed you did... Wonderful Guitar! I wanted one that was Electric but never found the right one for me.. Until I played a Gibson Bozeman Masterbilt J-160E. Solid Spruce Top with Mahogany Back & Sides. Which, for me, is the ultimate J-45 style Guitar... Congrats & enjoy your new J-45! At some future point a good D-28 or D-35 would be the perfect pairing....

Still curious, which Martin did you have?

I've played several variations of both over the years... There is a J45 model that is made with a Spruce Top & Rosewood Sides & Back.. Can't remember the model designation off the top of my head.. I could see how that one could sound similar to a D-28. But, in my experience a Traditional HD-28 & a Traditional J-45 sound very different.. You might want to double check the Specs of your J-45.. Back in the early '70's I played my Brothers 1960's vintage D-28 & a few later I bought a D-35 which is an upgrade but very much lime a D-28. I still own it.. Solid Spruce Top with Indian Rosewood Back & Sides. Wonderful Guitar! Our friend owned a 1960's era Gibson J-160E which I played often. And I've played several J-45's over the years. In 2001 Gibson produced a Bozeman Masterbilt J-160E with Solid Spruce Top with Mahogany Sides & Back. In all other respects it was a J-160E. IMO a Top of the Line J-45 Style Guitar.. It too is a wonderful Guitar.. Both sound fantastic.. But, nothing alike. In any case, you are blessed to gave both! Enjoy on good health.... Larson

Nice Guitar! Enjoy! What kind of Martin did you have?

That's great! Keep us posted..

Just wanted to let you know we're thinking of you.. What an experience & then this Corona Virus Shut Down.... What a Drag.. Hope it's over soon & you get an Amazing Replacement Guitar.... All the best

I would've liked to have heard an A/B before & after with all things being equal.

I'm letting everyone in my family pick their favorite Guitar from my Collection. I will leave written Instructions in my Will who gets what. If there's anything left it can be sold & the money donated to Charity...

Yeah, I do that too.. Great preparation technique.. Sometimes in front of a mirror so I can see how I appear to the audience when I'm on Stage..

I started as a Singer & still am the Lead Vocalist in the Bands I play with. Early on I needed accompaniement.. Which led me to Guitar. I've been playing & singing all my life.. My first inspiration was Elvis.. It has evolved over the years... It's always been fun, frustrating, love, sometimes hate, up & down journey... Passion is a crazy thing... One day you think you've mastered it & the next you wonder why you waste your time with Music in the first place.. Ultimately, for me, it's in my blood & there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it... So, I play & sing... As crazy as it is, I do love it.....

Music has always been like a Drug for me.. Playing Instruments has been a passion almost my entire life.. Gigs or no Gigs it's about the Music. Although, being a Singer Songwriter, Recording Artist, Producer has a lot to do with it.. That being an Art unto itself requiring much dedication to a huge Learning Curve in addition to just playing Guitar... During this Quarantine one of the Bands I play with is going to try a Virtual Recording Session. Emailing Tracks to each other.. Maybe try to do a Rehearsal on Zoom too... Anybody else doing that?

The nervousness is usually the adrenaline you need to help you excel in your performance be it Music or whatever.. In most cases it's a good thing.. If you got a light you should let it shine.... I've used all the above mentioned ways for Set Lists.. I've even written them on my Arms. LOL.. I'd really like to figure out how to use an IPad on my Mic Stand...

I'd pass. For $2400.00 there a million other much nicer Guitars to choose from. Including new Gibsons..

The 390 is a hollow Body. The 339 is Semi Hollow Body. Hence the weight difference.. Either should sound as good as a 335, Casino or an LP. But, they don't. At least to my ears.. The ES Les Paul's sound good though.. P90's or HB's.. Why they're discontinued is a mystery to me? Casino's with Gibson USA P90's were & are my choice for a P90 F hole hollow body Guitar.. You can't go wrong with a good Casino..

Great Quote! I agree. It sounds like you don't like the Electric J45's to begin with. Why buy one? Find the right Acoustic J45 first. Then if you need Electric add whatever you want.. Much of the time the Factory matches the Guitar to good Electronics.. Then the new owner leaves Acoustic strings on it & can't figure why it doesn't sound good Electric. It will sound better Electric with the right Electric Strings. The other thing I often see are guys who play them thru their Amps but don't take time, or maybe they don't know how, to dial in the Sound of the Guitar & Amp...

As I mentioned im a fan of J-45's. But, after playing lots of them, I bought my Gibson Bozeman Masyerbilt Solid Top J-160 with P90 & separate Top Hat Volume & Tone Controls. Beautiful Guitar! It is arguably, IMO, the best looking & sounding J-45 Style Guitar.. These Guitars sound great & right with a P90.

Exactly!

They make at least a dozen different J-45's.. Since you have the time research them all.. They come Acoustic & Acoustic Electric. With the variety they offer I would buy the one that most suits my wants & needs. Taking it apart, selling Parts & then Modding with other stuff? Personally, I would prefer the model that has everything I want to begin with.. I really like J-45's... But, after playing a Gibson Bozeman Masterbilt Solid Top J-160E I bought it.. I'm also a Beatles fan. Not to be confused with the Plywood Top Lennon Spec Guitars.. Mine has Solid Spruce Top with Mahogany Back & Sides, Bone Nut with a P90 Pickup & Volume & Tone Control & all the other Upgrades I could want. IMO, it's the King of the J-45 style Guitars.. It needs nothing except to be played.. Good luck with your Quest!

We act like we are separate from everything in the Universe or the Universe is separate from us..... We're just a minuscule part of it..

Gibson is notorious for doing limited Runs for all their Guitars... Some of their Guitars, like LP's, have so many variations of Models it appears to be continuous Runs of the same Guitars. When in actuality it isn't the case... I wonder about the ES Les Paul's. I bought a Memphis Blacktop with MHS Pickups & Bigsby. It's an amazing Guitar! I want another one. The Goldtop with P90's & Bigsby.... But, they quit making them too...

If you don't need it there are plenty of Tax Deductible Charities that could help People in need....

Nice Guitar! Congrats & Enjoy!

That is Sweeeeeeeeeet!