Charlie99

Thanks for that clarification. Guidelines are handy for reference - provided they are used for guidance and not as written in stone rules.

J45nick, what makes slope shouldered Js with alpha-prefix FONs less desirable? I’m currently considering a ‘52 J-50. Thanks. Charlie

Thanks for the link - I’ll check it out. I started out buying a ‘36 (approx) L-00 from a local dealer in 2008. It was pretty scruffy but set up well and very nice. I didn’t realise just how good it was till I’d bought a couple more. I’ve kept the first one and it’s a great little guitar. Then I bought 3 Kalamazoo KG-14s (except one turned out to be a KG-11 when it arrived - easy mistake to make) because I thought they might make me play like Robert Johnson (they didn’t). After my Gibson small body phase I changed direction and bought a couple of vintage Martin dreads (way too good for me) then a couple of OOOs. I was about to buy a ‘30s OO but suddenly realised the way this was going and nipped it in the bud. Now I’m back looking at Gibsons again - but they seem to have increased in price over the past decade.. Always fancied a slope-shouldered jumbo so that’s brought me back to looking at J-45s and J-50s

Very interesting, Tom, thanks (a lovely collection of guitars!) when you say “strong” I’m guessing you mean strong in terms of sound - power, projection, volume, sustain etc. I played a ‘48 J-50 alongside a ‘51 J-45 the other day. I had high hopes for the J-50 but though it seemed better balanced to me than the ‘51 J-45 and had greater clarity, it didn’t have the volume or the bass. The J-45 had more sustain than I expected. I guess each one is different. The only old Gibsons I’ve had are 3 ‘30s L-00, one a 12-fretter, and 3 ‘30s Kalamazoo’s. Of the L-00s i I kept one - the roughest, most played one which was by far the best sounding - but they were all unique. One KG-14 was good, the other ok (that’s gone) and the other (a 12 fretter) is currently having a neck set so I’ll wait and see how that turns out. I think I might give the ‘48 J-50 and ‘51 J-45 another go if they’re still available.

Regarding FONs (this isn’t alpha prefix) is there somewhere online I can look them up? - When I went through my L-00 phase 10 years or so back I seem to recall there was...

Thanks, j45nick, very informative, I think I’ll reconsider the ‘51. I played it and a couple of J-50s of similar vintage and the J-45 felt the nicest. Personally, I don’t like mint unplayed old guitars and I buy them primarily for their sound. This one was in good, played condition and very original. I wasn’t immediately struck by the ‘51 but maybe I should revisit it.

I’m a relative newbie on old Gibsons, limited to owning 4 ‘30s L-00s and 3 ‘30s Kalamazoo’s over the past 10 years (plus a True Vintage J-185). I know enough to tell a good one from a bad one but my preference is always to buy from a good dealer. I’m mainly interested in how the things sound. Having said that, I imported all my ‘Zoos and L-00s unseen from the US (before CITES made it all but impossible) and all turned out very good buys. If I could find a reputable dealer in the U.K. with a good late ‘40s J-45, that would be my preferred option. Unfortunately these guitars surface rarely over here. I’ll try the German fellas. Thanks.

Thanks, I’ll try lars88. A chap I work with is emigrating to Canada with his family - I’ll have a word with him and find out who’s employing him, what the relocation package is and whether they’re looking to recruit others. I think it could end up less costly than you’d think, so I’m keeping an open mind on this one. Meantime I’m thinking maybe I should just buy the ‘51 J-45 I tried recently, or a late ‘40s or ‘50s J-50? There are some about in England now. Is it really worth all this trouble just to get a ‘46 Gibson, I can’t help but wonder? Sure, it might have a slightly wider neck and the Script logo is very charming - but is there much difference in tone?

Just to clarify, the spec posted initially would be exactly what I’m looking for, my ideal J-45. This matches that of the one which was being held for me by the dealer in the U.K. (but which unfortunately became unavailable shortly before my visit - would have just bought it unseen had I known what I know now!) If I need to pay a visit to the US to pick one up, then this would be the spec I’m looking for. It would have to be ‘46 as later than that and I couldn’t import it. Proving it’s ‘46 would be difficult - which is why this is not my preferred option. My understanding is that Script non-Banner J-45s are all 1946 - though I don’t suppose anyone knows for sure whether some might have been made in 1947, or whether any were made after March 1st. Might have some difficulty convincing a Customs officer of its date of manufacture but with the correct paperwork it might not be that bad. The US option is a last resort. In case of a U.K. J-45, the spec above is still my ideal. But given that there are probably only a handful at most in the U.K. - and one has just slipped away - I might never find one in this lifetime so I’d be more flexible. 1-11/16” nut? Fine. Block logo? Ok. 1947-48? No CITES restrictions to worry about. No problem. I would like a late ‘40s J-45 but I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s worth the trouble. It might be easier just to move to the US? Or Canada - I’ve always liked Canada. Are there restrictions on importing Brazilian rosewood into Canada from the US I wonder? If not, I think I might look into moving to Canada as an easier option.

Thanks for the info, wasn’t aware of this guy - I’ll get in touch.

Thanks for the info. 1-3/4” ideally (and I understand some ‘46s are this size - though could also be misinformation) but 1-11/16” is fine. Frustratingly, I located a nice ‘46 for sale from a respected dealer in the U.K. from whom I’ve bought several vintage Martins in the past. I arranged to view it and he agreed to hold it but disappointingly emailed me a couple of days before the appointment saying it was no longer available. Apparently it was on consignment but the owner decided he wanted more than the dealer could charge and still make a 10% profit. I said I was prepared to pay the extra but no joy. Somethings just aren’t meant to be, I guess! The dealer has a nice ‘48 J-45 advertiser too - but that’s long sold (his website isn’t updated too often when things sell!) - otherwise I’d be looking at that. If at all possible I’d like to buy in the U.K. - but as you say, these guitars are thin on the ground, and I’m not getting any younger so if a decent ‘46 came up overseas I’d certainly consider it.

Hi, I’m searching for a 1946 J-45 Script, ideally in the U.K. but will consider overseas too. Why 1946 only? 1. Good sized neck (1-3/4” nut usually) with truss rod - but not as chunky as a Banner. 2. Cheaper than a Banner. 3. Script logo 4. Pre-1st March 1947 build date so can be legally imported into the EU (CITES regulations). So that’s it! I would consider a good later ‘40s one (only if in the U.K. - I won’t risk smuggling a post 1 March 1947 one) but I really would like a 1-3:4” neck (not sure exactly when the 1-11/16” neck came in - 1957/8?) All the late Forties ones I’ve heard sounded fantastic - but I suspect ‘50s ones can be as good too). (I might just give up on this though and buy a nice new J-45 Standard though - these sound outstanding too - and they’re a lot more affordable than vintage guitars!) If anyone can put me on the trail of one, that would be great! Thanks in advance!

Hi, Charlie from the Peak District in England. Had a few Gibsons, old and new - now have my scruffy old c. ‘36 L-00 (my first Gibson, bought in 2008) plus a couple of similar vintage Kalamazoo KG-14s (one a 12-fretter). I’m currently on a quest for a good 1946 J-45 Script. Just missed out on one I’d arranged to see over here - but which unfortunately disappeared before I got to see it (some things just aren’t meant to be!) So now I’m extending my search and hoping maybe someone, somewhere might point me in the direction of one!