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New J-45


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I'm a little confused here. I'm not too familiar with the new Gibsons, but it was my understanding that a J-50 and a J-45 were the same guitar with the J-50 having a blonde top and the J-45 having a sunburst top. I have friends with J-50s and J45s and that seems to be the only difference.

 

My brother Bob has an unfinished J-50 with a blonde top.

My sister Sharon has an unfinished J-45 with a sunburst top.

My nephew Greg has a refinished J-45 which now has a blonde top, but which started out as a sunburst.

My friend Cam has a refinished blonde J-45 which started as a reddish sunburst.

Another friend has a refinished J-50 which has had a sunburst added to it. Photos of her dad show the guitar while it was still blonde.

These are all guitars that are at least 25 years old.

 

Does Gibson now make J-45s in both blonde and sunburst? Does that mean they have quit making J-50s?

 

By the way, that is a 1958 J-50 in my profile picture.

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I'm a little confused here. I'm not too familiar with the new Gibsons, but it was my understanding that a J-50 and a J-45 were the same guitar with the J-50 having a blonde top and the J-45 having a sunburst top. I have friends with J-50s and J45s and that seems to be the only difference.

 

My brother Bob has an unfinished J-50 with a blonde top.

My sister Sharon has an unfinished J-45 with a sunburst top.

My nephew Greg has a refinished J-45 which now has a blonde top, but which started out as a sunburst.

My friend Cam has a refinished blonde J-45 which started as a reddish sunburst.

Another friend has a refinished J-50 which has had a sunburst added to it. Photos of her dad show the guitar while it was still blonde.

These are all guitars that are at least 25 years old.

 

Does Gibson now make J-45s in both blonde and sunburst? Does that mean they have quit making J-50s?

 

By the way, that is a 1958 J-50 in my profile picture.

 

 

Historically speaking, you are correct. With Gibson Montana, less so. They now list "antique natural" as an alternative finish for both the J-45 standard and the J-45 custom. Thankfully, not so on the TV or the Legend. There is no J-50 listed on the website now.

 

At least in the 50's and part of the 60's, the body stain was usually different on the J-50, being much lighter in color than that used on the J-45. However, I've also seen vintage J-50's --stamped as such--that had the same dark stain on the mahogany that the J-45 has/had.

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Apparently Gibson could not make up their mind in '77 either(Norlin)

http://www.ebay.com/...9#ht_1076wt_932

 

This one is labeled J45-50 on the headstock...!

If I wasn't so "house-poor" and we had better "leadership" and a brighter future in this country....I 'might' buy it....:rolleyes: ....'just because' [smile]

 

BTW... I have a set of tuners just like the ones on this Ebay guitar ..available! PM me if interested. Mine came off a a '80 Les Paul Standard

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that's some nice figuring on the fingerboard..love the striping...congrats [thumbup]

 

Funny, I usually pick up an electric. I just spent an hour on my front porch in the carolina sun enjoying getting to know this one. The more I play it, the more I love it

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Your J45 looks great. I usually favor the bursts, but seeing your guitar speaks volumes for the "natural" look. Very cool guitar. I suspect you're going to be very happy with the guitar. The J45, in any of its configurations is an awesome instrument. Congrats! [thumbup]

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