Acoustic Advice Wanted Please

[stupotstu]

Hi

I am looking to buy my first Gibson guitar, I play at home a lot and jam once a week with friends doing the occasional gig. Not sure if I should go for a new J-35 or spend the extra and get a standard J-45. I know I shouldn't go on just looks but the J-45 is a better looking instrument. I have played both but not in the same shop,so haven't compared them side by side. I like a deep tone over tinny (I suppose that's obvious) What should I do? any suggestions to tip my preference towards one or the other?

Look forward to ant suggestions.

Stuart

[EuroAussie]

Just play as many as you can get your hands on .... you'll know instantly when the right one comes along.

 

And welcome to the whacky forum !

[ParlourMan]

If a J-45 is within grasp financially hold off for the one you really want, makedo instruments lead to 'GAS' (endless buying of more guitars).

 

I have a J-45 (2011) and a J-50 (early 2012) both are fabulous, by comparison to the J-35 though it's not easy to see several hundred dollars/pounds of difference. The J-35 is great.

 

It's a choice only you can make though, but if budget is a stronger consideration than visual appeal, go with the J-35 and never look back... if you simply must have a burst hold off till you can get the J-45.

 

Hope that helps.

[stupotstu]

If a J-45 is within grasp financially hold off for the one you really want, makedo instruments lead to 'GAS' (endless buying of more guitars).

 

I have a J-45 (2011) and a J-50 (early 2012) both are fabulous, by comparison to the J-35 though it's not easy to see several hundred dollars/pounds of difference. The J-35 is great.

 

It's a choice only you can make though, but if budget is a stronger consideration than visual appeal, go with the J-35 and never look back... if you simply must have a burst hold off till you can get the J-45.

 

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the tips, I'm sure if I get a J-35 that I will love it, the sound is more important over looks but not sure if they basically sound the same?

[kebob]

If a J-45 is within grasp financially hold off for the one you really want, makedo instruments lead to 'GAS' (endless buying of more guitars).

 

I have a J-45 (2011) and a J-50 (early 2012) both are fabulous, by comparison to the J-35 though it's not easy to see several hundred dollars/pounds of difference. The J-35 is great.

 

It's a choice only you can make though, but if budget is a stronger consideration than visual appeal, go with the J-35 and never look back... if you simply must have a burst hold off till you can get the J-45.

 

Hope that helps.

 

I'll second this. Buy the one you have your heart set on, even if it costs a little more. In the long run (10, 20, 30+ years) what's the difference between a few hundred bucks.

[kebob]

Thanks for the tips, I'm sure if I get a J-35 that I will love it, the sound is more important over looks but not sure if they basically sound the same?

 

I've played both. The J-35 is the same build as the J-45 but without the iconic sunburst. You can't go wrong with either. But each guitar of the same model is different soundwise -- some are gems, some are lacking. You'll have to play each of them to know. I'll tell you this, guitars are like women: when you find the right one for you, you'll know it.

[jdd707]

Good wisdom above regarding playing as many as you can and buying the one that speaks to you. If you are unable to play a significant number ... perhaps having to mail order one as several here must ..... go with the J45 (TV if one is available). I've played 6 of the new J35s and owned 3 J45s and 1 J50 TV. The J35s were all good but the J45/50 is worth the few hundred dollars more.

 

You are in a win/win situation .... enjoy the search! Welcome to the forum.

[ChrisA83]

They're very similar as others have said, and I'd also echo others' sentiments when they say go with your heart! You'll regret settling for something less than you want, as with anything not just guitars.

That being said, I have a J-45 TV and still want a J-35 so it's not as if it's a poor substitute. Although that being said, if I could only have one or the other I'd pick a J-45.

 

I think that's cleared it up for you...

[stupotstu]

They're very similar as others have said, and I'd also echo others' sentiments when they say go with your heart! You'll regret settling for something less than you want, as with anything not just guitars.

That being said, I have a J-45 TV and still want a J-35 so it's not as if it's a poor substitute. Although that being said, if I could only have one or the other I'd pick a J-45.

 

I think that's cleared it up for you...

Many Thanks for all the advice,

Stuart

[Danner]

Get the guitar you really want first. Otherwise, you may just end up buying them both.

 

OP, I'd say you should wait and get the J-45. It's a legendary instrument, and will serve well for the rest of your life.

[stupotstu]

Get the guitar you really want first. Otherwise, you may just end up buying them both.

 

OP, I'd say you should wait and get the J-45. It's a legendary instrument, and will serve well for the rest of your life.

The J 40 it is then, half way between the 2

[Mojorule]

Thanks for the tips, I'm sure if I get a J-35 that I will love it, the sound is more important over looks but not sure if they basically sound the same?

 

They basically sound the same.

 

For me the only J35 I've been able to try looked, felt and sounded great. It sounded like a J45. It was not yet the most characterful slopeshoulder dread I've heard, but that's probably because it hadn't been played a lot. The same could be said for lots of 45s and SJs around the world. You can find examples of all of them that you love, and examples you don't, but there will be others who judge the ones you don't love to be the holy grail. The thing is to make sure you get one you love.

 

Where are you based? If in Europe, the cheapest online seller now has Woody Guthrie SJs for 280 euros more than the J35, and Standard 45s for 88 euros more than the Woody. Until recently the J35 was seriously cheaper, and the extra money for a sunburst finish seemed a bit much to me. Now the difference isn't so great. They're all over 1100 euros and under 1500 euros. When you're spending over 1000, a couple of hundred isn't such a big deal to get the exact guitar you want in terms of sound and looks.

 

If you can't try before you buy (I couldn't with my Gibson), make sure you know what you like the sound of, and send the seller some sound samples that match the sound you want. Telling my seller that I wanted a guitar which sounded as close as possible to their own sample of that model worked very well.

[Smurfbird]

Once you decide on a model, NEGOTIATE a better price. The minimum advertised price (MAP) on a J-35 seems to be around $1699 (US). I called around and asked prices and several hundred dollars came falling off... So, negotiate.

 

 

I warn you now. Once you start trying out these guitars you love, you will discover how many cool variations there are. I started with a Hummingbird and now I traded it for a J-200 and have added a J-45, an LG-3, an LG-1, a Sheryl Crow C&W... and I still think I might "need" a Martin D-18 and a J-35 for variety. And a B25 might be cool. Ovations are odd but good for recording. And I still have a Gibson Dove that I like but with a Sheryl Crow seems redundant.

 

It all started with one fine guitar!

 

Enjoy yourself! Good luck!

[Brewboy]

I'm loving my new J35. In the short time I have owned it, I have received many more complements on the tone then I ever did with my Martin D18V, which I owned for seven years.

[kebob]

I'm loving my new J35. In the short time I have owned it, I have received many more complements on the tone then I ever did with my Martin D18V, which I owned for seven years.

 

Now that's saying something -- I own a D-18V and it's a fantastic mahogany guitar. I'm starting to GAS for a J-35 real bad.

[Smurfbird]

Well, in that case I "need" both a D-18 and a J-35. Need to make my decision, which can only be made by owning both for a significant amount of time.

[MissouriPicker]

Keep your mind open to everything you play and hear. And like many are saying, "Play all the guitars you can." One more very important thing is be aware that the guitar that talks to you the loudest and most clear just might not be a J35 or J45. You wouldn't be the first guitar picker to walk into a store all intent on buying a particular guitar that you've been keeping your eye on, but instead you come home with something you hadn't even considered. Have fun with the hunt.

[Rambler]

I'm sure if I get a J-35 that I will love it...but not sure if they basically sound the same?

Basically, but there is a subtle difference. The J35 is a little drier, punchier than a J45, not to mention a TV which is even more resounding (ie more overtones and high end shimmer). Like a dry amp vs one with reverb. J35s tend to be good for old time hillbilly, blues and rags. A J45, J45 TV or J45 Legend is about Lightnin Hopkins, Buddy Holly, Bruce, and The Beatles. You can do both on either, of course, but that's how they lean. PS so what it comes down to is--where do you lean (as in, what music do you play)?v

[BluesKing777]

Looks like Smurfbird, EA and I are tryin' to keep the industry going!

 

 

What we need is not ever going to happen - a 'try it for a year before you buy it scheme' - I have a good idea when I play one in a shop, but the shop didn't have the one I wanted and O/S buying, here we come! All very luck of the draw, and I have been very lucky, but really the best advice was above - go and try them out in the flesh if you are a bit new to it. (A few times if you have the patience - I myself don't).

 

 

BluesKing777.

[ballcorner]

I know I shouldn't go on just looks but the J-45 is a better looking instrument.

 

Ya done got a way of anserin yer own questions, man. The 35 is less expensive and if ya play on 'er for a time you just might find that deep tone develops in the gitar and yer hands.

 

But mostly it comes from the hands.

[Red 333]

Basically, but there is a subtle difference. The J35 is a little drier, punchier than a J45, not to mention a TV which is even more resounding (ie more overtones and high end shimmer). Like a dry amp vs one with reverb. J35s tend to be good for old time hillbilly, blues and rags. A J45, J45 TV or J45 Legend is about Lightnin Hopkins, Buddy Holly, Bruce, and The Beatles. You can do both on either, of course, but that's how they lean. PS so what it comes down to is--where do you lean (as in, what music do you play)?v

 

This is probably descriptive of the Fuller's J-35's vs. the J-45 Standard, but probably less so regarding the new J-35. The new J-35 is basically braced the same as the J-45 Standard. It just has a different neck profile, no sunburst, and the other cosmetic differences that identify it as a J-35. In other words, it's a J-45 Standard in J-35 clothing.

 

The Fuller's J-35's, on the other hand, has the wider x brace from the Advanced Jumbo (as does the True Vintage J-45/Southern Jumbo), plus the Advanced Jumbo's heavier back bracing, and a red spruce top. These things contribute to the Fuller's J-35 having a drier, punchier tone vs. the J-45 Standard.

 

Red 333

[stupotstu]

Hi

Thanks again for all the tips. Ive started taking your advice and I am just back from visiting 2 music stores where I tried out a few Gibson acoustics.

I tried:

 

J-35 - £1199 This is the second one ive played and not a touch on the first one - didn't like the tone or action (although that can be easily remedied) at all

 

J-45 Standard - £1599 What a beautiful guitar, she played like a dream, perfect tone & action. 10/10 Ready the label I saw that it was a 2011 model, Its probably knocking around the store for a couple of years, should I avoid this?

 

J-45 Custom £1999 - This one had the rosewood back and sides and the nicer binding, I was totally knocked out by this one. A bigger price tag but an even bigger sound than the standard, again she felt, smelt and played like a dream.

 

Should I be looking for a 2012-13 model over something sold as new but has an older dated label?

Some labels where orange and some white too, whys that?

 

My quest to find my Gibson will continue after the weekend:)_

 

Stuart

 

Stuart

[EuroAussie]

Looking at it from a distance and without emotion .... it seems the J-45 Standard is what you NEED to get, or you will regret it after. Trust me, been there done that ... too many times...

 

Or maybe the custom ... ?

 

Anyway, use your heart and ears when making this purchase, not your head.

 

 

Hi

Thanks again for all the tips. Ive started taking your advice and I am just back from visiting 2 music stores where I tried out a few Gibson acoustics.

I tried:

 

J-35 - £1199 This is the second one ive played and not a touch on the first one - didn't like the tone or action (although that can be easily remedied) at all

 

J-45 Standard - £1599 What a beautiful guitar, she played like a dream, perfect tone & action. 10/10 Ready the label I saw that it was a 2011 model, Its probably knocking around the store for a couple of years, should I avoid this?

 

J-45 Custom £1999 - This one had the rosewood back and sides and the nicer binding, I was totally knocked out by this one. A bigger price tag but an even bigger sound than the standard, again she felt, smelt and played like a dream.

 

Should I be looking for a 2012-13 model over something sold as new but has an older dated label?

Some labels where orange and some white too, whys that?

 

My quest to find my Gibson will continue after the weekend:)_

 

Stuart

 

Stuart

[ParlourMan]

Get the one that blows your socks off... if you don't anything else will leave you with a 'what if?'.

 

It may be a bigger investment, but over the course of 10 years it's pennies per week. Failure to follow your heart & ears will cost you thousands several times over, that adds up to a bit more than pennies every week.

[stupotstu]

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