scottnfld Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Hey Guys, I've been a long time lurker on here but have finally saved up enough coin to own a gibson of my own and am ready to take the plunge! Only problem i have is which guitar to get, I've narrowed it down to a couple from fuller's.... J35 (natural or burst), SJ reissue (rosewood) or SJ (hog). I figured i'd put it out there and poll you guys as to any input you all might have! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 If it was me I'd go for the extra bling of the southern jumbo ! JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Hey Guys, I've been a long time lurker on here but have finally saved up enough coin to own a gibson of my own and am ready to take the plunge! Only problem i have is which guitar to get, I've narrowed it down to a couple from fuller's.... J35 (natural or burst), SJ reissue (rosewood) or SJ (hog). I figured i'd put it out there and poll you guys as to any input you all might have! Thanks! This isn't going to be much help, but ... You should get the one that sounds the best to you. Can you give us a better idea what you're looking for, tonally? -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottnfld Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 This isn't going to be much help, but ... You should get the one that sounds the best to you. Can you give us a better idea what you're looking for, tonally? -- Bob R I'm kinda leaning towards the SJ, only problem is i can't demo the guitars myself (I'm in canada). Both have Adi tops, but i'm not really sure whether to go with the rosewood b/s or hog in regards to the tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I should have said this before ... I have done many guitars with Fuller's left handed ... they will give you the best service possible . if you are also a singer you might want the mahogany SJ ... if you are just a strummer you might want the volume of the rosewood version . JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Both have Adi tops, but i'm not really sure whether to go with the rosewood b/s or hog in regards to the tone. Well, thats something you need to decide on first as its a key differentiating factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Hey Scott! Elaborate a little more maybe. I like Southern Jumbos. I like mahogany Southern Jumbos. But, that doesn't mean you will be happy with one. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 have finally saved up enough coin to own a gibson of my own and [have] narrowed it down to a couple from fuller's.... J35, SJ reissue (rosewood or hog). I figured i'd put it out there and poll you guys as to any input you all might have! Thanks! It really comes down to the sound you are after. By my way of thinking, the direr drier J35 is best for traditional music (blues, old timey, bluegrass). Also has a fatter neck. The jangley hog Sj is more country strum, Lightnin Hopkins, Buddy Holly and Beatles. The rw SJ is darker, kind of like a uber 00028: more bass, metallic top, less cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I have one of the Fuller's 1943 SJ re-issues, and it's a great guitar. Of course, it's not a perfect 1943 SJ replica, since it has a bound fretboard and a different neck profile. But it's pretty darn close. For some reason, they place the pickguard as is done on most of the slope-J models, but I've had mine moved to the proper position since this photo was taken. To me, the bling of the SJ is just right. Oh, and it sounds really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I'm kinda leaning towards the SJ, only problem is i can't demo the guitars myself (I'm in canada). Both have Adi tops, but i'm not really sure whether to go with the rosewood b/s or hog in regards to the tone. Most people do seem to prefer Adi (in general, on average, "all else being equal", etc.). Rosewood and mahogany have somewhat different characteristic tones -- rosewood being lusher, with more overtones and less focus -- so you might want to try a bunch of rosewood and hog guitars to see if you generally prefer one to the other. Anything you can do about playing and listening is better than nothing. (Getting to a Gibson dealer with a J-45 and an AJ would be a lot better than nothing, even though neither is precisely the guitar model you're interested in and the differences matter a lot.) -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I'm not really sure whether to go with the rosewood b/s or hog in regards to the tone.. In that case, check out some online samples, or hie thee to the local luthiery center and try some out. May not have Gibsons but a Martin rose/hog a/b would give you the general idea. The basic difference there is between clarity (hog) and lushness (rw). Fingerpickers tend to value clarity. Strummers vary, some want jangle (hog), others crunch (rw). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 The basic difference there is between clarity (hog) and lushness (rw). Fingerpickers tend to value clarity. Strummers vary, some want jangle (hog), others crunch (rw). That's a pretty good summary. Rosewood is generally know for its overtones, mahogany for its note distinction. Your experience may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzpunk67 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I have one of the Fuller's 1943 SJ re-issues, and it's a great guitar. Of course, it's not a perfect 1943 SJ replica, since it has a bound fretboard and a different neck profile. But it's pretty darn close. For some reason, they place the pickguard as is done on most of the slope-J models, but I've had mine moved to the proper position since this photo was taken. To me, the bling of the SJ is just right. Oh, and it sounds really good. Would love to see a pic of the new pickguard placement. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottnfld Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share Posted May 22, 2013 Thanks for all the feedback guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulnumbfingers Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I have an aj which I love, but I am also a huge fan of the j45 standard. I personally like the sound better than the more expensive tv. The j45 can really give you a thumping sound when you hard strum it. I was at gc today and played the j35, which I really like although I would drop another $150 to swap out the tuners, the j45 standard, the j45 TV, southern jumbo. They are all fine guitars, but as many have said you have to take the time to play them all, as well as different guitars of the same model. I spent a lot of time playing all makes and models before deciding on my aj. I am now hemming and hawwing about whether to get the j35 or j45 next. They are two very different guitars, but I love playing them. Have fun on your journey and good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotTheSilver Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I agree with all of the advice given above, and will just add that the mahogany SJ would probably be the most versatile of the guitars you mention, and it is a damn fine looking instrument! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Would love to see a pic of the new pickguard placement. D This isn't the best picture, but it's the guitar on the right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzpunk67 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Nick, is this the same pickguard, just moved into another position? I'd love to move mine to that same position. d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzpunk67 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I just copied the pickguard shape and flipped it over in photoshop to show what it would look like in position. Does this look better? D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Nick, is this the same pickguard, just moved into another position? I'd love to move mine to that same position. d Yes, it was just moved slightly to expose the inner rosette ring entirely. There have been several threads here in the last year or so on how to remove pickguards from current models. I didn't do this myself. Ross Teigen, who works on my guitars, did it when I had this guitar and another in to him for some tinkering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I just copied the pickguard shape and flipped it over in photoshop to show what it would look like in position. Does this look better? D It does to me, but the pickguard should actually be rotated a little so that the fat part of the guard extends under the strings slightly to protect the top. The placement will vary slightly on every guitar due to differences in the width of the rosette ring(s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzpunk67 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I see the angle of the guitar throws it off. I should have rotated it slightly. thanks for pointing that out. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I see the angle of the guitar throws it off. I should have rotated it slightly. thanks for pointing that out. D Sorry, I have this irrational obsession with pickguard placement. Just ask Jeremy Morton at Gibson..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I think the choice comes down to what kind of other guitars you already have, if any. If this is going to be your first Gibson slope shoulder, and you are unable to play before buying, I would recommend going with the mahogany SJ. It is the most versatile and iconic Gibson guitar tone out there, in the most beautiful guitar design of all time, in my opinion. I went with the Sheryl Crow SJ, which I believe is almost identical to the Fullers mahogany SJ, apart from the neck size which is smaller on the SCSJ. I also think the neck has one more fret, the burst is more orange/red, the bridge is straight, not belly down, and the pickguard is tortoise, not firestripe. I have been showering my Sheryl Crow with praise here on the forum ever since I got it last year. It is simply outstanding and the single best modern guitar I have ever touched. Here is a pic: http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/16b359afcda305e8cd96e081e2077f96db85f14.JPG If you happen to dislike, Sheryl Crow, you can always remove the label, which is the only place with her name. Just don't post about it here, like I did... Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Double post, sorry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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