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Anybody living near Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. ? Do me a favor if convenient ?

gotomsdos

By gotomsdos
in Gibson Acoustic

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gotomsdos

gotomsdos

Posted
Posted

Hi, old buddies !

I'm considering internet buying a 50s Gibson J-45. There is a 1956 Gibson J-45 at Gary's Classic Guitars (Longford Dr crossing Wexford Ave), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The seller says it has superb tonality, or it's an amazing sounding guitar. But I wonder if it's my kind.

 

But now I live outside USA, so I can not play before buying. A return approval is available (lucky), but if it's not my liking and return it, I'll pay double very expensive shipping charges plus import tax (that's 1312 US dollars in all, it's an arm and a leg bucks). So it'd be a big risk.

 

So anybody living near Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ?

And would you do me a favor to play it for me and tell me the guitar's sound if it's convenient for you (if you hang out there) ? I'll be very grateful to you !

(I do not use pick, I just fingerpick, strum, play broken chords, lyrical melodies to accompany my singing, like James Taylor, Bob Dylan, folk stuff, etc。I have a Martin HD-28 and Ren's Gibson blond J-35 reissue)

 

 

jedzep

jedzep

Posted
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Don't know if this helps, and all of 'em aren't the same, but being more of a flatpicker I found I couldn't get a great fingerpick tone out of my '57, as I'm tentative in that mode. I loved it otherwise but made the TOUGH decision to swap out for a 30's L00. However, when my luthier got hold of it, his aggressive and confident fingerpicking pulled great sound out of it. You might find a better instrument for the style of music you like playing. I think the J45 has a softer tone, lower volume played gently, unlike something like a Martin 00 or 000, a guitar I think you should try out. I've owned a few L00's', all from the 30's and wouldn't hesitate to recommmend any of them for fingerstyle. Many here who fingerpick skillfully and play J's might have more advice on what to shop. I'd like to say, at worst, the J45 is a model that's easy to recoup your money on a resale, however I think Gary's asking nearly twice the current value, so you probably wouldn't do well there.

 

Can they offer a vid demo?

 

Best of luck. Dave.

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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Don't know if this helps, and all of 'em aren't the same, but being more of a flatpicker I found I couldn't get a great fingerpick tone out of my '57, as I'm tentative in that mode. I loved it otherwise but made the TOUGH decision to swap out for a 30's L00. However, when my luthier got hold of it, his aggressive and confident fingerpicking pulled great sound out of it. You might find a better instrument for the style of music you like playing. I think the J45 has a softer tone, lower volume played gently, unlike something like a Martin 00 or 000, a guitar I think you should try out. I've owned a few L00's', all from the 30's and wouldn't hesitate to recommmend any of them for fingerstyle. Many here who fingerpick skillfully and play J's might have more advice on what to shop. I'd like to say, at worst, the J45 is a model that's easy to recoup your money on a resale, however I think Gary's asking nearly twice the current value, so you probably wouldn't do well there.

 

Can they offer a vid demo?

 

Best of luck. Dave.

 

Thank you Dave !

You should know James Taylor played J-50 (late 50s-60s ?) with good finger sound out.

But small-bodied Gibsons like L-00 do not seem to be a strummer for a guy (Avril plays it), no resonant strumming effect either, I guess. It seems mainly a blues stuff, I can not play blues.

As for price, maybe you said right, but I can not find a 50s J-45 under 5k on internet.

They have no sound clip, much less video.

Del Nilppeznaf

Del Nilppeznaf

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Goto

 

id be extremely weary of buying a vintage guitar from the internet..

 

I would just wait around and Im sure someone on these pages..a good trusted meber will be able to point you in the right direction when the time is right.

 

Im sure at some point a member here will be able to advise you when a tried and tested 50's J45 beconmes available...

 

there is no rush Gotot

 

do do ANYTHING :)

 

have a fine evening

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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Goto

 

id be extremely weary of buying a vintage guitar from the internet..

 

I would just wait around and Im sure someone on these pages..a good trusted meber will be able to point you in the right direction when the time is right.

 

Im sure at some point a member here will be able to advise you when a tried and tested 50's J45 beconmes available...

 

there is no rush Gotot

 

do do ANYTHING :)

 

have a fine evening

 

Yep, Del !

What i'm doing (including emailed to 2 sellers) is just to get some info, not pull the trigger yet.

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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A good shop to check into, that comes across ome good Gibby's from time to time... Mandolin Brothers.

 

Check out this round shoulder SJ Country Western. Video on the page.

 

Roll on Buddy... Tell Stan I sent ya!

 

http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/Gibson-Country-Western+(Southerner+Jumbo)+Acoustic+Guitar-1961/2921

Thank you ThemisSal !

But I already have a blond J-35 reissue, so I need a sunburst (J-45), not J-50, C & W.

And I added Mandolin Web you mentioned to my web list.

EuroAussie

EuroAussie

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Thank you ThemisSal !

But I already have a blond J-35 reissue, so I need a sunburst (J-45), not J-50, C & W.

And I added Mandolin Web you mentioned to my web list.

 

I would also add Jims Guitars to possibilities. I bought my banner LG-2 from them unplayed, but they provided all details I wanted and importantly a sound sample which I requested, plus the price was very appealing. They also did a masterful job in packing and shipping it cost effectively to Europe (USPS). Very, very happy with the purchase, took a punt and scored !

 

http://www.jimsguitars.com/

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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I would also add Jims Guitars to possibilities. I bought my banner LG-2 from them unplayed, but they provided all details I wanted and importantly a sound sample which I requested, plus the price was very appealing. They also did a masterful job in packing and shipping it cost effectively to Europe (USPS). Very, very happy with the purchase, took a punt and scored !

 

http://www.jimsguitars.com/

Thank you EuroAussie, old buddy !

Your info is very important to me. They have a 1952 J-45 looking great, but I prefer a mid/late 50s one (especially 1955-1956), I listened to many many youtube, prior 1955 J-45s sound a bit closer to my J-35 reissue than post 1955 ones. The former has less booming bass while the latter sounds a bit booming (which I need). My J-35 reissue absolutely has no booming.

And that 1952 J-45 is a bit high.

BTW, was a return approval available to you when you bought your LG-2 from Jims ?

ParlourMan

ParlourMan

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Posted

I would also add Jims Guitars to possibilities. I bought my banner LG-2 from them unplayed, but they provided all details I wanted and importantly a sound sample which I requested, plus the price was very appealing. They also did a masterful job in packing and shipping it cost effectively to Europe (USPS). Very, very happy with the purchase, took a punt and scored !

 

http://www.jimsguitars.com/

 

The 47 Southern Jumbo gets me clammy in the nethers..... Looks magic. Just not into parting with 8k for a guitar because it's old.

EuroAussie

EuroAussie

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The 47 Southern Jumbo gets me clammy in the nethers..... Looks magic. Just not into parting with 8k for a guitar because it's old.

 

Oh yeah, that SJ looks just the ticket doesnt it. Oh, and you dont pay 8k just coz its old .... Ive got a sneaky feeling you've never played an oustanding banner slope PM. I can understand that, Ive played a few at first which didnt grab me until I played 3 or 4 next to each other back in Oz when I finally 'got it'. My LG-2 luckily has that vibe, and the extra cash is definitely worth it 'when' you come across 'the special one'.

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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I just spoke to Gary. He's checking if the guitar is setup and will try to send you a soundbyte today

WooooooooooW !

Dave, you know him ?

What an incredible place Gibson Forum is !

Dave F

Dave F

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I do not know him personally but he has a very good reputation. His business is about 10 minutes from me. He is not a retail store. You must make appointments and specify what you want to look at. All high quality stuff

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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I do not know him personally but he has a very good reputation. His business is about 10 minutes from me. He is not a retail store. You must make appointments and specify what you want to look at. All high quality stuff

Oh, Thank you Dave !

Have a nice day..

ParlourMan

ParlourMan

Posted
Posted

Oh yeah, that SJ looks just the ticket doesnt it. Oh, and you dont pay 8k just coz its old .... Ive got a sneaky feeling you've never played an oustanding banner slope PM. I can understand that, Ive played a few at first which didnt grab me until I played 3 or 4 next to each other back in Oz when I finally 'got it'. My LG-2 luckily has that vibe, and the extra cash is definitely worth it 'when' you come across 'the special one'.

 

Not really EA, not to negate JT's work or passion for that era, but they are not the be all and end all for me, lack of standardisation, not as much access to the quality raw material and whatnot, technically they shouldn't be as well regarded as they are... yet they are... that's fine and I'm really glad people get such a buzz out of it, but, while I've played some older guitars across many manufacturers I've yet to play anything I'd part with 7-8k for or more... I just wouldn't do it.

 

Some might be magic, but also some are just 'old guitars', yet everyone who's ever owned one had a magic one... similar to what we often see about the Norlin era, I managed to get one of the great ones... etc.. From a purely selfish perspective (and no judgement to anyone else who differs in opinion) but I don't think my playing is so great, so unique or whatever that I have to go looking for the old gold when I could have two great gigging guitars for the same money or less.

 

On an awful lot of clips, the most enticing feature is the time-worn looks more than anything, I have played some that were really decent guitars but just not at the pants-down-bent-over prices folk want to charge. Not for me... besides I can't imagine my skills ever being so honed that a Montana built job wasn't good enough for me.

EuroAussie

EuroAussie

Posted
Posted

I have played some that were really decent guitars but just not at the pants-down-bent-over prices folk want to charge. Not for me... besides I can't imagine my skills ever being so honed that a Montana built job wasn't good enough for me.

 

One day you will have the pleasure of coming across a banner slope that will knock your socks off so hard you will experience the most intense, opium filled rush of GAS you've ever experienced, and you will have to rely on every inch of willpower not to pull out the plastic right there and there on a 10k piece of wood.... just giving you a heads up, as sooner or later it will happen.

 

When you come across the one its the biggest eye opener in terms of how good these boxes can be, and how much more they bring to the table compared to their outstanding modern cousins.

Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil

Posted
Posted

 

You should know James Taylor played J-50 (late 50s-60s ?) with good finger sound out.

 

 

Not to mention all those acoustic Jorma/Hot Tuna tracks played on a 58 or 59 J50.

jedzep

jedzep

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Ummm, Ok. But Jorma and JT can pull tone out of a Mickey Mouse guitar. I got the feeling from Goto's description that he was a casual pastime picker and wasn't looking to tear up the fretboard or the clubs. That's a mid-high end guitar offered for at least 2G's more than today's book value. I was just throwing out a cautionary suggestion, but I'm all for buying above one's skill level. Not saying that this is the case with Goto as I've never heard him play. I've been buying above my skill level since day 1.

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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Ummm, Ok. But Jorma and JT can pull tone out of a Mickey Mouse guitar. I got the feeling from Goto's description that he was a casual pastime picker and wasn't looking to tear up the fretboard or the clubs. That's a mid-high end guitar offered for at least 2G's more than today's book value. I was just throwing out a cautionary suggestion, but I'm all for buying above one's skill level. Not saying that this is the case with Goto as I've never heard him play. I've been buying above my skill level since day 1.

Thank you jedzep for reminding of the price!

But I google all over the world, no single 50s J-45 under 5k or 4.5k (unless wholly beat-up ones with many wounds)

onewilyfool

onewilyfool

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On an awful lot of clips, the most enticing feature is the time-worn looks more than anything, I have played some that were really decent guitars but just not at the pants-down-bent-over prices folk want to charge. Not for me... besides I can't imagine my skills ever being so honed that a Montana built job wasn't good enough for me.

Amen , brother, amen!!

gotomsdos

gotomsdos

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How was the video from Gary?

Oh my benefactor.

He plays well, Maybe the guitar is good, but It's an iphone video, from listening to it, maybe for some reasons of recording gear, or playing style, a bit hard for me to judge its sound from listening to the iphone recording. it's not time to decide.

Big thanks to you, anyway.

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