Phelonious Ponk Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 I'm a lucky guy; there's a 5-star Gibson dealer close enough to visit on lunch hour. Today they had a Jackson Browne, and of course I played it. The thing was gorgeous. Loved the little snowflake inlays and the fretboard binding. Good feeling neck. Can't say I really felt the extra nut width, but the profile was nice. Here's the odd thing -- it sounded like my Original Jumbo. Seriously. If I had them side by side to go back and forth between them, I'm sure there would be a difference to be heard, but they are close enough, Much closer, for example, than the OJ is to a J-45, standard or TV. Which is to say it has a bigger, deeper bottom end, rounder, fatter, less jangly trebles, and a bit more sustain than any J-45 I've played. I've often thought from a distance that the Jackson Browne is the one guitar I might sell the OJ to acquire, but I wouldn't give up the 2 frets for it, I'm afraid. They're just too much alike, and the OJ had a bit more punch and headroom when pushed hard. Lovely guitar, though. Beautiful design, beautifully executed. If I didn't have the OJ, I'd have GAS. P
livemusic Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 Tis a gorgeous guitar, I got one! With the man's handwritten sig mojo to boot!
blindboygrunt Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 One of the nicest looking guitars out there I think. But the big neck scares me , as does the price tag
Phelonious Ponk Posted April 23, 2014 Author Posted April 23, 2014 One of the nicest looking guitars out there I think. But the big neck scares me , as does the price tag Not that big of a neck. Feels slim compared to the big soft V on my OJ. P
blindboygrunt Posted April 24, 2014 Posted April 24, 2014 Not that big of a neck. Feels slim compared to the big soft V on my OJ. P I have a lowden guitar that is only a couple mm's wider than the Gibson.it is bothersome to play. I wrap my thumb for low E. Is this why neck widths bother some folk and not others ?
Danner Posted April 24, 2014 Posted April 24, 2014 There are very nice. But, after playing my SJ for a while and picking up the D21, it feels a bit like playing the gridiron at Lambeau Field, LOL.
blindboygrunt Posted April 24, 2014 Posted April 24, 2014 There are very nice. But, after playing my SJ for a while and picking up the D21, it feels a bit like playing the gridiron at Lambeau Field, LOL. So how does it fell slim to phelonious pink ?
62burst Posted April 24, 2014 Posted April 24, 2014 BBG; I think I had the same perception of the JB neck as Danner/P Ponk... that is, that nut width is only one measurement lending to the overall comfort/feel of the neck. The profile just wasn't there for me, which changes where the parts of the thumb and base of the index finger contact the neck when you're playing. Things "close up", and it didn't seem like I was getting the reaches and the comfort of a chunkier neck. String spacing only amplified this. That's one reason why I moved the Jackson Browne on. Beautiful to look at, though ; ).
Dave F Posted April 24, 2014 Posted April 24, 2014 The neck was a little bit to get use to but I've decide a variety of shapes keeps my hands in better shape and exposes me to more types of guitars. I felt I was putting myself in a rut by narrowing myself down to just a certain profile. Now I feel I can move from one to another fairly easy. Love my JB signature, one of the 1st 100.
fortyearspickn Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 The neck was a little bit to get use to but I've decide a variety of shapes keeps my hands in better shape and exposes me to more types of guitars. I felt I was putting myself in a rut by narrowing myself down to just a certain profile. Now I feel I can move from one to another fairly easy. Love my JB signature, one of the 1st 100. Really excellent, interesting observation. Thanks Dave. Now I need to figure out how to frame this concept as an argument for another guitar to my business manager who is also an Occupational Therapist. Seriously - it makes perfect sense. Tnx, Jim
nid2007 Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 I love mine. When purchased, I thought it would be a specialty-type guitar in my collection due to the nut width, perhaps just used for finger-picking. Much to my surprise and enjoyment, it is now my go-to guitar for almost everything. And wow it sings in an open e flat/D# tuning! I'm a lucky guy; there's a 5-star Gibson dealer close enough to visit on lunch hour. Today they had a Jackson Browne, and of course I played it. The thing was gorgeous. Loved the little snowflake inlays and the fretboard binding. Good feeling neck. Can't say I really felt the extra nut width, but the profile was nice. Here's the odd thing -- it sounded like my Original Jumbo. Seriously. If I had them side by side to go back and forth between them, I'm sure there would be a difference to be heard, but they are close enough, Much closer, for example, than the OJ is to a J-45, standard or TV. Which is to say it has a bigger, deeper bottom end, rounder, fatter, less jangly trebles, and a bit more sustain than any J-45 I've played. I've often thought from a distance that the Jackson Browne is the one guitar I might sell the OJ to acquire, but I wouldn't give up the 2 frets for it, I'm afraid. They're just too much alike, and the OJ had a bit more punch and headroom when pushed hard. Lovely guitar, though. Beautiful design, beautifully executed. If I didn't have the OJ, I'd have GAS. P
Phelonious Ponk Posted April 25, 2014 Author Posted April 25, 2014 I have a lowden guitar that is only a couple mm's wider than the Gibson.it is bothersome to play. I wrap my thumb for low E. Is this why neck widths bother some folk and not others ? I think it feels relatively slim to me because my OJ has a ball bat on it with a soft V on the back. The soft V does make it good for dropping the thumb over the top, though. I had a Lowden; a walnut O. That had a big D-shaped neck. It almost demanded thumb behind the neck technique (unless you're Richard Thompaon and have 6" thumbs). The J Browne was a bit D shape, but I don't think it was as chunky as the Lowden. You should try to play one. Or just drop six grand on the latest run of OJs, :). They have the V neck, 1 3/4" at the nut, the Adi top, the deep body. Over the last couple of days I've looked at the specs of the various runs of OJs and the Jackson Browne. The fact that they sound alike is making a lot more sense. By the way, the current run of OJs is an attempt at a re-creation of an original vintage one, and a very limited run. The last couple runs (mine is '03, I believe ther was an '07 run) are just great guitars. You should be able to pick one up in VG++ condition for a couple of grand if you can find one. P
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