SonofSkywalker Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Hello everyone I'm about to go out and try a J15 & J35 this will be my first Gibson purchase (I currently own a Taylor 414ce) I was wondering if you had any advice or anything I need to look out for ? I can't make my mind up looking at both the specs which to choose so I'm going with a completely open mind and see which one I like the best I love my Taylor but as I have small hands I like the idea of the shorter scale on the J's Any thoughts or advice would be great Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldStyleBlues Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 I just had a new J-15 delivered to me a few hours ago. I don't think you'd go wrong with either. If you can play them side by side, then pick the one that you like better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Read this board for a while. Whatever model you choose, be sure to check the bridge plate underneath. Play as many as you can and decide what how much you're willing to spend. Some cheaper guitars -- J15, J35 -- have been getting higher ratings than many other higher end models (at least for the money). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phelonious Ponk Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 My advice is after you've had the J-35 or J-15 home for awhile, polish the Taylor, change strings, sit her up on a stand with a little bit of dramatic light breaking across her lower bout. After a couple of days in the house with a J-XX, she's gonna need to feel pretty. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I'd suggest you try a J-45 as well. Two of the best guitars I've ever played in my life were standard J-45 models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvguit Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 My advice is after you've had the J-35 or J-15 home for awhile, polish the Taylor, change strings, sit her up on a stand with a little bit of dramatic light breaking across her lower bout. After a couple of days in the house with a J-XX, she's gonna need to feel pretty. P Well said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I preferred the sound oh the J15 to the J35 at Russo's. It's a tad less tinny. I think both are great instruments at great pricing! Can't wait to see which one you pick, and your NGD pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 My advice is after you've had the J-35 or J-15 home for awhile, polish the Taylor, change strings, sit her up on a stand with a little bit of dramatic light breaking across her lower bout. After a couple of days in the house with a J-XX, she's gonna need to feel pretty. P That about sums it up...lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Gibson's slope-shoulder D is a venerable design, with enough response to fingerpick and enough oomph to flatpick. Between the two, the '35 is going to have a chunker neck which a lot of us prefer but which may take some getting used to after a Taylor. And the 15's walnut back and sides are going to less 'ringy' than the 3's mahogany --mmv on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug the Old Geezer Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I own a J-35 and it is awesome. I agree with the others, whether it is J-15, J-29, J-35 or J-45, the J's will turn you over to the G side. Try them all out if you have a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Looking at specs is not going to tell you a thing about sound. But they are a great place to start if you are concerned about playability such as nut width, neck profile and string spread at the bridge. I would imagine these will come far more into play in terms of you having, as you say, small hands than scale. Opinions - well you know the old saying about those. We buy what works for us and sometimes you will go through a bunch of guitars before you hit on the guitar that has everything just right. It is all part of the learning process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofSkywalker Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thanks for all the replies Some very interesting points and thoughts I must admit when I bought my Taylor it was pretty much a rushed impulse buy and in hindsight it probably wasn't the best purchase I find the neck a bit to wide and scale length to long in the first few frets for my small hands But as you say you live and learn I should have tried way more guitars before I bought the Taylor but as I've only been playing for a year or so I didn't really know any better I'm really looking forward to trying out some Gibson J's this week I probably won't have the luxury of playing loads and picking from a few as there's only 1 gibson dealer where I live. I could order online but it might be taking a leap of faith on whether I get a good guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibsonjunkie Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Don't be disappointed if you play one and it isn't everything you expect. While Gibson's quality control is doing quite well, there can be inconsistencies between guitars. Play a few and you'll find one that's perfect for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Read this board for a while. Whatever model you choose, be sure to check the bridge plate underneath. Play as many as you can and decide what how much you're willing to spend. Some cheaper guitars -- J15, J35 -- have been getting higher ratings than many other higher end models (at least for the money). I'm curious Smurfbird, what do you need to check for on the bridge plate, is there something specific we need to be looking out for? Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I'm curious Smurfbird, what do you need to check for on the bridge plate, is there something specific we need to be looking out for? Ian read the thread about Bridge plate holes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natstrat79 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Two weeks ago I bought my first Gibson as well. I went to the few shops in my area and played everything in my price range I was looking at a few Gibsons and Martins and played two J45s, two J35s, J15, Martin OM-21, Martin D-18, and a 1972 Martin D-28. Of those I picked a J35. The J15 was a close second but I liked the bigger neck and more aggressive sound of the J35. As others have said sometimes you have to try a few. Both of the J45s were pretty mediocre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Definitely get a Gibson. Each one has its own personality. Each one is different from the next. You and I can each buy a Hummingbird and the two guitars will not be identical, and that's because they're Gibsons. Mine will be like me and yours will be like you. Gibsons ARE NOT cut out of a cookie cutter like so many of their competitors, although many of their competitors are also very well-made guitars. I'm not knocking Gibson's competitors, I'm just saying Gibsons are different and they're made to be that way. And don't get too caught-up in all of the talk about "consistency." I personally don't want my Gibson to be built exactly like, sound exactly like, feel exactly like everyone else's. Gibsons consistently run "good, better, best." Only you can make "your" decision on what the best one is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofSkywalker Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Well after playing several Gibson J series in local guitar store today and after taking time with each one. I listened to each of them with me playing and the guy in the store played them for a while then took some time out to weigh up which I liked the best.... The result I'm now the proud owner of a brand new Gibson J35 I've had some time today to play it at home and it sounds even sweeter than in the store It looks amazing sounds great and I love the overall feel of it, the action is a little higher than I like but the tech at the store said play it for a couple of weeks let it settle to its new home then take it in to the store and he'll adjust the saddle and lower the action. And as mentioned in one of the earlier replies my Taylor is polished and hanging on the wall for now... The J35 just seems sweeter sounding more dynamic and more responsive I'm truly won over Thanks for all the advice guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Those J-35s are full out wonderful guitars. Your guitar tech was right - let it settle into its new environs for a short spell, then get it "dialed in". Yee-haw ! Congrats ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Congrats! Enjoy your new guitar. I hope you have it for many years and it grows along with you as a player. We all know how much fun it is to get a new guitar. But we should all appreciate the joy of bonding with an instrument and enjoying it through the many years and changes. That said, don't be surprised if you find yourself curious about another model. That's normal, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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