thejtl Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 First, a little back story: A few years ago I really wanted a J-45. I drove for a couple hours each way around Iowa to try and find one, but I just didn't fall in love with any of them. Along the way, I did find a 2005 Advanced Jumbo that sounded great in the store and ultimately I brought it home. Fast forward a few years and the AJ has been OK, but I never fell in love with it the way I hoped. It was a little bit of a bear to play, and I just never got around to getting the action dealt with because, well, life is short. I gigged with it and honestly I felt a little ostentatious every time I brought it out. It was a little too flashy for me. So it hung on the wall, rarely played. Over that time, I mostly played my $160 Alvarez classical. I have been learning classical, so I had an excuse, but still... On Sunday I needed to go to GC. There's not a GC in my town, I have to drive about 45 minutes up the highway, so I often throw things I might trade in the car with me when I go. GC was having a 15% off trade in deal, so I threw the AJ in the back, just in case. I'd read about the J-15 a little. I knew it was same scale, etc, as the J-45 with different tone woods. I figured I'd play the one they had there just to see what it was like. I knew from the moment I picked it up it felt special. Light--a lot lighter than the AJ--the action was just about perfect and the first G chord rang out the way I hear G chords in my mind. So I put it back on the wall. I got down the J-45 they had (which they've had for years, as far as I know). It's a dog. It sounded like *****. Put it back right away. Tried a Hummingbird Pro they had used. Uck. Tried a couple other guitars for flavor. Nothing special. I picked up the J-15 again. Wow. So I went out to the car and I got the AJ. I put the two guitars side by side and played them back and forth. I liked just about everything about the J15 better than the AJ. Feel, playablity, even sound. So I did it. I traded the AJ for the J-15. Yes, I lost $$ by not selling the AJ, but I sell a lot of stuff on ebay and I lose money as often as I make money and it's often a huge PITA. I also know that every Gibson is a snowflake. It's not just the model number, it's the individual guitar and if that one got away, the next one might not be the one. I got a guitar that I think I'm going to love, one that just felt right to me as soon as I picked it up. That might be worth a little loss. Maybe not. I have a little buyer's remorse, but that's soothed a little every time I pick up the J-15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR GIBS Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 ... mmmmm, gorgeous J15!!! Congratulations. These are fine instruments really! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboyoilman Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Congrats on the new guitar! So awesome you found a guitar you love. I fell in love with my J-15 from the first strum of a G chord as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrains72 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Congrats! Thats a beauty. I bought my J15 a few months ago and I haven't been able to put it down. I'm more partial to playing electric, but the J15 is such a pleasure to play, and sounds so amazing, I look forward to playing it everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 So I did it. I traded the AJ for the J-15. Yes, I lost $$ by not selling the AJ, but I sell a lot of stuff on ebay and I lose money as often as I make money and it's often a huge PITA. I also know that every Gibson is a snowflake. It's not just the model number, it's the individual guitar and if that one got away, the next one might not be the one. I got a guitar that I think I'm going to love, one that just felt right to me as soon as I picked it up. That might be worth a little loss. Maybe not. There is hopefully much more to this guitar stuff than dollars and "sense". I too loath the process of expending my time, energy, & thought in selling items. I've done many trades & lost some potential cash along the way. But within reason, the only thing I truly care about is whether or not the deal moves me in the musical direction I want to go in. Imho, you absolutely did the right thing. Congrats and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 . Nice backside. And a pretty guitar. Congrats. I hope if this one ever needs a setup/work you'll get it done instead of letting it hang around collecting dust. . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejtl Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 . Nice backside. And a pretty guitar. Congrats. I hope if this one ever needs a setup/work you'll get it done instead of letting it hang around collecting dust. . B) . Yeah, I always meant to, but I don't have a set up guy trust here and I didn't trust myself monkeying around with a guitar in that price range, so I never got it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Pretty, pretty! I enjoyed your tale, and congrats on your new addition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randmo Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Had my J-15 seven months... No regrets. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose28 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I've had my J15 for about a month now. Such a dream to play. Makese want to play more. And I do. Such a great tone. Not fussy on the tuners. But it's a small thing in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Mighty fine, play it long and well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Congrats on your J-15, JTL. Reading your post convinced me you did just the right thing. I'm glad you are fine with her, and she's a beauty, too. Happy playing for many years, mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 great guitar..I am now considering my next purchase either the J15 or the J35 the same two I was looking into when I bought the j45. Enjoy that nice guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pittgibson45 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Very nice looking back on that one! Be careful leaving that tuner on the headstock. By the way that oasis humidifier, in my opinion, are the best ones on the market. Congratulations on finding the right guitar for you, regardless of the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I also love my J-15, so much so that I'm becoming more of an acoustic player than electric, my Les Paul's and 335 are rather neglected at the moment. You don't hear of anyone regretting buying a J-15 do you? You'd think Gibson would be wondering if they'd priced them to cheap! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Congratulations! Your beautiful J15 sounds like a sunny day at last! And it is amazing how many people pick up the J45 sitting next to the J15 and find the J45 sounds like ***** ...as you aptly put it in your thread! I also picked up four different J45's to play, and hopefully buy one during the GC 15% off sale...I desperately wanted to add a new J45 to the stall and thought it would be a nice compliment to my Gibby Hummingbird. ....No go. ....Those J45's were probably THE WORST sounding guitars I ever picked up in my life. ...Yes, Gibson certainly does make snowflakes! But for now, and with the J45's I've recently tried out at both GC and local Mom and Pop stores..I intend to stay out of the blizzard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Congratulations! Your beautiful J15 sounds like a sunny day at last! And it is amazing how many people pick up the J45 sitting next to the J15 and find the J45 sounds like ***** ...as you aptly put it in your thread! I also picked up four different J45's to play, and hopefully buy one during the GC 15% off sale...I desperately wanted to add a new J45 to the stall and thought it would be a nice compliment to my Gibby Hummingbird. ....No go. ....Those J45's were probably THE WORST sounding guitars I ever picked up in my life. ...Yes, Gibson certainly does make snowflakes! But for now, and with the J45's I've recently tried out at both GC and local Mom and Pop stores..I intend to stay out of the blizzard! I played a J-15, J-29, J-35 and a J-45 side by side. The 29 and 35 were none starters for me (that's my opinion as I know some people love those guitars), it can down to the J-15 or the 45. They were both great sounding guitar's, the 15 was bright and clear, the 45 a lot more mellow. I could easily have taken them both home, but I couldn't afford to do that! I came home with the J-15, really because that was the one that I'd gone for. No regrets. That was a lovely J-45 though, mmmmm, this could cost me some trips to Shoe shops! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cibby53 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I have a J15, J45 custom and J29... The J29 is my favorite now thanks to a Bob Colosi WHI saddle and bridge pins the Tusq saddle was junk the WHI made the J29 a power house. I put a bone saddle in my J15 that to made a big difference over the Tusq which I don't think is much better than plastic. The J 15 really is a lot different than the other 2 Gibsons I own a great acoustic for a nice price congrats on your new J15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody78 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I just got a J-15 last week (ordered 2nd Nov and it arrived on the 6th). I tried one locally and was blown away by how good it was, so I ordered mine and I have been playing it everyday since. I've had a J-185 for about 3 years now (which I love), but the J-15 just feels and sounds nicer to me. It's my favourite acoustic at the moment & I can't say enough good things about it Congrats on a fine new guitar to the original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson Artist Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 First, a little back story: A few years ago I really wanted a J-45. I drove for a couple hours each way around Iowa to try and find one, but I just didn't fall in love with any of them. Along the way, I did find a 2005 Advanced Jumbo that sounded great in the store and ultimately I brought it home. Fast forward a few years and the AJ has been OK, but I never fell in love with it the way I hoped. It was a little bit of a bear to play, and I just never got around to getting the action dealt with because, well, life is short. I gigged with it and honestly I felt a little ostentatious every time I brought it out. It was a little too flashy for me. So it hung on the wall, rarely played. Over that time, I mostly played my $160 Alvarez classical. I have been learning classical, so I had an excuse, but still... On Sunday I needed to go to GC. There's not a GC in my town, I have to drive about 45 minutes up the highway, so I often throw things I might trade in the car with me when I go. GC was having a 15% off trade in deal, so I threw the AJ in the back, just in case. I'd read about the J-15 a little. I knew it was same scale, etc, as the J-45 with different tone woods. I figured I'd play the one they had there just to see what it was like. I knew from the moment I picked it up it felt special. Light--a lot lighter than the AJ--the action was just about perfect and the first G chord rang out the way I hear G chords in my mind. So I put it back on the wall. I got down the J-45 they had (which they've had for years, as far as I know). It's a dog. It sounded like *****. Put it back right away. Tried a Hummingbird Pro they had used. Uck. Tried a couple other guitars for flavor. Nothing special. I picked up the J-15 again. Wow. So I went out to the car and I got the AJ. I put the two guitars side by side and played them back and forth. I liked just about everything about the J15 better than the AJ. Feel, playablity, even sound. So I did it. I traded the AJ for the J-15. Yes, I lost $$ by not selling the AJ, but I sell a lot of stuff on ebay and I lose money as often as I make money and it's often a huge PITA. I also know that every Gibson is a snowflake. It's not just the model number, it's the individual guitar and if that one got away, the next one might not be the one. I got a guitar that I think I'm going to love, one that just felt right to me as soon as I picked it up. That might be worth a little loss. Maybe not. I have a little buyer's remorse, but that's soothed a little every time I pick up the J-15. Bought a J-15 back in July and no regrets whatsoever on my part. If i was you, i wouldnt have any buyers remorse, you sold a guitar you did not use and bought a guitar you DO use and seemingly love. On a local trip to guitar center i can honestly say the only Gibson that clearly beat the j-15 tone to my ears was the j200. Of course, opinions are subjective and i love the sound of hummingbirds and the j45 true vintage, but J-15 is a such a great instrument for the price. Over 4 months after purchase mine still has that awesome vanilla scent, still havnt gotten around to adding a bone nut but one thing is for certain, this is the best guitar ive ever owned, hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1ues Boy Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I've had my J-15 Walnut now for a few months and love it, I think it is the better sounding of the new Gibson's I still want to put a new Nut and Saddle and put a better pickup in but all in all I'm very happy I like the stock pick-guard but I've been thinking about a Fire stripe pick-guard and locking tuners with white buttons too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherd Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Hi all you lucky J-15 owners! I live a long long way away from the nearest store that carry the J-15. Any owner out there who can tell me the thickness of the neck on the J-15? The only specs I can find is the width and the profile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenverSteve Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I own one and couldn't tell you the neck thickness on it or any of my other guitars. However (and for me the only thing) the tone, volume and playability with these and most Gibsons is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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