luke3026 Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 So I've been casually searching for a Gibson J45 for a while now, and one pops up for sale not too far from me so I go see it. It looks great, feels great, sounds great, with the classic Gibson sound I've been looking for. Price was right, so I buy it. Serial number dates it to June, 20, 1990, an early Bozeman model. So now I'm reading up on Fullerplast and paddle cut necks and it gets me to worrying. Being a mid-year 1990 guitar, I'm assuming it's Fullerplast. I can't really tell but if you look really closely, I suppose there is a feint "orange peel" look to it. Is this really a tone-killer? I've read threads on these and other forums criticizing Fullerplast, but very little talk on it's actual affect on tone. And the paddle cut neck -- difficult and expensive to reset? This guitar is almost 25 years old and the neck shows no signs of needing a reset, but still. I'm sure I'm overthinking this to a large degree, but are these really things to worry about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogeye Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 Your guitar is Fullerplast. It isn't a tone killer finish it's just not easy to repair when damaged. Please don't try to refinish your guitar as you will ruin the guitar. If you feel you can't live with it just sell it and buy a guitar that you like. Many would kill to have that guitar. The paddle cut was designed to eliminate the need for neck resets. You will probably never need one. Gibson quit using it as it was too costly to produce on their production line. If you do need the neck reset it can be removed as easily as any other dovetail neck joint. You just need to find a luthier that knows what the paddle cut is and how it works. You have a great guitar from a wonderful era of Gibson history. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke3026 Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Thanks, Hogeye. That's what I wanted to know. The finish has a couple nicks here and there and a small finish crack on the on the back. But nothing I can't live with so repairing the finish is a non-issue for me (I don't mind a little honest wear on my guitars). So as long as it doesn't negatively influence the sound of the guitar, I'm fine with it. And I took measurements and the neck angle is perfect at the moment, so I think I'm in good shape. Like I said, I tend to overthink and over-research things. So I guess it's time to shut up, play the thing and be happy. I'll post some pics later tonight. And I love the original funky brown/pink case with the weird extra flap of padding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke3026 Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Here it is: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 I think RAR said in the past…that these early Bozeman acoustics were completely hand build, pre-CNC machines…a real luthier built guitar, where they made every part by hand...…I think you got a good one!!! Weren't Kopp and Walker working at the factory at these times? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogsPart2 Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 That is a killer guitar! Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubee Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Cool guitar. Since to you it "looks great, feels great, sounds great" maybe just forget about things you may have heard or read & just enjoy it? There are some very nice Gibsons from that period. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickie Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Looks like a lovely guitar to me! Hope you get lots of enjoyment playing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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