Brian O 0 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Hey guys! New to the forum and about to buy my first Gibson. However. I'd like to pose a question, if I may, to those who are not "emotionally invested" in this situation. First some background context. I went to put a J45 standard on Lay-a-way. My mind was set on it. I'd gone to play it multiple times, it was as good as mine in my head! Ha! Anyway, the day I was there the salesman was putting a SJ special 12 fret on the floor. I asked what the story was on it and he explained someone else had put it on layaway and when they came to pick it up they noticed it had been "dinged" on the top side of the lower bout, so they decided against purchasing it. I played the thing and man, it sounds and feels sooo good.The guy said he would do it at the same price as the j45 since it did have the blemish.I immediately put it on layaway (after sitting and playing it for almost an hour) as an impulse. I knew nothing about this guitar, but figured a J45 standard is common, and if I change my mind it's easy to find one and I'd never seen this 12 fret, listed as custom shop before. Of course I get home and Google it, and see its a limited edition, rave reviews etc..now I am here asking for level headed help!! Is this a good deal or should I pass on it?? The ding is pretty deep,maybe about the diameter of a straw, but the sound is sooo good. I just don't want the ding to deteriorate more in the future. Thoughts? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie King 3 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 i got one that has a funny finish spot on the peghead just above the tuners on that bass side so you can see it. I did not see until I got home. I got a great price on the guitar and it sounds so very good and plays so well that I am not looking back. My L-00 that I got of CL 4 or 5 year ago had an issue with the finish, but heck when I am done with these guitars there is going to be a lot more issues with the finish even if I continue to take great care of these instruments. They are made to be played so you got your mojo out of the box so to speak especially if the give you a discount because of the "blemish". Too many folks see their guitars as works of art alone and not something to free your soul. Don't let the guitar own you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duluthdan 84 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Not many of these around. For me the 'ding' would not prevent the acquisition if it had the sound I liked. Good luck with the decision ! Your fundamental question has no correct answer. Should I buy the J-45 that I like, or the 12 fret SJ that I lake. You cannot go wrong either way - but if you let that 12 fretted slip away, it could be a long time before you see another. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jedzep 152 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 The gods have shined down on you! No more needs to be said. Forty years from now that ding will still be there, probably with a few more, but you'll own a rare and magical guitar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
onewilyfool 81 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 If you are not used to a 12 fret…..please play it a bit more, see where it sits on your lap, where your arm rests on the lower bout, etc…..I love the sounds of 12 frets, but some are hard to position comfortably……but congrats!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jedzep 152 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 If you are not used to a 12 fret…..please play it a bit more, see where it sits on your lap, where your arm rests on the lower bout, etc…..I love the sounds of 12 frets, but some are hard to position comfortably……but congrats!!  No problem...if you always play with a strap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian O 0 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 If you are not used to a 12 fret…..please play it a bit more, see where it sits on your lap, where your arm rests on the lower bout, etc…..I love the sounds of 12 frets, but some are hard to position comfortably……but congrats!! I've had two previous 12 frets albeit they were 0 size bodies. I really like the feel of those necks but, I do slightly think that a larger body like that looks "strange" having less neck sticking out from the body. It's amazing how much difference two frets makes in the appearance of the neck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jedzep 152 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Looks matter? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian O 0 Posted July 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Looks matter? Â No. I just meant that it kinda makes the body look larger than it really is. Which isn't a bad thing. :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slinky1 6 Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I don't know how level headed I am, because I'm crazy over my Southern Jumbo 12 fret. Get it and don't look back. I play my guitars and don't worry about dings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smurfbird 6 Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Getting money off for a superficial ding is the best deal of all. You'll be putting your own blessed dings on the guitar if you play it the way it's meant to be played. So, enjoy the savings and the chance to own a special guitar that you know you like. If the issue had been structural that would be a totally different argument. But a ding? A great way to get a few bucks off! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B1ues Boy 0 Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I have a Gibson Southern Jumbo 12 Fret Special if it sounds as good as mine buy it and run  make a offer below what they want and see if they go for it  But don't walk away from a great guitar if it is truly great Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian O 0 Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Picked her up today at lunch! She's sitting here by me at work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modoc_333 28 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Picked her up today at lunch! She's sitting here by me at work! Â Â Congratulations! Pics or it didn't happen! Â Â Â -Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slinky1 6 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Congratulations! Yes, pics are a must. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duluthdan 84 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 For cool ! We know what you are going to be doing all weekend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie King 3 Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 I got to play mine at an old time gig last night. It has the sound that I love and is mixes well with the banjo and the fiddles. They are great guitars. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian O 0 Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Played mine for hours last night. And a bit this morning. I'm trying to upload pics but, it keeps telling me they're too large. I can't seem to resize them correctly from my phone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duluthdan 84 Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Here's the info on posting pics: http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/11005-sticky-how-to-post-photos/ I'd love to see your NG. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian O 0 Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Finally, some photos!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j45nick 468 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Love the look of that small burst! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
62burst 144 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Nice. And a 12 fret SJ is a whole lotta J-45 tone for your "first" Gibson slope. Hopefully, you got to play that one alongside the J-45 that almost came home with you. Or just give a listen to one after your ears get accustomed to the SoJo. Â Love the small burst here, too. A plus that the location of the chip that helped bring down the guitar's cost just happens to be located not only in the "arm go" area, but also in the dark area of the burst, making it fairly straight forward to do a repair to lessen the visual impact should you ever feel so inclined. Here's the Stewart-MacDonald video with Dan Erlewine demonstrating: Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTVScFJoe24 Â Happy NGD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jedzep 152 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Nice looking work of art, Brian. Congratulations! Oh yeah, you might have ruined my summer, too. G.A.S. is rearing it's ugly head for the first time in 2 years. Good thing they've run out of these. What...something like only 60 made? Wow! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duluthdan 84 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Brian - big fan of that guitar. Looks oh so inviting. I can only imagine how good it will sound in a year once the nitro cures a bit Great find. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j45nick 468 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Nice. And a 12 fret SJ is a whole lotta J-45 tone for your "first" Gibson slope. Hopefully, you got to play that one alongside the J-45 that almost came home with you. Or just give a listen to one after your ears get accustomed to the SoJo. Â Love the small burst here, too. A plus that the location of the chip that helped bring down the guitar's cost just happens to be located not only in the "arm go" area, but also in the dark area of the burst, making it fairly straight forward to do a repair to lessen the visual impact should you ever feel so inclined. Here's the Stewart-MacDonald video with Dan Erlewine demonstrating: Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTVScFJoe24 Â Happy NGD. Â Â Not sure how much you got off the price for the ding, but my luthier would make that completely disappear for about $50. If he were doing other work on one of my guitars, he probably wouldn't even charge me, since it's in the black. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.