SJ45 & WM45

[PickitPaul]

Just thought I'd have a compare between the two Gibson's I have, both J45's in essence, but named and look different. I took them on my Flip camera, and have both picked and finger picked styles. Which one do you like the tone of better?

 

SJ is a 1991, and the WM is from 2003. I think they both have similar bracing - but the WM seems to have a tighter angle to bracing at soundhole and closer to sound hole not shifted as far back as the SJ.

 

Flatpicked

http://www.youtube.com/embed/kNfAhNHkxlY?rel=0&controls=0

http://www.youtube.com/embed/HiIUuvul9gE?rel=0&controls=0

 

Bare Fingerpicked

http://www.youtube.com/embed/hK6Y0XHDxlo

http://www.youtube.com/embed/NiNEQUy-Jkw

[Jalex]

I preferred the Working Man seemed to project more and had more note definition to my ears.

[duluthdan]

Sweets sounding SJ - would get all of my playing time - very nice.

[62burst]

The WM sounded a little punchier- does it have more string break at the bridge? I'm a big fan of the WM's- especially the non-gloss tops, which don't require the thicker finish. The SJ might've had more of the classic J-45 mids. . are they both strung with the same strings?

 

Thanks for doing that comparo- it is a chore to put one together. Also- removing the "s" from the youtube https should allow the vids to post as viewable in the thread.

[j45nick]

Nice!

 

The WM is a little punchier flat-picked, the SJ a little smoother but articulate finger-picked.

 

Those don't look like factory pickguards to me. Who made them for you?

[PickitPaul]

The WM sounded a little punchier- does it have more string break at the bridge? I'm a big fan of the WM's- especially the non-gloss tops, which don't require the thicker finish. The SJ might've had more of the classic J-45 mids. . are they both strung with the same strings?

 

Thanks for doing that comparo- it is a chore to put one together. Also- removing the "s" from the youtube https should allow the vids to post as viewable in the thread.

 

Yes I think the WM has a punchier and brighter tone. Strings are different, Vintage Bronze 13's GHS on WM, and Martin Retro .13's on the SJ. Both are old strings but WM45 are a bit newer.

[PickitPaul]

Nice!

 

The WM is a little punchier flat-picked, the SJ a little smoother but articulate finger-picked.

 

Those don't look like factory pickguards to me. Who made them for you?

 

 

The WM is a bit brighter too, and the SJ has smooth more blended sound with bigger bass. Neck profile is different on them with the SJ more round (thicker) and WM is round also but thinner, which could be why bass is deeper on the SJ.

 

I changed out pickguards on both. SJ was made by firestripe pickguards, and the WM I cut myself from a square of material I got from Stu Mac. Also changed out the tuners for Waverly ivory button.

[livemusic]

To me, the WM is light years better than the SJ flat picked. I thought the SJ is better fingerstyle. Interesting.

[j45nick]

Yes I think the WM has a punchier and brighter tone. Strings are different, Vintage Bronze 13's GHS on WM, and Martin Retro .13's on the SJ. Both are old strings but WM45 are a bit newer.

 

 

Those are very different strings, which renders the comparison less meaningful. The Martin Retros are monel, which tends to be a brighter and can be slightly harsh when newer. They're essentially nickel alloy, and give an old-timey, edgier sound, especially when new. I used nickel strings on my L-7 archtop to accentuate the classic archtop "honk", and I used to use them in the late 1960's on my J-45, in medium or heavy gauge, to compete with D-18's for volume and cut.

 

The GHS Vintage bronze is an 80/15 high copper/zinc winding which is likely to be halfway between 80/20 bronze and phosphor bronze in tone.

 

Sorry, but your comparison here doesn't mean that much when it comes to comparing the fundamental character of the two guitars.

 

Try it again using the same strings of the same age on the two guitars.