Cougar Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Finally got a Gibson - a 2015 Custom Shop J-45 Flamed Maple. It's got some nice abalone-type inlays on the dot fret markers and the Gibson logo on the headstock. The red stain could have been a little more translucent but I'm not complaining. When it came in, the action was rather high, and the neck was bowed a bit. After a setup, OK! Nice thumpy bass, good balance across all strings, which ring out quite well. And the rosewood fretboard was not real light like pictured in the ad - It's got a very nce rosewood hue. Pleased with my first Gibson!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 What a gem! Fantastic maple! JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozz Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Well done, man! That's a great looking guitar. I like the vintage style Sta-Tite's much more than the big heavy Rotomatics. Looks like a great acquisition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Enjoy in good health! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Beautifullllll. Congrats Cougar... I forgot you were a big Epi guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 People, do you remember your first Gibson? It's gotta be a happy NGGD/Weekend for Mr Cougar. . . and judging by your presence here on the 'board, a long time comin'. It was only last night that I was just looking (yeah, "just looking"- we know how that usually ends) at the maple J-45's on Wildwood's site- they have 4 new, and one used. A Maple would normally be a tough way to enter J-45land, but considering Cougar's Epiphone Experience, I'm sure the transition will be all good. Yes, congrats indeed. Now we dare you to share a clip (preferably something lighter than Greg (Wildwood) Koch's bill of fare) ! It looks great, and the (Wine Red?) finish must surely come alive at night. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 That will get some attention. The only maple J-45 I've ever played was a 1944 Banner. It was dry and punchy, with a quick decay, very different from its mahogany cousins, but in a good way. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 I’m a huge fan of Maple slopes. I played a Maple J45 many years ago and fell in love with it, and have been chasing a Maple slope ever since, eventually ending up with a Maple CS AJ as you know. I love the way that the roundness and warmth of a slope dread compliments the Maple tone and really brings out a three dimensional projection. I hope you enjoy this one for many years to come-she looks like a beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Beautiful guitar! I’ve never had my hands on a J45 maple. When JT made his CD using the Banners, he had us pick our favorite guitar sounding number without knowing which guitar was used. I chose the maple. Since then I’ve noticed that just sitting alone and playing I prefer the sound of RW but when recording the maple wins hands down. I have maple in other models and really like them. Enjoy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Congrats! Unique in looks and tone. We have a winner ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Congrats! Play and enjoy. The maple body Banner J-45s are one of the "Holy Grails" in Gibson Land. The finish on yours brings to mind an early spruce top Guild D-25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted June 30, 2018 Author Share Posted June 30, 2018 Thanks, guys! Gee, I really feel part of the club now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Wow, that is beautiful. I like the uniform color, front, back and sides all the same. Just lovely to look at. I have never played a maple guitar of any kind. I'm very curious to hear one in person. Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirNed Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Congrats on your first Gibson, Cougar! Enjoy your unique J-45, and I hope it inspires a slew of new tunes for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 . . . When JT made his CD using the Banners, he had us pick our favorite guitar sounding number without knowing which guitar was used. I chose the maple. Since then I’ve noticed that just sitting alone and playing I prefer the sound of RW but when recording the maple wins hands down. It does seem that you are not alone in the observation that maple records well- the same preference turned up for the maple J-45 when I did a little demo of some 1940's slopes (J-45 mahogany top, J-45 maple, and SJ), all strung with strings of the same type and age. They did have a little problem with finish delamination back then. . . this was one person's fix for that: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Very nice! The characteristics of a maple body are typically my flavor of choice. Great first Gibson pick !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 . More maple! . I like the color. Congrats and enjoy! . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Congrats on your beautiful catch, Cougar! A guitar playing, sounding and looking nice is one of the finest things on Earth. Enjoy playing her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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