KKV Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 Hi All. I mostly play acoustic of late, but started my Gibson relationship with a Les Paul Custom made in 1981. Heavy beast, but I love it. Have spent the last several years playing more acoustic in church settings and local venues. I'm also a vocalist and a strummer and not much of a picker. My Guild of 20 years has a neck issue and I'm not sure the cost of repair (and no guarantee of repair) is worth it. I'm up to date on the Gibson journey from Guitar Maker to "Lifestyle Audio Company" and whatever other roads they tried to find. I'm down with Ren Ferguson's legacy and what that meant to the brand. I'm also down with the bankruptcy issue and that leads me to my question. I'm looking at a 2016 J29 (mahogany / rosewood) which is new. I'm also looking at a 2005 Songwriter Studio (Walnut / rosewood) and could be happy with either. And I get it...whatever feels good in the hand and feels right is the right choice. I'm more curious if anyone can talk about what Gibson might have been experiencing in 2005 versus 2016 in terms of materials and craftsmanship. Was 2005 a good material and "happy maker" time? Was 2016 more tortured as the company was spiraling financially with perhaps lesser materials and builder morale? Am I over thinking this? I'm in the $2K range and while I've seen some J35 and J45's out there...that don't feel right to me. Appreciate any feedback on this quandry. KKV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 I think you are overthinking it. Quality today is A plus. I also own a 2009 J45-TV. Great craftsmanship. Owned a few early 2000s birds as well... no issues. the J29 is short scale FYI. I’m not sure the songwriter is. Both those guitars can be had for $1500 and less I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKV Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 Good input. Thank you. Anyone else? More is more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) Get what you can afford. Play it before you buy if at all possible or try to have a return policy. Be patient. You should be able to find a used J-45 for 2k. What Guild and what is wrong with the neck? Almost anything can be fixed. Those things are build like tanks. I just sold a 32 year old one and it could stop a rhino charging full on if whacked it in the snoot. Edited December 24, 2019 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Among my Gibson acoustics, I can get pretty close to the years you're considering. I have a LG-1 limited edition (with LG-2 bracing) made in 2006, and a J-50 'custom shop' made in 2015. My observation would be that the basic build-quality is very similar. Other forum members may be able to provide specifics, but in general I would think the essential workings of the shop floor did not change much after Ren's departure. Hope whatever you end up with is a winner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard McCoy Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) I find that since Ren Furgeson's revival of the acoustics department Gibson make their best, most consistent acoustic guitars with all the knowledge, techniques, and foresight of modern luthiers but never forgetting their rich legacy. Speaking of Ren... Edited December 24, 2019 by Leonard McCoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 That is wicked cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Leonard, that guitar is pretty amazing. Ren's signature under the top is something to treasure. I wonder why they refer to that as the "bathtub" logo in the notes on the neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKV Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 11 hours ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Get what you can afford. Play it before you buy if at all possible or try to have a return policy. Be patient. You should be able to find a used J-45 for 2k. What Guild and what is wrong with the neck? Almost anything can be fixed. Those things are build like tanks. I just sold a 32 year old one and it could stop a rhino charging full on if whacked it in the snoot. It was explained to me that the neck has developed a twist. High E and B strings between frets 7 and 10 do not ring clean and are making contact with the frets in front and behind. ( if that makes sense.). The repair would be a full neck removal and because Guilds are tanks as you suggest it would be a gnarly effort with no guarantee for a perfect outcome. In the interim I am having the saddle replaced with hopes for more clearance to buy some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Yeah twists are bad. Can you level those frets to get anymore clearance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKV Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 13 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Yeah twists are bad. Can you level those frets to get anymore clearance? Tech has it and working on it. We shall see. I’ve got the bug now so I think even with a reasonable repair I’m still itchy for a Gibson to acquire. The 2005 Songwriter Deluxe is very clean and I’m staring at it. Any thoughts on age of wood for a 15 year old guitar versus something newer? They do mellow with time yes? Appreciate the input. Happy Holidays all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 I will let others far more experienced with Bozeman-made guitars fill you in on happy times and materials and such. With regard to your Guild, while yours was built under Fender ownership it was still birthed in the Westerly, RI factory which would only remain open for another two years. How much work to deal with the neck depends on whether it is the truss rod or the neck wood which is twisted. Not sure why the heavier build impacts ease or difficulty of repair. A dovetail joint is a dovetail joint. But I addition to dealing with the saddle you might try putzing with the truss rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) I've played a few SW's and they are nice. I prefer the dread shaped Gibbys to the slopes. My Guild JF-30 was massive like the Gibson SJ's. Just to darn big for me to wield. Loved that maple snap though. Edited December 24, 2019 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 4 hours ago, Leonard McCoy said: I find that since Ren Furgeson's revival of the acoustics department Gibson make their best, most consistent acoustic guitars with all the knowledge, techniques, and foresight of modern luthiers but never forgetting their rich legacy. Speaking of Ren... What a treasure! Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) Regardless of when the guitar was made, what materials the guitar is made out of or what the company was going through at any particular period in time, what's most important, as you pointed out already, is how the guitar feels and sounds in YOUR hands. I'd much prefer a guitar that was from one of Gibsons worst periods historically as long as it sounded and felt amazing, over a guitar that came from a supposed high point in the company's history that sounds like garbage. Edited December 24, 2019 by sbpark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Anything from '89 onwards (Bozeman era) is generally going to be a well put together instrument with decent tone. I've owned a ton of Gibsons from this era and have come across very few duff examples. My advice would be to get it in your hands and make sure you love it before you shell out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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