J-45 Vintage Neck vs 1942 Banner J-45

[pcf]

Anyone know if these have identical necks?

[zombywoof]

DaveF here has a pretty good handle on Bozeman neck specs.  So hopefully he will chime in.

Anyway,

The Wildwood site gives the '42 J45 as:  1.725" nut; .880" depth at the 1st  and .940" depth at the 9th.

The J45 Vintage specs I found here are: 1.725" nut; .880" depth at the 1st and .960" depth at the 9th

So if these are correct,  the difference would be the neck on the J45 Vintage has a slightly thicker taper.  

[Dave F]

I'm surprised the '42 J-45 has those dimensions with a V profile.   https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/ACCFN1635/1942-Banner-J-45/Vintage-Sunburst

I have the '42 SJ with the C profile .850"/.912"/1.780". Close to the specs Wildwood shows. Very comfortable.  https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/ACCKK1699/1942-Banner-Southern-Jumbo/Vintage-Sunburst

I have nothing personally on the J-45 Vintage. There's been so many variations of that nomenclature. 

Here's a true vintage that lists a slim taper  http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Round-Shoulder/Gibson-Acoustic/J-45-True-Vintage/Specs.aspx

Here's a J-45 Vintage listing a round profile https://images.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Guitars/2018/J-45-Vintage-2018/Press/Documents/J45-Vintage-One-Sheet.pdf http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/2017/J-45-Vintage.aspx

If the '42 J45 and the J45 Vintage have the same nut width (1.72") and similar neck depth, based on my experience I would think the shape would make a big enough difference.

 

Edited January 7, 2021 by Dave F

[zombywoof]

Trying to get a handle on the specs of a Gibson built before 1950 is like trying to nail jello to a tree.  And Bozeman has its own ideas as to what sounds best and what neck carves are most user friendly.  So in their world a J45 with a Banner,  20 frets and a neck with a slimmer carve than what was used in the 1950s makes all the sense in the world.  

Edited January 7, 2021 by zombywoof

[Sgt. Pepper]

.960" minus .940"  = .02"

So are we talking about .02 inches or 2/100th of an inch which is 1/50th of an inch or .508mm if you use the metric system.

So we are discussing a .02 inch taper. I am sure none of us can tell the difference if we did a side by side and held both in our hands.

Edited January 7, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper

[Dave F]

13 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

.960" minus .940"  = .02"

So are we talking about .02 inches or 2/100th of an inch which is 1/50th of an inch or .508mm if you use the metric system.

So we are discussing a .02 inch taper. I am sure none of us can tell the difference if we did a side by side and held both in our hands.

I agree if they’re the same shape and width .02” shouldn’t be a big deal.  The depth is just one piece of the equation. A few years ago I pigeon holed myself into liking only one size/shape which was a mistake. I now have a wide variety even though I still like some better than others I can go from one to another without issues. The only one I physically had a problem with was a certain Martin shape that would give me hand pain if if played it over 30 minutes. I’ve since found some nice Martin ones that I really like.  As I’m getting older I seem to be getting rid of the larger necks especially if they’re a very large Vee with a 1.820” nut. My J45 Legend has one of those baseball necks that doesn’t bother me but I’m not going to be wrapping my thumb around it to hit that top string. 

[pcf]

I’m referring to the J-45 Vintage with a baked top made somewhere from 2012-2019.  I like the neck.  Just curious how these new reissue necks compare.  
 

DaveF, It appears your rosewood 42 Southern Jumbo reissue has a slimmer neck.  How do you like it’s tone?

[Dave F]

Great but I’m a big rosewood fan.  I’ve went through quite a few Gibson rosewood guitars that just didn’t give me the sound I was wanting. The only ones I’ve kept are the Nick Lucas, Stage Deluxe and now this SJ. It looks, feels and plays like something out of the 50’s (I know they were aiming for 40’s)

[pcf]

That’s cool.  I’ll look for a sound clip.  I’m selling a 1932 Nick Lucas made with BRW.  pm me if you are interested.

[Dave F]

8 hours ago, pcf said:

That’s cool.  I’ll look for a sound clip.  I’m selling a 1932 Nick Lucas made with BRW.  pm me if you are interested.

Definitely interested but would need to sell/trade a few  to get that one.

[62burst]

1 minute ago, Dave F said:

Definitely interested but would need to sell/trade a few  to get that one.

Same here. But I would need to hit the lottery.