aldiablo Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Hi guys, So I’ve always wanted a quality acoustic guitar but due to necessity and budget I’ve concentrated on my electric guitars as I played and recorded with them more and primarily just wrote on my acoustic. Finally I’m now in a position to upgrade my acoustic. Plus I’m using acoustic a lot more these days. I’ve always wanted a Gibson acoustic for as long as I can remember but I kept an open mind and went to a local store and tried out Martin’s and Taylor’s. They had a J45 Studio Walnut in Natural and as soon as I picked it up and played it I knew it had to be a Gibson. I then found another store that had a J45 Studio Rosewood in stock so went there and found they had both a Rosewood and Walnut, both in natural, as well as a Standard. I had ruled the Standard out due to cost so started comparing the Studio’s. It soon became clear that the Rosewood was the superior guitar. The Walnut sounded great but quite metallic in comparison. The Rosewood was a lot warmer. Both great guitars but totally different. I then made the mistake of trying the Standard just because it was there. Well it’s a beaut. I think it does have a bit more warmth and depth than the Rosewood Studio but the difference isn’t as big as between the Rosewood and Walnut Studio’s, but the Standard is superior. Tbh there’s also a part of me that just wants a “Real” J45 with the burst and all the rest as I’m just a sucker like that. So my question is does anyone have experience with these two guitars? Is the Standard really worth the extra €600? Bear in mind that internet shopping isn’t an option as I won’t buy without trying the guitar out. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 The Standard. Amen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Only you can decide which sounds best to you and which of the three plays the best for you. The Walnut studio has (in your words) a more metallic sound. The Rosewood will be richer in overtones and longer note decay. The studios regardless of tone wood are a slightly thinner body so that effects tone and volume (less air moving) The Standard is a mahogany body which has a drier, thumpier tone and faster note decay. So you are on the right path going out and playing them all and comparing - but you'll have to decide which is best for you. Overall though I'd lean toward the Standard for a tried and true Gibson acoustic sound if that is the sound you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbpicker Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Standard. The end. rb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 When it comes to a J45 always bet on mahogany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopeshoulder Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 I just purchased a j45 studio rosewood. It is a very nice guitar, at the same time it is not a true j45. Honestly id say its closer to a 000-28 then a j45. Now if you are looking for something that looks like a j45 but want a guitar that has maybe a bitmore clarity(less bass) and easy to wrap your arm around the studio rosewood is worth owning. I dont care for the current std. Model b/c the neck is too thin for me and a graphite nut on a acoustic is just not what id want. I am thinking of grabing a 50's original model for myself b/c it has a full neck and that classic j45 sound, dry and boomy. Anyone here won a 50's original series? Any input would be great since i havent tried one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Thanks for the comments and advice so far guys. It is of course, as it always is with these things, very subjective. You’re advice and experience really helps though. One thing I forgot to mention was that the store had actually got another Standard in stock the day I was in there and when I tried it out, straight out of the box and tuned, I immediately felt that the one that was already in stock that I had been playing was a better guitar. Sounded and played better. Goes to show you how much each one can vary. I’m lucky that I have a few different models to try out. Every store I’ve been in have said that it’s really difficult to get Gibson’s and Martin’s in at the moment. I thought both guitars had TUSQ nuts? I know on the Gibson site the material is described as “Black” on the Standard but I read elsewhere it was TUSQ? Both necks felt pretty comfortable to me and my fingers are pretty long. Though my 2001 Les Paul and 69 SG Junior have totally different necks and I love both. I think I just love Gibsons in general! There’s no chance of any of my stores getting in and 50’s models or anything like that. There is always that want to own a real tried and tested classic Gibson. The J45, Hummingbird and SJ 200 just seem to be omnipresent in my mind. Plus I’m a big Beatles nut and the J45 at least resembles a J160E. That being said the Rosewood Studio was a fine guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopeshoulder Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 Humming bird and sj 200's are beautiful but is there anything more honest sounding then a j45🙂 what a beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopeshoulder Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 So i just checked gibson's spec sheet for the j45 std. The saddle and bridge pins are tusq. As for the nut it just says "black". I do think gibson could explain this alittle better for us. Is it graphite, black tusq, plastic? Whatever it is, its replacable lol. Let us know what you get and enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Very true! I love how understated and elegant it is. It’s just classy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Yeah I thought it very strange to describe it as simply “black”. I can only put it down as an error. I found this article after a little digging and it’s described as “black TUSQ”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 The brand, spanking new J45 would definitely sound different. Fresh out of the box, new strings just tuned up and the wood not yer adjusted to the humidity and possibly even the temperature. Don't discount it. That said - I think you will always regret not getting a Standard. You've set Gibson as your 'Holy Grail" Brand. You believe the J45, H'Bird and SJ200 are the panacea. (I agree - I own 3 guitars - and that's them). If you were focused on a Hummingbird and found a "Hummingbird Pro" in the store for 1/2 of what a 'standard" (aka REAL) H'Bird costs - and bought it. You would have buyers remorse before you got it home. Guitars are not shoes, hammers or whiskey. They are not even automobiles, jewelry or girlfriends. Musicians have unique relationships with their instruments. Let us know what you decide. Welcome ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Very well said indeed! There’s nothing worse than guitar regret. I will also go back and try out the second Standard again as it’s has some settling in time. It’s a good point. Thanks for the advice and kind words. Here’s the article I found regarding the nut. I forgot to paste it into my last post. http://aws2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/Know-Your-Nuts.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Do you own a modern J45 Standard fortyearspickn or is it an old one? I’m mightily impressed with your acoustic guitar collection! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 Nope. It's a J45 Custom Koa. Ltd. Koa is a cousin of Mahogany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 18 minutes ago, fortyearspickn said: Nope. It's a J45 Custom Koa. Ltd. Koa is a cousin of Mahogany. . . .blended with the forgoten step child of rosewood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALD323 Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 (edited) I've owned both the Studio and the Standard. The Studio bird was nice, but was sold within a year. The Standard bird was light years ahead . It has remained the pride of my stable and will never be sold. Edited July 12, 2021 by ALD323 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Thanks that’s so helpful to hear from someone who’s owned both. What were the main differences that you found? Why did you sell the Studio on? Was it the Walnut or Rosewood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 I had a Studio Walnut and it was fantastic. I’ve owned a Standard as well, and currently a J45 TV. My Studio was real balanced, very comfortable with the thinner body, and recorded like a dream. Great guitar! But I also know how GAS is, and if you have the Standard in your sight, you may as well save the step. This was my Studio… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Wow sounds great. Nice song too. How did the Studio weigh up against the Standard? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 Well that’s the thing. I’ve had two Standards. One I sold, and one which I bought from a forum member I gave to my friend, and still play often. I’d rather have the latter than the Studio, but would rather have the Studio than the former. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Buying guitars is a complicated thing!!! That just goes to show how much each individual guitar can vary due to Gibsons hands on manufacturing processes. I must go back and try out both Standards again as well as the Studios. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALD323 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 20 hours ago, aldiablo said: Buying guitars is a complicated thing!!! That just goes to show how much each individual guitar can vary due to Gibsons hands on manufacturing processes. I must go back and try out both Standards again as well as the Studios. Thanks. The Standard HB is Mahogany. The Studio HB is walnut. To me there is a mountain of difference in tone....The Standard Hog being warm, rich and emits a delicous humming sound and tone. The Studio Walnut HB..is brighter, less warm, and not as rich as the Standard IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldiablo Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 Yeah that’s exactly what I found when playing them at the store. The Studio Walnut was much more metallic sounding with less warmth. The Rosewood Studio was much warmer and more along the lines of the Standard I thought. Still different of course but definitely more warmth than the Walnut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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