The rest of the story-J50

[rbpicker]

After returning the J50 that didn’t work, I stopped by my local small shop, who had just received a shipment from Gibson.  In that group was an ebony J50.  I thought I’d check the neck shape to see if they were all the same.  Well, being a hand carved neck, they’re not all the same.

The ebony one was a deep carve like the natural, but with less fullness on the shoulders, or cheeks, of the neck.  It fit my hand like a glove.  I had a Martin that wasn’t getting much play time, so I took it in and we came to an agreeable swap deal.  
 

the J50 is a great guitar, with a bigger sound than my J45.  Maybe it’s the neck mass, maybe it’s something else-but I’m pretty sure it’s not my imagination.  I did a recording of the two side by side and there is a significant difference, even though the J50 is new.  When it starts to loosen up, I’m guessing it will expand tonally, even more.

Anyway, just wanted to put a cap on the story of the hunt.  I’ve never had a black guitar, so this will add some spice to my small collection, now half Gibson, half Guild.  I’ll try to post a song when I get some time.

Roger

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

1 minute ago, rbpicker said:

After returning the J50 that didn’t work, I stopped by my local small shop, who had just received a shipment from Gibson.  In that group was an ebony J50.  I thought I’d check the neck shape to see if they were all the same.  Well, being a hand carved neck, they’re not all the same.

The ebony one was a deep carve like the natural, but with less fullness on the shoulders, or cheeks, of the neck.  It fit my hand like a glove.  I had a Martin that wasn’t getting much play time, so I took it in and we came to an agreeable swap deal.  
 

the J50 is a great guitar, with a bigger sound than my J45.  Maybe it’s the neck mass, maybe it’s something else-but I’m pretty sure it’s not my imagination.  I did a recording of the two side by side and there is a significant difference, even though the J50 is new.  When it starts to loosen up, I’m guessing it will expand tonally, even more.

Anyway, just wanted to put a cap on the story of the hunt.  I’ve never had a black guitar, so this will add some spice to my small collection, now half Gibson, half Guild.  I’ll try to post a song when I get some time.

Roger

 

Cool it worked out. What did you trade the 000-28? That is the guitar I own I would run into the house if it was on fire to grab. 

[jedzep]

Which Martin?

[Kwlsky]

18 minutes ago, rbpicker said:

Maybe it’s the neck mass

I have heard other people say the thicker neck gives the J50 a darker/meatier sound over the J45. I'll bet it's not your imagination.

[rbpicker]

I traded a 00018.  That’s supposed to be a stellar guitar, but I never bonded with the sound.  Playability was great, very comfortable, but it always sounded kind of mushy or muffled to my ears.  Even after trying a variety of strings, pins, saddles, etc.  

The guy at the store loved it and it will likely sell in a day or two, but it didn’t work for me as much as I wanted it to.  
 

I’ve heard good  things about the 000-28, Sgt. Pepper.  Great  that you love it.  
Roger

Edited July 12, 2022 by rbpicker

[jedzep]

I'm a Martin player, and I've found that the extra 1/4" body depth on the 018,028 Standard Series makes a positive tonal depth difference, compared to the 4" depth of 00 and 000 body.  The J certainly removes that dynamic.

[Kwlsky]

To my ears the deeper the body the better and deeper the tone. I know that's a monster of a generalization, but every time I have compared studio vs standard models, the standard model sounds better hands down - acoustically. 

[Sgt. Pepper]

1 hour ago, rbpicker said:

I traded a 00018.  That’s supposed to be a stellar guitar, but I never bonded with the sound.  Playability was great, very comfortable, but it always sounded kind of mushy or muffled to my ears.  Even after trying a variety of strings, pins, saddles, etc.  

The guy at the store loved it and it will likely sell in a day or two, but it didn’t work for me as much as I wanted it to.  
 

I’ve heard good  things about the 000-28, Sgt. Pepper.  Great  that you love it.  
Roger

I'm selling my 000-18 right now, not because of the reasons you mention. I want to fund a M-36. If it doesn't sell, I'll be okay as it is a great guitar and I have no issues with it. Sounds like its a win win for you and the store. Most USA made acoustics guitars do not last long in stores anymore. The sub $500 c-rap sits there a while.

Edited July 12, 2022 by Sgt. Pepper

[Murph]

2 hours ago, rbpicker said:

  I’ll try to post a song when I get some time.

Bravo.

Looking forward to it.

[zombywoof]

An ebony J50?  Who would have thunk it.  And I thought it could not get any stranger than a J45 Natural.  But I am glad it all worked out for you and without a whole lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Have fun with that puppy.

[Boyd]

AFAIK, the black ones are J-45's and not J-50's, Just look at Gibson's own site. If you look at the J-50 links, the only color offered is Antique Natural. Does the label actually say J-50?

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Guitars/Collection/Original Acoustic

 

[zombywoof]

3 hours ago, Kwlsky said:

To my ears the deeper the body the better and deeper the tone. I know that's a monster of a generalization, but every time I have compared studio vs standard models, the standard model sounds better hands down - acoustically. 

Then you need to get your hands on a Roy Smeck.  If there is a guitar out there which has earned the title the "grand piano of acoustics" it is a Smeck.

[egoidealmusic]

Hey, hey congrats!  And I do think the chunkier neck impact the sound like you and others have suggested.

 

Can't wait to see a picture!

[rbpicker]

10 hours ago, Boyd said:

AFAIK, the black ones are J-45's and not J-50's, Just look at Gibson's own site. If you look at the J-50 links, the only color offered is Antique Natural. Does the label actually say J-50?

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Guitars/Collection/Original Acoustic

 

 

STOP THE CAMERAS, HOLD THE FORT, CEASE AND DESIST!!!!!!!   I checked the label…IT DOES SAY 50s J45.   I’ll be damned, son of a gun, what the heck, holy smokes!!!!,!   Well I’ll be darned, OK, I have another J45.  
I find this pretty amusing, if only slightly embarrassing.   I was certain it was a 50, and the dealer referred to it as a J50.  I didn’t even look at the label.

in the end, I really don’t care.  It’s got the large pickguard, and the beefier 50s neck shape (although not as chunky as the natural J50 I sent back.).   I love it whatever the heck it is.

Thanks Boyd,  I think I’ll just go to bed.

Roger

Edited July 13, 2022 by rbpicker

[zombywoof]

16 hours ago, egoidealmusic said:

Hey, hey congrats!  And I do think the chunkier neck impact the sound like you and others have suggested.

 

Can't wait to see a picture!

I feel another bout of guitar weenieness  coming on.  If neck stiffness and mass figure in to where they make an appreciable difference on a guitar tuned to pitch then Martin got it right the first time when they went with the T-Bar neck while Gibson traded neck stiffness for convenience with their adj truss rod.    In terms of mass then Gibson nailed it when they went with the un-tapered headstock in the early-1950s.  Me, I do like necks where baby got some back.  But if the neck was at the top of my list of things to ponder the Bozeman-made guitar I would be heading out the door to check first would be the '34 OJ.  Baby do got some back.

Edited July 13, 2022 by zombywoof

[Sgt. Pepper]

2 hours ago, zombywoof said:

 If neck stiffness and mass figure in to where they make an appreciable difference on a guitar tuned to pitch then Martin got it right the first time when they went with the T-Bar neck while Gibson traded neck stiffness for convenience with their adj truss rod.  

One one thing I will say I hate about that company in Nazareth is the way you adjust the TR. I always have. I hate sticking an Allen (Hex) wrench in the sound hole and then in another hole to poke around to find the female mate to the Allen wrench. 

So is a J-50 just a natty finished J-45. And if so, the fact that it is painted makes it a new model even though it may have the exact same specs minus paint?

Edited July 13, 2022 by Sgt. Pepper

[MorrisrownSal]

Congrats Roger!  I’m saving my nickels for a sunburst J-50. 🙂

[QuestionMark]

Congratulations on the new guitar!  Always cool when someone finds an instrument that is right for them!

 

QM aka “Jazzman” Jeff

[BluesKing777]

On 7/13/2022 at 10:05 AM, rbpicker said:

 

STOP THE CAMERAS, HOLD THE FORT, CEASE AND DESIST!!!!!!!   I checked the label…IT DOES SAY 50s J45.   I’ll be damned, son of a gun, what the heck, holy smokes!!!!,!   Well I’ll be darned, OK, I have another J45.  
I find this pretty amusing, if only slightly embarrassing.   I was certain it was a 50, and the dealer referred to it as a J50.  I didn’t even look at the label.

in the end, I really don’t care.  It’s got the large pickguard, and the beefier 50s neck shape (although not as chunky as the natural J50 I sent back.).   I love it whatever the heck it is.

Thanks Boyd,  I think I’ll just go to bed.

Roger

 

Congrats!

Maybe Gibson should call the black one an Elvis to go with their new black Elvis models? The Elvis 45 or the E-45?

Or maybe the X - something like the radar proof jets? X-45? 

 

BluesKing777.

 

 

[rbpicker]

5 minutes ago, BluesKing777 said:

 

Congrats!

Maybe Gibson should call the black one an Elvis to go with their new black Elvis models? The Elvis 45 or the E-45?

Or maybe the X - something like the radar proof jets? X-45? 

 

BluesKing777.

 

 

Thanks  all, this is a sweet example.  I’ve pretty much got it dialed in and set up to my liking.  Usually takes a few days of adjusting, tinkering, etc.

Bluesking, I told my wife just today that I’m naming the guitar Elvis.
 

 Does anyone know to resize iPhone pictures?  Mine come out too large for this forum.  Not sure why.

Roger

[Dave F]

3 minutes ago, rbpicker said:

Thanks  all, this is a sweet example.  I’ve pretty much got it dialed in and set up to my liking.  Usually takes a few days of adjusting, tinkering, etc.

Bluesking, I told my wife just today that I’m naming the guitar Elvis.
 

 Does anyone know to resize iPhone pictures?  Mine come out too large for this forum.  Not sure why.

Roger

I send my iphone pictures to Flicker the link it to the post.

[BluesKing777]

3 hours ago, rbpicker said:

Thanks  all, this is a sweet example.  I’ve pretty much got it dialed in and set up to my liking.  Usually takes a few days of adjusting, tinkering, etc.

Bluesking, I told my wife just today that I’m naming the guitar Elvis.
 

 Does anyone know to resize iPhone pictures?  Mine come out too large for this forum.  Not sure why.

Roger

 

Cool!

May your sideburns grow long and your collar high!😁

Photos - I load mine to my laptop, save as a smaller size as I do it, then load that to Imgur photo host site. (then copy the link they give you for each photo to the forum...

 

BluesKing777.

 

 

[Murph]

6 hours ago, BluesKing777 said:

May your sideburns grow long and your collar high!😁

I went and saw the new Elvis movie yesterday.

Only Tom Hanks could make the Colonel almost likable...

I said, almost.

[fortyearspickn]

22 hours ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

So is a J-50 just a natty finished J-45. And if so, the fact that it is painted makes it a new model even though it may have the exact same specs minus paint?

Looks like we have a new J45 to add to the list started by One Wiley Fool - of the 50 some odd sub-models of the J45.   The J50 version ! 

[zombywoof]

15 hours ago, Salfromchatham said:

Congrats Roger!  I’m saving my nickels for a sunburst J-50. 🙂

Oooh, Oooh, Oooh.  I know the answer to that one which is you would need to save up 20,000 nickels. Based on the FON, my guitar started life as a J50 but when somebody down the line caught onto the fact that one of book matched top pieces had been accidentally flip flopped they decided to shoot a burst over it to try and hide the mistake,  So bingo, a burst J50 or what I refer to as a J47.5.