VNVtraining Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 I just recently purchased a new Gibson J-45 Standard, 2023. Returned it as the back of the head stock had 5-6 long nitrocellulose lacquer cracks and the joints where the neck fret board is attached to the body had pretty noticeable smudging . Long & McQuade replaced the guitar for me with zero hassles. The new one was made Dec 2022. Plays and sounds great but again some cosmetic QC issues...I have 30 days to bring it back. I wonder if they are receiving B-Stock or Gibson is really that off on their QC ? I'm not that picky but I find this is a bit $hitty for a $3799 plus taxes guitar (Canadian dollars) Anyone recently have the same experience with the latest J-45 Standard ?https://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5M1qdGl7toiG11zw?e=RVSRTP https://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5K1DQlpMibRX8Rug?e=BkrzSBhttps://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5LcFL99VB2p9BxkA?e=jYl55Jhttps://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5NvFu84meNhvy6kQ?e=ucmK3q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 That's distressing. I'd never buy a new Gibson, as they've obviously cut corners in the modern era. $3800 buys a lot of choices. I'd learn from the experience and take time to spend that on a true gem, that the maker took pride in the details, and the seller backs up the product. Are you in rural Canada, far from quality music shops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VNVtraining Posted April 23, 2023 Author Share Posted April 23, 2023 (edited) 7 minutes ago, jedzep said: That's distressing. I'd never buy a new Gibson, as they've obviously cut corners in the modern era. $3800 buys a lot of choices. I'd learn from the experience and take time to spend that on a true gem, that the maker took pride in the details, and the seller backs up the product. Are you in rural Canada, far from quality music shops? No im near Montreal so lots of guitar shops...i'm just surprised as that's 2 in a row...Like I said this one sounds and plays great! But its like a cheap quick job they did on the details for the finish cutting corners. I have two Electrics, Les Paul Black Custom shop 2020 and a Les Paul Standard 60's 2022, both outstanding! Edited April 23, 2023 by VNVtraining Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 I think wherever you bought it, 4K deserves a pristine guitar, perfectly set up to your playing comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 I'm a lover of old Gibsons, and that tone. I have a 1950 J50 and a '36 L00. I have owned 6 or 7 others from the 30's thru the 50's. All bought online, as I live in rural upstate NY near Cooperstown. No good shops nearby, especially vintage. Shiny and new doesn't interest me much, and I've lately filled in my old Gibson 'forevers' with a bunch of newer Martins. They seem to be higher build quality, and one strum tells the tale. Shop around. Many would kill to have that much money for window shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VNVtraining Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 6 minutes ago, jedzep said: I'm a lover of old Gibsons, and that tone. I have a 1950 J50 and a '36 L00. I have owned 6 or 7 others from the 30's thru the 50's. All bought online, as I live in rural upstate NY near Cooperstown. No good shops nearby, especially vintage. Shiny and new doesn't interest me much, and I've lately filled in my old Gibson 'forevers' with a bunch of newer Martins. They seem to be higher build quality, and one strum tells the tale. Shop around. Many would kill to have that much money for window shopping. I may buy one of these and they are local, made in Quebec Canada...Outstanding but pricey!https://boucherguitars.com/guitars/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Very cool! Outstanding matters. I'm an old funck and can't handle big bodied guitars anymore, though I'll never part with the J50, but that Heritage Series guitar is something I'd love to hear. Yeah, don't rush to judgement. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 45 minutes ago, VNVtraining said: I just recently purchased a new Gibson J-45 Standard, 2023. Returned it as the back of the head stock had 5-6 long nitrocellulose lacquer cracks and the joints where the neck fret board is attached to the body had pretty noticeable smudging . Long & McQuade replaced the guitar for me with zero hassles. The new one was made Dec 2022. Plays and sounds great but again some cosmetic QC issues...I have 30 days to bring it back. I wonder if they are receiving B-Stock or Gibson is really that off on their QC ? I'm not that picky but I find this is a bit $hitty for a $3799 plus taxes guitar (Canadian dollars) Anyone recently have the same experience with the latest J-45 Standard ?https://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5M1qdGl7toiG11zw?e=RVSRTP https://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5K1DQlpMibRX8Rug?e=BkrzSBhttps://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5LcFL99VB2p9BxkA?e=jYl55Jhttps://1drv.ms/i/s!AnesMveYVYbnge5NvFu84meNhvy6kQ?e=ucmK3q I suspect that is buffing compound residue, but it's hard to know without a first-hand inspection. That tends to end up on inside corners if the person doing the work isn't really conscientious. I have three modern Gibsons, and all three are cosmetically excellent. Maybe I got lucky. All three are also high-end models. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 44 minutes ago, j45nick said: I suspect that is buffing compound residue, but it's hard to know without a first-hand inspection. That tends to end up on inside corners if the person doing the work isn't really conscientious. I have three modern Gibsons, and all three are cosmetically excellent. Maybe I got lucky. All three are also high-end models. The J200EP I recently got had a lot of compound residue in the corners. No big deal. 1 hour ago, VNVtraining said: I may buy one of these and they are local, made in Quebec Canada...Outstanding but pricey!https://boucherguitars.com/guitars/ Those are great looking guitars and I'd love to play one of those. They are pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson29 Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I’ve got 2 of the custom shop recent “Historics”, and finish-wise, for a US dollars 4-5K guitar seems almost relic’d…but the sound and playability is imo worth it. I did have a 22 J-45 std that was near perfect regarding finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 As BadBluesPlayer noted in a thread over in The Lounge…. The line for complaints forms over on the left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I recently bought a new J-45 from my local GC. Perfect in every way. Sorry you're having issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems the great majority of these cosmetic issues are on guitars shipped out of the USA, either to Europe or in this case Canada. It gives the impression that maybe since returning the guitars (due to customs etc.) is more difficult that is why they go over the borders instead of to US retailers. I have bought 2 Bozeman acoustics in the past few years (from Sweetwater) and they are both cosmetically perfect as far as I can see. So Bozeman is capable of doing an excellent job. Usually, the buyer says the guitar plays and sounds great, but the workmanship is shoddy - these seem to be the ones designated for shipment out of the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VNVtraining Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 ***UPDATE*** GOOD NEWS Just came back from Long & McQuade! The staff was super awesome and on the 3rd one, finally it’s a winner! I tried the historic J45 custom shop and it was heaven but I didn’t have the extra money at this time for that. I also played the 50s J45 and like it but the standard had the tone I really liked. The other guitar was a Martin 000-18, super awesome but was missing the nice balanced boom I’m getting from the J45 standard. Even the staff was surprised looking at the 2nd one I returned and helped me get a proper sounding, looking and of course great playing J-45 Standard. Who knows maybe they were B-Stock or like what Twang gang mentioned above…. Any case if you are Canadian I highly recommend dealing with Long & McQuade as they really care about you being satisfied and no hassle returning a new guitar within 30 days if you are not happy. Cheers 😁🍺🙏🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 (edited) Way to go. Glad you got satisfaction. The Martin to compare to would be a D, not 000 anyway. The body isn't quite deep enough to compete. Love the grain irregularities on the fingerboard. Edited April 24, 2023 by jedzep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VNVtraining Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 27 minutes ago, jedzep said: Way to go. Glad you got satisfaction. The Martin to compare to would be a D, not 000 anyway. The body isn't quite deep enough to compete. Love the grain irregularities on the fingerboard. Agreed, I had previously owned a D-18, the J-45 is very similar but more comfortable and easier for me to play for my style... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Looks like you persisted and found a good one- nice mellow burst, beautiful top, tight-grained in all the right places, and love the grain of the fretboard. Congrats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VNVtraining Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 23 minutes ago, 62burst said: Looks like you persisted and found a good one- nice mellow burst, beautiful top, tight-grained in all the right places, and love the grain of the fretboard. Congrats. Thanks 🙂 Ive owned some Taylor's, LARRIVEE's, a Martin D-18, two Boucher Dreadnoughts so in comparison there was no way the first two J-45s were acceptable as NEW guitars. This was my last attempt (strike 3 you are out ) I would have asked for a full refund if it didn't work out. I can say this one now in hand is excellent! 👌 BUT if I had the extra cash that Historic J-45 based off the the 1942 was outstanding , not cheap, $6799 Canadian!https://www.long-mcquade.com/166080/Guitars/Acoustic-Guitars/Gibson/1942-Banner-J-45---Vintage-Sunburst.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson29 Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 1 hour ago, VNVtraining said: BUT if I had the extra cash that Historic J-45 based off the the 1942 was outstanding , not cheap, $6799 Canadian!https://www.long-mcquade.com/166080/Guitars/Acoustic-Guitars/Gibson/1942-Banner-J-45---Vintage-Sunburst.htm The finishes on those are far from perfect, my std would have won the “finishes” contest, but the sound of the 42 Banner I have more than makes up for it. Plus, no real imperfections like yours, but they do look like they’ve traveled around the block.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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