duluthdan Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 I may have stumbled into a perfect storm. I think my hunt has ended and I may never buy another guitar. I recently acquired a really nice players grade ’44 Banner SJ and have an incredible Martin D-28 Authentic Aged that my friend Ren Ferguson built a custom neck for before his new endeavor got crazy busy. And you know what? These two guitars have the best tone and playability I have ever experienced, and cover the whole range of music I play - The D-28 covers all the Neil Young/CSN stuff, and the Gibson nicely fills in all the Americana and original songs I play. And I realize I don’t need anything else. These two guitars have such outstanding clarity and tone I can’t imagine ever finding better, and I’ve played a lot of guitars. I am keeping the J-45 True Vintage, and the J-35 Vintage reissue - great guitars in their own right - I make money renting out the J-45 (really a killer example) and use the J-35 at open mics, outside gatherings and places you might deem uncomfortable for taking out a vintage banner. In addition my age and condition(MS) are dragging down my ability to play and to learn new stuff. So, I think I’m done. I am considering installing a Trance Audio stereo pickup in each guitar so that I have the flexibility of amplification when appropriate. If Jackson Browne can put one of these in his Vintage Roy Smecks, I can put one in a players grade banner. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 If that's player grade, I'd hate to see how my old J-45 would be described. Let's see, Dan's SJ: Finish: beautifully aged, original mid-forties sunburst, ✔️ Pickguard: intact and undamaged, ✔️ Bridge: looks to be original, and not shrunken away from the burst, ✔️ Spruce around the soundhole not eroded, ✔️ Fretboard not a collection of note-bending divots, +1 Headstock not used to navigate in the dark, logo, banner, and tuner buttons all look great, ✔️ Wishing you many years of enjoyment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Congrats with coming to peace with the never ending search. I hope to join you soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 Approximately the 2 finest acoustics in the world. You inner peace is understood. Ferguson had to do with the Mart neck ?!! And just curious - what is your (insurance)policy if the 45 gets damaged while out on vulcans ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 I'm glad you found your buddies in those guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 Those are two fine guitars and also fine examples of maybe the best two models ever. Lars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 Two really nice Guitars. Enjoy them in good health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 Cool! After a whole lot of years my 1942 J50 remains at the top of my Gibson hill. No quest involved. This guitar had been rumored to exist locally for many years but nobody seemed to know where it was. Then one day out of the blue I got a call from a close friend who owns a small music shop saying, "guess what just walked through my door which I now own." I think was down there before he hung up the phone. The thing about Banners though is that no guitar speaks as eloquently to a specific time and place as they do. You do not really feel like you own them as much as you have been appointed their caretaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 7 minutes ago, zombywoof said: Cool! After a whole lot of years my 1942 J50 remains at the top of my Gibson hill. No quest involved. This guitar had been rumored to exist locally for many years but nobody seemed to know where it was. Then one day out of the blue I got a call from a close friend who owns a small music shop saying, "guess what just walked through my door which I now own." I think was down there before he hung up the phone. The thing about Banners though is that no guitar speaks as eloquently to a specific time and place as they do. You do not really feel like you own them as much as you have been appointed their caretaker. I’ve come to believe that I’m just a Caretaker for my Guitars as well. But, I still play them like I own them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorristownSal Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 May you and Powder have years with them brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 “I think my hunt has ended and I may never buy another guitar.” Famous last words…. Seriously, congrats on your finds. They look like treasures. You’re fortunate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 11 hours ago, Larsongs said: I’ve come to believe that I’m just a Caretaker for my Guitars as well. But, I still play them like I own them. We sure are - but I own my guitars, no doubt. If nowhere else it's proved by the set-up, , , , and my tr-shields & b-pins. In worse cases the dingz. . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted Monday at 03:08 AM Share Posted Monday at 03:08 AM Sweet guitars, Dan……Lots of stories waiting to be told with those guitars. Keep telling them, my friend! They are an extension of you. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted Monday at 03:02 PM Share Posted Monday at 03:02 PM Two really nice guitars you got there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted Monday at 03:15 PM Share Posted Monday at 03:15 PM While I’m happy for the OP & those are beautiful Guitars. I never tire of trying new or vintage Guitars. I’m very happy with my Collection of Guitars. Occasionally I find one that complements my Collection && it comes home with me. My wife says I’m a hoarder & she’s probably right. I find I need different Tools for the various types of music I play & different Tools depending on what Band I’m playing with. Or, I think I do. At some point I’ll sell off most of them & keep just the essential’s. Meanwhile I’m having fun & getting much enjoyment from my passion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted Monday at 06:32 PM Share Posted Monday at 06:32 PM Fantastic! Wishing you many years of playing and enjoyment. Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted Monday at 10:20 PM Share Posted Monday at 10:20 PM A fabulous air of guitars! One of them is even Good Enough. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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