SC_Wannabe Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I posted here for the first time last week, asking which Gibson acoustic would give me a particular sound. Several people responded with thoughtful suggestions, and in the end I had my mind set on a J-45. But last Saturday I stopped by the local Gibson dealer for some strings and saw that they had one Gibson dread -- a J-50. I strummed around on it a bit and found that it had the exact tone I was looking for. I really wasn't planning on buying, but I when I saw the price tag I couldn't help myself and it came home with me. The serial number dates production to very late 2007, so I think this one has been hanging in the shop for a little while, waiting on me. It's in pristine condition though, and I'm guessing that the tag price is lower than the current blonde J-45's since it is a year or two old (as I understand, the J-50 was phased out a year or two ago). I'm really happy with the sound, and with light strings it almost plays itself. I put mediums on it, but I think I liked the feel and tone of the lights better. You can really hammer on this thing with the mediums, but my strumming style is softer. Maybe I'll try some light/med next as a compromise. I put some ebony pins in, and next up will be a bone saddle. Looks wise, my initial reaction was that it is kind of ugly. I'm not a big fan of the light stained mahogany (Larrivee has the same color for their hog/sapele guitars), but it's kind of growing on me. The pics make the back look a lot more orange than it is. I love the white binding and the top is really nice with a hint of bearclaw in a couple of places. I'll probably replace the tuners with something that has white knobs. The fingerboard is a nice looking piece of rosewood, with a bit of figuring in it. I've gone through several guitars in the past couple of years, trying to find the right one for me. After just a few days it's a bit early to tell, but I think this one may be the one. It suits my strumming/singing style very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Gorgeous! Congratulations. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenumber2 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 You thought it was ugly????? Check your eyes my friend. She's a beauty. Congrats on the purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanfender Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 It's in pristine condition though' date=' and I'm guessing that the tag price is lower than the current blonde J-45's since it is a year or two old (as I understand, the J-50 was phased out a year or two ago).[/quote'] I am a little confused by this because all J-45s are a sunburst finish. A J-50 is simply a blonde J-45. The two models are the same except the finish. That being said, its a great looking guitar. Looks amazing. Enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderful remark Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 i prefer J-50 over J-45's... and I think so did he. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkharmony Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 i prefer J-50 over J-45's... and I think so did he. I thought Elvis played Martins til much later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 The instrument looks purty beautiful to me! QM aka Jazzman Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J185-4Me Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Very nice. I love J-50s! Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC_Wannabe Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Thanks for the comments. The look grows on me more every day! I am a little confused by this because all J-45s are a sunburst finish. A J-50 is simply a blonde J-45. The two models are the same except the finish. I'm new to Gibsons, but from what I've read they discontinued the J-50 a year or two ago and now offer the J-45 in a sunburst and natural (blonde) finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maninblack Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 i prefer J-50 over J-45's... and I think so did he. Once upon a time perhaps, but your avatar suggests he's had a change of heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 i prefer J-50 over J-45's... and I think so did he. Beautiful guitar!! I want one of those!! I think he likes both. He plays a J-45 now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderful remark Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 my bad... i thought he was holding his J-50.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanfender Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Thanks for the comments. The look grows on me more every day! I'm new to Gibsons' date=' but from what I've read they discontinued the J-50 a year or two ago and now offer the J-45 in a sunburst and natural (blonde) finish.[/quote'] You may be right, who know with Gibson. Traditionally, the J-45 and the J-50 were the same guitar. Only only difference was the blonde vs sunburst finish. Still, I like the color. The back and sides have a unusual color but I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I am a little confused by this because all J-45s are a sunburst finish. A J-50 is simply a blonde J-45. The two models are the same except the finish. In recent years, the distinction appears to have been that, if it has a big late-50s-style pickguard, it's a J-50, while if it comes with a small teardrop pickguard, it's a J-45N. Who but Gibson would distinguish between two guitar models based solely on the pickguard? You gotta love these guys!! -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 SC_Wannabe said" I really wasn't planning on buying, but I when I saw the price tag I couldn't help myself and it came home with me." I wonder how many guitars have left a store this way?I've certainly walked out of a few places with a lighter wallet. Nice guitar....:- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.