MarkS Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Can someone spell out the differences in these two models? What would I expect to hear tonally different? As a follow-up the finish on the Legend series appears to be satin. Is it lacquer or varnish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Can someone spell out the differences in these two models? What would I expect to hear tonally different? As a follow-up the finish on the Legend series appears to be satin. Is it lacquer or varnish? I'm on my way out the door, so I don't have time to go into a lot of detail right now. The biggest difference is the Legend has an adi top, aged binding, repro tuners, hand made braces, authentic red line case. The finish is nitro, but it has been "scuffed up", for lack of a better term, to imitate what the guitar might look like if it were actually a 1942 model. The Legend was made by Gibson copying the details of an actual 1942 J-45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Strummer hit on the key points. I expect the guitars will sound somewhat different, however slght it may be due to the top wood, bracing, etc... I do not have any hands-on experience with the '42 Legend J-45, but I have played the J-45 TV extensively. I would buy the J-45 TV a million times over, and the '42 Jegend would have to be significantly better than the TV at it's price point for me to even begin to consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 No hands on experience, but in terms of specs, the Legend is a high end vintage copy (between a martin GE and Authentic): Hide glue, adi top, nitro etc. Big neck. The TV is a hybrid job, with adv. jumbo bracing but dressed up as a 40s slope J. It reportedly has a quick response and big bass, more so than a std j45. Im quessing the legend tone is closer to vintage (quick, dry, punchy), if that's your thing. Some folks are going want the TV for the response & bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 JK, I think you bringup a good point on the comparison of the Martin Authentics versus the Martin Golden ERA models. The debates over the technical differences and the sound perceptions end, the debate between those two most always go to cost justification of thousands more being worth it. I would guess the same applies here, and in the end it comes down to the indiviual's personal feeling between the two and it the "worth" is a measured achievement for that person. In all this time reading those posts by those debating the two, I have never had the chance to play a an authentic model Martin, but if I were to take those who own them at face value, then the Authentics are worth the extra cost. I would expect the same would apply here too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maninblack Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 I have played both. Jkinnama hit on the key difference I experienced. The Leged has a Louisville Slugger for a neck. C-H-U-N-K-Y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 I do like the big necks of the original guitars. I presume that the TV has a more modern shaped neck? As for the Redline case, I've seen one and the darn thing would hardly open and close... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 I do like the big necks of the original guitars. I presume that the TV has a more modern shaped neck? As for the Redline case' date=' I've seen one and the darn thing would hardly open and close...[/quote'] My case is the same way, if you're talking about the latches. They are very hard to open and close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 The case didn't really "line up" front to back, like the hinges were a little off in their placement. The Legend J45 is one of the finest sounding new guitars I've heard for my style of playing (Texas swing.) I was surprised that the end pins appeared to be cheap plastic, everywhere else the attention to detail was top notch. I haven't had a chance to compare it to a TV in person though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 I don't have that problem with my case, only the latches are hard to open/close. The Legend is a great guitar. When you say "end pins", I'm guessing you actually mean the bridge pins? If so, it's the same reasoning they use for all of their models. Different people have different preferences and may change them out anyway. I also like the chunky neck. I have an old Yamaha 12 string with a similar neck, so I was used to the larger neck. I could see where people might have a hard time with it, if it were their first experience with the chunky neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Another point to keep in mind when comparing the J-45 to the J-45 TV is that sometimesacoustic guitars of the same model are not always alike. Yesterday I played a Modern Classic J-45 that simply kicked a**. The J-45 TV in the room was a great sounding guitar too, and there were no flies on it no way, no how. If you're doing a dollars to sound comparison, the two I cited above would make me buy the regular Modern Classic J-45. What's the difference in cost here that we're talking... Let's see (doing a quick look up): $724 difference in list. Depending on your budget, maybe that's not too much when considering the overall differences of the guitars' appointments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 I completely agree Dennis. The first Legend series 45 I played was the prototype, and it was a monster. The subsequent one I have played is NEARLY as good. At the same time, there was an SJ (Guthrie model?) that sound wise was very close, but playability was not the same. When I buy, it will be completely about the sound and playability, but I will say the Legend does set the bar pretty high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Mark I haven't had the chance to play a legend yet, but a good friend of mine who's opinion I trust said regarding the Legend '42 J-45 that while it was a nice gitar, he would personally have a hard time justifying the extra cost as the J-45 True Vintage is such a great instrument for a good amount less. In the end, I know it's a very personal decision and that it's not always about the cost, but the just guitar itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticat Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I bought my J-45TV last year. What a great guitar,you can't go wrong with this one and you'll have money left over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nid2007 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Fyi: I think there is TV listed on the umgf buy and sell for $1900. Could have ended up with me if not for my adi top/hog quilt GAS attack the other day. I had the opportunity to spend about 30 min A/B'ing a TV with a '46 J-45. Sound and tonewise, the TV held up very well. The '46 was in need of a god luthier, but still..that TV was IMHO a great guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I bought my J-45TV last year. What a great guitar' date='you can't go wrong with this one and you'll have money left over.[/quote'] Any pics of your J-45 TV beauty?! Post them up I'd love to see them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticat Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 LPDEN, Heres one for you. Seem my others where lost when I had my computer restored. I have others copies on my back up disk and will post them as soon as I can. found a couple more with my J-185 TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Nice guitars, Sal. Mrs. Guitarstrummer also likes your flowers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Those are beauties, Sal. Is that a J-185 I see sidled up to that great J-45? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticat Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Yes, It is . The Dynamic Duo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Yes' date=' It is . The Dynamic Duo.[/quote'] Dang it, Sal! You've just snapped me out of my self-induced , don't-think-about-guitars-coma!! Now it's starting all over again. I've already "seen" that J-185 sitting on a stand next to my J-45!! A-A-A--R-R-R-G-G-G-G-H-H-H-H!!! Pox on you!! lol](*,) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 GAS is good, GAS is good, GAS is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Sal, is that a 185TV or a pre-TV MC/HC with the Maltese crosses? I miss the Maltese crosses on the new 185MC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Sal' date=' is that a 185TV or a pre-TV MC/HC with the Maltese crosses? I miss the Maltese crosses on the new 185MC.[/quote'] Pretty sure his is a TV. He posted photos of it on the old Gibson forum when he first bought it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticat Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 jinder, I't an 07 J-185 TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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