ChrisA83 Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Hi, You may or may not have seen my post here http://forums.gibson.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=7034 but that's basically my position at the moment. In Summary: I want a J-45, but don't know whether to go for an actual vintage model, the custom shop one in the above post, the new Limited True Vintage model or just a bog standard new J-45. I feel that if I'm spending over £1000 on a normal one I might as well pay £2000 to get a really good specimen. I'd love to hear your views! Thanks, Chris
Acousticat Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Hi' date=' You may or may not have seen my post here http://forums.gibson.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=7034 but that's basically my position at the moment. In Summary: I want a J-45, but don't know whether to go for an actual vintage model, the custom shop one in the above post, the new Limited True Vintage model or just a bog standard new J-45. I feel that if I'm spending over £1000 on a normal one I might as well pay £2000 to get a really good specimen. I'd love to hear your views! Thanks, Chris[/quote'] If you can swing the extra cash for the True Vintage, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I had mine for over a year now and it one of the best guitars I own. Go for it
Space Pup Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 It's kind of unfair to compare custom shop models to the standard ones. I have a J-45 True Vintage and a J-45 custom shop 12 fret with Claro walnut back and sides. From time to time Gibson makes various custom shop versions of all their models, my 12 fret was one of 25 made. Both are great guitars but they have completely different tones. My 12 fret is my favorite guitar for Blues and my TV is my favorite alround guitar. The best advice I can give is to try them all and see which sounds best to you. PLus, it's more fun that way.
ChrisA83 Posted September 23, 2008 Author Posted September 23, 2008 Hi guys, Thanks for the replies. I wish I could try them, however the custom shop model is miles away and I doubt any local shops will have the Limited TV in. How do you think they would compare to my Songwriter Deluxe (sikta spruce/Indian rosewood)? Is the Limited TV much different from the TV? There's not much of a price difference and the 'Limited' status sounds good to me Although I want the best sounding, I wouldn't mind a good investment either. Which of my three choices would be the best in those terms? Sorry - I'm a bit of a newbie! Chris
Rambler Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Sure you want a J45? Reason I ask, its a whole different animal the the DWD [opps, SWD). Hog is more jangly, dry, crackling. Just sayin'. However, on to the J45 menu. MC neither an investment nor a great acoustic (as in, strictly acoustic). Good for what it is but overbraced. TV s are good modern takes on a vintage style instrument and should hold its value (but may not gain value). Vintage? ones in good shape cost a premium; one's that arent so good dont have investment value. A crap shot. TV is the middle way. Good luck!
ChrisA83 Posted September 23, 2008 Author Posted September 23, 2008 I guess I just like the look of them and it's a classic! Hmmm, could you/anyone explain the Acronyms? DWD, MC (Macassar Custom?). Also what's a Hog?! lol Cheers!
jefleppard Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 the j45rw or the tv is the way to go, imo. JK is right - no comparison to the SWD. i have an swd and have played every j45 within 300 mi of my home in search of "the" guitar. my swd is boxy, stifled and has yet to 'open up'. i'm beginning to think 'opening up" stories are all urban myths! nice grubling bass but otherwise...the 45rw and Tv are both amazing in their own rights - both have a grumble to them but the highs don't dissapear, as is the case with the swd. tonally, the TV is a monster. i loved it instantly. overtone city. you might look at the AJ as well. i'm torn because the j45tv (2700cdn) is a little out of my price range but i prefer it overall. plus its gorgeous.
jefleppard Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 I guess I just like the look of them and it's a classic! Hmmm' date=' could you/anyone explain the Acronyms? DWD, MC (Macassar Custom?). Also what's a Hog?! lol Cheers![/quote'] i think he meant SWD (songwriter deluxe) instead of dwd. hog is mahogany and mc stands for modern classic.
guitarstrummer Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Let me take a stab at your questions. I think the "DWD" may have been a type. He might have been referring to "Songwriter Deluxe", otherwise known as SWD (as you mentioned in your original post on the other thread). MC is Modern Classic model. It's a fairly new model release which has a pick up installed. "HOG" refers to mahogany wood, usually the back and sides of a guitar. I believe you already know TV, which is True Vintage model. EDIT: Too late, I see Cunk beat me to the punch (again).
Johnt Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Hi guys' date=' Thanks for the replies. I wish I could try them, however the custom shop model is miles away and I doubt any local shops will have the Limited TV in. How do you think they would compare to my Songwriter Deluxe (sikta spruce/Indian rosewood)? Chris[/quote'] Hi Chris welcome. Good to have another Brit! It is a very common complaint that we can not try/see Gibson acoustics over here. It has been the subject of several threads and frankly even I have given up whining about it apart from mini=whine below LOL I am pretty settled on my next aquisition being a Martin 0028 MRW , have tried three and just need to decide which one. Something 100% impossible with an acoustic Gibson in UK. I did find and even played one Robert Johnson and we didn't get on. Be quite interesting to have a non Gibson! Anyway I have an SWD12 and a hog J45. They are chalk and cheese as JK and cunk have already said, but I guess you know that. I don't quite see advice like get a RW 45 it would sound closer to the SWD? Probably have to stand corrected on that! I am certain that the custome shop models should be a step up on the "standards" but it's what suits you that counts! My beat up unfavoured 1979 Norlin Square shouldered J45 sounds great to me! Where are you in UK?
ChrisA83 Posted September 23, 2008 Author Posted September 23, 2008 Ok, lots of info there thanks a lot. I've had my SWD (got the lingo already!) a couple of years and love it - really mellow - although admittedly I haven't heard many top-end acoustics unamplified in person. Then I got a Martin 00-15 for finger picking bluesy/early Dylan stuff (massive fan!) and now I'm after something in the middle. I want a J-45 because it's a J-45 but also I thought it would fit in that gap nicely. I'm not bothered about electrics as I just play for myself (and haven't got an amp worthy of it anyway), and my SWD has rosewood back and sides so there I thought it might be too similar to the J-45 RW. So I guess that leaves me with the TV (or the new limited version, anyone know if there's much difference?) and the Custom Shop one, which looks very sexy Edit: I presume I'm ok to link to image hosts like that...
ChrisA83 Posted September 23, 2008 Author Posted September 23, 2008 Hi Johnt, Thanks. Yeah I want my guitars to be as different as possible really so I can get the most out of them. Well I'm very happy with my small bodied Martin so enjoy it! I hardly ever hear about the SWD, is it quite popular then? Back when I bought it the choice was between that and a J-45, and because it was my first really expensive guitar I wanted something that looked really expensive! I'm in Harrogate, near(ish) Leeds, you?
nolongermike@gibson Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 I'm told the Songwriter Deluxe is one of the best sellers from the acoustic line. We recently gave one to Bob Welch (former Fleetwood Mac guitarist/vocalist/solo artist) and he loves it. I had to hand it to him personally and after playing it myself before he got it, it was hard to watch it drive away. I was most impressed with how it sounded under a pair of condenser microphones, plugged directly into my Pro Tools 002R.
TheLiveSoundGuy Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Shame is was locked. Click Here for Acronyms.
Rambler Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Chrisa. Im a big fan of 45's; they just might steal your heart away from your SW. But play one first if at all possible, You wont know til then. ps Cunk--thanks for the corrections. J
Space Pup Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 I have both, a J-45TV and SWD. They make a great set. Some things the J-45 handles better then the SWD and vice versa. Mike@Gibson does bring up an interesting fact, If you are recording, both guitar's sound better using condenser mics.
jefleppard Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 absolutely +1 on the condenser mics. lots of subtle overtones to divulge.
TWilson Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 I have a 2004 "run of the mill" J-45 and just love it. I bought it from a guy who played it in his church group so it has opened up pretty well by now. I have tried a couple J-45's right off the wall in a shop and one sounded good and the other didn't. I know the TV's are probably a lot better instrument, but they are also a LOT more expensive. For myself, my J-45 is all that I could possibly need.
ChrisA83 Posted September 23, 2008 Author Posted September 23, 2008 Ah that's a good idea TheLiveSoundGuy! Thanks for the feedback, the J-45 certainly looks and feels like the right buy now, I just need to decide which one to get! I'll have to join you guys who have a J-45 and SWD which sounds like a good combination It's pretty much a case of aesthetics and deciding if I want brand new or 6 years old second hand. I think I've been quite lucky with my purchases, as I've got them both (or all three if you count my first 'proper' acoustic - an Art & Lutherie solid top for about £200. I now keep it in Open D for occasional playing and I think it still sounds good) from websites and they have been great.
ballcorner Posted September 24, 2008 Posted September 24, 2008 My advice is that you play the guitars and let your ears and hands tell you which is the right match for you. Don't play anything you can't afford - it just causes grief. But, do some soul searching before you pick that price. I bought a guitar a few years back for $3600 and that was a lot more than I wanted to spend at the time but the guitar is absolutely amazing - the best purchase I ever made. I had to take about half of it in the form of a loan. You can never go wrong with a J45 or J45RW. They are popular guitars you see in the hands of many popular performers for very good reason. If there are particular artists you like who play Gibsons, find out what they play to get the sound you are familiar with. I like Lucinda Williams, as one example, and she plays a J45 RW most frequently. As much as I love the Gibson, I do recommend that you play many guitars when you go to purchase. Remember, it is the guitar that is right for you that you want to focus on, and if that means a Maton or something other than a Gibson it is OK when you make the match. When I went to purchase my first Gibson I actually came home with a Martin OM21 and I still play it every day.
ChrisA83 Posted September 24, 2008 Author Posted September 24, 2008 Sound advice, thanks. After seeing this http://forums.gibson.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=7081 I'm even more tempted. Nice jannusguy!
RogueBrit Posted September 25, 2008 Posted September 25, 2008 I swapped out my MC '45 for a TV recently. The (2007) MC actually had great tone - but there were other issues. I had to make a new nut, as the frets were so badly dressed on the bass side, the 'taper' started a good 1/8 inch from the edge, that I kept pushing the string off'n the board. Didn't want to be troubled by a complete refret. The guitar also had suspect intonation - played flat up the neck, and had a tad too much compensation IMO. She looked great, otherwise! The TV has no such problems - beautiful fret work, and intonation spot on. Nicer quality all round and the tone is great - not so boomy as the MC was, a bit drier, but still rich and loud. Neck angle is good too - a tad of relief, low action (5/64 on 6th at 12th fret) and plenty of saddle showing. Inside is as clean as a whistle too. The TV is also a much lighter built guitar (and it is lighter in weight). I don't regret spending the extra cash one bit! I got a J-45 I am happy to keep! Roger
Honky Dog Posted September 25, 2008 Posted September 25, 2008 My advice is that you play the guitars and let your ears and hands tell you which is the right match for you. <Excerpted> I like Lucinda Williams' date=' as one example, and she plays a J45 RW most frequently. [/quote'] I like Lucinda Williams, also. Didn't know she plays a J-45 RW most frequently. Glad to know that. I have one, also. It's a fantastic guitar.
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