My Gibson search: played a J-45 and an Advanced Jumbo

[ataylor]

As I posted a few weeks ago, I'm back in the hunt for a Gibson acoustic. (Here's the most recent thread.)

 

Unfortunately, Gibson acoustic dealers are near impossible to find where I live. This meant stopping by Guitar Center to see what they had in stock. Before playing the Gibsons I wanted to taste a couple other flavors though. I didn't bother with Taylors since I already own what I think is the best model they've made (210 all solid with varnish finish -- has a more dry and balanced tone than most Taylors I've played). I saw a Martin D-15M, which immediately caught my eye. I've always loved the 15 series and it had a nice tone -- very woody and rootsy, which I'd be happy with. If the guitar had a slightly wider neck and some tortoise binding it would be a dark horse in the race for my next (and maybe last?) acoustic. I was hoping to find a D-18 (preferably V or GE model) but didn't see any. Played an HD-28V and didn't love it.

 

So then it was time to take some Gibsons off the wall. The only two models they had of interest were a standard J-45 and an Advanced Jumbo. Aesthetically comparing the two, there was a clear winner. I don't care for the standard J-45 from the graphite nut on up (bound truss rod cover, huge tuners, inlaid modern Gibson logo), whereas the Advanced Jumbo just oozes vintagey goodness. And although I don't care much for inlays, the diamond/arrows on the AJ have grown on me. Plus the tigerstripe pickguard more than makes up for it.

 

Here's the weird thing. I was expecting the tables to be turned in terms of how the guitars played and sound. I fully expected to be in love with the J-45 and not care for the AJ as much because of the rosewood.

 

I was surprised.

 

In terms of how the guitars played, I did prefer the J-45. The neck seemed a bit deeper and rounder, and the short scale was a little more comfy, which I expected. I also think the J-45 was set up more to my liking in terms of the action. But I was surprised how much I liked the Advanced Jumbo's tone. The J-45 was very warm -- almost too warm. On the other hand, the AJ, was very woody and dry and just had a little more thump to it -- even for folksy fingerstyle stuff that I've been enjoying to play (think Iron & Wine, Bon Iver, etc). I switched back and forth between the two several times and came to the same conclusion each time -- I liked the feel of the J-45 and maybe leaned a little towards the more raw sound of the AJ.

 

So now I'm not sure where to go from here. I know that the J-45 TV and the J-35 (if I can find one) both have the AJ-style bracing but have the shorter scale -- was I right all along that one of those guitars was probably my best choice? Or might an Advanced Jumbo with a smoother setup be what I'm looking for instead?

 

I wish I lived close to a dealer like Wildwood or Fuller's. :(

[Pickax]

I've owned 3 J-45's - a Rosewood version, historic Collection and a 2010 standard. My J-45TV is the best sounding new Gibson I've played. Great tone and volume. The red spruce top gives it more power and punch. The Banner Headstock and the VOS finish give it a nice vintage vibe. Love the short scale on this Guitar. I've never owned an AJ and the ones I've played have not motivated my to buy - with the exception of one I played at the Dallas GC back in June. It was a killer.

[Rambler]

First thought, if you don't love it, dont try to talk yourself into buying it. Trust first impressions.

 

Re std j45s, Ive played one good one (a vintage vibe waiting to blossom) and several that were so-so (tight, toppy). Keep in mind things like nuts and saddles can improve sound, but it's not there from the git-go, then nevermind. The higher end slope Js have a better rep on forums, fwiw.

 

Re rw. You like it our you dont. My take? Quick response (+), slightly metallic tone (-), too much in the bass and upper mids, but I finger pick a lot and my requirements are not the same as everybodys. Hope that helps.

[ataylor]

I've owned 3 J-45's - a Rosewood version, historic Collection and a 2010 standard. My J-45TV is the best sounding new Gibson I've played. Great tone and volume. The red spruce top gives it more power and punch. The Banner Headstock and the VOS finish give it a nice vintage vibe. Love the short scale on this Guitar. I've never owned an AJ and the ones I've played have not motivated my to buy - with the exception of one I played at the Dallas GC back in June. It was a killer.

 

I think I'm leaning in that direction -- I just wish I had a good Gibson dealer nearby with a couple I could play.

 

First thought, if you don't love it, dont try to talk yourself into buying it. Trust first impressions.

 

Re std j45s, Ive played one good one (a vintage vibe waiting to blossom) and several that were so-so (tight, toppy). Keep in mind things like nuts and saddles can improve sound, but it's not there from the git-go, then nevermind. The higher end slope Js have a better rep on forums, fwiw.

 

Re rw. You like it our you dont. My take? Quick response (+), slightly metallic tone (-), too much in the bass and upper mids, but I finger pick a lot and my requirements are not the same as everybodys. Hope that helps.

 

In terms of first impressions -- I've played other J-45s that I loved, which is why I thought I was going to love this one. I didn't. I think you're right on with the higher-end models being consistently better, which is why I'm leaning towards either the TV or a Fuller's special order of some sort.

 

I think the main thing I took away from my visit to GC was that I shouldn't rule out an Advanced Jumbo just yet.

[jdd707]

Seems as if you have identified the tone issues well ....... and even the playability and beauty issues. The AJ, because of the longer scale, probably will always lack the playablity of the J45 but a little work will get it right. Heck, I sold my '94 J45 and bought the AJ. Missed the warm sound and bought a new J45 and now I have the best of both worlds. So my solution was to own BOTH. If that's not practical for you, try a J45 Custom. Heavy on the bling but a short scale slope shoulderd rosewood Gibson just seems right ... and a good one sounds great and play wonderfully.

[Guth]

First thought, if you don't love it, dont try to talk yourself into buying it. Trust first impressions.

 

This pretty much covers it. Excellent advice.

[struma6]

Tough finding a Gibson dealer that isn't GC! It's a shame, really.

 

 

When I bought my AJ it was it or a J-45. The AJ just spoke to me where the 45 was nice but not extraordinary.

 

But either one=WIN!

[ataylor]

But either one=WIN!

 

That's my thought. And the reason I'm hoping I can maybe land a J-35 is that it seems like it would be a nice mix of both guitars -- both tonally and aesthetically. A little warmer like the J-45 but with a little more of a dry tone. And the understated looks of the J-45 but with that awesome firestripe pickguard...

 

That said, I'm going to be happy with any of the options I've mentioned. It really is a no-lose situation IMO.

[MissouriPicker]

J45 or AJ----I don't think you can go wrong with either. BUT, like already mentioned: go with the one that speaks to you. Don't go with a guitar simply because that is the model you have had your mind set on. When I goT my J45 last July, I went to GC that day to play a CJ165ce they had, and buying a good CJ165 was carved into my mind. I liked the one they had.....then they brought out a brand new J45. Had not been dying for a J45, but soon as I played it I knew. Had I come home with the CJ165 I'd still like it, but I'd be haunted by the J45 that I left behind. Fortunately, I made the right choice.....Get the guitar that speaks to you. Besides, somewhere down-the-line you might have room for another...........

[modoc_333]

ataylor- where are you? for this kind of money it might be worth a drive to a Gibson 5-star dealer.

[ataylor]

ataylor- where are you? for this kind of money it might be worth a drive to a Gibson 5-star dealer.

 

Utah. I think the closest 5-star dealer would be Wildwood in Colorado, maybe somewhere in California. Either way I'll probably end up buying online via one of those kinds of dealers.

[sternfan]

I own a version of both of these and I can say with aplomb that this would be an exceedingly difficult decision to make.

 

I have a J 45TV and one of the 20 Madi/Adi AJ's made and they just sound, play, and feel so incredibly different. The only similarity between them is the look!

 

The 45 is easily the best "player" I have. It's my "go to" guitar when I want write a song or play in very small groups. Incredibly even across the board and such a great volume in a short scale.

 

The AJ is a true canon, but not in the Martin D28 sense. Rather, it overloads on the trebles and has a volume to match any Martin D. Oddly enough it is a bit more imbalanced vs. the 45 in that the trebles cut more into the sound and the bass is low but never "boomy." It's the perfect guitar for large gatherings or when I play in front of more than just a few people.

 

If I HAD to choose, I'd keep the 45. It's more versatile and so easy to play. While I'd miss the AJ, I wouldn't replace it as fast as I would the 45.

 

ETA - One last thing: the AJ is more articulate up the neck than the 45. The notes stay well separated all the way up the neck on the AJ but on the 45 they blend together so much that it takes additional effort to make single notes stand out. Not so on the AJ. Highly articulate and, with this set up (it plays like a Strat), incredibly easy to play.

[Rambler]

the AJ is more articulate up the neck than the 45. The notes stay well separated all the way up the neck on the AJ but on the 45 they blend together

. That's the 25.5 scale on rosewoosd in action

[GotTheSilver]

...in the race for my next (and maybe last?) acoustic.

 

I just don't understand this concept... at all...

 

Seriously, I own an Advanced Jumbo and a J-45 Legend. Both are tremendous guitars! I love them both for different reasons. I would agree with the general descriptions given by others as to the differences. Also, I say just play as many as you can until you pick one up that just grabs your heart, then don't let that one go for anything!!! Be it J-45 or AJ or something else. Don't be in a hurry. Even if GC is the only place around that carries Gibsons, they will get new ones in from time to time. When you find the right one, you will know.

 

Now, about this last acoustic thing, I'm so confused...

[j45nick]

 

Now, about this last acoustic thing, I'm so confused...

 

My "last" acoustic will probably show up on the doorstep with the UPS guy a couple of days after they plant me. I keep an inventory for my wife with an estimated market value for each guitar, so she doesn't get taken by some guy coming in and offering her $500 for the whole lot after I'm gone. Is that morbid, or practical?

[ataylor]

I just don't understand this concept... at all...

 

As a new dad I'm just being practical -- this will likely be my last guitar purchase for a while and I want to make sure I get exactly what I want. What's not to understand?

[markwillplay]

I played a j45 the other day at guitar center and was actually blown away by it. Now I have to admit, that is usually not the case. I have a Gibson OJ reissue and have never played a j45 that that could touch it for midrange bark (I know the adi to helps my OJ)..but I digress.. If it were me, I think I would think long and hard about the 45 if you liked it and you were more comfy with it. Chances are it will get better and comfort is a real high priority for me (probably too high but tis what tis). I would actually take a short scale slope that fit me better over a long scale slope if they were fairly close in sound. My OJ seems to be a good comp witha short scale but a little more poer than your standard J45. I will ahve to admit though that the standard J45 I played the other day sounded really good. I could not believe it was not a TV or something.

[markwillplay]

by the way, part of the reason I like the 45 is that the note seperation is not as good to be honest...a good one has it's own sound and it does sort of mush together in a woody dry sort of way...but that is part of the appeal to those guitars for me. That might be why I don't own one though because the guitar I do have does have a bit more seperation and midrange punch and I have gotten used to it.

[Rambler]

So much of whether a gitty works or not depends on a person's playing style. I see AJs as a specialty niche. Its power and distinct note separation would make one killer BG guitar. Also would record well for that reason. For fingerstyle, tho, a bit much in the bass and upper mids; for folk and folk rock, more bark than riiiiinnng. But if you dig the separation and dont need the ring, well then there you go.