emmonsh Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 hey wonder if i can throw a couple questions at you guys. have a bonus check from work coming at the beginning of the year. looking to buy a gibson for about 2000. used is absolutly fine. mostly strummer, some flatpicking. really no fingerstyle. want something to go good with the voice. just a couch player. have seen songwriters going for about 1500 on ebay. lots of differnt styles so not sure what the diff is? also have seen a 2009 hummingbird for 1500.[cant figure that 1 out] have bought many guitars so i trust my judgement on buying site unseen. live in northern mi so not much around. also i love the cj165, but dont see many used. have owned a few martins and a new d18p is also a possibily. would apreciate any suggestyions. thanks every1. by the way have never played a j45 and think they also sound great. elderlys is a 2 1/2 drive so i will keep a look there and make the trip if anything interests me. thanks again
j45nick Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Go for the 'Bird. Can't go wrong at the price, if it's in one piece.
Joe M Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 I agree with Rob and nick, at that price, the 'Bird is a steal. In fact, if you don't want it, let me know.... ;)
Jinder Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 I agree with Rob and nick, at that price, the 'Bird is a steal. In fact, if you don't want it, let me know.... ;) That's a massively keen price for a 'Bird, if it's a good 'un I'd get in there like swimwear... If you don't end up with the 'Bird, a J45 sounds perfect for you. It's the best all-rounder of any Gibson I've owned (I've owned two J45s, loved both but had to part with them in times of dire financial woe), it'll strum as capably as it'll flatpick as capably as it'll do fingerstyle. They're amazing guitars. Over time I've found my large hands fall more naturally on a 25.5" scale neck rather than the shorter scale of the '45 or 'Bird, but that's just me. I also found the J45 to be an extremely comfortable guitar to play when seated, for reasons I can't put my finger on...maybe the way the body geometry fitted my physical geometry, who knows...either way, the J45 is a stone-cold classic and a guitar that I might well pick as a deser-island guitar, such is its versatility. Another guitar to consider for a couch-pickers is an L-00 Blues King-don't let the name fool you, it's capable of WAY more than just Blues. In fact, mine is very J45-like in tonality, but with a touch less bottom end. They record BRILLIANTLY and really fill a room with sound. I've used mine for everything from Bluegrass to Funk to old-time Rock'n'Roll. Incredibly versatile.
j45nick Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 That's a massively keen price for a 'Bird, if it's a good 'un I'd get in there like swimwear... If you don't end up with the 'Bird, a J45 sounds perfect for you. It's the best all-rounder of any Gibson I've owned (I've owned two J45s, loved both but had to part with them in times of dire financial woe), it'll strum as capably as it'll flatpick as capably as it'll do fingerstyle. They're amazing guitars. Over time I've found my large hands fall more naturally on a 25.5" scale neck rather than the shorter scale of the '45 or 'Bird, but that's just me. I also found the J45 to be an extremely comfortable guitar to play when seated, for reasons I can't put my finger on...maybe the way the body geometry fitted my physical geometry, who knows...either way, the J45 is a stone-cold classic and a guitar that I might well pick as a deser-island guitar, such is its versatility. Another guitar to consider for a couch-pickers is an L-00 Blues King-don't let the name fool you, it's capable of WAY more than just Blues. In fact, mine is very J45-like in tonality, but with a touch less bottom end. They record BRILLIANTLY and really fill a room with sound. I've used mine for everything from Bluegrass to Funk to old-time Rock'n'Roll. Incredibly versatile. Can't argue with anything Jinder says here. If the Bird's in good shape, she could be the one. Otherwise, the J-45. I have no first-hand experience with the L-00, but they get good reviews here. With your budget, you should find a very recent and excellent example of either the J-45 or the Blues King. There, that was simple, wasn't it?
emmonsh Posted November 2, 2011 Author Posted November 2, 2011 Can't argue with anything Jinder says here. If the Bird's in good shape, she could be the one. Otherwise, the J-45. I have no first-hand experience with the L-00, but they get good reviews here. With your budget, you should find a very recent and excellent example of either the J-45 or the Blues King. There, that was simple, wasn't it? yea the bird sure intregues me. looks like new. ill have to get some more info from the seller. thanks every1
jdd707 Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 The Bird sound good at that price SOOOOOOO be careful ... if it is too good to be true, it probably isn't ... well too good. I'd have to go with the J45 for an all around strummer.
modoc_333 Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 maybe an AJ? you can easily find a used one and be in budget... and maybe even a new one. you really seem all over the board with what you are looking at. you really need to spend some time with these guitars. you haven't even played the classic J45!!!!!! i know it's a bit of a trip, but you really need to make a trip to Huber and Breese in Detroit, or Cream City Music in Brookfield (whichever is easier and has the models you want to try). this is $2000 we're talking about. make the drive, enjoy the trip, and find the RIGHT guitar for you.
Rambler Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 Yonder 'Bird is fine for strum and sing but for flatpick cred, I'd give the nod to a J45. Those things are great for singing along with and are pretty well accepted for fiddle back-up. And (I don't always say this) an Advanced Jumbo (J45 body, rw b/s, 25.4 scale) might be worth a strum - a great flatpick guitar. As for shopping, might try to get down to Elderly Music in Lansing.
emmonsh Posted November 4, 2011 Author Posted November 4, 2011 Yonder 'Bird is fine for strum and sing but for flatpick cred, I'd give the nod to a J45. Those things are great for singing along with and are pretty well accepted for fiddle back-up. And (I don't always say this) an Advanced Jumbo (J45 body, rw b/s, 25.4 scale) might be worth a strum - a great flatpick guitar. As for shopping, might try to get down to Elderly Music in Lansing. im keeping an eye on elderlys. they will get a few used aj,s and 45 in once in a while for a pretty good price. hummingbird was gone
Scratch47 Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 I'm pretty new here, for sure, so you may want to throw some salt on my input. I had the same yearning for a Hummingbird or Songwriter as my first Gibby, then stumbled across my newly acquired 2003 J45 Rosewood Custom about three weeks ago. I simply can't get over the short-scale comfort and great sound. I'm a longtime Guild guy and wound up trading in a prized D40 to obtain it. I'm happy with the decision... My shoulders are getting older (unfortunately that ain't all) and Guild just doesn't make a short-scale acoustic for us aging boomers. I love mahogany and still have the bug to get a Hummingbird one of these days... Means I'll probably have to part with one of the Guild 12 stringers in the corral to get one, but it could happen. Good luck in your quest... Scratch47 sends...
struma6 Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 I would spend a few bucks and get the "SHIFT" key repaired. ;) I would also be keen on the 'Bird while having some suspicion about the price...
zombywoof Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 For flatpicking and strumming you can't go wrong with an HB. Another vote for the Bird.
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