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NGD: J45TV


Buc McMaster

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Posted

As promised, I showed up at the lefty guitar store this morning after having Jimmy stash the J45 Goldtop for me. He promptly produced it from his office and I wandered off to the back rooms with the guitar in tow........ But of course I couldn't just lay down the money and walk out. No, no, no.........I gotta play everything in the house. Even played a couple of Eastman archtops and a Gretsch White Falcon just to clear my head of "Gibson" for awhile. The Collings SJ I wanted to look over again was gone.....rats. So I played two Doves, both Hummingbirds that were still there, one Southern Jumbo (almost bought it last time I was in the store), one Arlo Guthrie something-or-other (small body thing), two SJ200 5-Star Quilt (came very close to buying the natural top - outstanding guitar but long scale), three AJs and four or five different J45s in various configurations. There was the Goldtop, a 20th Anniversary model, a couple of Customs (one in a cherry burst), an Ebony (all black, looked good) and a recent arrival, a J-45-TV. There was a Martin D-18 Golden Era that was fabulous, but again, it was long scale and I had to remind myself that for the long haul that doesn't work for me.

 

So, after a few hours of this, I ended up with the J-45-TV, as seen with his new buddy, the Hummingbird. Tweaked the t-rod, lowered the saddle a bit and strung it with Pearse lights for a clean start. The neck set is great and there is still room for action adjustment but I'll play it as it is for awhile now........... in short: Woohoo!!!

 

45andBird.jpg

Posted

I love a good twist when it comes to telling a story, and this certainly qualifies.

 

Congrats Buc! (That actually sounds lIke one hell of a guitar store.)

 

Looking forward to hearing the two of you making music together.

Posted

Still curious what is a "Gold Top" J45?

 

goldtop45.jpg

 

This be the Goldtop in question. Well, actually, no longer in question. The TV is a much better instrument. Came with a super-duper brown case too.

 

I forgot to mention the Firebird I played........wow! It was even better than the 5-Star Quilt SJ200. Beautiful to behold, very playable.........but it was long scale. While it was great to play the long scale guitars in the store I really don't think I'll ever buy another. My tired, aching old fingers don't do well with that scale length for very long.

Posted

Lovely guitars Buc - health to enjoy!

 

I'd love to get a Hummingbird someday. My friend had a great HB TV but I didn't have the cash when he was selling it.

Posted

Wow what a guitar! After playing the new 45 for most of the night I must say I am more impressed now than I was at the store. Most excellent thumpy Gibson tone. I hauled out the Hummingbird to compare........ The 45 has much more focus in the mids and lows, more direct, and it's louder than the Bird. The Hummingbird is warmer, fuzzier sounding............great tone but not as focused. I suppose much of the difference it the top wood, Adirondack v. Sitka, but they are two distinctly different animals. I'm as happy with the 45 as I am with the Bird..........wow oh wow I love me some Gibson acoustics!

Posted

Wow what a guitar! After playing the new 45 for most of the night I must say I am more impressed now than I was at the store. Most excellent thumpy Gibson tone. I hauled out the Hummingbird to compare........ The 45 has much more focus in the mids and lows, more direct, and it's louder than the Bird. The Hummingbird is warmer, fuzzier sounding............great tone but not as focused. I suppose much of the difference it the top wood, Adirondack v. Sitka, but they are two distinctly different animals. I'm as happy with the 45 as I am with the Bird..........wow oh wow I love me some Gibson acoustics!

 

Buc , is the J 45 TV a new model or was it a NOS (new old stock ) ?

 

 

thanks

 

 

JC

Posted

JC: It was built on the 310th day of 2011, so it's a pretty new build.

 

BK: The boat? What boat?!? [tongue]

 

Okay. Here's the first vid of the new 45. My wonderful wife requested this tune, which of course I haven't played in months. So a couple of run-throughs and turn on the camera.........

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWZcKtDHpM0

 

This morning I replaced the .012 & .016 with .013 and .017 for the high E and B, like I have done on my Hummingbird. I like the extra tension and bite from the slightly heavier strings in those positions. So far I am very impressed with the new J-45.

Posted

JC: It was built on the 310th day of 2011, so it's a pretty new build.

 

BK: The boat? What boat?!? [tongue]

 

Okay. Here's the first vid of the new 45. My wonderful wife requested this tune, which of course I haven't played in months. So a couple of run-throughs and turn on the camera.........

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWZcKtDHpM0

 

This morning I replaced the .012 & .016 with .013 and .017 for the high E and B, like I have done on my Hummingbird. I like the extra tension and bite from the slightly heavier strings in those positions. So far I am very impressed with the new J-45.

 

Great to hear some John Prine .

really enjoyed your version .

and that is a sweet sounding J 45 it will only get better once the Red Spruce is broken in .

 

 

JC

Posted

Buc, the J-45TV looks and sounds outstanding. I really enjoyed this track and it particular the tone of the J-45. Im really glad you got this model as I for a long time felt that a J-45 actually would sound fantastic with your voice and your style, Im glad you proved me right !

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