duluthdan Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Ok. I drank the kool-aid. After decades of not having a Gibson, I picked up a J-45 TV and love it so much I cannot put it down. Now trying to set a goal for the next one on the list. Gonna sell or trade off a Martin HD 35 - and want to replace it with something different. Suggestions? My requirements are: Must have a short-scale neck Nut width no narrower than 1.725 slope-shoulder (unless I play and fall in love with a Hummingbird - never have even held one before) Am considering: Southern Jumbo (too close to the J-45?) J-185 (though I have no idea what Maple would do for me, never held one of those either) Not really interested in vintage, unless I can play it first - will probably get a chance to sift thru a bunch of New Gibson choices at Wildwood Guitars outside of Denver in a few weeks. Small Body? Maybe one will jump out and grab me, I dunno, what shall I try that is not too big a change of the dreads I'm used to, and this J-45 that I am in love with? Any and all suggestions welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchristo Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I think Buc has the right combo, J-45 TV and Hummingbird TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyReb Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Seems to me a Hummingbird would be a great compliment to the J45. I suggest you try one, although I prefere a Martin for square shoulder dreads. Or Maybe something rosewood? Would be a nice change of tone when your in the mood. I think there's a few short scale Advanced Jumbos around to be had. I don't think you will get much of a difference out of a SJ other than different appointments. But the AJ is a different animal. Much louder and more powerfull, although I don't know how much a short scale AJ may affect that power. A small body...... I been drooling over a blues king! Those things are really sweet. I'd love to get my hands on one. Maybe when you sift through the new Gibsons you can give one a strum for me good luck on the hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojorule Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 JR's suggestion is rather a nice one, but the short-scale AJs are pretty rare, I imagine. That said, not sure what a short-scale AJ will give you that a Custom Rosewood J45 won't. I think that there are more of those doing the rounds. So there's another suggestion. The forumites who own one are absolute devotees. Not quite my sort of tone, though. Were I in your enviable situation, I'd be trying everything, but personally I'd be trying the Bird and the 185 out first. Thereafter the small bodies. Never had a chance to play any such beasts in this Gibson-deprived area, but I have heard some really nice examples of all of them on the web. I do think that the 185 will give you a greater contrast than the Hummer, and I've heard some fantastic blues played on one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Hummingbird True Vintage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Have you seen the new 5-star dealer L-00 TV and L-1? Both are stunning small body guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffchris Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Have a play of some of Gibson's rosewood guitars, I think you might be in for a nice surprise (i want to put that mines the nicest guitar I've ever played, but that's so cliche, lol ). There's a hummingbird just come in to my local music shop and she sounds real sweet, so that on my radar :) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Ok. I drank the kool-aid. After decades of not having a Gibson, I picked up a J-45 TV and love it so much I cannot put it down. Now trying to set a goal for the next one on the list. Gonna sell or trade off a Martin HD 35 - and want to replace it with something different. Suggestions? My requirements are: Must have a short-scale neck Nut width no narrower than 1.725 slope-shoulder (unless I play and fall in love with a Hummingbird - never have even held one before) Am considering: Southern Jumbo (too close to the J-45?) J-185 (though I have no idea what Maple would do for me, never held one of those either) Not really interested in vintage, unless I can play it first - will probably get a chance to sift thru a bunch of New Gibson choices at Wildwood Guitars outside of Denver in a few weeks. Small Body? Maybe one will jump out and grab me, I dunno, what shall I try that is not too big a change of the dreads I'm used to, and this J-45 that I am in love with? Any and all suggestions welcome. Isn't the Southern Jumbo too close to the 45. They may be different animals from year to year, ex to ex, but still have very similar dna. You owe yourself to at least try a few Hummingbirds. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts. Whatever happens - upwinds your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Yes sir, that Gibson Kool Aid is some pretty powerful stuff. I picked up my Hummingbird last December and it is absolutely the best player I have ever put my hands on. The CJ165 I had prior was that title holder but the H'Bird surpasses it in ease of playability. Bought the J45TV about a month ago now and while it's not the player the Bird is, it is very fine and a distinctly different tone......more present and aggressive sounding compared to the mellow warmth of the Hummingbird. Both are short scale and very comfortable in all respects. When I shopped for both I only had a couple of caveats: a Gibson of short scale with mahogany or maple back & sides. Beyond that I was looking for the best player in the store. It could have been any one of several. There was a 185, two SJs, four or five J45s, three Hummingbirds and a few other assorted guitars that met the primary conditons of scale and wood. These two won out mostly because of playabilty, my number one factor in guitar selection. The fact that these both have excellent Gibson tone is certainly a plus. Shop with a firm knowledge of what you want from the guitar and you'll be happier after the purchase. Happy hunting and welcome to the Gibson Kool Aid Club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 I probably cannot get to this one to play - but I trust Molly up there to steer me away if its not a winner - but here is a '94 Hummingbird I might be interested in - love the fact that its about $1,500 less than new - any issues with this model year that are known? http://www.williesguitars.com/index.cfm/gibson_acoustics/7/inventory/21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdd707 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I probably cannot get to this one to play - but I trust Molly up there to steer me away if its not a winner - but here is a '94 Hummingbird I might be interested in - love the fact that its about $1,500 less than new - any issues with this model year that are known? http://www.williesgu.../7/inventory/21 Wow, too many choices. What a problem to have .... isn't life good when that's a problem? Folks here really like the Hummingbird. You should be able to get a new HB for about $2,300 (less than the asking price of the used one you cited) and a HBTV for about $3,000 new. As for the small bodies, I love all of mine but be careful because they are a different animal from the ones you are accoustomed to playing. Be sure to play your kind of music on them first. If you are a fingerpicker or a blues player, they can be great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Traveled to Wildwood Guitars outside of Denver today, on a search for a new Gibson to complement my little stable. Over the course of 3 hours the very gracious and helpful sales guy trundled out a handful of New Vintage Southern Jumbos, some J-185s, and I think just about every Hummingbird in the warehouse. I really liked one of the SJs in particular, but it is way too similar to my J-45 in sound and size. The maple J-185s were interesting but didn't sizzle. One Hummingbird stood out from the crowd, but I dunno, it still didn't connect. Then he brought something out that made me pee my pants, and this is what I traded my HD 35 in on: 12 Fret Jackson Browne model. Incredible guitar, absolutely incredible. Now my stable is in balance. and yes that is a hotel bed, gotta lay low for a couple days... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchristo Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 congrats Dan, shes a beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyReb Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Wow that was quick lol. Great looking pickin' box man! Congratulations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchie69 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I played that wonderful guitar in a store here in Rome a few months ago, I remember it sounded awesome, plus I think is one of the most beautiful Gibson ever made... Congrats Dan, post some pics when you get home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 ' dirty b&@tard ' those are lovely guitars , doubt if theres even one of them here in ireland to try best of luck with it is it a lot different to your j45 ? sound and tone wise i mean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57classic Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Congratulations Dan. Those JB's are awesome sounding guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanishoaknc Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Great Choice Now the Fun Begins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hep for that flag-ship, what a surprise. And good to have a J.B. owner on board (I believe there is another). Still haven't played one, but can't wait till it happens. . . Is it possible for you to record'n'post a strip ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojorule Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Bring on the English walnut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Nice choice. A tip of the cap to you, Sir. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 That is said to be a great guitar Dan. Nice pick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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