seratone Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I found this on Kijiji - the Canadian version of Ebay Classifieds. The seller is asking 995$, and insists on phone communication only, no email (I left a message - on holiday until a few weeks from now)....I'm in the market for a J-45, but this one just looks funny to me - there seems to be too much of a triangular shape to the tobacco sunburst coming through the black. Likely I won't get any more pictures or serial numbers unless I show up cash in hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 At best, it's a 1970's square-shoulder J-45, which is not really worth what he's asking. It could well be a fake, since some of the details look off to me, but that's a period whose details I don't know very well. In either case, if you want a J-45, you are very likely to be disappointed with this guitar, as it has nothing to do with either a traditional J-45, or its modern version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanfender Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 If its a Gibson, its a 70s J-45. I do think its a Gibson with a poor sunburst refinish and an incorrect bridge. The tuners were common on 70s Gibson and the square shouldered body is a 70s Gibson thing for the J-45. Gibson does not and did not produce sunburst finishes like that. At that price, in my opinion its way way overpriced even assuming its a real Gibson. I am not an expert on 70s Gibson's so take that for what its worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 It looks legit for a mid '70s example to me, if about as far away from a classic slope shouder J45 as it's possible to get. I've only seen cherry sunbursts from this era in the flesh but the actual pattern is right for the era. Here's a Gbase example of a similar guitar for comparison: http://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-j-45-1974-sunburst. $995 seems fair enough if it's in good condition and plays well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Sorry, link doesn't seem to work - try a google images search for "gibson J45 square shoulder" and look for examples with the square shoulder and large pick guard and you'll have a basis for comparison. Your picture isn't really clear enough that I'd want to say it's definately not a refinish, but certainly the shape of the sunburst doesn't flag up any warning signs for me, nor does the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 While I never had much to do with 1970s Gibsons, the finish, bridge and whatever look spot on to me for a mid-1970s J-45 Deluxe. Spot on or spot off though I would pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherofpearl Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I seen that on kijiji as well. To be honest you want a solid j45 for that money go to the trading post there's a wm45 there. Those are great guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seratone Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Thanks for the replies - the thing is, the seller say's it's from the 1990's. I'm not really into the square shoulders. I think I'll stay away from this one. Some of you are suggesting 995$ for a 70's J-45 is high?, I guess there's a lot more I need to learn about them. Did they exclusively produce square shoulder models for a specific span of years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seratone Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Here's another local 1974 J-45 (Toronto) http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-guitars-1974-Gibson-J-45-Deluxe-W0QQAdIdZ430108058 I see what you mean about the square shoulders - I didn't notice this before, and the burst looks similar to the one I previously posted: http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-guitars-1990s-Gibson-J-45-50-W0QQAdIdZ438718268 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanfender Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Thanks for the replies - the thing is, the seller say's it's from the 1990's. I'm not really into the square shoulders. I think I'll stay away from this one. Some of you are suggesting 995$ for a 70's J-45 is high?, I guess there's a lot more I need to learn about them. Did they exclusively produce square shoulder models for a specific span of years? They still make square shoulder dreads like the Hummingbird, Dove, Doves in Flight. These models have always been square shouldered. The Hummingbird was introduced in 1961 or 1962, I think. However, in the 1970s Gibson transitioned all their acoustic production to square shoulders. The J-45, Southern Jumbo, Advanced Jumbo were historically accurate as round shoulder dreads. The posts about the square shoulders in this thread are not necessarily a negative review of square shoulders, its more about construction methods, quality, bracing, and cost cutting methods Gibson used in the 1970s and early 1980s when Norlin owned the company. This guitar you are looking at is not a guitar from the 1990s, simply put. Run away from this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherofpearl Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Yup 70s gibsons you should stay away from period. There are some decent ones out there but few and far between. The previous one I wrote the guy told him it. Wasn't legit with no response. If your looking to spend 1000 on a gibson take my previous advice you won't be sorry. Jamie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Did they exclusively produce square shoulder models for a specific span of years? From 1969 through 1981 or 1982. These really shouldn't be thought of as J-45's. Maybe the red-headed step-child of the J-45. There is no way the guitar in the photos is from the 90's, if it's a legitimate Gibson. The thing is, for a few hundred dollars more than he's asking, you can buy a decent used Bozeman-built J-45, which is a "real" J-45 in every way. Some of the square dread J-45's are decent guitars, but they sound little like a J-45, and the chances of finding a good one are low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdd707 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Yeah what they said ... As an owner of such a guitar I'll tell you to put a few more bucks with it and get a real Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seratone Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Excellent - Then I'm looking for a pre-1969 Bozeman J-45. Finish crapes and wear aren't an issue (in fact the more the better I like guitars that come with a history). My price range would be 1200$ 2000$. I'll hit the Trading Post. If anyone has any pointers, I'd appreciate it. I can't help it - another Kijiji Ad: http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-guitars-1950-Gibson-J-45-W0QQAdIdZ435996429 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherofpearl Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Excellent - Then I'm looking for a pre-1969 Bozeman J-45. Finish crapes and wear aren't an issue (in fact the more the better I like guitars that come with a history). My price range would be 1200$ 2000$. I'll hit the Trading Post. If anyone has any pointers, I'd appreciate it. I can't help it - another Kijiji Ad: http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-guitars-1950-Gibson-J-45-W0QQAdIdZ435996429 That's legit I spoke to that guy over the phone on the guitar. It has had work done to it but apparently it's a great player. If your there is definatly check it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanfender Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Excellent - Then I'm looking for a pre-1969 Bozeman J-45. Finish crapes and wear aren't an issue (in fact the more the better I like guitars that come with a history). My price range would be 1200$ 2000$. I'll hit the Trading Post. If anyone has any pointers, I'd appreciate it. I can't help it - another Kijiji Ad: http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-guitars-1950-Gibson-J-45-W0QQAdIdZ435996429 Gibson didn't start manufacturing in Bozeman, MT in 1989. Look for one newer than 1989. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Gibson didn't start manufacturing in Bozeman, MT in 1989. Look for one newer than 1989. What he said..... And I'd go slightly newer (say, 1992 or later) to make sure I go a nitro finish and a standard dovetail neck joint. If I am wrong on that year, someone will correct me. Modern Bozeman J-45's are some of the best guitars Gibson has ever built, and they are relatively inexpensive for standard models. You should be able to find a good one for $1500 or less. The 1950 J-45 in the link you provided is very rough, and obviously has changed parts. You should not really buy vintage until you have a bit of experience with a modern J-45 so you have a basis for comparison and a better understanding of potential issues with vintage guitars. A good 1950 J-45 will set you back around $5,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I owned one of these as a youngster in the late 70's - it was my second Gibson-go after a similar J-50. In the wake of this giga double disappointment I caught the often talked about G-trauma from which I'm - with great luck - only recovering these years. The ex. you're talking about could have developed into something good, but must be heard/tried before buying. I understand you pass - good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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