J-1854Me Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 So I just got one of the new "Banner J-35" guitars. I first saw, handled and played one a few weeks earlier, at the Fretboard Journal/Gibson-sponsored "Kalamazoo Gals" unveiling in Seattle, with John Thomas. Came across a sweet deal on one from Fuller's Vintage, so pulled the proverbial trigger on one that Mike Fuller A/B'd for me. Here it is: I'll have a week at sea to audition it first, but initial impressions are very favourable -- good sound, great playability, good looks, comes with pickup so ready-for-stage. This is gonna be a good seller for Gibson, I'm thinking. Kudos to Gibson for this one!! Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Man, I am envious :-) Beautiful looking guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dotneck Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Good for you, Fred! I've also been thinking about getting one of these since I saw one recently at the local Scam Cash. I'll be interested to see how it grows on you. Do you also have a J-45? What do you mean a week at sea? Are you traveling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Congrats!...on a sweet-looking Gibson Is it lightly built? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Good for you, Fred! I've also been thinking about getting one of these since I saw one recently at the local Scam Cash. I'll be interested to see how it grows on you. Do you also have a J-45? What do you mean a week at sea? Are you traveling? Hey Gary -- I don't have a J-45. *Had* a 49-50 J-45 with a top refin, for a while -- sold that to "Hoss" many years ago, and no idea where that one is now. Have a J-50, and this is similar but a bit more 'barky'. A week at sea = cruise vacation. Best Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Congrats!...on a sweet-looking Gibson Is it lightly built? Yes -- it IS lightly built! Go figure! It has an active pickup in it, with a battery on the neck block and the volume control inside the soundhole. Love the natural finish back and neck too! Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nid2007 Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Congrats! I played one today for a bit...really enjoyed it. A lot of nice slope shoulder hog for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Congratulations, Fred! We both knew that this model was a winner from the first notes we played on the one in Seattle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvguit Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 So jealous J-185!! I want one so bad. Enjoy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 . Cool looking slope. I like the Nat finish. Congats. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trvlr Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 no doubt Gibson cornered the ooh's and ahh's of acoustic guitars with that pickguard design..she's awfully pretty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Congratlations Fred, would love to hear how this guitar sounds. It surely must be the best bang for the buck Gibson out there ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdd707 Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Congratulations! I've played two myself and was favorably impressed. I noticed that the Gibson site says they come strung with 11s. I'd be interested to see how they sound with 12s. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Fred , enjoy those are killer looks and I'm sure it has a killer tone JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherofpearl Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Congrats Fred! Glad you love it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
levidale Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Yes -- it IS lightly built! Go figure! It has an active pickup in it, with a battery on the neck block and the volume control inside the soundhole. Love the natural finish back and neck too! Fred does it have a thicker neck than the 45's? And also I notice they put the pickguard in the right place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 I've been playing this guitar for a week, while on a cruise -- it's been fun to have along! I'm liking it more day by day. It's got a nice full voice, the action is just about perfect, and the neck is a medium-C shape, I'd say. Don't know what the strings on it are, but they are slinky and feel good. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn6490 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Beautiful guitar. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Larry Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 This new model reminds me a bit of the old Working Man series. I say that not having played one yet. Just the looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrober Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Congratulations! I've played two myself and was favorably impressed. I noticed that the Gibson site says they come strung with 11s. I'd be interested to see how they sound with 12s. Enjoy! I put Pearse 600Ls on it and 700m. I'd need to switch back to the 12s to double check, but I think that I like 12s better than 13s. In my opinion, almost too much string, sort of chokes the airy quality of the tone. I'd probably do the best of both worlds, and string it lighter on the bass side and stick to 17 and 13 on the treble. But I am curious how others have experimented with strings on the J35 too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Nice guitar, Fred. It looks just like that 5 star model you and I tried in Bozeman a while back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrober Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Has anyone experimented with different strings on their new J35? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madhat Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Has anyone experimented with different strings on their new J35? mj- not yet. i would also like to here what others have tried or might suggest? the strings that came on my guitar are just warming up- and they sound great! (Gibson strings i imagine...) really looking forward to trying a bunch of different strings on this beast though! on my list to try so far- D'Addario EJ16 (my default string in the past- interested in seeing what they are like on the J35) DR Rare PB Martin Lifespan SP D'Addario EXP madhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalex Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I tried the Martin lifespans on mine and really didn't like them. I currently have the John Pearse 600L's on it and I am liking them so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madhat Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I tried the Martin lifespans on mine and really didn't like them. I currently have the John Pearse 600L's on it and I am liking them so far. thanks Jalex! i will add those JPs to the list madhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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