Gibson J-45 Faded 50s

A beautiful-sounding instrument, as you might expect, but not anywhere near set-up, which you would not expect at this price.Gibson supplies a blank truss rod cover in case you don't want to use the Slash one, but the blank cover is cheap 1-ply plastic and already has scratches on it though it has never been fitted or handled.The hard case is good quality and holds the guitar very well.If you can, play this guitar before you decide to buy. It is a little different than the standard J-45, and those differences may matter to you.

J-45’s are hard to come by. Lovely looking guitar and played well. It’s just the cost of Gibson guitars - all high end products, for that matter. I love playing with alternate tuning and with capo. Really didn’t feel like doing all these adjustments with a guitar that I had to try but cost almost £2k. Just wasn’t sure. Will try several guitars. May eventually go back to this one. That’s the fun when buying an acoustic!!!

AT FIRST...THEN...

My brother and I play small gigs. We do a lot of Beatles stuff so we both have J-160E guitars. His is the newer design, x-bracing, solid top etc. Great sounding as an acoustic guitar. Mine is a Custom Shop reproduction of the original, it's terrible as an acoustic. The onboard P90 not so great, but miked up it's pretty good, especially with flatwounds.Anyway, I needed a decent sounding acoustic to play. I have a Takamine, beautiful sound, but it just didn't look right.I had always wanted a J45, so when I saw Gibson offered a new design in Walnut I was intrigued. The price difference between the Walnut Avant Garde and the Standard wasn't an issue. When you get into the $2000 range for a guitar, it's the bling, not the sound you're paying for.When I received this, ... MoreMy brother and I play small gigs. We do a lot of Beatles stuff so we both have J-160E guitars. His is the newer design, x-bracing, solid top etc. Great sounding as an acoustic guitar. Mine is a Custom Shop reproduction of the original, it's terrible as an acoustic. The onboard P90 not so great, but miked up it's pretty good, especially with flatwounds.Anyway, I needed a decent sounding acoustic to play. I have a Takamine, beautiful sound, but it just didn't look right.I had always wanted a J45, so when I saw Gibson offered a new design in Walnut I was intrigued. The price difference between the Walnut Avant Garde and the Standard wasn't an issue. When you get into the $2000 range for a guitar, it's the bling, not the sound you're paying for.When I received this, I thought it looked a little small, and it is. The lower bout is 3/4" slimmer than a standard. I figured it would make a difference in the sound, maybe a little less projection. Secondly, it's as light as a feather. I suppose I'm stuck in a world where weight denotes something, I don't know...a more substantial instrument? Wrong on both counts.There was no sense comparing the sound of this J45 with the J160E given what I've written above so I compared it to my Takamine P5DC. The J45 is hands down a better sounding guitar. More depth on the low end, pleasantly chimy on the high end.If anything, the neck is maybe a bit small for my chunky old fingers, but that's because it resembles, in terms of fit and feel, an electric guitar's neck. I suppose that's a plus in some worlds. It really doesn't make a difference to me. A guitar is like a relationship with a woman. At first things may seem a little awkward, but as you get to know her it is a matter of do you like her and does she like you?Normally I don't review for at least a couple of weeks, but I see no reason to wait on this J45. It's a beautiful, great sounding and playing guitar. Homerun for Gibson.

Amazing new variation of J-45

Amazing new take on legendary J-45 . This was a gift from my beautiful wife for our 30th annivetsary . There have been many variations of this guitatar since 1932 and this in my opinion is one of the best . I personaly like the look of the antique natural finish with walnut sides and neck better than the vintage sunburst . When these guitars were first introduced in the 1930's, they were finished in sunburst to hide the imperfections of the tone woods , which were hard to acquire during war time . Slimmer neck and body , Walnut in place of rosewood or mahogony .Super light weight , Great range for all styles of playing ,. Played this next to a 3000.00 J45 vintage and liked this better . A little more shrill , but still great lows . Great price , nothing by Martin ... MoreAmazing new take on legendary J-45 . This was a gift from my beautiful wife for our 30th annivetsary . There have been many variations of this guitatar since 1932 and this in my opinion is one of the best . I personaly like the look of the antique natural finish with walnut sides and neck better than the vintage sunburst . When these guitars were first introduced in the 1930's, they were finished in sunburst to hide the imperfections of the tone woods , which were hard to acquire during war time . Slimmer neck and body , Walnut in place of rosewood or mahogony .Super light weight , Great range for all styles of playing ,. Played this next to a 3000.00 J45 vintage and liked this better . A little more shrill , but still great lows . Great price , nothing by Martin orTaylor compares at this price point. Bought new for just over 1400.00 .For all the hard times Gibsons going through , they are still being very inovative by introducing the best quality instrument at a price working people can afford .

It's sounds surprisingly good!

I am pleasantly surprised by its full sound, punchy low end and the little sparkle on the higher frequencies.This sounds louder and slightly brighter than my 13 yr old J45 standard.There is a scoop in the mid frequency, which preserves the warmth but also nicely cuts through the mix a little better than my j45 standard.The rosewood back and sides make the strings sustain for a longer time than it's counterpart.It's a bold and beautiful guitar that has interesting sonic overtones and undertones.The stings sing on this thing and it's hard to put it down.It is hard to compare this guitar to any other guitar make or model. This thing has a very unique sound, it's balanced and is very pretty to my ears... and the sound guy loves it :)If you are looking for that ... MoreI am pleasantly surprised by its full sound, punchy low end and the little sparkle on the higher frequencies.This sounds louder and slightly brighter than my 13 yr old J45 standard.There is a scoop in the mid frequency, which preserves the warmth but also nicely cuts through the mix a little better than my j45 standard.The rosewood back and sides make the strings sustain for a longer time than it's counterpart.It's a bold and beautiful guitar that has interesting sonic overtones and undertones.The stings sing on this thing and it's hard to put it down.It is hard to compare this guitar to any other guitar make or model. This thing has a very unique sound, it's balanced and is very pretty to my ears... and the sound guy loves it :)If you are looking for that traditional warm sound of a j45, you might not find that in this guitar, but if you are looking for something that is a little punchier, louder and with a little sparkle, this might be worth checking out.

Satisfied

The overall craftsmanship on this guitar is good. That said there is a imperfection on my guitar, more specifically the glue being observable to the naked eye, which is pretty disappointing considering the huge price it retails for. Sound is really great, no complaints here. The guitar looks and feels great, with the exception of the glue like I said. If you have the money to spend it's a great guitar, that said the price is preeety steep, so it comes to personal opinion in regards to Price/Performance. I believe you can find great guitars for half the price of this one. Still I've tested it on a lot of different tracks and genres and it is very malleable. It's a great guitar to have and I have definitely enjoy playing it!

Simply the best

I owned a Gibson j-45 years ago in the 70's with an adjustable bridge. That guitar sounded great, plenty of bass, even response across the strings comfortable to play. I sold it to buy something else. About 10 years ago I bought another one and really didn't like it. Then about five years ago I bought yet another used J-45 that was OK. Ended up selling it also. Often I'd try a J-45 whenever I saw one just never had the sound of the one I had long ago. Enter the 60's J-45 this guitar sounds and plays a lot like the original guitar I owned all those years ago. It might be the adjustable bridge, the woods. Who knows? But it sounds and plays great. Really am enjoying the guitar.Two things I bought one in Black from GC which looks really cool. There are no electronics ... MoreI owned a Gibson j-45 years ago in the 70's with an adjustable bridge. That guitar sounded great, plenty of bass, even response across the strings comfortable to play. I sold it to buy something else. About 10 years ago I bought another one and really didn't like it. Then about five years ago I bought yet another used J-45 that was OK. Ended up selling it also. Often I'd try a J-45 whenever I saw one just never had the sound of the one I had long ago. Enter the 60's J-45 this guitar sounds and plays a lot like the original guitar I owned all those years ago. It might be the adjustable bridge, the woods. Who knows? But it sounds and plays great. Really am enjoying the guitar.Two things I bought one in Black from GC which looks really cool. There are no electronics just like the one I used to own in the 70s. Now can't wait till I can get out a play again. If you are thinking about getting a Gibson acoustic the guitars coming out of Boseman are really good. As always Guitar Center is a great place to do business with. Overall highly recommended.

The Golden Era is Dead...Long live the Golden Era!

I've been hearing chatter about a new golden era taking place right now with Gibson guitars. This is in relation to the "reset" by the new CEO, post bankruptcy, and a getting back to their roots and producing quality instruments. I took the bait...and I am not disappointed! I purchased a 2023 50's J-45 in vintage sunburst, wood chips still in the body and the intoxicating smell of nitro curing, and it is flawless cosmetically and, more importantly, the tonality is superb!! A new Golden Era, or not, this thing is amazing. I can't even imagine how this beauty will age...

The best sounding Gibson I have ever played.

This guitar sings beautifully and is very comfortable to play. The warm J-45 tone is perfect and sounds vintage out of the case. You will never want to put it down. It is made with all solid wood and the old style neck is actually a comfort in the hand which surprised me. This is the best Gibson I have ever played, and compared to the other standard J-45's, I would never go back. The sunburst style is timeless and beautiful to look at and the pick guard has some character. This is a masterpiece heirloom guitar that I will never part with.

This is not a new guitar

I recieved my guitar yesterday, and it didn't come in a Gibson box or any paperwork that you usually recieve with one , no warranty card or information on how to take care of it. It had no plastic cover over the pickkguard. I'm not sure but I think this was a display. So this is not a new guitar to me. The strings look rusty to me. When you buy a new guitar you should recieve a new guitar. But my rep Jeremy Eggers was great