Bought a new J-50 in 1971 when 19. Screw adjustable bridge failed after 10 years so I had a bunch of repair work done at Wooden Music in Chicago about 1981. They built a fixed bridge with 2 piece intonated saddle, did a re-fret and some other work, all in all costing almost what I originally paid for the guitar new. But I still have it and play it almost daily since retiring allows the time. Others (many others) have come and gone, but she has remained. Now she has a larger herd around her but is still my prize girl. People have their gripes and rightfully so about the Norlin era Gibsons, but I still love by baby.
Hi , How thick of a gauge string can I get away with on a j-55? I heard they “over built” norlin era gibsons, so I’m looking for a guitar I can put heavy acoustic guitar strings on, and gibson j-55 are reasonably priced and I feel they don’t get the respect they deserve, any thoughts ,thanks
I really love the Gibson I bought from Chris / Alamo a while back. They know what they're talking about. Thanks Chris and Cooper. Ps I have a grandson that also likes it.
I read or heard some place that, originally, the J-45 tops were not perfect so they covered them with the sunburst finish to make them look good (Steve C. referred to this as well). The J-45 was priced at $45 and the J-50 then used the natural finish because there was nothing to hide and was priced at $50. So they sorta got their names from the prices. I had a J-50 that I bought used back in the early 70s but I kept waiting for it to develop it's great sound but it never did. I finally learned that it must have been build around 69 or 70 (Gibson did not keep good records on their serial numbers) and it was built with the square shoulders after Gibson sold the company. I finally traded it for an Epiphone that I love, but I still want to get a good J-50 once again. The 50s Original J-50 may be the one. From all I've heard about them, they sound and play great.
Someone brought one of these to me to play who found it in his closet. The most incredible sounding guitar I've ever played and it even had cracks in it
I have a 69 J-50 and it has square shoulders. I have seen included in this video, J-45s with round shoulders and J-50s with round shoulders... how does this work? It seems to me that the square shoulders add a completely different tonal quality to these instruments. Thank you for your great videos.
I've had a J-50 since the early 70s. Great guitar, square shoulders, rich tone. Thank you for reminding the world that they are wonderful instruments, and for putting out all of this wonderful content.
My first real guitar was a J-50, purchased in 1973. It served me well for several years until it was demolished by an intoxicated roommate. I had a J-45 by that time, too, purchased from a friend. So all was not lost. The J-45 eventually bubbled up below the bridge and became unplayable. But they were great sounding guitars in their day.
Mandolin, An Underrated Gem for Fan Slicing in the Kitchen. Just fan out the slices on a platter to serve, old worn out hi-fi LPs may serve the purpose... Great slicing and dicing on the J-50, Cooper! I may just have to drive over to Bozeman for a factory tour this summer, maybe with my son in law who was offered a job there at the end of his tour. He considered it, but figured he'd better finish school at MSU first. Go Griz!
Guys, I really like the J45 and it only just lost out to a Taylor 517ce. I do have a 12 string Gibson Songwriter which sound to me exactly what a 12 string guitar should, BUT, I have to say, considering the cost, the fit and finish is not as it should be for a 2K+£ guitar.
cool but I want to know how the 50's reissue J50 sounds against the 60's reissue J50 with the adjustable saddle...can't find a direct comparison yet... thanks for this post.
I have a 66' J-50, but the bridge is lifting. I'm searching around for a place that can repair it. Still sounds great though, more bass than my new Hummingbird.
I have a 54 J50 that was my grandads. The bridge split and some of the bracing was loose inside. I took mine to Carter Vintage in Nashville and they did a killer job on it. I have a list of some really good places you could take it depending on location
Confusion? Decision making? Consistency? Attaching logic to anything Gibson does...is a mistake. Thank goodness they make good instruments...(most of the time).
60s versions have an adjustable saddle, and therefore don’t come with the LR Baggs pickup, which is an under-saddle piezo. There may be other differences: tuners?
I can’t any specs on the 50s J-50….is this as high a quality nitrocellulose finish as the standard J-45? Or is it thinner finish and muted? Those are less expensive.
I have played three J-45’s and owned one. This might be similar but it is not a modern j-45. The 50’s style j-50 is equipped with a much fatter neck to replicate the era and I feel like it transfers more vibration to the sika top resulting in a better fuller tone. I have played 2 J-50’s and 3 J-45 moderns and the J-50 beats it for feel and tone by a landslide
I agree with you. They’re not the same. I’ve got a j45 standard and a j45 rosewood custom for some years now and recently bought a J45 50’s ebony and it definitely feels and sounds different to me. It also seems to be a bit lighter with a lot more vibration coming through the body and a fuller sound. I think these 50’s models are great. Not sure which neck I prefer yet but the new 50’s models are terrific. Still love my standard but the 50’s model are something special.
The Gibson J-50 is an acoustic guitar with the following specs1234: Overall length: 41 in. (104.1 cm.) Width at lower bout: 16 in. (40.6 cm.) Depth at side, taken at the end block: 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm.) Scale length: 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.) Width of nut: 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.) Top: Sitka spruce Back: Mahogany Sides: Mahogany
The spruce wood choice for the J45 sunburst tops were not the grade quality of the the natural tops on the J50’s.Imperfections could be hidden with the sunburst finishes on the J45’s. Sound wise I don’t think there was much if any of a difference. I’ve played a few 50’s Martins D’s that had irregularities in the spruce tops and sounded excellent.
No, I guess not. That video was tantalizing, but the stock situation has been dismal for the past two months ( it’s 1/4/22 today). I was able to find a 50s J-45, but my first choice was the 50s J-50. But to tell the truth, I’m loving the burst now, so go figure. Remember that the J-50 was the Fire and Rain, Something in the Way She Moves, Sweet Baby James guitar. Beat that.
I acknowledge that Chris is one of the most knowledgeable guitar gurus out there but I strongly suspect that he has accepted an oversimplified explanation for the difference between a J-45 and a J-50. The J-45 has a more bassy tonality than the J-50. I’m guessing there is a difference in tone bar placement between the two models. SO Chris - let’s see a head to head comparison of a J-45 and a J-50!
Kept fast forwarding through this and every time I stopped the guy on the right was still talking. Would love to hear what the other guy has to say, and especially hear more playing and less talking. Most of the Alamo vides I've watched are like this. The "presenter" is way too long winded.
I said this before and i will say it again: i could listen to you two talk about guitars all day, much love from Germany.
You know...any instrument is going to sound amazing in Cooper’s hands. That guy is a player.
My parents bought a J50 for me in 1964. Still have it. It’s my only 6 string acoustic.
YES!!!! The hidden gem series begins!!! Keep 'em coming!
Great playing Cooper,as always !
Wow Cooper! Great picking!
Bought a new J-50 in 1971 when 19. Screw adjustable bridge failed after 10 years so I had a bunch of repair work done at Wooden Music in Chicago about 1981. They built a fixed bridge with 2 piece intonated saddle, did a re-fret and some other work, all in all costing almost what I originally paid for the guitar new. But I still have it and play it almost daily since retiring allows the time. Others (many others) have come and gone, but she has remained. Now she has a larger herd around her but is still my prize girl. People have their gripes and rightfully so about the Norlin era Gibsons, but I still love by baby.
Hi , How thick of a gauge string can I get away with on a j-55? I heard they “over built” norlin era gibsons, so I’m looking for a guitar I can put heavy acoustic guitar strings on, and gibson j-55 are reasonably priced and I feel they don’t get the respect they deserve, any thoughts ,thanks
Hey, Cooper's right. It does look super big. Sounds nice.
Love this guitar! Great playing Cooper!
Sick demo Cooper !!!
I really love the Gibson I bought from Chris / Alamo a while back. They know what they're talking about. Thanks Chris and Cooper. Ps I have a grandson that also likes it.
Whenever I watch Cooper play I get jealous of his playing! How do you even get to be so good?!
Got one and it's a great guitar.
I read or heard some place that, originally, the J-45 tops were not perfect so they covered them with the sunburst finish to make them look good (Steve C. referred to this as well). The J-45 was priced at $45 and the J-50 then used the natural finish because there was nothing to hide and was priced at $50. So they sorta got their names from the prices. I had a J-50 that I bought used back in the early 70s but I kept waiting for it to develop it's great sound but it never did. I finally learned that it must have been build around 69 or 70 (Gibson did not keep good records on their serial numbers) and it was built with the square shoulders after Gibson sold the company. I finally traded it for an Epiphone that I love, but I still want to get a good J-50 once again. The 50s Original J-50 may be the one. From all I've heard about them, they sound and play great.
Someone brought one of these to me to play who found it in his closet. The most incredible sounding guitar I've ever played and it even had cracks in it
I have a 69 J-50 and it has square shoulders. I have seen included in this video, J-45s with round shoulders and J-50s with round shoulders... how does this work? It seems to me that the square shoulders add a completely different tonal quality to these instruments. Thank you for your great videos.
Me too J-50 Deluxe…🎸
I've had a J-50 since the early 70s. Great guitar, square shoulders, rich tone. Thank you for reminding the world that they are wonderful instruments, and for putting out all of this wonderful content.
I Think The little demo thing in the beginning is great
My first real guitar was a J-50, purchased in 1973. It served me well for several years until it was demolished by an intoxicated roommate. I had a J-45 by that time, too, purchased from a friend. So all was not lost. The J-45 eventually bubbled up below the bridge and became unplayable. But they were great sounding guitars in their day.
Yes i've had them bu bble up too ! :)
@@TheBubblybobby Did you try a bridge doctor?
@@tomformanek3312 Actually a friend of mine fixed it.Never heard of a bridge doctor . :)
Mind blowing playing holy crap
picking this up tomorrow thanks legends
Full and rich sound. This guitar sounds great, and Cooper is a master.
Mandolin, An Underrated Gem for Fan Slicing in the Kitchen. Just fan out the slices on a platter to serve, old worn out hi-fi LPs may serve the purpose... Great slicing and dicing on the J-50, Cooper!
I may just have to drive over to Bozeman for a factory tour this summer, maybe with my son in law who was offered a job there at the end of his tour. He considered it, but figured he'd better finish school at MSU first. Go Griz!
Guys, I really like the J45 and it only just lost out to a Taylor 517ce. I do have a 12 string Gibson Songwriter which sound to me exactly what a 12 string guitar should, BUT, I have to say, considering the cost, the fit and finish is not as it should be for a 2K+£ guitar.
My Dads j50 is awesome ! Bought in 73...its kinda hard on the fingers though..
cool but I want to know how the 50's reissue J50 sounds against the 60's reissue J50 with the adjustable saddle...can't find a direct comparison yet... thanks for this post.
Does Gibson call that the stadium series?
James Taylor knew how to work a J50! They have a certain magic the J45s dont.....
Can you do a review on the orangewood morgan mahogany?
I have a 66' J-50, but the bridge is lifting. I'm searching around for a place that can repair it. Still sounds great though, more bass than my new Hummingbird.
I have a 54 J50 that was my grandads. The bridge split and some of the bracing was loose inside.
I took mine to Carter Vintage in Nashville and they did a killer job on it. I have a list of some really good places you could take it depending on location
@@jasonnutt7486 Hi Jason, thanks for the response. I'll go to Carters website and check them out.
Confusion? Decision making? Consistency?
Attaching logic to anything Gibson does...is a mistake.
Thank goodness they make good instruments...(most of the time).
Isn't the nut wider on this 50s j50? Than it is on a J45 standard?
Any insight on J50 Delux?
What's the difference between the 60's and 50's J-50 reissues? This one sounds great!
60s versions have an adjustable saddle, and therefore don’t come with the LR Baggs pickup, which is an under-saddle piezo. There may be other differences: tuners?
Also, the 50s neck is wider and chunkier.
I can’t any specs on the 50s J-50….is this as high a quality nitrocellulose finish as the standard J-45? Or is it thinner finish and muted? Those are less expensive.
I have played three J-45’s and owned one. This might be similar but it is not a modern j-45. The 50’s style j-50 is equipped with a much fatter neck to replicate the era and I feel like it transfers more vibration to the sika top resulting in a better fuller tone. I have played 2 J-50’s and 3 J-45 moderns and the J-50 beats it for feel and tone by a landslide
I agree with you. They’re not the same. I’ve got a j45 standard and a j45 rosewood custom for some years now and recently bought a J45 50’s ebony and it definitely feels and sounds different to me. It also seems to be a bit lighter with a lot more vibration coming through the body and a fuller sound. I think these 50’s models are great. Not sure which neck I prefer yet but the new 50’s models are terrific. Still love my standard but the 50’s model are something special.
I agree. Currently I have one of these 50s J-50 reissues and a standard J-45. They sound completely different.
So here I was feeling good about my recent guitar progress and then Cooper doing whatever the hell he is doing there 😂
What is the nut width on this guitar.
The Gibson J-50 is an acoustic guitar with the following specs1234:
Overall length: 41 in. (104.1 cm.)
Width at lower bout: 16 in. (40.6 cm.)
Depth at side, taken at the end block: 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm.)
Scale length: 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.)
Width of nut: 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.)
Top: Sitka spruce
Back: Mahogany
Sides: Mahogany
The spruce wood choice for the J45 sunburst tops were not the grade quality of the the natural tops on the J50’s.Imperfections could be hidden with the sunburst finishes on the J45’s.
Sound wise I don’t think there was much if any of a difference. I’ve played a few 50’s Martins D’s that had irregularities in the spruce tops and sounded excellent.
So I saw a 2022 50s J-50…. Can’t find anything on it…and it was sunburst. I am confused.
So, can I buy one from you?
No, I guess not. That video was tantalizing, but the stock situation has been dismal for the past two months ( it’s 1/4/22 today). I was able to find a 50s J-45, but my first choice was the 50s J-50. But to tell the truth, I’m loving the burst now, so go figure.
Remember that the J-50 was the Fire and Rain, Something in the Way She Moves, Sweet Baby James guitar. Beat that.
Sam "Lightnin" Hopkins...
I don't know why but the J 50 seems to have a little more bottom end over the 45.
My J-50 has an adjustable bridge.
what are they worth in 2024?
I acknowledge that Chris is one of the most knowledgeable guitar gurus out there but I strongly suspect that he has accepted an oversimplified explanation for the difference between a J-45 and a J-50. The J-45 has a more bassy tonality than the J-50. I’m guessing there is a difference in tone bar placement between the two models. SO Chris - let’s see a head to head comparison of a J-45 and a J-50!
Kept fast forwarding through this and every time I stopped the guy on the right was still talking. Would love to hear what the other guy has to say, and especially hear more playing and less talking. Most of the Alamo vides I've watched are like this. The "presenter" is way too long winded.
Short attention span.
First to comment!!!
Joe Brown...