As a proud owner of a J-35 for several years, I can only state the importance of playing a guitar and not being swayed by prejudice and bad information. I am not a big man and I have smaller hands and was always directed toward slimmer neck profiles. Even with smaller hands, I absolutely love the thicker neck. It is extremely comfortable and I can easily play for hours with no discomfort.
I still love my Custom J-35 I bought out of last year's batch. I went in thinking I would buy a Martin, or a Faded J-35, but the Custom turned out to be the sound I was looking for. Total impulse buy but the right choice for sure
I have a 2019 Martin DSS-17 and a 2022 (Built 7/27/2021) 50’s J-50. I feel rather blessed to own two fantastic slope shoulder acoustics. Beautiful J-35 & J-45 in this segment though, thanks Paul & Quinton.
If I could take one home, it might be the J-35 BUT I'm not giving up my Banner J-45 or Eastman E22SS-V-sb. Grandson is still happy with the Guild DS240. Youngest son still loves that 2019 Southern Jumbo. Now what about a Martin D-35? Thanks Paul and Quinton for all those great guitars!
@sjturner0gmail I really like it. Good bass and low mids, nice treble. Kind of between Rosewood and mahogany. The bass seems to be getting better with 8 months of use, rounder, fuller,, the more I play. The "vintage" came with a scratch on the top, which I never do. I play mostly rhythm while I sing, mostly finger style. It is loud enough to be heard above an electric piano, while I can sing over it. I play old songs (folk, gospel, Americana, counrty of sll ages, stuff I've written, Irish and cowboy) acoustically for groups between 14 to 80 in a living room tsetting (carpet, stuffed furniture, folding and wheelchairs, tile ceilings). I've used Stringjoy lights, Santa Cruz low tension, and D'Addario 0.012 PB. I like the Stringjoy lights the best. It has its voice, not a Gibson J45, but it will growl on some of those cowboy chords. I don't capo beyond the 5th fret, and it has good tone and note clarity on any of those settings. It is great on an open G tuning for Irish tunes. It continues to open up after 8 months of 20 hours (+) a week playing. It matches my voice well (tenor baritone, best key is G). I prefer it over my E20SS-V-sb, which is its backup. I use a violin varnish polish when I change strings (I also play fiddle). Neck has a nice feel, not too thick, easy for Barre chords and a Bm. I like the sound from the Adirondack top. Music Villa carries them and has a RUclips video. Talk to Paul or Chad. Hope this helps. I've been playing over 50 years.
Gibsons ship with their own branded strings. Most people believe that D’addario produces them to Gibson’s specifications and with Gibson’s branding. That happens with lots of guitar brands who sell their own branded strings and has other major string manufacturers producing them. Fender also does this, but not sure who might be winding their strings. Most major guitar brands are happy to use strings without their own branding on the package - like Ibanez uses D’addario strings on many of their guitars and state which D’addario set is installed (where applicable) on each guitar spec sheets. Other big guitar brands use unbranded no-frills type strings. A handful of guitar brands actually bother to make their own strings in house. In most cases, it doesn’t pay when they could be using brands that are already incredible.
Thank you for the videos. I haven’t played the J35. I’ve played the J45 and truly like the sound and feel of it. If the J35 neck is a little chunkier , it wouldn’t work for me. I prefer a slightly slimmer neck. Thank you for the comparison and video. Great stuff. J45 for me.
Both great guitars, no doubt, but my Eastman E6SS t/c is a J35 competitor that made me a believer. Tone and high quality build at a third of the price. Unlike Gibson, no QC issues, either.
Love all Gibson slopes but I wouldn't change my J-29. J-35 bracing, Rosewood, hide glue, straight no belly bridge and easy neck. Sounds better year after year.
As a proud owner of a J-35 for several years, I can only state the importance of playing a guitar and not being swayed by prejudice and bad information. I am not a big man and I have smaller hands and was always directed toward slimmer neck profiles. Even with smaller hands, I absolutely love the thicker neck. It is extremely comfortable and I can easily play for hours with no discomfort.
I have a J35, which I love. It was my first good acoustic guitar.
They are both wonderful and Gibson Montana is putting out some amazing guitars nowadays...something in the water in Bozeman - it's musical!
I still love my Custom J-35 I bought out of last year's batch. I went in thinking I would buy a Martin, or a Faded J-35, but the Custom turned out to be the sound I was looking for. Total impulse buy but the right choice for sure
I have a 2019 Martin DSS-17 and a 2022 (Built 7/27/2021) 50’s J-50. I feel rather blessed to own two fantastic slope shoulder acoustics. Beautiful J-35 & J-45 in this segment though, thanks Paul & Quinton.
If I could take one home, it might be the J-35 BUT I'm not giving up my Banner J-45 or Eastman E22SS-V-sb. Grandson is still happy with the Guild DS240. Youngest son still loves that 2019 Southern Jumbo. Now what about a Martin D-35? Thanks Paul and Quinton for all those great guitars!
hey tex, what do you think of the 22ss-v-sb? Thinking hard about one of those.
@sjturner0gmail I really like it. Good bass and low mids, nice treble. Kind of between Rosewood and mahogany. The bass seems to be getting better with 8 months of use, rounder, fuller,, the more I play. The "vintage" came with a scratch on the top, which I never do. I play mostly rhythm while I sing, mostly finger style. It is loud enough to be heard above an electric piano, while I can sing over it. I play old songs (folk, gospel, Americana, counrty of sll ages, stuff I've written, Irish and cowboy) acoustically for groups between 14 to 80 in a living room tsetting (carpet, stuffed furniture, folding and wheelchairs, tile ceilings). I've used Stringjoy lights, Santa Cruz low tension, and D'Addario
0.012 PB. I like the Stringjoy lights the best. It has its voice, not a Gibson J45, but it will growl on some of those cowboy chords. I don't capo beyond the 5th fret, and it has good tone and note clarity on any of those settings. It is great on an open G tuning for Irish tunes. It continues to open up after 8 months of 20 hours (+) a week playing. It matches my voice well (tenor baritone, best key is G). I prefer it over my E20SS-V-sb, which is its backup. I use a violin varnish polish when I change strings (I also play fiddle). Neck has a nice feel, not too thick, easy for Barre chords and a Bm. I like the sound from the Adirondack top. Music Villa carries them and has a RUclips video. Talk to Paul or Chad. Hope this helps. I've been playing over 50 years.
Aren’t those Eastman guitars mass produced in China?
Like both but I prefer the J45 since this one has a touch more bass. Too much high end for my on the J35.
That 35 really spoke to me, just needs the 45s tuners and bridge
Noooo, keep going Quinton! 😁 Love when musicians get in the groove pocket 😎
What strings are on them?
Gibsons ship with their own branded strings. Most people believe that D’addario produces them to Gibson’s specifications and with Gibson’s branding. That happens with lots of guitar brands who sell their own branded strings and has other major string manufacturers producing them. Fender also does this, but not sure who might be winding their strings. Most major guitar brands are happy to use strings without their own branding on the package - like Ibanez uses D’addario strings on many of their guitars and state which D’addario set is installed (where applicable) on each guitar spec sheets. Other big guitar brands use unbranded no-frills type strings. A handful of guitar brands actually bother to make their own strings in house. In most cases, it doesn’t pay when they could be using brands that are already incredible.
J45 all day looong. But I would also like a j35 lol
Thank you for the videos. I haven’t played the J35. I’ve played the J45 and truly like the sound and feel of it. If the J35 neck is a little chunkier , it wouldn’t work for me. I prefer a slightly slimmer neck. Thank you for the comparison and video. Great stuff. J45 for me.
J35 brighter and brasher in a good way. Attack is a little more percussive. I like it!
Love Any opportunity to listen to Quentin tickle a Gibson... .. I love it when you guys discuss these local guitars! Res ipsa loquitur.
They definitely speak for themselves!!
I like the J35's sound better.
both sound absolutely amazing. 100% gibson
Both great guitars, no doubt, but my Eastman E6SS t/c is a J35 competitor that made me a believer. Tone and high quality build at a third of the price. Unlike Gibson, no QC issues, either.
Lol. Keep going I guess. 😅 You guy's crack me up. Sounding good man
Paul is full of encouragement :)
Why choose? Take both 😁
Take the 45. Don't need the 35.
Love all Gibson slopes but I wouldn't change my J-29. J-35 bracing, Rosewood, hide glue, straight no belly bridge and easy neck. Sounds better year after year.
So a little different bracing, slightly thicker neck, different bridge. Nut looks different, and if the nut is different what about the saddle?
Both excellent. The 45 has a bigger sound. I love my J35 more than my J45, but not by much. They both share playing time.
Pls do a video on the new Yairi masterwork guitars pls
No other animal can beat my K35💪😤🤩
I would rather take a Kevin Kopp K-35 any day…
I prefer the deeper tone of the j45. but they're both pretty cool.
I own a J35 which I love but think the J45 may have the edge in this review.
Fairly similar, but the J-45 sounds deeper and richer to my ears.
By far. The 35 looks and sounds like a cheap knockoff in comparison. I don't even like it. Love my 45, and this one.
J45 outshines the 35 by miles....
Peghead shape is also different. Just esthetics.
J45 all the way
Just get a D-18 and be done with it.
Flip a coin if you can only afford one!
Semper Fi
I'd take the 45 any day, devil!
The 45 richer