Gibson's best selling acoustic (shouldn't exist)
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- Опубликовано: 6 апр 2024
- By now the Gibson J45, "The American Workhorse", is a household name. It has been used by folks like Donavon, Dylan, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Buddy Holly, as well as more modern players like Elliott Smith and Jeff Tweedy to give it a lasting reputation. It really is a time-tested workhorse guitar, but in reality this guitar never should have been made, and in fact it almost disappeared all together.
Today in the shop I have a really cool example of the J45. I hope this guitar and video gives you some insight into just how special the Gibson J45 really is, and why Gibson's #1 selling acoustic guitar shouldn't even exist at all.
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I found a 1956 Country Western (J-50) for $50 in Milwaukee want ads in the 1978 and sadly let it get away shortly after. Biggest mistake I ever made. That guitar became the benchmark for every acoustic guitar for the next 50 years for me. I still miss it.
i had a J 50, back in 70s, given ti me . had no idea what i had. i lost it in a deal gone wrong. not a good memory.
Nooo, I missed out on stuff like that too. They’re still out there!
I found a 57 C&W at a garage sale for $20. I’m waiting on a call to pick it up from the luthier right now! I don’t know that I’ve ever been so excited about anything in my life lol.
@@ryanstokes5363 GOOD FOR YOU!!! The magic is still out there if you're lucky enough to find it!
great history, great storytellin', GREAT GUITAR, great playin', kyle .. .
Thanks bud!
Killer sounding guitar, and great video Kyle!
Another interesting thing I heard once about the J-45 was that it was a direct product of their wood supply during the WWII years - it was initially intended to be the natural finished J-50, but since Gibson had an issue getting high grade woods during that period, they received woods with imperfections which they hid under the sunburst finishes. You probably already know this, but they did make a very small amount of J-50’s in 1942 before they ceased production on the model and resumed in 1946.
Dude totally! There’s a number of three-piece tops floating around out there hidden under those bursts! I know the kzoo’s have a lot of them anyway. With all this in mind it’s interesting that these are the guitars that fetch so much. What are people really paying for 🧐? Hehe.
@@kostringworks I saw a very early kg 11 that had a five-piece top but a solid back - the FON was in the low 500s, which made it one of the first 50 or so
Daamn dude. That’s a lotta 5’s. I’m gonna call you next time I have to read FON’s too.
For sure, I have the full list!! @@kostringworks
Oh,the old j45 story,once again. I chanced across a 1964 or maybe 1965 cherry sunburst donovan leach gibson j45. It had a very thin ,small neck profile. This paticular j45 came up from deep louisana bayou country. There is an old storry about Donavan,s signature j45 was stollen back stage at one of his concerts in the 1960,s . Personally i think they sound their best played directly through a good microphone. Well balanced.
Same!
I’ve always been a Martin fan, blame that on the Kingston Trio and Bob Shane’s D-28. But a couple of years ago while helping a friend clean out her storage area, I spotted a guitar case with Gibson on it. Upon opening it I discovered a virtually new J-45 which I now own.
I recently heard Howard Stern interview KT Tunstall where she discussed her J-45… I’m assuming that’s her J-45…
Dang! That’s some luck! Congrats!
I am just so grateful to you Kyle. All the best! Kinda needed this specific content. That Gibson is identical to mine, right down to the color burst and bridge work. I had a set of Grovers installed in the 80's. The K and K's work pretty good. Truly a workhorse, Dad bought it for me in 1964, my birthday present and reward for learning 3 pretty tough songs . The sweet tune in your sound sample would mirrors the voice in mine. My style is looser, but still very similar. She's more weathered, checked and faded but kept In top shape from the continuing care provided by a Luthier in St Paul and is an absolute joy to hold and play.
Appreciate you too! I feel like I see these things with updated bridges more often than adjustable! I’m partial to the sound of bone, but I can see both sides. Glad yr digging the vids!!
Thanks for referencing the "Kalamazoo Gals" ("gals, not "girls." When the Gals walked into the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in early 1942, the number 1 song in the USA was "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo." Hence, the name of my book, is "The Kalamazoo Gals."
Didn’t know that! So cool!
I have my fathers early 1970's SJ-Deluxe. I was lucky enough that it was my first guitar. The one I leaned to play on. I played it for many years in a church choir and can't count how many times people came up to me to say what a wonderful sound it had. Not miked up and with two other guys playing too. OK. I did a solo guitar piece playing with a guy playing Uilleann pipes (I'm from Ireland) but it aways struck me how non musical people could pick it out from the others. A joy to play!
Nice!! Love the look of those SJ’s!! Great story dude thanks for sharing.
Sloped shoulder just looks so much better. Always hated the flat topped standard dreadnoughts.
Agree! I love me some slopey shoulders!
I bought a '46 J45 for $100 in 1965. Wonderful guitar.
Will the SOB that stole it in 1967 please return it .
Thank you. I am still here.
Gibson is consistent about being inconsistent, and now grossly overpriced.
The better deal was the WM-45. Great guitars.
Enjoyed the video, liked and subscribed.
PS Collings makes a great Gibson,
Love Collings and Gibson. Collings are grossly overpriced too, btw…But finally, yes, the WM45 was a GREAT guitar! They should re-introduce it.
Daaang. It would be some cool if he see your comment haha.
And yes, couldn’t say it better myself regarding Collings 😂.
One of the biggest atrocities one could do to a vintage J-45 is removing the adjustable saddle. The piece of ceramic helped define an entire generation of music. If it was good enough for some of the best artists that ever lived, I’m certain it still good enough in 2024. Plus as a collector, I stay far away from anything that has been switched to fixed position.
I have a J-50 with the ADJ bridge and the bass side will no longer adjust. It's as low as it can go and will not raise -- the screw just spins and I can feel it jump slightly on the turn, like when you're removing a bolt from a nut and you've got it all the way out but you keep turning, you can feel it "jump" on the threads slightly. Any idea how to fix that?
edit: fixed it myself, if anyone else encounters this issue you probably have a broken screw. You can buy another for like $100 on Reverb, or just shim the saddle. I shimmed the saddle and all is well.
Fair!
Beautiful instrument, and what a story , I have also been doing a deep dive on the" Kalamazoo Gals" .
Thanks Roger! Gibsons been shy to admit this part of history - which is ridiculous - but I did just see a recent video from Paul Davids at a Gibson show room where one of the Gibson guys does openly gives gratitude to the kzoo girls. Really glad to know they’re opening up about it!
I watched a recent interview with one of the K Gals, I forget who put it out but should be easy to find, then it was just a job during hard times now it is important history
There is a fine book titled "Kalamazoo Gals" written by John Thomas. It has a number of photos and is very interesting if you are into Gibson acoustics - even if you're not! Still in print.
Thank you, I am interested
Your video is great it makes one want to get one ... What was that beautiful song you were playing Kyle ? I want to learn it if only for those wonderful bass notes ... I looked up the 1942 models for sh#t's and giggles WOW there asking way to much money for these, but hey if you got the doe and want one bad enough RIGHT? Go for it.
Yeah it’s crazy what people are asking. I will say, they do sound expensive too haha.
The tune is just something of mine! Glad you dig it!
Until today, I considered the J-45 to be a lesser guitar. No more! Thank you for setting me straight.
Right!?! Glad to shed some light on the often-forgotten history of a really special guitar!
I hate the sound of those adjustable saddles. I made a tight fitting, Brazilian rosewood, plug for my 65 Epiphone Texan. Then routed the plug for a tightly fitting bone saddle and love the way it sounds now. I didn't glue in the plug though. That way it can go back to original if needed.
Nice dude. I’ve done one mod just like that, except I glued the plug in. It would be easy enough to route out though but that’s a cool move just to friction fit it.
@@kostringworks
I did a video, actually a couple, showing how I did it and the results. I just hate mentioning on others channels. Not fair to them. But my vids are easy enough to search. I posted to both my channels..
Man, I wish they were still >$900...
You can find busted-ass j45’s at that price still, 😂.
I have a ‘61 just like yours. I can never sell it.
Yes! Hang on to it dude!
👍
Wait just a dang minute here...$857 for a J45 Gibson? What? Can I buy a trainload of them? Or are you saying that $45 back then would be $857 today? Because the least expensive NEW Gibson J45 I can find is $2399.00. Please, oh PUHLEEZE let me know where I can get on for $857.00! I'll even pay shipping.
Edit: My bad...I think you were in fact converting for inflation there. Crap. Was already writing the check...
Hehe, I’ll still take the check if you want though!
SEXY B-ROLLLL
😂 it’s here to stay!
My Epiphone IBG J45 plays better then the $3000 Gibson J45 I played yesterday at GC. I'm buying a D18. My "Les Paul" was Asia made and cost $160 and plays better than any Gibson I've ever played. History is cute, but I'm not buying it. LMAO
Ya never can tell!
Gibson never stayed consistent on anything. Except the fact that in the early formative years they used bling eye candy on all of their instruments,and they still do. They also targeted women for their sales. Small intimate instruments ,such as mandolins and small guitsrs were sold with lessons to the lady of the house,or children,as salesman went canvassing from door to door. Gibson was quick to use the female form in their advertising,thus was born the gibson girl icon.
Interesting! Didn’t know that! Thanks for the factoid.