Interestingly, I was introduced to the J45 a couple of decades ago,. Yes, I am that old. I was starting up a collaboration with a friend from college. When he pulled out his J45 and started strumming a few chords, I was smitten. That was a sound of quality! Being a lefty I never thought I could play one,much own one. I have then since have discovered other quality guitars and they do make lefty guitars. First was a lower rung Takamine in 1983,still have it, and have recorded and gigged with it, Now I have a 2011 Martin D-16GTL, recorded and gigged with it and STILL love that Martin tone. Recently I had the bug for that J45. I have another friend urging me to go with a Hummingbird, like his, a 1969 model. Still, in the back of my mine nagging me, was that look and sound of the J45.. When another friend got the Keb Mo edition, I started thinking more. My birthday coming up and I looked around here local and online. Been looking at a local music dealer who had a a 50s Original Sunburst J45 lefty, on display I have been eyeing it for at least 9 months. They also got a Hummingbird and a D-18 Martin w/electronics(bumping price out of my reach) in soon after the Hummingbird. I went in and played that J45 and checked it out and played it for a while. That thing was calling me! I played the others but came back to the J45. So, for my 72nd birthday, I finally became a proud owner of that fine machine and have been playing the heck of it. I still love my Martin and still strum some on the Takamine. THAT J45 sound and feel is so cool. Even with the slightly chunky neck. Its a dream... Come true...
Well Tommy I picked mine up today I had three to choose from, I took your advice and asked the store to get them all out so I could choose between them one sounded slightly brighter from the other two and It came down to the two warmer sounding ones. Love it, it’s nice to play and sounds better than anything I’ve picked up before. Cheers👍
I have one. It’s my favorite guitar I own right now. That’s out of a les Paul (2018) Les Paul special, p90’s (2012) Collings I35 LC, and a 1955 Les Paul Jr. the J45 is an iconic guitar, and the modern ones Gibson is making these day are out of this world good.
It wasn’t always like that, lol. The I35 LC is also a top notch instrument. I had a 1968 345 that was really good but I let it go because the Collings was just stellar. If you got the coin, I highly recommend. They ain’t cheap, I know.
I agree. One of my favorite quotes about the J-45 is "it's the whole orchestra", that mid-range focus on a J-45 makes it very forgiving on less than perfect rhythm playing and the way the high and low frequencies are cut a bit more it makes it easier to do a lot of dynamic vocals, especially quieter vocal parts without having to adjust your picking technique to compensate... Another thing is if you like the Martin sound, well, almost every builder out there from Yamaha to Collings are building some square shoulder dreadnaught that is based on the Martin D18 or D28. But up until about 2000 or so no one was really building good J-45 copies. Blueridge introduced the BG140 and 160 in early 2000s and in early 2010s Eastman introduced the E10SS. These were the first real quality J-45 import copies and they still didn't have that distinctive low A and low E thump sound of a real Gibson.
@@TommyZampthat E10SS is my dream guitar. I have played 5 or so of them and compared them to the J45 standard and the walnut J45 (forget the actual model) and I much prefer the E10SS. BUT, the eastman has a more modern sound where the J45 has a more classic sound. So depends on what sound you like.
I enjoyed the video and agree with your 'take' on the ol' workhorse. I'm lucky enough to own some very nice acoustics, including Collings, Martin and Gibson. My 2012 re-issued banner era Woody Guthrie Southern Jumbo (basically just a dressed up/fancier appointed J-45) is my go to and the one that gets hauled out of a burning building 1st. It's a stunning and versatile plank of wood that compliments a singer's voice and sounds great live or recorded. Aside from its killer sound, I especially love its traditional v-neck and vintage vibe.
Many years playing many guitars of sizes and makes, I really thought my D35 would be it. But after getting rid of my older J45 due to a chunky neck I came to realize how much I valued it. Decided to try the newer version with slimmer neck and was amazed. I found agreement with you that it is truly adaptable to the fingerpicking and moderate flat picking that I do, with a great balanced sound. Someone else is now enjoying the D35.
Tommy I am probably going the the guitar shop tomorrow to buy this guitar. It’s important to me that I get a 2024 model and a box fresh one. Is there any advice you can give ie are all the new cases with the faux leather and black clasps, is there any small changes in looks etc in the latest issues. Cheers
Honestly I would play a couple of them. See which one feels right to you. I don’t know what the 2024 cases are like but you play the guitar not the case so don’t think too much about that. New guitar day is always a good day!
D18 is a great guitar. Both are close in price but the J45 comes with a piezo pickup which the d18 doesn’t. Play both and pick the one that feels best to you.
Interestingly, I was introduced to the J45 a couple of decades ago,. Yes, I am that old. I was starting up a collaboration with a friend from college. When he pulled out his J45 and started strumming a few chords, I was smitten. That was a sound of quality! Being a lefty I never thought I could play one,much own one. I have then since have discovered other quality guitars and they do make lefty guitars. First was a lower rung Takamine in 1983,still have it, and have recorded and gigged with it, Now I have a 2011 Martin D-16GTL, recorded and gigged with it and STILL love that Martin tone. Recently I had the bug for that J45. I have another friend urging me to go with a Hummingbird, like his, a 1969 model. Still, in the back of my mine nagging me, was that look and sound of the J45.. When another friend got the Keb Mo edition, I started thinking more. My birthday coming up and I looked around here local and online. Been looking at a local music dealer who had a a 50s Original Sunburst J45 lefty, on display I have been eyeing it for at least 9 months. They also got a Hummingbird and a D-18 Martin w/electronics(bumping price out of my reach) in soon after the Hummingbird. I went in and played that J45 and checked it out and played it for a while. That thing was calling me! I played the others but came back to the J45. So, for my 72nd birthday, I finally became a proud owner of that fine machine and have been playing the heck of it. I still love my Martin and still strum some on the Takamine. THAT J45 sound and feel is so cool. Even with the slightly chunky neck. Its a dream... Come true...
That's awesome! Congrats on the guitar and thanks for the cool story!
Well Tommy I picked mine up today I had three to choose from, I took your advice and asked the store to get them all out so I could choose between them one sounded slightly brighter from the other two and It came down to the two warmer sounding ones. Love it, it’s nice to play and sounds better than anything I’ve picked up before. Cheers👍
Wow that’s awesome congratulations and welcome to the J45 club!
I have one. It’s my favorite guitar I own right now. That’s out of a les Paul (2018) Les Paul special, p90’s (2012) Collings I35 LC, and a 1955 Les Paul Jr. the J45 is an iconic guitar, and the modern ones Gibson is making these day are out of this world good.
I couldn’t agree more! That’s great and thanks for watching!
Damn, that's quite a stable of thoroughbreds; especially the Jr and I35. Been jonesing for I35 for a while now...someday
It wasn’t always like that, lol. The I35 LC is also a top notch instrument. I had a 1968 345 that was really good but I let it go because the Collings was just stellar. If you got the coin, I highly recommend. They ain’t cheap, I know.
I agree. One of my favorite quotes about the J-45 is "it's the whole orchestra", that mid-range focus on a J-45 makes it very forgiving on less than perfect rhythm playing and the way the high and low frequencies are cut a bit more it makes it easier to do a lot of dynamic vocals, especially quieter vocal parts without having to adjust your picking technique to compensate... Another thing is if you like the Martin sound, well, almost every builder out there from Yamaha to Collings are building some square shoulder dreadnaught that is based on the Martin D18 or D28. But up until about 2000 or so no one was really building good J-45 copies. Blueridge introduced the BG140 and 160 in early 2000s and in early 2010s Eastman introduced the E10SS. These were the first real quality J-45 import copies and they still didn't have that distinctive low A and low E thump sound of a real Gibson.
Interesting! Thanks for the info, I just looked up Eastman and Id like to check out that E10ss sometime for sure.
@@TommyZampthat E10SS is my dream guitar. I have played 5 or so of them and compared them to the J45 standard and the walnut J45 (forget the actual model) and I much prefer the E10SS. BUT, the eastman has a more modern sound where the J45 has a more classic sound. So depends on what sound you like.
I enjoyed the video and agree with your 'take' on the ol' workhorse. I'm lucky enough to own some very nice acoustics, including Collings, Martin and Gibson. My 2012 re-issued banner era Woody Guthrie Southern Jumbo (basically just a dressed up/fancier appointed J-45) is my go to and the one that gets hauled out of a burning building 1st. It's a stunning and versatile plank of wood that compliments a singer's voice and sounds great live or recorded. Aside from its killer sound, I especially love its traditional v-neck and vintage vibe.
Thats great thank you! I've heard really good things about Collings too, Ill have to check them out on day.
Many years playing many guitars of sizes and makes, I really thought my D35 would be it. But after getting rid of my older J45 due to a chunky neck I came to realize how much I valued it. Decided to try the newer version with slimmer neck and was amazed. I found agreement with you that it is truly adaptable to the fingerpicking and moderate flat picking that I do, with a great balanced sound. Someone else is now enjoying the D35.
D35’s are great too! I think it comes down to the person and what feels best to them. For me it’s the J45.
great review - thank you - you get a great sound out your J-45. My experience hasn't been as good
Thank you and remember not every guitar is the same. Each one has its own unique sound. I would try a couple J45’s and see if it changes for you.
Very good guitar. I would have bought it but the neck is too big for me so I opted for a Guild D40T 2024 and I don't regret it.
That’s a nice guitar!
Awesome review. The J-45 is on my short list and this just put it at the top. Enjoyed the talk and discussion as well.
Awesome, thank you!
Please oh please Tommy, can we get over the hills tomorrow night at Indian Ranch! All time favorite Zep Song!
Also super excited to see y’all again tomorrow! It’s gonna be killerrrrr
Hopefully we can get to it next time!
Look forward to seeing y’all at Indian Ranch 👌🏼
Same! Love that venue🤘
Couldn’t agree more at 7.14👍
It’s an awesome feeling
Tommy I am probably going the the guitar shop tomorrow to buy this guitar. It’s important to me that I get a 2024 model and a box fresh one. Is there any advice you can give ie are all the new cases with the faux leather and black clasps, is there any small changes in looks etc in the latest issues. Cheers
Honestly I would play a couple of them. See which one feels right to you. I don’t know what the 2024 cases are like but you play the guitar not the case so don’t think too much about that. New guitar day is always a good day!
Lovely guitars - I just would prefer one with an ebony fretboard
I don’t think Gibson makes a J45 with an ebony fretboard. Or do you mean any acoustic with an ebony fretboard?
Is this Gibson the same acoustic you use to open Stairway?
No I use my Hummingbird for Stairway. I use my J45 on Hey Hey and Rain Song
@@TommyZamp Thank you!
There’s no better acoustic than a Gibson. I had a ‘69 Hummingbird that sounded amazing. Still cry myself to sleep sometimes, never should have sold it
I love Martins as much as Gibson’s. I just don’t own any Martins… yet!
I have my dad's 1942 j45 he bought during ww2
Thats very cool!
J45 or D18?
D18 is a great guitar. Both are close in price but the J45 comes with a piezo pickup which the d18 doesn’t. Play both and pick the one that feels best to you.
Get the LED out
I thought you looked familiar
Thanks for checking out my channel!
@@TommyZamp I just picked 1 up and a lot had to do with your review….red one
J45 standard is the best guitar ever made
It’s def one of my favorites
you will always regret not saving more for the SJ 200 standard.
Unless you already have a SJ 200
You playing is drowning out your talking in parts.
I’ll keep it in mind for future videos. Thanks!