Members DunedinDoug Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 I own an eleven year-old Taylor 714ce which suits me fine, but recently I've grown rather protective of it, and thought I would get away from the cedar/rosewood combination for the types of songs that require vigorous strumming. Celebrating my daughter's birthday, we went over to Best Buy to pick up an iPod for her. In the back of the store was their new musical instrument section so I strolled back to check it out. There was a reasonable selection of electric guitars and I tried out the new electric Taylor. I stepped into the acoustic room and played a few instruments (actually, I hit a chord or two, said "blech!" and hung 'em back up). There was a Gibson J45 that I pulled down to play. It was alright. The salesman said he had another one "still in the box" if I wanted to try it out. Hey, why not? So I tried the second Gibson J45. Oh No! It sounded wonderful! I never cared for the slope shouldered dreadnought. Never wanted one. Never really wanted a sunburst. But this guitar sounded very fine when played finger-style and really sang when attacked. I liked it! And then my wife said, "That's a very beautiful guitar! Why don't you buy it?" So I bought it. AND, it was on sale. I paid $1699 for it and just today realized that I wasn't charged tax on the purchase! Okay, it has its drawbacks. No strap button at the heel. I can fix that right away. Unlike the Taylor's Fishman system, the L. R. Baggs electronics have no tonal control or notch filter. I'll have to address that down the road with the purchase of a DI box with those features. The little volume knob under the soundhole will need getting used to. I'll replace the cheap plastic-looking bridge pins, but I'm okay with the Tusq compensated saddle. Happy NGD to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DunedinDoug Posted August 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Happy NGD! Pictures? I suppose I could add some pictures. I dunno, 'though. Everyone pretty much knows what a Gibson J45 looks like. What I might do, 'though, is show it side-by-side with the Taylor. It surprised me how much larger the Gibson is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JerryBob Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Dude, I'm a guy. I can look at pictures all night long.!!....Of guitars.!! Post it up with the Taylor. We all want a peek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chordchunker Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Congrats! I`ve had 2 new J45`s and one that was built in 1951. And I`1ve had a couple of J 50`s. Fine guitars! Love `em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members totamus Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 A buddy of mine has a slope shoulder Gibson, and I love the way it sounds! Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Lucky guy.....post the pics......you can never see enough J45's. J45's can be more than special guitars. I'm still searching for mine. When I find it, I really won't care what it costs. It will be at least as old as I am...so lets just say early 50's or before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Hey, noticed you are in Dunedin! Hello neighbor....up for a Redhead Red sometime? Dunedin is really a nice town, I hang there a couple of times a month. Have you been to JC Cravers down the road? My buddy Damon Fowler will be playing there again October 9th......got to see this guy if you don't already know him......no excuse either, he'll be about 3 miles from you......check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members totamus Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 My son was Born in Dunnedin. Meese hospital comes to mind, but it has been some time. I used to live in New Port Richey. Saw Led Zepplin at Tampa Stadium in 72. Daughter still lives in NPR. I'll get down there one of these days, and we will all have to get together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 My son was Born in Dunnedin. Meese hospital comes to mind, but it has been some time. I used to live in New Port Richey. Saw Led Zepplin at Tampa Stadium in 72. Daughter still lives in NPR. I'll get down there one of these days, and we will all have to get together. You do know the CSN is coming to St. Pete...22nd this month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DunedinDoug Posted August 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 You do know the CSN is coming to St. Pete...22nd this month. Yes, I do know! I've seen 'em a few times and I'm a big fan, but their live shows just don't excite me anymore. Poco was in Ybor a week or so ago. I really love those guys. I missed the show but heard the sound system was awful. When I last saw them a couple years ago in Largo they were very fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frets99 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Gibson J-45 at Best Buy!!! Will wonders never cease!! Congratulations.... (I'm in the show us a pic camp....... gets me all worked up! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ohioarrow Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 By all means, lay some images on us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TXTooMuch Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Grats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Yes, I do know! I've seen 'em a few times and I'm a big fan, but their live shows just don't excite me anymore. Poco was in Ybor a week or so ago. I really love those guys. I missed the show but heard the sound system was awful. When I last saw them a couple years ago in Largo they were very fine. I'm a huge Poco fan, but somehow missed them...holy crap. I need to keep an eye out for them.....heck, I didn't even know they still toured....are they still the original band? Speaking of Ybor, I go to Ybor all the time, but not to hear bands. Most of the 7th street nightclubs suck, even St. Pete Times Forum stinks. The Ford Theatre is ok, and the Fine Arts and Ruth Ekhardt, but most places have horrible sound. Skippers is good, but they don't have the big groups, doesn't hold enough people.....Oh yeah, the Orpheum gets ok talent from time to time, but again, a really small (indoor) place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DunedinDoug Posted August 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm a huge Poco fan, but somehow missed them...holy crap. I need to keep an eye out for them.....heck, I didn't even know they still toured....are they still the original band? They currently consists of Rusty Young, Paul Cotton (who've been with the band since the early seventies), Jack Sundred and George Lawrence. Earlier this year, however, they had a reunion of sorts with Richie Furay, Jim Messina, Timothy B. Schmit and George Grantham. The latter, the original drummer, suffered a stroke while on stage back in 2003 (I think). He's come a long way. Their last studio album, Running Horse, came out in 2002 and it's very well done. They've put out a couple live recordings since then. I haven't been to Ybor for quite awhile. I used to drive over to pick up some stoagies from one of the cigar shops there, but I'm too old and Ybor is too rowdy to go there at night. The Largo venue is very good for bands that you want to LISTEN to, and in the case of Poco, a place where you can meet the band members, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Florida_Gator Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Congrats! (on the wife -- you can get J45's anywhere -- but that wife of yours, she's a one-of-a-kind!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DunedinDoug Posted August 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Here are a couple images. A '98 Taylor 714ce, the new Gibson J45 and my early seventies Gibson J50-D. I posted a little video of the French Polish finish I put on the latter. Three different guitars, three distinct voices. http://www.flickr.com/photos/41134721@N04/3790326080/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/41134721@N04/3790323920/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fred Fartboski Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Okieslims Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Grats man.. Tusq is actually showing up on very high end taylors now.. So despite it's affordability, I think it must be at least on par with bone in order to make it to the higher end taylor music boxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Congrats! (on the wife -- you can get J45's anywhere -- but that wife of yours, she's a one-of-a-kind!) 2nd that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members martinipm Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Absolutely gorgeous! Congrats!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rjoxyz Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Congratulations! (I have the same guitar and a very similar wife) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members S~R~O Posted August 4, 2009 Members Share Posted August 4, 2009 Congrats on the guitar. One of these days I also hope to have one. I have always liked a great sounding J-45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bigald18 Posted August 5, 2009 Members Share Posted August 5, 2009 Beautiful guitar! BigAl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RKGIBSON Posted August 5, 2009 Members Share Posted August 5, 2009 Two nice guitars. I have a J45 too and really like it. It was the first guitar I bought, 2 years ago, in 30 years. I just sounded better than other acoustics. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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