Members Sodfather Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Acoustic-Icon-60s-J45-Sunburst-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=513966 I'm seeing this guitar for the first time on Musician's Friend. "The 60's Heritage Cherry Sunburst J-45 is part of the 'Acoustic Icon' series of Gibson guitars, recreated by Gibson exclusively for us and YOU!" What the heck? Has anyone heard of or played one of these?
Members Fred Fartboski Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 The J-45 is a great guitar but they're charging $500 extra for the Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish. Vintage sunburst finish J-45 runs $1800 at GC. I saw and played one there two weeks ago.
Members Sodfather Posted January 10, 2008 Author Members Posted January 10, 2008 So this model differs from the Modern Classic J-45 in finish color only? Lame.
Members Fred Fartboski Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 So this model differs from the Modern Classic J-45 in finish color only? Lame. From the pics it appears so. Looks like same woods used in construction according to specs.
Members larry50 Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 Still, it looks very nice, don't you think?
Members C70man Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 All J45's are nice. But only get the one that "talks" to you. The first one I ever played was the nicest one I ever played. I'm not too sure how that works, but... If you want a "heritage" sunburst, I recommend a nice old one. They can be found for close to the same price as a new one. Like this one I have had my eye on...http://www.12fret.com/used/GibsonJ45refin703331ca51.jpg$1995.00 Oh hell, you got me gassin again...big time! 1951! Its exactly the same age as me...oh my gosh.
Members Cozmo Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 I thought the J-45 was the end-all, be-all guitar, and was sure it was the one for me. But now I've discovered the J-50, which is basically the same thing but with a natural finish. You could get one of those brand new (with warranty) for the same price as a regular J-45 ($2000, though I just found out Gibson hiked their prices again over New Year), and then have it oversprayed with the cherry sunburst. It has the same pickguard as that Icon J-45.
Members missedmyexit Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 Oh hell, you got me gassin again...big time! 1951! Its exactly the same age as me...oh my gosh. It's funny you mentioned that, I was telling my girlfriend a couple weeks ago that I would like to own a guitar built in my birth year. A nice 77 Guild or possibly even a Yamaha.
Members EvilTwin Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 I have always loved the tone of slope shouldered dreads, but can't afford almost $2 grand for the Gibbie. But this one is mighty tempting:http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/DB46.htm Don't know if I dig the shape of the lower bouts, though...
Members rjoxyz Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 I have always loved the tone of slope shouldered dreads, but can't afford almost $2 grand for the Gibbie.But this one is mighty tempting:http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/DB46.htmDon't know if I dig the shape of the lower bouts, though... The Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500M can be had for about $450. Poor mans' J-45 (well, actually the Advanced Jumbo). I love mine.
Members Cozmo Posted January 10, 2008 Members Posted January 10, 2008 The Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500M can be had for about $450. Poor mans' J-45 (well, actually the Advanced Jumbo). I love mine. I played one today at lunch, and it was really nice. Also, the owner of this shop I visited just received some new Canadian-made Gibsons. Apparently a Canadian luthier went out of business, so Gibson bought their facilities and is now making acoustics in Canada as well as Bozeman. The one I played was a CLM, a concert grand model. Really nice sounding, with Gibson headstock and everything, and the price was right! $600 with a case. Another thing you could check out would be a Blueridge BG-140 or 160. I personally haven't played them, so I don't know how good they are. They run, I think, $675-ish for the 140 (mahogany) and $725-ish for the 160 (rosewood). They're sunburst, and were made with the intention that they'd be like a poor man's J-45. I'm under the impression that they're higher quality than the Durango.
Members flip333 Posted January 11, 2008 Members Posted January 11, 2008 I just got a Blueridge BG-60. This is a J-45 type guitar with a solid top and rosewood laminated back and sides. With all the favorable reviews of this guitar, I thought I would give it a try for $350 used. This one has new tuners that work well, and a Fishman UST. The main reason I was interested was the 24.75 scale and 1.72 nut. The playability is great for my hands. I just put some DR extra life 13's on it that sound very nice. Its louder than my L-03 or my 000-15S. I did not buy this to be a keeper, but I do like it. http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BG60.htm This is a good value for $487 compared to what I have tried in the stores.
Members C70man Posted January 11, 2008 Members Posted January 11, 2008 The Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500M can be had for about $450. Poor mans' J-45 (well, actually the Advanced Jumbo). I love mine. Epi's may be the best bang for the buck, but if you can afford the Gibson, I would do it.As much as I like the Epi's sound, they really don't sound anything like the J45 or AJ. The ring off the Gibson strings are really unique unto themself. And the Gibson guitars allow you to strum or beat the hell out of them and play lead without getting muddy anywhere.
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted January 11, 2008 Members Posted January 11, 2008 I have always loved the tone of slope shouldered dreads, but can't afford almost $2 grand for the Gibbie. But this one is mighty tempting: http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/DB46.htm Don't know if I dig the shape of the lower bouts, though... Buddy of mine got one of these for his wife as a Xmas present and had me go along to check it for him, as he's a drummer (thus lacks the knowledge of musical instruments )... VERY nice guitar for the $$$...great neck, great tone, pretty light in weight. Definitely a 1st-rate "J-45" for the budget-minded, other than I told him to order some chrome Grovers and I'd put them on to replace the current tuners...
Members Treborklow Posted January 12, 2008 Members Posted January 12, 2008 I just played a great sounding used 2006 J45 at GC today. I would have bought it but the top had a large crack starting to appear in it.
Members Fred Fartboski Posted January 12, 2008 Members Posted January 12, 2008 Another option is the Epi AJ-45. It holds its own against my other high end guitars including the very similar Gibson J-160E. I got the last new one a couple of weeks ago and haven't put it down since. They don't make them anymore but you could can find them on e-bay and Craigslist. Look for the newer "Limited Edition Custom Shop" models made in Indonesia.
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