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MGR/Malcolm « Gibson J45 Rosewood »
Published on 09/30/03 at 15:00My wife bought me this guitar 2 years ago (2001) because I've always wanted a Gibson acoustic.I bought it from The Guitar,Amp and Keyboard centre in Brighton,U.K. It cost £1375 which was a really good price.Gibson hard shell case included in the price.
The look,feel and smell is like an aphrodisiac! I have to touch the guitar at every opportunity.It just says "Play Me,I'm yours"
When I picked up the guitar in the shop I knew it was going home with me even though I tried every other Gibson,Martin and Taylor in the place.By the way,the staff in this shop are friendly,knowledgeable and don't mind how long you sit playing their guitars.
Ok,so it's a beautiful guitar BUT....A guitar of this quality and price should be set up correctly by the Gibson guitar builder.In this case the action was so high it was almost unplayable.This is a complaint I've heard said about Gibsons before.There really is no excuse for allowing such a high quality expensive guitar to leave the factory in anything other than optimum condition.To make the guitar playable the nut has been re-cut and the bridge saddle lowered.Now I can play without slicing my finger tips off!!
There is something about Gibson acoustic guitars that other guitars just don't have.They are mostly handmade by craftsmen from top quality materials.The finish is high gloss nitro cellulose which looks stunning but is very easily damaged. I love the feel of this guitar,the spruce top has a glow to it,it is finely grained with cross silking.The rosewood back and sides are deep red-brown and nicely figured.At first the sound was a bit constricted but has now opened up and it really sings but you have to use the correct strings,I've found 11-52 are best.
If I was sensible I would have bought a Taylor or a Martin just because they are better set up than most Gibsons but they're not Gibsons.And that's the thing.Even though the action was crap and it took a while to get the sound right,I know that this is the best guitar I'll ever own.Until I buy another Gibson that is.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
The look,feel and smell is like an aphrodisiac! I have to touch the guitar at every opportunity.It just says "Play Me,I'm yours"
When I picked up the guitar in the shop I knew it was going home with me even though I tried every other Gibson,Martin and Taylor in the place.By the way,the staff in this shop are friendly,knowledgeable and don't mind how long you sit playing their guitars.
Ok,so it's a beautiful guitar BUT....A guitar of this quality and price should be set up correctly by the Gibson guitar builder.In this case the action was so high it was almost unplayable.This is a complaint I've heard said about Gibsons before.There really is no excuse for allowing such a high quality expensive guitar to leave the factory in anything other than optimum condition.To make the guitar playable the nut has been re-cut and the bridge saddle lowered.Now I can play without slicing my finger tips off!!
There is something about Gibson acoustic guitars that other guitars just don't have.They are mostly handmade by craftsmen from top quality materials.The finish is high gloss nitro cellulose which looks stunning but is very easily damaged. I love the feel of this guitar,the spruce top has a glow to it,it is finely grained with cross silking.The rosewood back and sides are deep red-brown and nicely figured.At first the sound was a bit constricted but has now opened up and it really sings but you have to use the correct strings,I've found 11-52 are best.
If I was sensible I would have bought a Taylor or a Martin just because they are better set up than most Gibsons but they're not Gibsons.And that's the thing.Even though the action was crap and it took a while to get the sound right,I know that this is the best guitar I'll ever own.Until I buy another Gibson that is.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com