All user reviews for the Gibson J-45 Rosewood

I was innocently 'browsing' a local discount store with a friend. Along for support only - mind you - HE was the one looking to spend his hard earned cash, and I was simply there to "listen".....

Well I walked out with the J45 Rosewood ($1,975)... I made the mistake of playing it! I'd never owned a Gibson. In fact, many of the Gibson acoustics I'd played in the past varied wildly - making me a little wary of the brand. Don't get me wrong, I was sure there was a fair-share of 'beauties' out there - what with all those devoted to this brand. But this one has something special, for me. Perfect.

First, I have to admit that what drew me to the J45 Rosewood (as was true of many other Gibsons I'd picked up in the past) was its finish - I'm a sucker for that laquer sunburst, be it cherry or vintage sunburst. The J45s vintage sunburst is really something to behold. But I'd been drawn before - only to be dissapointed by playability, muffled sound, grimy dead strings, etc.. The one I took home sang from the start, and got better as I played. I really feel/felt 'in control' as to touch and volume - It has punch and 'woof', but it can deliver a sweet/soft sound as well. Just lucky, I guess..

The Gibson factory set-up leaves much to be desired. I find that I like a little higher action than most folks I know, even so mine still needed to be lowered slightly. I've experienced much worse with guitar store Gibson trials in the past. And given my conversations with others about Gibson, I'm fairly sure that this is 'top of mind' for a lot of people.

Sort of a shame, because it seems like this would be an easy fix for the Montana folks.

A wonderfully built guitar. Fit and finish are really close to flawless - from the headstock inlay, to the fret seating, to the applied finish - SOLID. The spruce top is tight-grained, with lots of silking visible in the light-center portion of the sunburst. The EI rosewood back and sides are deeply stained - framed nicely by the white binding.

I've heard people say the Gibson sound is unique - which is true, but I think what is sometimes missed is the responsiveness of Gibson guitars. The J45 Rosewood is 'responsive', and just fits my idea of what a guitar should do/sound like. It responds to my attack - light or heavy - and gives me back the sound I'm trying to make.

What more could I ask?



This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

My 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 Gibson J-45 rosewood is a recent model reissue of the famous "slope shouldered" dreadnought made popular from the 1940s through to now. Its design was unique and offered a bit more comfort for musicians who didn't care for the typical dreadnought design. The J-45 has always been a popular rival for Martins and it's no surprise why, as its clear and punchy tone is perfect for country, bluegrass and rock stylings where a loud and distinct acoustic tone is key. This guitar features a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard, an ebony bridge. Some models are equipped with an onboard pickup as well. They're currently built in Gibson's Montana plant in the US of A.

UTILIZATION

The design of this guitar is fairly ergonomic considering the size and the fact that it's not a smaller cutaway model acoustic. It might be a bit daunting for someone who is used to electric or smaller acoustic guitars, but overall it's fairly easy to play. The slope shouldered design offers comfort and a nice playing surface, the neck has a nice profile which is a good balance between thick and thin, and the overall feel is very polished, yet rugged at the same time. The upper fret access isn't bad, but considering it's a non-cutaway acoustic I can't be too harsh on it in that department.

Getting a good sound out of this guitar is pretty simple. It has its own voice that has made it a very popular acoustic guitar for many years. It's not quite as boomy as a comparable Martin; it seems to have a bit more articulation and a bit more punch for chord and lead work. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's rawer sounding, but it definitely has a little less of the pretty factor than some of the Martins do.

SOUNDS

The guitar sounds really quite good upon first strum. Granted, Gibson can be a bit inconsistent, and some of the J-45s I've tried weren't particularly to my taste. However when I've found one that I liked, I was pleased as punch. As stated, they seem to have a clearer and thicker tone that is very unique and all its own. It works particularly well for things like country or bluegrass styles where articulation is a must-have trait in a guitar. The onboard pickup sounds decent too. It's not ridiculously fancy but it reproduces the guitar's natural tone quite well and is a good match for the instrument.

OVERALL OPINION

The Gibson J-45 rosewood is a great guitar for anyone looking for a reissue of the classic instrument that defined a certain acoustic sound. It feels great, has a classic look and has that cannon-esque sound that only a slope shoulder can deliver. They sell for about $2,300 on average which is a pretty good price considering the quality of tone that you're getting. If you're a serious acoustic player and want one of the iconic tones of this past century for acoustic guitars, you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with a J-45!

United States Gibson

MODEL Rosewood

at all points like the J-45, except wood, mechanical (groove), fishman preamp

UTILIZATION

Use: as the J-45 standard. Channel perfect, good body balance gnral ..

SOUNDS

The cata! see below

OVERALL OPINION

Hsitant between a J-45 standard (mahogany) and a J-45-R (rosewood, rosewood), I finally took the time to test all these people ... This also allowed me to miss a superb standard J-45

So that is it worth a little more luxurious MODEL J-45.

Recall first of Difference

made from used wood (rosewood instead of mahogany for the table), there are mcaniques groove and a "real" srigraphie on the head

I rjouissais Rosewood MODEL to test this, but I fall down

TRS same high ...

if the grip silent friendly, the first arrangement initiated I believe my eyes or rather my ears ...

I had the impression of having left the earplugs in my ears

trs sound is soft, but do not "sort" not ... that's what I liked in the J-45 standard, ct explodes in sound. The nothing, you have to play slowly to hear the treble. The sound is well rounded but of course I got far too dull

I cot me to test another gibson: trs not known the Cascade LC-1 and another unknown brand in a copy of Blueridge D-45

quick comparison:

the cascade has a much better against her by the volume is much lower (CEST form of mini-jumbo) and its purpose is to be played Plugge pure sound .. Also great as I tend to think I had a toy in the hands ... I had brief test dj acoustic (great sound), but I deprecated to play pure acoustic (no branch) and the grown-ups

the Blueridge: brand I had never heard of ... Well, despite the head of this guitar that I find horrible, we must recognize that the sound is really good. Overall quality than the correct ...

Verdict: j'achte nothing, I wait one month that the J-45 comes standard (2 months to control a scratching at Gibson, fun ;-(

The rosewood of my still good. It marpondu that it was giving her time (about 2 years) to open. DSOL I do not want to "wait" two years Better to buy the MODEL and possibly change the standard mcaniques if they do s'avraient not practical because the rest of the guitar is similar in all respects the J45 standard ...

I put a 2 because I do not see the usefulness of this model which is intended to be suprieur standard but that is really far ... trs (I speak as well sr, but is essential when the same right?)

The table is of spruce, the sides and bottom are Indian Rosewood, the key and the bridge are ebony. The lifts are gold Grover. The preamp is a fishman (natural matrix 2?)

UTILIZATION

Shoulders is a round, a little smaller than a dreadnought, very comfortable. The handle certain not very wide recalls Gibson electric. It is easy in all styles of play short scale provides some comfort.

SOUNDS

While there, we play in the big leagues, the sound is balanced and powerful. It is not as bright as Taylor, the bass are not as powerful as some, but what Martin's. And sustain large grained (the ebony fingerboard has a lot to). Rosewood brings a maturity to the sound of a guitar very young. In the game sound is excellent in every style picking, flat picking, chords, it's done with warmth and power. We just get serious, it responds immediately and what heat! In electronics, the preamp can forget but nothing replaces a microphone jack.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this guitar for 6 years. At budjet, it is not really what happiness but given the price difference with the standard model is well justified. Find a store that has both models and compare. A useful link: www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Gibson/J_45_Rosewood-1.html

Made in the United States of course, Micro Fischer, no adjustment.
The one I have is natural sounding dew, it is much more beautiful than the illustration of Audio fanzine!
Launched in the forties it costs 45 dollars hence its name.
Form round the old bluesmen the shoulder called the horse, (the working horse.)

UTILIZATION

Channel end, very nice touch, the sound comes out with force and distinction, very high definition, excellent balance.

Rather light, ergonomics is perfect (for a non-cutaway model).

SOUNDS

It lends itself to country blues and folk accompaniment like no other!
Low stifled (as Lightning Hopkins style damp) very dull and percussive, for solo treble with excellent sustain.

In agreement, power, precision, every note is well defined (see Dylan in his debut).

In walking bass and well rounded and full (Listen to John Jackson).

OVERALL OPINION

I have the last six months. Its price is high, I think it is justified, the choice of a Gibson is not insignificant anyway.

I also have an old washburn made the United States, with almost the same characteristics, I like it and it cost me four times cheaper, but it does not compare.

Manufactures hand Bozeman, Montana
While the traditional version mahogany rosewood date of 1942 is the output in the 90's. D'APRS its serial number is all mine rcente (January 2009).
Technical specifications:
Neck: Mahogany;
Angle: 3;
Channel joins the body fret: 14
Frets: 20
Inlays: MOP Dots (points)
Nut Width: 1725
Scale: 24-3/4 "
Peghead Angle: 17
Key: Ebne
Hardware: Dorbr /> Mcaniques: Grover dores
Size of the guitar: Round Shoulder
Top: Spruce Sitka
Plate / Pickguard protection: Tortoise Teardrop
Sides: Solid Indian Rosewood
Back: Solid Indian Rosewood
Contents bridge: Ebne
Pickup: Fishman active transducer (without prampli, just a volume control on the edge of the rosette)
Finish: High gloss
Colour: Vintage Sunburst
Body Binding: 4-ply top, single ply back
Logo on the head: pearl inlay type "crown inlay" (Picture of crown)

UTILIZATION

Ergonomic handle and almost perfect, which is dcisif in my case given the small size of my hands.
The handle of the rosewood is a MODEL in the type hyper easy to play. The silent action lgrement higher than my other guitars but a lightweight APRS rglage when purchasing, the diffrence is now minimal. Likewise I did install the strings Martin SP Custom Light 011-052, so it is easier to play.
The guitar is slightly smaller than a dreadnought, lgre balance and well in hand, really enjoyable trs.
Obviously it is not made to play 14 or 15me fret, no cutaway.
The varnish of the handle is smooth hand and allows dcente on velvet.
The handle seems to rev fine and allows all of the same precision of a fairly large game, it is also short plutt really IDAL for small hands.

SOUNDS

As I said I did install the strings Martin SP Custom Light 011-052, I feared that these strings, fairly thin, modify and altrent sound but I think it's barely noticeable (n anmoins I'll have to try it with other strings). The sound is so good that even with the strings, there is nothing to say, without doubt, it should give more to other strings, certainly more serious, but even like that, it ' dj is beautiful.
And to think it will still improve over the years!
What can I say? It is perfect in rhythm, probably his strong point, but it is also well arpges or picking, in any case my level because I'm not an expert in this area and has many prsence and projection, it projects a warm load and low mdiums ask that that be rvler over the years.
I do find it extremely moves away from my Martin D28 but softer, probably with more shine, too, even if I like the D28 which I find the sound more matte.
Finally it is quite versatile, with a deep (some think this is the spirit of the first Ben Harper), prcis (the sound balance is impeccable), and the rosewood gives it a rich grain .
I almost forgot to mention the ct electro-acoustic because I play plutt without plugging, but in my Schertler Unico branch, it still sounds magnificent, the microphone does not change the characters of guitar. Finally the fact that one can not rgler that the volume (at the rosette) ESG me absolutely not, gnral, the electro-acoustic guitars other I put all twelve o'clock and I only change my trs little from his guitar, prfrant sculpt my sound on the amp directly or via an equalizer.

OVERALL OPINION

Bought just three days ago and I want to talk about dj, yet with this type of guitar it is necessary to wait for it gnral Mrissa a bit. When I bought I n'tais no input in the store for that, I did not even pens. For years my choice dlibrement Martin acoustic silent (without being allergic to Gibson because I have electric), all Gibson acoustic that I had tried for me u probably too new and it seemed he really had to climb in prices to close to ecstasy.
This time I wanted to try in the store because there were 2 of J45 MODELS: the standard (mahogany) and rosewood. I know that the choice between these two guitars is a long polmiques about so I wanted to try them (even if this type of trial is always a bit random image, even two identical guitars may seem diffrent, each as particulire): I think between the two: first, they are all but approximately 2 gniales diffrent:
the standard is mahogany wood, with charm and the sound duller (but guitar still new!), more vintage while the Rosewood is bright, dynamic and modern, ultimately more versatile, and I t sduit IMMEDIATE exactly what I wanted for a long time without suspecting that this guitar c'tait-l.
This is how we ruin s'tait when we promised not to buy a guitar for a while! When I think it will "open" and will be better year after year, sometimes it reassuring to age, it promises a good time for later

Update: After a few months to play my J45 rosewood I attach so this guitar that I wanted to try again the standard J45 (mahogany), and I also fell for the -l initem to buy it to sell my Martin D28 (which is great but a scraper with a handle for me at least, including the tune): here I rsolu the conflict between those who prf Rosewood andTHE rent the proponents of laStandard: now that I have the 2 I doisavouer hard as I make my choice, they are super complmentaires with sound significantly diff Annuities
(Globalementle sound of the rosewood is softer with more bass, while the standard is more mdiums and treble and volume or projection, very practical in acoustics including arpges or picking),
and in addition with sleeves almost identical (only one diffrence key: bne to larosewood against Rosewood for the Standard) so that you can pass a piece the other by changing of the type of guitar sound sought-Enaya the impression of playing on the same scratch. Obviously this requires a budget consquent (to have 2) but when anne anne APRS has accumulated a lot of instruments, if you have the couragede Sparer is a (not empty for the D28) it can be done inexpensively.

.

This guitar is great. It comes with a transducer pick-up and an ebony fretborad. There are no settings on this guitar, just plug and play, and really you don't need any. This guitar sounds great right out of the box. The neck is very playable and feels great.

UTILIZATION

This guitar has a great body shape and is a bit smaller than most. The rounded instead of square shoulders give it a great feel and it is very comfortable to play. The sound is absolutely amazing. The bass, mids, and highs are all very well balanced and all can be plainly heard. I've never played a guitar that sounds like this one.

SOUNDS

I'm an acousitc player and this guitar is the top of the line as far as I am concerned. I run it through either my Crate Gunnison amp or my PA. With both I get and incredible sound with no adjustments at all. Set everything to zero and play, this guitar sounds that good right out of the box. I've found that messing with different settings is a waste of time with this guitar. It sounds so clean, clear, and just as in your face as an acoustic can get. To be honest you might not even need to plug it in if you are just playing a coffee shop show or something kind of small. This guitar has a very powerful, projecting sound.

OVERALL OPINION

There is nothing at all that I don't like about this guitar, it feels great, plays great, and sounds great. Not to mention it's very easy on the eyes as well. I've played alot of acoustic guitars in my day and this one is by far the best I've ever played, hands down.
This is however an expensive guitar, you are going to pay about $2400 for it new. If you have that kind of money for a guitar this is your baby. I have no reservations about the price this guitar is definitely worth it.