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MGR/Jim from Chicago « Gibson J45 Rosewood »
Published on 01/05/04 at 15:00I 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
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