For the Cowboy in You: Gibson J-45 Guitar
Written: Jun 22 '06 (Updated Jun 23 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Workmanship, materials, sound, lasting value, hard shell case
Cons: None that I could see
The Bottom Line: You can't go wrong if you choose the Gibson J-45 - a classic cowboy guitar, no frills, solid first class workmanship and materials and excellent playability and sound.
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| George_Chabot's Full Review: Gibson J-45best-Seller Since |
Gibson J-45
This style dates back to the 1940s and has been continuously popular since introduced. The J-45 has such a sterling reputation among musicians it has earned the moniker “the Workhorse” since it always comes through and has been so dependable.
You may remember that there are two basic styles when it comes to hand built acoustic guitars, the typical square shouldered “Dreadnought” and the curvy, guitar-looking “Jumbo” styles. As I mentioned, there are variations of the two basic styles and the J-45 combines the Dreadnought squarish bottom with round shoulders for a new style Gibson that would be developed into the “Southern Jumbo.”
The J-45 guitar is slightly shorter in scale length (24¾” vs. 25½” on the Jumbo) but retains the same 1.725” width at nut of the typical Gibson string spacing. Therefore, the playability is just like all the premium Gibson acoustics - if you can play one, you can play them all. You may have to scrunch up your fingers if you’re used to the longer scale but for a person with average or smaller hands this may be the perfect size guitar. In fact, the shorter scale allows easier playability than the longer scale of the bigger guitars.
The body and sides are made of Mahogany, as is the neck, which has a subtle “v” profile, while the top is made of premium Sitka Spruce and is finished off in either natural or sunburst. The top has some nice highlights running across the grain for a sort of fiddle back effect.
Like all Gibson hand built guitars, the guitar is made of all clear wood with no plywood or laminate. The internal bracing is designed to direct the sound to the sound hole like a fine audio speaker. The workmanship is impeccable, in keeping with Gibson’s reputation as a high quality instrument maker for over a hundred years.
For appearance, the J-45 is much plainer than most Gibsons and would appeal to a person who liked a less flamboyant instrument, like a Martin. The bridge and fingerboard are both made of rosewood for a warm sound with simple mother of pearl dots marking the positions along the neck. The fingerboard has 20 frets and joins the body at the 14th fret. Nickel Gotoh tuners with white buttons make a nice understated impression of quality.
A simple rosette surrounds the sound hole. The body is bound on all sides by celluloid to protect the instrument from the occasional hard knock, but the neck and headstock are unbound in keeping with the more modest appearance affected by the J-45. The headstock merely has the Gibson logo applied in gold paint rather than the deluxe pearl of the big deluxe Jumbos. A tortoise shell pick guard of standard appearance (like a teardrop) finishes of the guitar.
The J-45 is now equipped with a Fishman transducer pickup with active 4 band EQ for getting the most out of the J-45’s sound when amplified. The EQ has + - 12 dB of cut and boost allowing a wide tonal palette. The guitar has a well-balanced sound between the treble and bass registers and the Mahogany body gives the guitar a very appealing darker edge to the sound than a rosewood body. It’s a great guitar and built by people who know the game very well.
Gibson includes a custom hard shell case with the J-45, as they do with all their acoustic line. Also included is a Gold Warranty that is lifetime for the original owner.
While supplies last, Gibson is offering a free package of accessories to those who register their Gibson Acoustics either by mail or at www.gibson.com. The accessories include a Gibson bag and guitar strap made especially for this promotion, as well as a set of strings, guitar polish, and a lint free guitar cloth. It’s a nice package and worth getting.
What you are getting when you buy the Gibson J-45 is a classic Gibson which will only sound better with age and the more it is played. Lifetime memories - can you put a price on them?
Thanks for stopping by!
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