gomers
Strummer
Posts: 44
My main instrument is: 2008 Martin 000-15, 2004 Yamaha LL-500
|
Post by gomers on Sept 24, 2015 11:49:23 GMT
Spent a couple of hours in GuitarGuitar in Birmingham yesterday after becoming somewhat fixated with a slope shoulder Gib. Had wanted to try the J15, J35 and J45, the latter 2 of which were advertised as being in stock in both pre-2016 and new model year incarnations.
Unfortunately, an arrival, no J15 in stock, they have 2 J35s and 1 J45 Standard, so I spend the next 2 hrs giving them a good run-through with my limited skills. First thing to note is how I now understand what people are referring to when they talk of the, shall we say, patchy build quality. All 3 were less than perfect, lacquer build up on fretboard to top, sharp fret ends and an action on the J45 you could drive a car under. Compared to the Martins and Taylors, they were quite poor but I gather that is to be expected from Gibson with their rough and ready approach. Quite amusing in a way how they get away with it.
But I persevere, first the J35 which is a 2013 model with dead strings but sounds like it has promise. Switch to the J45 with a terrible action and notice it seems more resonant (new strings) and slightly slimmer neck profile. Lastly a 2016 MY J35 which is altogether more like it, best action of the trio and very lively sounding for £100 more than the earlier equivalent.
I want to love the J45, I need to love it if I'm going to spend the additional £400 but find myself gravitating back to the J35s. The newer model has a much lighter coloured top and b/s, while the older version has a bit more visual character with a nicely tinted top and darker b/s. In the end, the older version won out and after re-stringing last night, the tone has come alive, still needs a set-up and some frets filing but I can definitely detect a 'voice' developing with this guitar. Anyhow, as per convention, a pic below to prove it happened.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Sept 24, 2015 12:05:44 GMT
I'm glad you posted that pic, gomers, because I was seriously doubting your story there for a minute Sounds like you made a considered and sensible decision in the end. I really quite fancy the J35 and J15 models I've seen (in Guitar Guitar, Glasgow), and I really will need to get around to playing them as well. I'm just scared I'll like them too much and buy one! It's also quite telling how much of a difference the condition of the strings can make to the evaluation of a guitar in a shop. Something I was aware of, but it's useful to keep in mind. Congrats on you new guitar - any chance of hearing you play it?
|
|
|
Post by slasher on Sept 24, 2015 13:48:38 GMT
Congratulations on your new guitar! Gibsons do have a bit of a reputation for being 'a bit hit-and-miss' so you did exactly the right thing spending some time trying out various models.
|
|
gomers
Strummer
Posts: 44
My main instrument is: 2008 Martin 000-15, 2004 Yamaha LL-500
|
Post by gomers on Sept 24, 2015 14:00:24 GMT
I'm glad you posted that pic, gomers, because I was seriously doubting your story there for a minute Sounds like you made a considered and sensible decision in the end. I really quite fancy the J35 and J15 models I've seen (in Guitar Guitar, Glasgow), and I really will need to get around to playing them as well. I'm just scared I'll like them too much and buy one! It's also quite telling how much of a difference the condition of the strings can make to the evaluation of a guitar in a shop. Something I was aware of, but it's useful to keep in mind. Congrats on you new guitar - any chance of hearing you play it? Hear me play Martin ? Now, why on earth would I inflict that upon you, I'm new round here and wouldn't wish to upset the hoardes It's always the the way that you never seem to be able to demo guitars in shops at the peak of their powers. I'm annoyed that it requires a set up to fix the playability issues but also excited at the prospect of the tone developing whilst becoming a damn site easier to play. To be fair to Gibson, there were other guitars from the big names in the store that had less than desirable actions, but without the shoddiness that Bozeman appear to be acquiring a name for. I have now bought 3 guitars in 2 months and really need to off-load at least 1 as I'm outta control but the Gibson was bought with definitely a 'last guitar' mentality.
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Sept 24, 2015 14:02:07 GMT
What pretty guitars they are. Congratulations on your new baby. I hope you'll be making sweet music together for many, many years.
|
|
Riverman
Artist / Performer
Posts: 7,348
|
Post by Riverman on Sept 24, 2015 14:04:37 GMT
|
|
gomers
Strummer
Posts: 44
My main instrument is: 2008 Martin 000-15, 2004 Yamaha LL-500
|
Post by gomers on Sept 24, 2015 14:05:19 GMT
Congratulations on your new guitar! Gibsons do have a bit of a reputation for being 'a bit hit-and-miss' so you did exactly the right thing spending some time trying out various models. Thanks Tony, really like it but want to keep my LA8 too if at all possible.
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Sept 24, 2015 14:07:02 GMT
Congratulations on your new guitar! Gibsons do have a bit of a reputation for being 'a bit hit-and-miss' so you did exactly the right thing spending some time trying out various models. Thanks Tony, really like it but want to keep my LA8 too if at all possible. Sounds like the beginning of a collection. Go, Gomers, go!
|
|
leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,657
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
|
Post by leoroberts on Sept 24, 2015 14:19:41 GMT
the Gibson was bought with definitely a 'last guitar' mentality DOES. NOT. COMPUTE
|
|
gomers
Strummer
Posts: 44
My main instrument is: 2008 Martin 000-15, 2004 Yamaha LL-500
|
Post by gomers on Sept 24, 2015 14:36:21 GMT
Thanks Tony, really like it but want to keep my LA8 too if at all possible. Sounds like the beginning of a collection. Go, Gomers, go! NO, NO, NO !!! You obviously misunderstand, I have bought the J35 with cash I don't 'technically' possess, others will have to make way sadly, maybe a watch too
|
|
Riverman
Artist / Performer
Posts: 7,348
|
Post by Riverman on Sept 24, 2015 14:43:05 GMT
Money is just a bourgeois illusion. Music is real
|
|
doc
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,057
My main instrument is: A Francis Milsom J-45
|
Post by doc on Sept 24, 2015 14:43:31 GMT
I bought my last guitar 3 guitars ago.
|
|
Riverman
Artist / Performer
Posts: 7,348
|
Post by Riverman on Sept 24, 2015 14:46:10 GMT
By definition, my "last" guitar was the last one I bought. And it will always remain my last, until I buy another. You can't defeat that logic.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Sept 24, 2015 14:50:42 GMT
Money is just a bourgeois illusion. Music is real Now there's an idea...
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Sept 24, 2015 15:13:23 GMT
Sounds like the beginning of a collection. Go, Gomers, go! NO, NO, NO !!! You obviously misunderstand, I have bought the J35 with cash I don't 'technically' possess, others will have to make way sadly, maybe a watch too
A spot of personal quantitative easing required here. Have you access to a photocopier and one £10 note?
|
|