Gibson J-45 Standard : The Benchmark Slope D
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Ah, the J-45. No acoustic guitar channel would be complete without a little demo of a J45 Standard.... If nothing else, it's a great reference point to listen back to while browsing other guitars of a similar or different nature.
The J45 hasn't really changed all that much over the 8 or so decades that it's been around. Spruce, Mahogany, Short Scale Length, Sloped Shoulders. Why mess with it? It just works.
The 2019 Gibson's have been impressive, folks can say what they want but I have yet to see a bad one. The 45 Standard is well-built, sounds great, and is gig ready out of the box with Grover tuners, a Baggs Element pickup, and a strap button.
Recorded with Shure KSM32, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Logic Pro, no additional processing.
IAN'S GIG BAG:
Strings - amzn.to/2NeBoEG
Picks - amzn.to/2LtA52L
Capo - amzn.to/2NZJaSD
Headstock Tuner - amzn.to/2LwM8fG
Soundhole Tuner - amzn.to/2Lu3qKu
Mine just arrived. It is the easiest playing guitar I've ever owned by far, far, far! It came set up this way. I've read tons of bad press about Gibson in the past years and now I don't believe it. I think the 24.75" scale length really matters. I was having thoughts about buying a Martin instead, but I will buy a smaller Martin later like the 000-18. But for now, I have a new J-45 to break in. I'm as happy as I've better been with this guitar.
Great guitar . I wasnt as lucky as you . I bought mine used for 2000.00 . The set up was terrible . After a little filing of the bridge and truss rod adjustment it plays and sounds beautiful . Really love the tone and feel of this guitar
This is how a guitar should be reviewed. The man lets the instument speak for itself, no uncessary words needed. Btw, Ian, I love your playing too.
I'm really getting into the tone of Gibson acoustics
me, too! Funny because at first they sound as full and special as e.g. Martins, but that's exactly what makes them special! They are more subtle and are great guitars for singers!
A guitar that every guitarist should have. Great tool.
I agree Claudio.
I haven’t thought much of Gibson’s for years but, I to say that the new ones are excellent.
So I have a J-45 standard and a J-45 Studio. That’s how impressed I am
High praise! I agree, the new Gibsons have been stellar.
I agree completely as well. The ones that I have played made this year have all been killer.
Finally, this is someone that knows how to pull tone out of a great guitar. Awesome demo!!
Appreciate the kind words Mark, thank you.
The new Gibson acoustics are great. I bough a 2019 J45 and this is the best I have ever played or own till today :
True Vintage, 2010 Standard, Luther Choise or Vintage 2016 Model.
The sound of my 2019 is full and rich. The notes just rings with a lot of clarity and a zing tone.
Yes, I’m In love !
My new J-45 Standard Cutaway arrived a few months ago. As I played it for the 1st time, I thought ..... Where have you been all my life??? Best action I've ever encountered by far. And the sound???? I couldn't afford it in my younger days, but sooo glad I finally have one. I can see why James Taylor played one during the Sweet Baby James era!!!!!
I have three acoustic guitars. Martin d-35 and hd-28 and a Gibson j-45. I like them all three. The martins are older but my Gibson is a 2020 model I bought new. I think all three have their own characteristics. I guess if for some stupid reason I could only have one it would be the j-45. I've owned martins since 1971 starting with the d-18 but none of them plays as good as the Gibson j-45.
Nothing can compare to Gibson tone. Just awesome.
it is truly awesome!
The whole reason I'm even watching this video, or buying a tuner, or puttin on new strings, or paying my luthier to make adjustments, ( what Im sayin is.... the only reason I am in the game, is because I went into a store and played a 2019 J45 Standard. That lit the fire. My ears must not have been ignorant because, now I'm finding all this CZcams content referring to, and comparing to the J45 Standard. The sound came first, CZcams came later.
thats the way it happens!
I’ve always had a soft spot for these Slope D’s. I played a couple J45 vintage today and they have some sweet grit.
If you don’t feel like shelling out for a new j 45 the Gibson J 35 is killer!! They have the same Advance Jumbo bracing patten and similar neck like the J45 vintage and just bark, loud and proud.
Yeah Andrew, some of my favorite guitars ever. The J-35 is an awesome option, wish Gibson was still churning em out.
@@ianmeadows6351 It will come back around, and you can still get anything made in their custom shop.
Maybe a J 35 collectors edition with the Torrefied Adi top?
That's one on my wish list !
I love your playing Ian !!! So soothing and relaxing. I also love the J-45 Standard, that’s why I got one ... I’m torn between the J-45 and D-18 though . I can still swap the J-45 for a D-18! I’m leaning towards keeping the 45 cause i like the thumpy bass and drier/darker mellow tone of the 45 . I have a 2014 or 15
D-41 to scratch my Martin itch , lol.
There’s a D-18 and J-45 at my local GC aside from the J-45 I have. . I’ve played them back to back and like them almost the same aside from the strumming.
I like the J-45 better for strumming oddly enough . Which combo for you ?
J-45 and D-41 or D-18 and D-41 ?
Thanks for all you do, I love your videos and comparisons. 🙏
Hello Ian: I am assuming that the J-45 is not plugged in. In other words, the pickup (electronics) is not used. You are only using a mic to amplify the sound. Please tell me if my assumption is correct. Thank you!
Yes Paul, that is correct.
Ian Meadows Thank you for responding. And thank you for making these videos!
Great playing as always Ian...on that sweet Gibby....almost sounds like an adi top though I know it isn't being a standard....beautiful guitar..
I'm in love.. Again ❤️
My g-45 sounds so similar it’s amazing
Sounds fantastic, thank you.
J45 leaves room for your voice and is very balanced
I've had my share of custom/small-builder/expensive guitars (including a Gibson 1934 Jumbo reissue entirely built by the custom shop with hot hide-glue and premium adi/hog) but, somehow, I keep going back to the standard J-45... My only gripe is that at this price point it should come with bone pins, nut and saddle. It's a workhorse and this sample you're playing sounds particularly impressive!
Gibson isn't alone. Martin Standard series do come with bone saddle/nut but the bridge pins are plastic.
Yes, but even my Hummingbird True Vintage came with plastic pins...
what strings were on this J-45 this day?
I’m looking around at picking up an Acoustic, weird all the country guys are playing Gibson’s now, I was actually looking for a Martin or a Taylor, any opinions on the 3 major brands pros and cons?
Very nice 👍
I love mine. However, it does not seem to have the picking volume I require for most of my songs. Thinking of trading it for a d18 or d28...00018 etc. Not quite sure yet. I may try more strings. It's even been set up by a Luthier. Has the bone pins and nut already installed by Luther. Not great with a capo or without a pick. Not as great. It sounds great. Looks great. Smells heavenly. I just do not know what I will end up doing. I have another Martin and a 000 recording King that sounds louder than it finger picking. I currently have Martin vintage lights on the j45. What to do....what to do...
Have went though d'addario, Martin and eliclxir strings thus far...
Sounds like brand new strings to me.
They're pretty fresh, but not brand new...
Hey man! 011 or 012 gauge strings??
The J45 or Martin D42? I know the martin is a good bit more expensive but I'm torn on this. Gibson sounds a bit warmer and darker with sweet mids but Martin sounds nice as well. I can only get one and i cant test them in my country. I had a hummingbird before and loved it. Does anyone have experience of both? How is playability on the Martin?
Personally I'd go J-45, but everybody likes different sounds.... Playability on the Martin is great for what it is, but I find that Gibson short scale length makes the guitar play easier.
Ian, I currently own Taylor’s and Martins and Alvarez and love them but my style of playing and singing is more fitting to a J45! I’m now in the market for one. Are you saying that I should be able to buy anyone 2019 model over the internet and get a great sounding one? I’m worried because of so many comments from folks that say Gibson isn’t on top of their quality control game. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks
Hi Carson, I don't want to say this unequivocally, but all the new Gibsons I have personally seen have been built fine in terms of fit and finish. I've had maybe 5 or 6 Standards come in the shop over the last year and had no issues with any of them.
Ian Meadows which shop do you work for, Ian? Can you all offer discounts?
@@carsonnguyen4423 AcousticMusic.Org. you can email me at ian@acousticmusic.org if theres something youre interested in.
Gibsons always sound so dull compared to Martin's piano-like tone. I find it hard for me to get into them for this reason. I guess if you want that tone, but I like clarity and separation.
Well, I guess it is up to how we are all differently put together...! I love the Gibson because it has what the Martin lacks, clarity and separation!
Yeah it’s in the ear of the beholder I guess. To me the Gibson has beauty in its chaos. Maybe that’s why you see so many singer song writers are using them today and of yester year. The Gibson to me challenges and throws new inspiration that resonates. But who really knows. That’s all I really know.
FUNNY..I just sold my D18 I had for 16 years.Once I picked up a BRAND NEW J45 because it is the Exact opposite from what you just stated...lol..I have a D28 as well,Still wonder what guitars you are actually playing.
@@runnningonempty a 16-year-old D18 is going to have straight bracing. I don't blame you for trading it. Play a 2012 or newer with forward shifted scalloped bracing and your opinion might change.
Too bad that every J45 I've played sounded like they had blankets stuffed in them.
Haha, fair enough! I can't say I've played too many like that...