How Different Can 5 Gibson J-45's Sound?? - Comparison Video
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- čas přidán 4. 10. 2020
- The Gibson J-45 is one of the most popular, best-selling, and most iconic acoustic guitars on the planet, but how much variation in tone do you get from guitar to guitar. Today we invite our Gibson rep (celebrating his 25th Anniversary at Gibson) Mr. Don Ruffatto to compare 5 exact standard model J-45s, all hand-crafted in Bozeman, MT. Does one sound best to your ears??
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My Dad bought a new J 45 in 1962. It became the guitar I started learning how to play. Throughout my teenage years, and adulthood, it has been my best friend. I have played my feelings through it all my life. The good times, the bad times, in in between. I still have this guitar but I no longer take it out of the house. The only negative about learning and playing on a J 45 is when you want to buy another guitar, it is a long and mostly unsatisfying process. Only when I am looking for another type of sound am I successful. Such as my resonator.
It's not mentioned in this video, but any variance in the strings will skew this test. If some strings have more play time, are of different brand/guage will greatly affect sound. Also, I have the same Neumann cardioid directional pencil mic in my studio, and any slight variance in mic position which will dramatically change the tone. But assuming that these variables are minimal, it is astounding how different each guitar is.
Oh no! I've been trying to convince myself for weeks that I don't need a J45. And then you post this video. Grmbl. Great video!
I bought a slightly used one (2017) a couple of weeks ago. I'm so hooked
I'm feigning for the G45, I don't know how Gibson can produce a all solid wood American made guitar with Fishman pick ups and include a hard case for under a grand
@@backyardblacksmith3090 Walnut vs Mahogany. There's a J-45 walnut for $1000 less. G-45 is walnut. Still trying to figure out the differences between those two.
I have a 2016 Custom shop J-45 iced tea and it’s absolutely amazing.
@@jimmerritt1171 give the G-45 a few years and lots of playing. It will sound similar to the mahogany but maybe a bit more dry and clean. The walnut comes from the US.
Greetings from Ireland. 51 and 80 for me. Bought a new J45 standard last month. Absolutely love it. Complements my HD-28V wonderfully.
How do you like owning the two? I'm considering working towards getting the J-45 and D-28 as my Desert Island guitar collection.
Very very cool Kevin! How do you like them all?
I still have the J45 but traded the HD-28V for a new 000-28EC. The Martin is amazing, beautifully crafted and amazing tone. Wanted a smaller body to complement the Gibson sound. Couldn’t be happier with both.
That was a great video. You can definitely hear that each guitar has it’s own voice. That would be a cool idea for other popular brands and models.
The first (04) and the last one (80) is what stood out to me!
Great video. Must admit that around here at least it's difficult to go into a store that has multiple guitars of the same model to try before a purchase.
#80 for me. What I love about my J-45 is the tone (of course) and the balanced projection. Highs aren't thin and tinny and the mids-lows aren't too muddy.
I liked #80 as well, but #04 sounded good to my ears also. #28 was the one that sounded remarkably different than the others. It seems like it needed to open up a bit.
I played 6 standards (and some signature models) before choosing mine. After years of buying/selling all sorts of fancy custom models and exotic wood combinations the best advice I could offer from my own adventures would be to try the classic, standard versions of any acoustic or electric guitar brands first. Even if you have the cash and gear lust to think think that more exclusive/expensive will be better, you will most likely have the opportunity to play and compare a lot more examples of the standard model. A good guitar is a good guitar and you will know when it speaks to you. It's also worth remembering that most of the outrageously priced vintage guitars for sale now were once simple, standard models from the shop floor.
It would be great if you guys could compare the 50s, 60s, and standard J-45.
identical voice...subtle difference indeed! great consistency!!
Was just in Bozeman, loved seeing the Gibson display case in the airport!
Great video!
Very cool video. I tell people all the time that they have to go find their guitars, you can't just order them. You guys should do a comparison of all the series of J45's. I'd love to hear a blind test with the Original, Studio, Sustainable, and Historic J45s all at once.
Or order 5 of them and return the 4 you love the least :)
My J-50 was built 7/27/2021 and I have removed the pick guard. Something about naked spruce that really has a satisfying look to it. This guitar just keeps opening up and revealing new tonal qualities month after month. Beautiful instrument. Great video thanks.
I bought a J45 way back in 2001. Took 2 different set ups before I was advised that the neck was incorrectly set. I traded it in. I love the sound of Gibson guitars acoustic and electric but am reticent about getting another.
Believe me, Gibson's QC has improved a ton since 19 years ago, especially with the new management.
They all sounded great and yet each uniquely different. To my ears all but one sounded tight which is not a bad thing as breaking them in by playing them hard is half the fun. My personal J45 is a 2010 True Vintage, Adirondack top, hide glue, VOS etc. It’s a cannon if pushed but oh so articulate, expressive and balanced when played softly as well. Just like a fine red wine, these do get better with age...10 year old J45s are markedly better than factory new. Be careful to not let a good one get away with a quick play demo. Listen for balance, as they open up it’s a thing to behold. Some guitars will open up in just a few weeks if you do your part and play’m like a rented mule 🐴...🦋
I tried one at my local GC. I want one so bad. Wonderful sound, looks and playability.
I had Martin’s, but until I picked up a J45 in the store, I didn’t know how good they feel and sound. I’ll be 60 soon, and J45’s remind me of the iconic folk sound of the 1960’s & 1970’s. I love my J45.
I too went from Martin fan boy to Gibson acoustics, love the 12” radius neck.
Andrew Gemmill Yes, and the shorter scale of the Gibson J45. As I age (59), and the disease I have - Hemochromatosis - which has deposited iron in all my joints - I find the shorter scale much easier on my finger & wrist joints.
This is the best comparison video I have ever seen, a category all by itself. The difference between 04 and 28 was...wow. It is a taste thing, like food on the tongue, the taste goes deep, and the sound in my ear goes deep into my head. I don't get the impression Taylors sound very different across one model range, lots of machining vs. Gibson with lots of hand work. Not that one is better that the other, but since buying online is common I was pretty sure what I was going to get when I got a Taylor. Fortunately I have a few stores close enough to try out some J45s!
Hi, did you mean that the same model of j45, thet could sound differently?
@@daniel7385 yes, that has been my experience. Like in the video, it’s noticeable, not always bad just different. Except that old strings sound old on a J45 more than they do on a Taylor or Martin.
@@christophereadgbe2976 That's interesting to know. I thought those big brands should always be 99% same in tone
51 and 69 had more weight and bottom end than the others - to my ears!
That's what I hear too...
Just bought a new 50's Vintage and it's closer to the 51 and 69 but more woody . Cant put it down.
69 and 80 here. Liked 69 the best.
@@fishhooks100 me too!
I'm not a good enough guitarist to delve into the sound details too much. I just want a J-45! Period! Visually they're the most perfect, in-your-face guitar there is (maybe a Martin D-28 Herringbone). Anyway, the differences, such as the script of Gibson on the headstock, or is the headstock plain or does it say Banner etc. are important to me. Details like that add to it's warmth. Sometimes I might just want to sit and stare at it. I can review all of these details on-line, and then choose without playing, and likely be very happy with that guitar. All 5 of these guitars sound different obviously, each one attractive in its own way. But they all sound great. And unless you have all 5 guitars on hand, you're never going to be hearing the difference anyway. So I say, pick the one you think looks the best, the one that turns you on the most, and go for it!
Faves from best to least: 69, 4, 80, 28 & don't recall the other number. All were awesome sounds though.
#2 my favorite!
#4 and #69 are my picks. I hope to stop by your store in April on my way to Flathead. Would love to take one of your J45s along. Who knows, it could happen. Thanks!
Wow! Totally amazing the variations in these five guitars...#80 or 28 or 51 seemed to grab me the most. I'll have to come and visit to choose!
I too liked 28 and 80 but also 69
28 👍
80 sounds like my j45 and I absolutely love it.
A lot of people say they liked 80 the best, but the sound hole on that one was turned a little bit more towards the mic. That might contribute to some of the difference heard.
WOW Much more difference then I've expected
Great video, anyone know what strings are being used?
Interesting comparison. I'd love to know what strings they used (make, model and gauge) and how long they'd been on the guitar. You'd be amazed how this can affect the sound of an acoustic.
I like the 2nd. One the 28 the best but they all sound great of course… it took 3 j-45’s to land my keeper so yes I agree play as many as possible till you find yours…
I love this video, I have a J45 custom with rosewood b/s. I always wonder if I should have bought the mahaogony model. Maybe I need both. It is my go to guitar.
Very cool!! How do you like the rosewood?
@@americanworkhorsej45film81 I like it, it is not as warm as mahogany however each string rings clear and strong, with 12s it has a lot of hp, it is a loud guitar. the mahogony is a special sound too. it was a tough decision
#28 for me. Followed by #4 and #80. Noway I am picking up #51 and #69.
Im blown away by how much differant they they sound from each other.
Simple= yes. I bought 3 Gibson J45 before I settled on mine. The third one was the One. This is the same with Martins and most guitars. All wood and build even same model have different sounds.
Especially these models that are just absolutely mass produced. Lemons in everything from people to cars to guitars
I'd love for you to do a comparison between the J45 and the Martin D-18.
We have this one: czcams.com/video/JYZgTc_w1zM/video.html
Ok 1st pick #28, then 80 and 69. But I think/feel my J45 beats them all. Paul seems to always keep a good selection on hand AND makes sure they are set up the way you like them before it leaves the store.
Totally agree with you on this, I'd be happy with any of them 3
Me too , 28 was the best hands down IMO . All sounded pretty good though
That 2nd and 5th one are where it's at.
2 and 5 for me
I liked 28...my 2009 has aged nicely. I do prefer a wider neck and longer scale these days though. Gibson's have their own sound for sure. Thanks!
This tracks. I've heard and played J-45s that I didn't care for at all, but I have a friend with one that sounds jaw-droppingly good. If you're hunting for one, you really should try it first.
There are significant differences here, as though different string types were being demonstrated. Wonder how much of it is the age of the strings. That said, a friend of mine chose his J-45 from a row of several, and the one he bought had really stood out as the right one. He was right too, it matched his voice like it had been crafted to do just that.
The Gibson Advanced Jumbo is the true gem of Gibson's. Yet few people even know about them
The only Gibson I own is a j200 jumbo it works for me 1936.
Whoa..the sites say 37 was the first year. Do you have a prototype? Is it rosewood?
51 sounds the best by far
Yes, it sounds best to me also.
Wonderful.
To me is between the 28 and 69.
My J45 Standard has a SN finishing with 34. ;-)
The 2nd sounds more open. How many did I play before I bought my J45- I don't recall. Now I play it more than the Songwriter.
Def jealousthat you’re able to compare your Gibson’s plural!
Is the songwriter worth selling to replace with a j45? My songwriter sounds a bit thin, but it may be a mahogany vs rosewood issue. I have always found that mahogany provides better low end than rosewood
Were all these guitars strung at the same time?
My J15 is very unique, the back parts are asymmetric, meaning that the middle stripe is not exactly in the middle. But it sounds great. Wish Gibson had a better quality assurance unit.
I am really torn between a J45 or the SJ200. I cant play them in person as no store where i live but i play a bit of everything but probably mostly strumming stuff, Eagles, Tom Petty and some country stuff like Hank Williams and a bit of Oasis now and then. Any opinions?
J45
I decided to buy myself a new acoustic for myself for Christmas. At my local Guitar Center I went through their acoustic room and strummed each of the guitars - not paying attention to the brand or the price. Of all of the guitars, one specific Gibson J-45 studio sounded absolutely haunting to my ear. I left and kept thinking about it for the next 2 weeks. I decided to go back and do the same walkthrough test again - and again this same J-45 had the same magic sound. This time I noticed some scuffs on the face; someone in the store must have been playing the heck out of it.
I had them take it out of the lock for me so I could play it. The salesman even brought out a J45 Standard to compare with it - and I had the money, but this specific Studio had the perfect sound. They knocked a couple hundred off for the scuffs which was a sweet bonus. I don't have a bit of remorse with this one. Perfect guitar!
I own a '67 J-45 I bought in '67. Now I'm shopping for another 1 from 2000 on up to the present. Have you tried others made during the period 2000 -2023? If yes, which year(s) did you really like & which year(s) did you not like as much? Thanks.
I only tried the new J-45s that were in stock at my Guitar Center. In my case, this specific Studio sounded the best. They all sounded very nice @@LoneTinaja
@@scotronix Your story is very interesting. Which J-45 Studio version did you buy, the walnut or rosewood? Considering that a J-45 Studio walnut retails for $2,399, a J-45 Studio rosewood retails for $2,499, & a J-45 Standard retails for $2,999, I am intrigued by your description of yours being haunting and magic. Tell me more about what you mean by that, such as the tonal qualities, high, mid range, lows & balance. Do you know the month and year it was made? How many J-45 Studio guitars did that Guitar Center have that you played? And was yours the only 1 of the Studio ones that sounded better than the J-45 Standard? What strings are on it? I've been playing my '67 J-45 for 58 years, and I'm looking for a fairly late model (from 2000 to present) that has a really great sound, but would naturally be far cheaper than a late '50s or early '60s. Sometimes some of those for sale from those vintage years have had so-called repairs that diminished the quality of the sound. I'm in a small Texas city not close to any music stores that would have many J-45s, & I don't trust buying a J-45 I haven't played.
@@LoneTinaja Mine is the Rosewood, one of the store employees had been playing the heck out of it and left a couple very minor marks on the face from his pick so they knocked 200 bucks off. This one was brand new, so I imagine it was made in 2023. The wood on the back is interesting. The piece they used had a white stripe & way they cut it and fit it together gives the back a white stripe up the middle like a skunk. It has a warm tone. If you listen to “Golden Age” by Beck on his Sea Change record - just like that guitar tone.
@@scotronix Thanks for that info. Did that Guitar Center have any other J-45 Studio rosewoods? If yes, did they all have the white stripe wood on the back? If yes, did the 1 you bought still sound somewhat better than the other Studio rosewoods? I'm going to contact Gibson & ask them the purpose for that type of wood.
BUT...what I live in Missouri, and can't come to Montana and play these in person? What if I have to buy my J45 online, from Music Villa without the option of playing before I pay? What if I get one that just doesn't sound how I wanted my J45 to sound?
Their tones are close enough you could easily modify their voices by switching strings, pins, string height, etc. I think the better philosophy if you can't do side by sides is just play the crap out of the one you choose. If it's meant to be it's meant to be. And that tone is YOURS! At least that's my strategy!
With the tops being flat does it help with the bridge swelling in humidity?
No.
I love my J45, is just as I wished. My favorite guitar!! :)
Two and four sound way better than the other three.
The differences in sound was huge for me. Playing a bunch in person is still the best way to buy. This demonstration is probably the second best way to buy. If I had bought number one without hearing it first I would b very disappointed in it. Sure someone else would love it. But I’d return it. I loved #2.
I wish I had the money for a gibson j45
amazing, id take number 28 and 51
Those really do sound different. Somebody may need to buy all of them
Interesting. There's a much bigger difference between them than I thought there'd be. I have one and mine sounds a lot like that number 51, which I thought was the darkest sounding guitar of the 5. I've been looking for other acoustics because I wanted a brighter sounding guitar. That first guitar sounds like the guitar I'd love to add to my collection. I could be happy with two J-45's. 😁
I love my Gibson g45 studio
MEEEE TOO! Especially after removing the undersaddle pickup and adding a bone nut, saddle, and pins
The first one and last one
They all sound fantastic oh but #80 has that it factor to my ears, another thing though it has to feel right in your hands, I've grabbed some guitars before, not gonna say what makes but they just didn't have the feel !
That's part of it, isn't it?
What's the best string for j45?.. thank you
Bought my j45 a few months ago. Sounded awesome in the shop. Put my favorite Martin strings on it and it died!! Went through D’Addario, Martin, and Martin Retro. Finally, got a set of Gibson 80/20 Bronze 12 gauge. Sounds and plays incredible!! I know phosphor bronze lasts a lot longer, but this sound is too good to mess with anything else. I just order 12 packs at a time and change at least monthly. They’re worth a shot if you still haven’t found what you’re after.
There is a problem for most guitar players in that Gibson guitars are carried by only a small number of stores. So playing one before you buy it is difficult to do, let alone several of the same model, without traveling. Most large guitar stores carry Martins, just as most carry Fender electrics.
Found a new one in guitar center first time in years 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
My ear has always enjoyed the Rosewood body more.
I would choose # 28
28 & 80 sound different. The others sound like they haven't opened up. Maybe they stay that way, don't know much about Gibsons. But great tone IMO from 28 and 80.
04 and 80
I had one that was a 2010, it too bright, and I couldn't stand it, sold it, then I was at a store and found one that was a 2018 and it was great, but couldn't afford it
This is great except how many people get to sit down and try out 5 of the same guitar before they buy it? Wish it was this way
2 and 5 i liked
Sorry to post something negative but I bought a Advanced Jumbo from Gibson made in Montana. After owning it for a few years the neck twisted causing the high strings to buzz and making it almost unplayable other than basic cowboy chords near the nut. I took good care of it and it never went to gigs I played it at the house or the recording studio. Loved it it sounded great and looked great. To make a long story short Gibson told me that the twisted neck was “normal wear and tear “ and not covered under warranty! So I paid a lot of money to get it fixed and then sold it and bought a Taylor. So beautiful guitars but very poor customer service. It wasn’t the first time I had issues with Gibson I have owned many guitars over the years even some custom built by Gibson that had problems.
#80. Excellent balance.
..In the UK (England) these are always 'special order'..You have to wait weeks / if not months for your order to arrive. When it finally turns up ..that's it ...If you don't like the sound..tough....They won't order anothern one for you.....You'll never get 5 of these in one shop....
If they can vary in sound as much as these five I would never take the chance with so much outlay. I'll stick with my Epiphone...
OMG, I can’t decide which one I liked best, so I’ll stick with my 1981 Martin HD-28 🤷🏼♂️
This is exactly why I only buy used guitars and only after I have spent some time playing it. You can’t get either one buying off the internet.
Sure but in truth it ain't that big of a risk. Much of it is percieved or self contrived
“…most popular, best selling and most iconic acoustic guitar on the planet?” All this time I thought that was the Martin D-28? 🤷🏼♂️ The first guitar seemed to have the best overall sound I can’t really pinpoint it was the most pleasing to my ear, full range, not too much bass, not too much treble. A nice blend of low/mid/high, it speaks to me😎. The last one had the most bass, but they were all very similar overall.
4, 51, 80
Yeah, and where are you going to find a guitar store that has 5 of them in stock to compare each one.... nowhere... basically anyone buying a guitar is always screwed because no place has many guitars to compare...maybe this store does but your average guitar store doesn’t...
80👍🇬🇧👍
Happy 25th anniversary at Gibson Don.
I like 04 and 80 the best
I bought a j-45 standard. A wonderful guitar but the vtc pickup sux. Gibson could have done better than the vtc. The anthem would have been better where you could blend the mic with the under saddle pickup.
Man, I torment myself every time I look at a J-45. I played the J-45 of my dreams at the Gibson Memphis factory 2 years before they closed up shop. I placed it back on the wall hesitantly 3 times not knowing how to afford it and thinking I would shop for one later. Fast forward 8 years and dozens of attempts to find one I liked as much, still have not...
The first and last are awesome.
80
talking of unique, when i got divorced the first thing i did was to have a dream of opening a guitar shop, i got distracted, women eh? but i did start buying and selling guitars, i've had about 50-60 since then, and i have 11 atm, six of them keepers, but the first guitar i got (i bought a 66 j45 back in the 70's which i'll leave out of this) was a 66LG1, i sold that, regretted selling it, couldn't get it back so i bought an LG0, which i also sold, and then another LG0, which i also sold, but the point being all three had entirely different necks, width thickness, shape - all completely different, so i don'r know what gibson neck makers get up to...
I think 80 was my fav
What planet?
04 for the WIN!
I liked #1 the most. I liked them all, but #3 the least.
4, 69, 51
The best J-45 I ever heard is the Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner.
Only the Gibson True Vintage with adirondack top can compete.
Mine was locked in its case, the case tipped over and the neck broke. 4 years ago. It’s still broke. ☹️
If your in America I will buy it from ya.
Hmm... I will go with number 80 😊
Allan Høj mine sounds very similar to #80
@@jimmy5634 Lovely, has a very good sound... Lucky you 👍
51
THE most iconic acoustic. Period.
Yes, J-200 is.
... or maybe D-28...
#28