GIBSON J-50 - Folk-Rock Icon - Guitar Discoveries #1
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- #gibsonj50 #gibsonj-50 #guitardiscoveries
Robert Cassard plays his 1964 folk-rock icon, the J-50 from Gibson of Kalamazoo. With excerpts from Fire & Rain and From the Beginning, see and hear how this vintage guitar handles finger-style and strumming with equal grace.
Robert Cassard shares guitars, gear and tips to make you a better musician.
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Hi, my name is Robert Cassard. I'm a lifelong guitar player, singer-songwriter, producer, and music fanatic. I create Guitar and Recording Discoveries videos with a simple goal: to make YOU a better, happier, more confident musician!
In 2018, after more than 40 years as a pro musician, I started sharing my experiences through easy-to-understand CZcams videos - giving you shortcuts to de-mystify playing, singing and recording.
My "day job" is as a video writer/producer/director. Often it's hard to balance my need to earn a living with my desire to share the pure joy of music through the CZcams videos I make for free.
Your ongoing support means the world to me and encourages me do more of what I love - sharing musical discoveries to help and inspire you! I invite you to become a "Guitar Discoverer” by signing up on Patreon so I can keep providing you the most value I can. / robertcassard
Learn more about me, my music and my videos:
www.guitardisc...
Check out my band Cosmic Spin’s website:
cosmic-spin.com/
Partial Transcript:
Hi, I'm Robert Cassard. Welcome to my studio lounge for a series I'm going to call Guitar Discoveries. I've been playing guitar a long time and in that time, I've learned a lot about guitars, the way they play, how to select them, little secrets, tips, tricks that I really want to share. This is a lifetime of musical information and a lot of happy accidents.
I wanted to kick off with my best, dearest, old guitar friend. This is a Gibson J-50 from 1964. It's one that I bought with my own money back in about 1977. Spent all of $350 bucks. Money I earned from playing in a band. So, music money went to support my music habit.
Back then, I was a huge fan of a lot of singer-songwriters. James Taylor, Cat Stevens, people along those lines. I'd been watching James Taylor in the Sweet Baby James era playing a Gibson J-50.
A Gibson J-50 is a J-45, but with a natural finish. I like seeing the grain of the wood. Spruce top, mahogany back, sides and neck. Rosewood finger board, rosewood bridge as well. It used to have an adjustable bridge, but I had that replaced when I had a pickup system put in.
I tried all kinds of guitars and when I picked it up, I felt the bass in me, and this had old strings on it at the time. I played it against all kinds of guitars, many more expensive, and this was the one that just captured me. I've played it on stage countless times, even plugged it in to electronics, played electric tones with it, and it just handles everything incredibly well. Played it on countless recordings. My own albums, albums I've produced for other people. The thing that amazes me is that it just always seems to fit well in the mix.
This is a slope shoulder dreadnought, right, so it's kind of a big guitar, but it's not huge one. It's not jumbo even though it's got the J in the name. What else do I love about it? I think for me, one of the memories it has is that when I originally started playing guitar, I didn't know a good guitar from a bad guitar. In fact, my first, my very first, guitar was a literally reject guitar that had been purchased with green stamps. So, I had nowhere to go but up from there.
I played that guitar. I learned to play with a guitar that had strings about a half inch off the frets and never played in tune. So, having that be my first experience with a guitar, anything was going to feel easy. Unfortunately, when I first went to buy a "good guitar", my first legitimate acoustic guitar, it was probably about 1972 or '3, I went out and I got an Epiphone, made in Japan. That guitar was always a little bit stiff. The action was low down here, and then it got high at the top. I didn't know that you needed to get a guitar set up.
When I finally had money built up from playing electric guitar and double bass in a band, it was time to get either a Gibson or a Martin. This one really spoke to me. The minute I played it, I just thought, that's it. Even today, it just has this certain tone. You can attack the thing or play mellow and it plays well all the time. A Gibson J-50 is sort of a best kept secret in a way because a J-45 from the same era is probably going to cost you quite a bit more.
I think your J50 is the best sounding Gibson I've heard online, even through computer speakers.
Thanks, Mark. I'm proud of the tweaks I've made to this guitar over the years, and I agree that it sounds about as good as a J-50 can. The first big change was switching from the original plastic adjustable bridge saddle to a fixed bone saddle. Later I added a Mitchel's PlateMate and bone bridge pins as I explain in this video: czcams.com/video/H9pmT4uv2oA/video.html
And here's a video about what I learned from James Taylor. His style really highlights what's special about its tone and playability: czcams.com/video/YFThZipY-BY/video.html
Great guitar! I have a 63 J50 I purchased new in 64, when I was 15 yo, on an installment plan. About 18.00/months for what seemed like forever. It has aged into a wonderful sound. It has a narrow neck compared to others.
That is awesome, Carlos. You can hear my J-50 featured on my videos about james Taylor and Cat Stevens, among others: czcams.com/video/YFThZipY-BY/video.html
Over the years, I made some great-sounding upgrades. I replaced the Adj bridge with a fixed bridge and bone saddle. Then I made these two inexpensive upgrades: czcams.com/video/H9pmT4uv2oA/video.html
@@RobertCassard Yes, I also replaced the adjustable bridge w/a fixed bridge and bone saddle. Improved the sound.
I'm lucky to have a '63 J-50 which sounds every bit as good as this one...man, does it just ring on and on...a tone like no other.
Seems like the 60s was the sweet spot for J-45s and 50s, Craig!
VERY nice! Fantastic voice and pickin. I just picked up a 1950 j-45 for $450......it needs everything but man it should be worth the effort to get it up and running
Thanks, Bushradical. Your "new" J-45 should be well worth the effort! 1950 was a very good year...
Lucky guy.I have a 66' and it's a great sounding guitar.
My alter ego, RC the musician. Glad to bring my love of video AND music together in these Guitar Discoveries.
Stereo!
Thank you Robert for your video--I wish I could play like you, but I'll try to follow your lead on "Fire and Rain" and "From the Beginning"- I
bought a '69 J-45 some years ago from Ludlow Music in Manhattan - great unique tones, higher end, complex ... something magical -with the same pick-guard as your J-50, never fell off or buzzed. Looking forward to seeing tour other videos.
Hi, Maxim. I’m happy you found my very first Guitar Discoveries video…I’ve done over 200 since then! I often feature my J-50, like in this appreciation of James Taylor:
What JT Taught Me about Guitar and Singing - 4 lessons from a MASTER
czcams.com/video/YFThZipY-BY/video.html
Very good Robert. Loved the sound of your J50. I'm an older guy and had been playing on & off for many years and had a Washburn acoustic. Over the pandemic I decided to get a better guitar and was fortunate to find a used Hummingbird Pro in my range. Like you, I felt the bass go through me when I played and fell in love. I know this is not a "top of the line" Gibson but, if you play it and it moves you.
Thanks! Congrats on your Hummingbird - beautiful guitars IMHO. You'll probably enjoy this video where I give the J-50 a run on a bunch of James Taylor songs: czcams.com/video/YFThZipY-BY/video.html
The tone color of that J50 is so reminiscent of the acoustic music we grew up listening to. Great presentation. 👍🏼
Thanks, Steve. I totally agree about the tone...and what you’re hearing is just the guitar, dry, in a fairly dead room, mic’ed in stereo from about 3 feet away. That’s why I feel in love with this J-50 when I found her back in 78. Cheers!
Fantastic video, fantastic guitar! Thanks so much for showing us this beautiful instrument! ☮️👀☮️
Thanks, bro. We're both blessed to have one of these beauties!!! In fact, yours is truly "blessed" by none other than the Rev. Gary Davis!!
I just purchased a Gibson J50 1964 only a few hours ago. Super excited.
Major congrats, Nicholas. Treat the vintage beauty to a proper setup if needed and you will love her for decades!
For real! Catching that vibe!
Glad you like it, Chris. I just had my luthier give it another once-over and it’s playing and sounding better than ever! I featured it, and another old JT song, in last week’s mic comparison video: czcams.com/video/2qjJhpOXmJo/video.html
thumb up from this subscriber - came here at your suggestion- yes, when I first heard JT play fire and rain it made me decide I had to give learning to play the guitar one more try.
Years later I found a used one in a shop and got to take it for a test drive. The 1 11/16 nut was a show stopper for me. The 1 3/4 had become more common and popular and was the minimum width I could tolerate and still be articulate. What happened was as a beginner and wanting to play finger style I had trouble with relatively narrow neck steel strings. I ended up playing on nylon with nut of 2inchs or 1 13/16 1 7/8 or 1 15/16.
Eventually I discovered that if I got a short scale acoustic with steel strings then I could tolerate a 1 3/4. So now I have a Martin short scale with 1 3/4 that works well for me.
Having been born and raised in Grand Rapids, just an hour north of the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, I grew up on Gibson necks. Even though they were tight for my round fingertips, I managed to get used to 'em and comfortable enough that they feel "right." Short scale does help with the hand pressure requirement. I'm glad you've found what you need with your Martin and that you're happy with it!
In another comment you asked if I had sample. The only thing I have posted is from 14 years ago. I was in the Larrivee guitar forum. Someone asked me to post a video of my Larrivee guitar playing. I was just beginning to try chord - melody playing. There is one video where I play and sing Tears in Heaven using the basic folk pattern I knew. So if you click on my guitar icon in CZcams it will take you to my channel. I was reluctant to share with you because I am an amateur and light years away from your talent level. So please don't laugh. The only equipment I had was an inexpensive digital camera with a video option. I did not have a cell phone at the time. The quality is pretty awful.@@RobertCassard
@@lw216316 Hey! I just went to your YT channel and found the videos of you playing your beautiful collection of guitars... Larrivee, Huss & Dalton and Recording King. You can definitely play, and I'm glad if you're keeping it up 14 years later. Congrats on having the courage to share, because IMHO, music is meant to be shared. Many of the greatest musicians and songwriters have made indelible marks without being perfect. My favorite example is always Bob Dylan... czcams.com/video/R8QOVFsK4Zk/video.html
Thank you for the encouragement Robert, you are very kind. My Martin 000-16 replaced those guitars. I have made gradual improvement over the years....still learning! @@RobertCassard
@@lw216316 Of course...we're ALL still learning every day!
It's a lovely sounding guitar
Thanks James!
that tone is to die for brilliant
Al Johnson Thanks, Al. And the tone you’re loving was just recorded with a Zoom H1 from about 3 feet away. Sounds even better with condenser mic closer up. Cheers!
@@RobertCassard wow am impressed .............
@@aljohnson3010 Thanks for subscribing, too. I hope you find my axes, tips and tricks helpful!
That sound .. daaamn
Thank you, Ladosligese!
Bought my first guitar in 1973, Gibson J-50 deluxe, also for $350.00. Had to finance it over 90 days.
Still have it, too. My best friend.
Financed over 90 days, Lindsay? The things we do for love! I’ll bet she’s a beauty...I’ve been known to call my J-50 my best friend, too. We’ve been through a LOT together!
I bought one last year from a cousin. Same year. Fantastic guitar.
Congrats, John. Really...a ‘64? It was a very good year!
I have this guitar, had no idea what I was buying back in 1977, still my favorite daily driver, thanks for making this video!
Hey Mark, thanks for watching. Sounds like you bought your J-50 right at the same time I did!
@@RobertCassard Hi Robert!
WOW, you are a fantastic performer.
I purchased mine from an old man in Alaska, I was living in the harbor on my boat and he had fallen on hard times, mine looked like it was 100 years old when I bought it (no pick guard) also, some drunk women had stepped on it in a bar so it has a pretty nasty crack down below the sound hole. I keep an extra pick in there for when I drop one during a song.
I have played these same guitars in music stores and the ones I have played all had that same unique sound quality. Hearing yours was a pleasure!
Take care
Sounds like a guitar with loads of character, Love the “pick in the crack” approach!
Awesome how YT inserts ads right in the middle of your tunes...!
I have a '68. It had a plastic bridge with an adjustable ceramic saddle which I replaced with a rosewood bridge and a Corian saddle. The improv3m3nt in sound and volume was amazing!
Yes. When I replaced that plastic adjustable saddle with a bone saddle, it was louder and clearer.
Just bought a new 50’s j50 reissue. Even though this is an older video I just want to say Thanks for the video.
It’s been helpful to me in my tone search.
Glad it helped! Getting thanked for this (my very first Guitar Discoveries video) means a lot. Thanks, Jeff. I'd love to hear your new old J-50!
Really does sound like JT's guitar on Sweet Baby James!
It really does! James Taylor played a 64/65 J-50 on that record, so it's probably no coincidence.
Thanks, Tyler. I'm glad you hear what I hear!
Dude! You have a great voice! Sing on man! Lovely guitar
Thanks so much, Jake. Lots of examples of me singing 🎵 all over my channel. Or you can go straight to Spotify or Apple Music (Robert Cassard). Or check out my duo Cosmic Spin. Plenty of haters out there, so I really appreciate the compliment!
Must be doing something right then if you've got haters on here. Keep sticking it to 'em and KEEP SINGING!@@RobertCassard
@@JakelikejakefromSF4936thanks! I just did a video about handling haters. If someone HATES YOUR MUSIC, here's what to DO!
czcams.com/video/aACgmNDCJtk/video.html
Robert, fantastic video. Really brought me back, I'm 50 been playing for since I was 13. I remember Green Stamps and their "prized" instrument selection growing up in Florida. lol rough for sure. Dead on James Taylor tone with your J50. Thanks for the experience this morning, just subscribed. Have a great day my friend!
Hi Richard. So glad you chanced upon my very first Guitar Discoveries video and the wonderful J-50. I hope you get a ton of value and inspiration from my channel!!
Great souvenirs music Love your voice
Thank you, Ricashanty!
Always love the sound of a good J-50.. I had one in the past and I’ve always missed it looking to buy another one
Right on, Danny. I love mine more every year. Just did a video about James Taylor and check out how it sounds: czcams.com/video/YFThZipY-BY/video.html
EXCLLENT VIDEO ROBERT !! PLEASE POST MORE VIDEOS !
Awesome, Rob, glad you enjoyed it. I started doing these video a couple months ago. You can find more and subscribe to my CZcams channel to get notified about new ones. I also collect them together at www.GuitarDiscoveries.com
I have the exact same guitar from that year.
We’re lucky guys!!!
It sounds good. I have a 1961 J50. I think? I've been going through some guidelines online to determine. No serial # just a FON
Good luck with your dating detective work. I think the period between 55 and 65 was a golden age for J-45s and J-50s. Mine is sounding better than ever. I featured it heavily on my video about What I Learned from James Taylor: czcams.com/video/YFThZipY-BY/video.html
And here's a video about two inexpensive improvements I made (in addition to replacing the adjustable bridge with a fixed bridge and bone saddle): czcams.com/video/H9pmT4uv2oA/video.html
Very nice video! Reminds me of my early day guitar shopping back in the mid 70's when I A-B'd a bunch of great guitars, and wound up buying my Guild F-50R jumbo. It was a tough battle between that Guild and a Gibson Hummingbird. But, the Guild won it for me.
I love Guilds, George. I might've bought one way back when, but growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I was "in the shadow" of the Gibson Kalamazoo factory, and the price of Gibsons was always a steal compared to Martins and Guilds.
@@RobertCassard Hi Robert. I unfortunately had to sell that old Guild a few years back (It had been around world with me!). Times got lean after the crash in '08. Since then, I've been reestablishing my collection. And, I truly love Gibson acoustics. I've owned the J200, J45, Dove & Hummingbird -- all Gibson. Now, my collection includes a J150, and a new Hummingbird Original Natural. I'm determined to get a J50 at some point in time.
You play beautiful
Kass Ayala Aw shucks, Kass. Thank you!
J-50's from the 60's are the best. The dry tone is just magiic.
Yes...dry tone! Those were the words that eluded me while recording the video...
@@RobertCassard Oh yes! Definitely dry. The best tone of all acoustics for me.
Bravo and well done! Thank you for some great info and awesome playing. I've had my 1968 J-50 ADJ since 1970; and one of the things I'm glad I did was to get a letter of authenticity (based on model and S/N) directly from Gibson. I'm not sure if they still do this, but it would be worth finding out, even if it cost a few bucks. Especially when it comes time to insure your guitar, pass it down to a family member in an estate or to sell it. Although I don't know anyone in their right mind who would want to sell a J-50 once they've played it. Cheers!
Thanks so much, Sean! Glad you found the video, and appreciate the tip about a letter of authenticity. I got a similar letter from Martin regarding the 1800s Martin 0-28 I inherited from my grandfather. I hope you’ check out some of my other vids and subscribe. Cheers!
such a lovely playing/singing, thank you, it's a pleasure to listen to it :)
Thanks so much, Piotr. I hope you’ll check out my other videos and become a subscriber, too! You can also hear my music on Spotify or Apple Music. My current band’s name is Cosmic Spin.
Great video on the venerable J-50, Robert! I didn't know that about the pick guards. Mine has never come loose. But, there seems to have been a lot of work/repairs that were made to my J-50 before I bought it. Love the concept and approach to your "Guitar Discoveries" videos. How about a Guitar Discoveries session on those great early 70's Yamahas and why they sound so freekin' good on stage? I occasionally play with a guy who has one, and I'm ALWAYS amazed at how good it sounds.
Thank you, Steve. I already recorded one about the Yamaha FG series caled "Poor Man's Martin." You can find it here: czcams.com/video/Zptr9Vi2q0M/video.html
I have a 65 J50, it's my favorite guitar I own. I installed a K&K in mine and it's a great pairing! I don't mind the adjustable bridge but I do wonder about swapping
Right on! These are very special guitars, especially if they're well-loved. The difference was quite noticeable when I switched from the adjustable saddle, replacing the plastic with bone. Another item you might try is a Mitchel's PlateMate. It made about the same amount of sonic difference as the saddle change. Combining the two, the guitar just sparkles! Here's my (old) video about the PlateMate: czcams.com/video/H9pmT4uv2oA/video.html
I just want to say that so many people on YT sing...but they maybe should not. But you my man have a beautiful voice so keep it going!!!!
MD Honze Very kind of you!
. Robert Cassard the funny thing is I am looking to buy a Gibby J50 and I have been looking at reviews of this guitar. I may get the J45 but the James Taylor connection is so beautiful because he always got such great tone from his acoustics. anyway....I'm back to Bay and Reverb...later
MD Honze Right on!
@@mdhonze Keep me posted on what you end up buying...and loving!
MD Honze Did you ever find a J-50? Either way, I hope you’re doing well and playing often!
obviously- the '64 is something special- your voice flows majestically with the instrument ;)
Wow...thanks for that affirmation, Lee!
That guitar sounds sweet! Great playing as well. Regards from Ody Slim
Thanks, Ody. Really appreciate you checking out my videos!
I want oneeeee
They're out there, Kassandra! Prices will be coming down soon...
This is an exquisite video. Great playing, reverence for the instrument, cool insight into your career, and fantastic exposition.
I absolutely adore the Gibson J-50. That warmth and Gibson thump are special and I'm with you on the natural finish.
Being a huge James Taylor fan is what got me into them. I'm mighty glad I did.
Now I just need to get one!
Thank you, Tom Greeves! Glad you found my channel and like my #1 most-played acoustic. I hope you find more to enjoy in my growing collection of vids!
Took possession of my J-50 today. I adore it. Thanks for the inspiration.
@@tomgreeves9248 "Took possession" did you steal it or, like me, had to put that baby on lay away. Mine is a J45, I fell in love with the solid red J45 Townes Vanzant played
@@daviddawson1718 One of the few upsides to the COVID lockdown and no social life was I saved some money.
I love Townes in Heartworn Highways playing Pancho And Lefty and Waiting Around To Die.
Some people think that red guitar was a B-25 that looked J-45 sized on Townes's small frame, but I'm doubtful about that. He was skinny but tall.
Thank you for the great video! You are correct....the J50 is a hidden gem in the acoustic guitar world.....I would love to own one....I do have the next best thing....a reissue of the J35.....very close to a J50 with the exception of a tiger stripe pickguard. The slope shoulder Gibson's are magical guitars that have to be played to understand...the minute I picked my J35 up...I knew it wad going home with me!
Your name is Gibby? Or is that your nickname cuz you have that great J-35? ;-)
Robert....yes my nickname due to my love of Gibson acoustics and specifically my J35....😎
@@gibby6904 Congrats on that! I grew up in Michigan...about an hour from the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo. And I had two older brothers, both of whom played Gibsons. In other words, I was surrounded by Gibsons from the time I was knee-high to a turntable.
Robert...I grew up in Northern Indiana (also very close) my stepdad was a huge Gibson guy....345, tenor banjos J200 and random others....The Kalamazoo factory was sacred ground also in my house!
@@gibby6904 Have you seen any of my videos featuring my hollow body H-575 from The Heritage (which is essentially a Gibson ES-175D)? You probably know that a bunch of the original Gibson luthiers took over the Gibson factory in 1985 (when Gibson moved manufacturing south). They've been building gorgeous electric guitars there ever since, but alas, I'm not aware of any acoustics actually built in that factory. Here's my version of the story: czcams.com/video/YVjQZsI712Q/video.html
So can you explain why my new j50 50s original is so much louder brighter and than my j45 or my southern jumbo? Don’t they all have the same specs other than binding differences? It doesn’t seem to have that dead quality it’s super alive and pissed off quite frankly.. sounds like yours but probably brighter .. your playing is inspiring, gotta learn these songs
rossconuts Thanks for the compliments. I can't really explain any dramatic tonal difference you're hearing. Are your J-45 and Southern Jumbo vintage? Fact is, every guitar, even every piece of wood, is unique. Often new guitars, even those that emulate old models, incorporate newer guitar building technologies (e.g., torrefied tops). No matter what, I usually find that new guitars sound significantly brighter than their vintage counterparts. They mellow with age, just like me!
Wow thats in great shape. My Uncle bought a used '57 J50 in '58. Grad pres to me in '75. In many way's I like it better than my '75 L-6s. I thought the "J" in this instance was for Jamboree. Mine has a few blems but other wise not bad. had to pull the bridge and due the belly press. eh. better than it was. getting a new nut and going to remove my adj bridge as well. werd gibson sez not theres but I've seen a few like it. who knows it doesnt say "adj" so I imagen they'ed know.. I wish my pick guard came off. mine shrank and made a small splits in the wood along both sides of the sound hole. I mostly finger pick so that muted mid range does truly allow for a much great range of expression. Even light bronxe strings .011 .010 have wonderfull volume. i've been chicken poo about adding the pick up or even a second strap button behind the neck. when your tuning you know your there 'cuse it rings like a bell. Great piece Mr. C.
Nice grad present, John. Glad you’re getting her in shape. The 50s pickguards weren’t the thick kind they used in the 60s...yours was probably the kind that almost seems embedded, right? A friend of mine has a late-50s J-50 and his pickguard will certainly never come off! BTW - when your changing your bridge and saddle is definitely the easiest time to get a pickup if you’re toying with the idea. Thanks for the praise - this video was the very first in my Guitar Discoveries series...today I released #100 - Guitars on Mars!
What an awesome guitar! Sounds just like James Taylors! What strings are you using for this?
Thanks, Tidus. I use Elixir 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings w NANOWEB Coating, Light Gauge (.012-.053) I choose coated 80/20s instead of Phosphor because: 1) 80/20 (which is basically brass) is what was available back in the late 60s when JT recorded Sweet Baby James, 2) it has the "scooped" midrange that you hear on JT's early records, and 3) because they're coated, Elixir 80/20s last longer and retain a consistent tone. (Uncoated 80/20s tend to get dull fast.). Here's a link if you want to try a set: amzn.to/3hq6UzY
@@RobertCassard Oh nice. Yes! I use the Polywebs. I did use the Nanowebs for a bit but I guess for me it was a very bright zingy sound on my guitar so the Polywebs toned it down a bit although they stayed the same. I play everyday and before elixir I killed my strings within the night and it drove me nuts lol. I prefer 80/20s over the PBs too. I appreciate elixir and their Polyweb coating 12-53s and I love their tone.
@@tiduschapman1774 Funny that Elixirs can be controversial. Glad you and I both love 'em.
Hi, I am trying to figure out how you are playing the verse for “Fire and Rain”, I have the intro but trying to figure out the chords for the first verse…”just yesterday morning…”. You play it so well, would love to learn to play it like that! Would definitely pay for tabs! Well done.
Thanks Donny. Glad you like my JT imitation. I rarely use or write tabs, so wouldn't be of much help to you there. But the verse is the most basic part of the song. Capo 3. I start with an A chord (hammering on from the open 2nd string, to the 2nd fret). On the word "morning," I play an Em7, with all strings open except the 5th string, 2nd fret. "Know": D chord (hammering on from the open 2nd string, to the 2nd fret, then back to open, and back to the 2nd fret). "Gone:" A (with hammer-on, pull-off variations). "Plans": E7. "End to you": Gmaj7 - same as a D chord on the top two strings, with the 3rd string ringing open and a G in the bass (6th string, 3rd fret). That's it. I hope this helps.
@@RobertCassard thank you this is really helpful, it was the EM7 chord that I couldn’t figure out, I’ll try it out on my J-45😀😀😀😀
Donny, look up James Taylor guitar lessons on CZcams. Fire and Rain is one of them. You will be impressed with the level of detail. It’s James himself. I’ll leave it there.
simply Love your sound. I play a j45 from 1954 which sounds similar but more lets say muddy whith more mids. You may tell me which strings you use, I will give it a try. ..and hey man its not just your guitar...thanks for the soulful playing
Thanks so much, Jorg. I string my J-50 with Elixir Nanowebs in Light Gauge. Do you record your J-45 or just play it and hear from your perspective as a player? I find my J-50 sounds quite different from the microphone’s (listener’s) perspective than from my own while playing it...
Hi Robert: I really loved your segment on the Gibson J50. I had a similar model, from 1964, which I played as a kid, but along the way it got beat up pretty badly and I had to let it go. I switched to a Martin but, somehow, it's just not the same. I'm very interested in getting another vintage j50 but I had a question: Do you think the antique J50's that Gibson is releasing compare in quality to the originals? They're certainly not inexpensive, but some of the vintage models I've looked at are sometimes two or three times more. Let me know your thoughts, and thanks. -- Josh Getlin
Thanks for the comment, Josh. Search j-50s on reverb.com and you’ll find widely varying prices on vintage models. I see some in the $4-5000 range (usually from the 50s), and others (60s and newer) that are very close in price to newly built ones (mid-to-high $2000s). I haven’t played one of the “new antique” models, but a couple people have told me they’re quite bright-sounding. I pretty much always lean toward vintage, so I’d be patient and wait for the right one in your price range. Good luck and thanks for watching my videos!
Sounds so balanced, so good! what strings are you using on it?
Thanks, Moses. The strings are Elixir 80/20 Bronze Acoustic w NANOWEB Coating, Light (.012-.053). Here’s a link: amzn.to/2W2OGWZ
Excellent playing, singing and Excellent guitar!!! What gauge strings are you using on that j-50 Robert?
Thanks very much, Eddy. The strings are Elixir Acoustic Light 80/20 Bronze. Here’s a link: amzn.to/3gl1qUM
@@RobertCassard Ah Thanks Rob!!! keep up the great work!!!!
Thanks for watching. Folks like you are what keep me going!
I understand, mine is a 1961 J45
Ooh, I’ll bet that a sweet one, David. Any photos or videos of you playing it?
@@RobertCassard I'll need my wife's help because I'm a bit of a caveman, but I will try.
@@RobertCassard when I first saw her, I named her Susan, she needed some attention, but was all original. When we were almost done I wanted to lower the action, but the adjustable bridge was still a little high. I took the adjustable parts out and the ceramic nut sits directly on spruce
@@daviddawson1718 No pressure. Happy to have a caveman watching CZcams!
@@daviddawson1718 My adjustable bridge is gone, too, as you probably saw in the video. Since this video was made I also added a Mitchel's PlateMate and bone bridge pins. It's never sounded better! czcams.com/video/H9pmT4uv2oA/video.html
Just 2 years ago I bought my 63 J50. The price was embarrassing and the condition so good (almost mint) that an appraiser said he didn't care what I paid he'd give me a grand more for it on the spot. That being said...I don't have much money left....but...I have owned ( not anymore...I never thought they'd be worth enough to buy a small country) 6 Brazillian rosewood martins...D28, 2 HD28s, D35, and 2D 41's. It wasn't just sweet baby james etc...or that it was Lightnin' Hopkins go-to instrument(usually (in E tuning that I avoid)....It is that I have never heard a better sounding acoustic...for me that is....if I am cremated i want my ashes in the thing......it's like the supreme teddy bear...baby puppy of guitars when you get one that sounds good......unfortunately that usually means vintage (like over 30 years old) and way more then the average guy like myself wants to spend but there is something about it...a sweet simplicity and "unpretentiousness' that quickly gets under a player's skin. I have heard from a good source that many old-school studio guys preferred them in recording because of the "flat realism"of the sound that needed little tweeking.....It is just such a sweet sounding guitar...Its amazing that the 50 in the name used to mean it was a $50 guitar.....a million years ago when we had a more stable economy....
I'm just messing around the addictive youtube today and saw your video and ...Thanks! There is a lot of ME in this particular guitar.....Oh yeah...I should mention...that the 63's are sort of notorious for the nylon resin bridge that a lot of guys swap for a wood bridge....MISTAKE...do not do that unless utterly necessary. Here is a video of a guy i have talked to playing a 63 and this is more or less the sound of mine: I have discussed this issue with some very informed guitar people in Tennessee..( I am obviously obsessive and careful before dropping serious dough) .It took me well over a year to find mine....
czcams.com/video/WMolTmlVMlw/video.html
J50's aren't rare but you need to be careful and try several and you'll know,like with any intimate item...when you have the right one...you got a great one too...oh yeah and really pretty fire and rain cover....that was surely a great album...things like that are really unique...now I use mine for a baroque composition, learned the first 18 bars yesterday...difficult but so worth it! And it sounds just lovely on the J50! Please do yourself a favor and check this out....
czcams.com/video/EqpoVPsT90Y/video.html
Oh ...also...for what i paid...I did NOT want to modify...even the bridge...I just mike it up or PA it...also I have a "thing" about leaving acoustics acoustic...just me...don't wanna argue...everyone is right ...as long as it sounds right to the player.....My telecaster is modified beyond redemption and sounds great....
Anyhow thanks and congrats!
Wow, Dave. Awesome comment, thanks! So glad you found this video and shared some of your J-50 experience and knowledge...
sure...thank you!....and I don't recall if you mentioned it...but I've wondered....did James Taylor take the pick guard off his himself? I'd bet no...he probably found one he liked and that was it.....Hardly the main issue considering the unique loveliness of his play......I actually found some instruction videos that he gives online...showing the incredible way he applies synthetic nails to his picking hand...and one where he uses just a guitar top...with a camera mounted below it...to demo the details of his finger picking methods.Lately I listen to lots of Tony Rice and Clarence White and Richard Smith
czcams.com/video/RCGGG9piAGY/video.html
(I'll be damned if he doesn't work a little Chopin into this arrangement.....)
because apparently I enjoy jealousy....Oh...and this is really silly but cool (I love talking music) I worked out an acoustic version of Jimi Hendrix "Crosstown Traffic"from Electric Ladyland last night....which manages to preserve the intensity but give it a 'medieval flavor" because of some of the chord patterns in it....Regards, me...
dave renick My guess is that JT’s pick guard fell off all on its own (because mine did the same thing and I glued it back on!).
I’ve watched some of James’ online lessons. Great stuff. I also like his way of tuning the guitar which involves most of the strings, especially the b string, being tuned down a few cents.
Interesting...I didn't know that at all...I do Fire and Rain in standard.....Otherwise I like G and D and sometimes just drop D...C is neat but I find it hard to work with....the possibilities are endless.....I'm sure you know about Clarence White's B-bender...here's neat example...especially on the solo...
czcams.com/video/O_12IyhedQs/video.html
Wow, your playing of Fire and Rain sounds exactly like James Taylor, also very good voice! What a great sounding guitar!
What kind of strings do you use?
Hey Jerry. Thanks for the compliments. I use Elixir 80/20 Bronze Light Gauge with Nanoweb coating. They sound great and last 2-3X longer than inflated strings. amzn.to/3sbPQyq I did a couple videos about coated strings awhile back. Welcome to the channel!
I paid $300 For my 1963 J50!
How long ago, Kevin? Was it in the 70s?
@@RobertCassard around 1985.The plastic bridge was off.The pickguard was off and in 2 pieces.I still have these parts.The guitar is crack free and sounds great.The top looks more like cedar than spruce but I don't think thats possible
@@kfm908 My pickguard fell off within a few weeks of buying mine. LOL I think it just looks like Cedar because the nitrocellulose lacquer gets so orangey-yellow with age.