Gibson J45 Modern Classic and J45 True Vintage Review

[Elfredo]

I have a question. First of all, I love your reviews! You have a nice playing style, good knowledge and you are such a breath of fresh air :) Now, firstly I am considering buying a Gibson J-45 Standard Vintage Sunburst, is it the same as you played first with the signature or is there a difference? And secondly, which type of strings and which gauge did you ude for the first guitar? They sound amazing :) Thanks, Frederik!

[guitarsaddle]

@Elfredo The standard Modern Classic J45 is already very good...but the ultimate is the True Vintage J45 which is slightly more in price..which i like. I use 12-54 Lights PBs on them you can use EXP16 or Martin Lifepsan Lights will be very good. No Elixirs please coz they make the J45 sound thin and bright..cheers Jarvis

[Knutli]

The J-45 is a great guitar, but a work horse its not. Its as much as a work horse as a Martin. If you want a guitar that build like a tank, and still sounds awesome go for Taylor. Just to be clear, I have a J-45 and i love it, but my taylor is the true work horse :)

[JayDiggs12]

Great review, God bless.

[40173k]

The Gibson J45 is my all time favourite.

It works on all levels - especially fingerstyle. Such volume and definition to the sound.

It's rather strange that I came to it despite not originally being a fan of dreadnaughts or Gibson acoustics. The J200 is also an excellent guitar though I can't abide it's garish styling.

[40173k]

Manson's in Exeter have an original 1946 model in at the moment.

A battered old thing but sublime to play and to hear. They want £5000 for it !!!

I'd pay it willingly if I had the money.

[superreverbking]

nice review - you play in a nice fashion too.

[catseatingclouds]

@guitarsaddle did you say that on the true vintage, the owner got it sent in, and got it outfitted with the pickup system? if so, was that to gibson? how much did it cost?

also, which one did you like most? thanks.

[guitarsaddle]

@catseatingclouds Both are good guitars. The TV has a more played in tone. I fitted the LR Baggs RTS2 pickup for him..

[catseatingclouds]

@guitarsaddle is that the same pickup system used in the other j-45's? is it available for purchase as a stand alone unit? thanks.

[guitarsaddle]

@catseatingclouds stock j45 uses the Lr Baggs Elements which sound metallic, hot and not that natural. I personally prefer the RTS2 on many guitars..that's is why mcpherson guitars only uses the RTS2 and people's comments is that the live sound that comes out of the mcpherson live is amazing

[guitarsaddle]

@catseatingclouds Yes the owner sent it in and I installed a LR Baggs RTS2 for him..you could email me at guitarsaddle@hotmail.com for details...i'm based in Singapore

[loserfur]

@guitarsaddle ok, my friend. i'm trying really hard to find a true vintage right now. when i find one, i may be in need of your services. i was planning on getting a pickup in it anyway, considering it doesn't come with one stock, but that knowledge that there is a better pickup out there is quite valuable to me.

[sockenfrank]

Thank you.

Great Review.

[firstdown80]

Gong Xi Fa Chai! :)

[BlenderBends]

Another Great review buddy. Love your work.