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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Vintage Acoustic Advice

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peteripeteri Frets: 1283
in Acoustics
Hi

This weekend I played my first vintage acoustic guitar, a 1957 J-45.

Absolutely blown away, the sound was like a full orchestra and it was so easy to play.

Unfortunately the price matched! If I wanted to make my first foray into a vintage acoustic - any slightly less costly introductions?

Thanks!
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Comments

  • CMW335CMW335 Frets: 2002
    How much was it and what’s your budget?
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  • peteripeteri Frets: 1283

    This was just under 5k, I could certainly imagine something beginning with a 2..

    So - budget of up to 3k maybe?

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  • AlbertCAlbertC Frets: 855

    If round-shouldered dreadnoughts are your bag then a vintage (60s) Epiphone Texan (FT-79) is in your budget. Great sounding acoustics

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone_Texan


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  • peteripeteri Frets: 1283
    Thanks so much, Wiz'd - looks worthy of research
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  • domforrdomforr Frets: 326
    If you head slightly forward into the future to around 1966 you can get a J45 or J50 for around £2-2.5k. I've got a J50 from that period and it's a fine guitar. 
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  • earwighoneyearwighoney Frets: 3380
    peteri said:

    This was just under 5k, I could certainly imagine something beginning with a 2..

    So - budget of up to 3k maybe?

    If you are not just restricted to a vintage Gibson, I'd have a look at some newer models as well like a True Vintage J-45 as well. 

    I think the Epiphone Texan has a 25.5" scale whilst the J-45 is 24.75".
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  • kt66kt66 Frets: 315
    Look at Guild 60s Dreads and Jumbos, seriously undervalued. 

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  • peteripeteri Frets: 1283
    Thanks - how about early 70's J45s? When does the quality dip?
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  • tralfamadantralfamadan Frets: 31
    peteri said:
    Thanks - how about early 70's J45s? When does the quality dip?
    Not to derail the thread but on a similar note - why do people ward off '70s Martins?
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  • LewyLewy Frets: 3795
    tralfamadan said:
    Not to derail the thread but on a similar note - why do people ward off '70s Martins?
    Bridge misplacement and ensuing intonation issues. Not sure of which years it affects...I think early 70s.

    Beyond that they don't really have any issues that I'm aware of, they're just not anything special compared objectively to what's available new nowadays. A post-2012 D18 will be a far superior instrument to a 1972 one, for instance. Like the vast majority of the vintage guitar market really!
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  • BucketBucket Frets: 7749
    Get a Nick Drake-spec Guild M-20:

    https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--EyrT0UDs--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1360300224/ruwtit2mtfawlwsch8dq.jpg
    - "I'm going to write a very stiff letter. A VERY stiff letter. On cardboard."
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  • CMW335CMW335 Frets: 2002
    peteri said:

    This was just under 5k, I could certainly imagine something beginning with a 2..

    So - budget of up to 3k maybe?

    Me personally I would aim for a late sixties Gibson J200 or a 69 Martin D-28. These will mostly be advertised around £4K-£5k mark but cash is king and £3k might just do it. 
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  • richardhomerrichardhomer Frets: 24339
    Lewy said:
    tralfamadan said:
    Not to derail the thread but on a similar note - why do people ward off '70s Martins?
    Bridge misplacement and ensuing intonation issues. Not sure of which years it affects...I think early 70s.

    Beyond that they don't really have any issues that I'm aware of, they're just not anything special compared objectively to what's available new nowadays. A post-2012 D18 will be a far superior instrument to a 1972 one, for instance. Like the vast majority of the vintage guitar market really!
    One of the top 5 acoustics I’ve ever played was a ‘73 D35 - truly exceptional. John Martyn’s 70s albums were recorded using an early 70s D28 and contain some of my favourite recorded acoustic tones.

    You need to judge the instrument on its merits - but don’t just rule out 70s Martins.
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  • BigLicks67BigLicks67 Frets: 763
    richardhomer said:
    Lewy said:
    tralfamadan said:
    Not to derail the thread but on a similar note - why do people ward off '70s Martins?
    Bridge misplacement and ensuing intonation issues. Not sure of which years it affects...I think early 70s.

    Beyond that they don't really have any issues that I'm aware of, they're just not anything special compared objectively to what's available new nowadays. A post-2012 D18 will be a far superior instrument to a 1972 one, for instance. Like the vast majority of the vintage guitar market really!
    One of the top 5 acoustics I’ve ever played was a ‘73 D35 - truly exceptional. John Martyn’s 70s albums were recorded using an early 70s D28 and contain some of my favourite recorded acoustic tones.

    You need to judge the instrument on its merits - but don’t just rule out 70s Martins.
    Yep, also, Michael Hedges used a 1971 D28 to great effect.
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  • BigLicks67BigLicks67 Frets: 763

    Bucket said:
    Get a Nick Drake-spec Guild M-20:

    https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--EyrT0UDs--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1360300224/ruwtit2mtfawlwsch8dq.jpg
    You'll get a Nick Drake spec but not the Nick Drake sound because he didn't play one.
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  • GagarynGagaryn Frets: 1553
    kt66 said:
    Look at Guild 60s Dreads and Jumbos, seriously undervalued. 

    This! Or if not wedded to going vintage have a look at the Guild Orpheum range - they do a couple of slope shoulder dreads - I have the 12 fret model and it is stellar.
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