Any thoughts on this j45?

terada · June 2018

Plays and sounds lovely (but so do many guitars).

But I can't make my mind up on the looks. Any thoughts?

Image: http://i67.tinypic.com/27zgcoh.jpg

wesker123 · June 2018

It's the pickguard.....too big. The smaller more restrained ones look better to me.

terada · June 2018

wesker123 said:

It's the pickguard.....too big. The smaller more restrained ones look better to me.

good point. The ebony was my first moment of uncertainty, as I went looking for the traditional sunburst look.

hmmm

terada · June 2018

also the legs and trainers are odd

Funkfingers · June 2018

The large 'guard is trying to evoke a Sixties variant.

Knowing the adhesive type would be useful. Perhaps, a skilled luthier could remove the white 'guard without affecting the finish beneath?

Alternatively, delve further into that Sixties vibe. Commission somebody to decorate the 'guard in the style of The Fool on Clapton's SG.

octatonic · June 2018

I can't get on with the bridge looking like it is on backwards either.

richardhomer · June 2018

In the words of Danii Minogue,”It’s a ‘no’ from me”.

Gagaryn · June 2018

Yeah, it's minging. Looks cheap, bridge and fretboard wood don't suit the colour of the soundboard - both too light. I quite like that shape of pickguard in tort on a natural finish like the old C&W but that white one looks nasty. But if it plays outstandingly well none of this should matter...

Fuengi · June 2018

Grab it. It looks like it was designed by Stevie Wonder.

ICBM · June 2018

Very nice, apart from the fingerboard and bridge being much too pale and dry-looking - but that could easily be fixed.

Definitely has a very 60s ‘TV’ aspect to it.

Moe_Zambeek · June 2018

Strangely, I like it. Would stand out nicely on stage too.

I usually find J45s a bit meh but I played an ‘18 one recently and it was actually very good sounding. Still looked like it had been made by the apprentice, as most of them do!

Lebarque · June 2018

Gotta be sunburst.

stickyfiddle · June 2018

Get a black or tort guard on there and it’d be gorgeous.

But you need to play it first...

BigLicks67 · June 2018

If you are asking the question, then you are not sure, so probably better to keep your money in the pocket.
I had an option of buying a custom shop J45 in a strange red colour for a good price but I just couldn't make my mind up about the colour so didn't go for it and now I realise that was the right choice.

mli3 · June 2018

I think it looks amazing ! Really "country". I love it. I have a sunburst J-45 but would happily have this one.
But ultimately its your choice.. and if you're asking others what they think it probably answers your own question right ?

TheBigDipper · June 2018

I like it. You won't be looking at it from this angle when you play it, will you...

terada · June 2018

Thanks for all the thoughts!

It did play exceptionally well, and sounded very nice indeed. I compared it with a number of other guitars including another j45 and some martin and taylor guitars and it certainly sounded great.

I never disliked the look, just went in to get a sunburst so it took me by surprise. I am enjoying the way it divides opinion though - it has been in the shop for a while

I've got a couple others on reserve elsewhere so am going to play some more j45s and then make a decision.

terada · July 2018

And the search continues!

Played another couple today, both looked great to me, one had a great action and played well, but sounded a bit thin. the other was much more resonant and full, but felt stiffer to play!

Going to try some more out hopefully over the week.

Cheeky pic of one of them:

Image: http://i65.tinypic.com/140e0bo.jpg

Lewy · July 2018

terada said:

one had a great action and played well, but sounded a bit thin. the other was much more resonant and full, but felt stiffer to play!

Yep, that’s pretty much how that goes....

artiebear · July 2018

I sold a lovely old J45 some years ago, I quickly realised that I missed having one around, so began a search that lasted a long time. I just couldn't find 1) a modern version that had the vibe of the old one they all seemed to be more contemporary generic compressed, bright sounding or 2) a vintage one without issues. I had all but given up when I came across a Collings CJ35SB. It's lightly built, has a chunky neck, it's short scale and is everything I was looking for and more. It's less compressed than modern Gibsons, has a lot of headroom, and works for both ftatpick and finger style stuff. It does manage to keep that big slightly dry thump in the bass when played that way. Like any Collings it's also put together very well

https://i.imgur.com/4ZymDkh.jpg

terada · July 2018

I've played loads of 45s now!

I had a quick question though, one of the ones I played plays and sounds brilliant. Super comfy on my hand which is important as I have wrist issues.

However checking the intonation at the 12th fret showed it to be slightly out across the board. Can this be corrected on an acoustic?

Secondly, how much scope is there to alter set ups after purchase to get a very playable feel and low action?

ICBM · July 2018

terada said:

I've played loads of 45s now!

I had a quick question though, one of the ones I played plays and sounds brilliant. Super comfy on my hand which is important as I have wrist issues.

However checking the intonation at the 12th fret showed it to be slightly out across the board. Can this be corrected on an acoustic?

Secondly, how much scope is there to alter set ups after purchase to get a very playable feel and low action?

Is the intonation sharp? If so it’s probably caused by the action being too high, and that’s easy to fix. If it’s flat it may be caused by old strings.

Most modern acoustics will intonate correctly when set up properly with a good set of new strings... the scale offsets are extremely well-known to makers - although mistakes do sometimes happen! If so there’s often scope to re-shape the top of the bridge saddle so the sounding point is nearer the front or back edge, which will allow a bit of adjustment.

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