NGD: Atkin J45 'The Forty Three'

Wazmeister · September 2018

You know when it just 'happens', and you find one that just fits, works and sounds like the 'sound in your head' ?

Well, I've been acoustic-less for a while now, after I sold my Collings OM1 Custom. The Collings was a lovely guitar, but just a little bit too 'stiff' for me, if that makes sense...

Anyway, I had an inkling that a Gibson would be for me, as most of my 'heroes' I grew up with played them, and the records I heard were full of those things.

So, I entered into GG and told the guy my thoughts and possible requirements. I played through a J45 Standard, a J200, a J45 Standard (best of the Gibbos actually), and a Studio (I think...)

Then, the guy handed me the Atkin. Now I don't know much about them, although some of you had recommended them to me. It was light years ahead of the Gibsons, in every way.

It was bang in tune, had a louder and more sweeter, musical throw; was a great strummer, and a lovely finger picker. The action was perfect.

And it has a gorgeous aged relic feel to it. I haven't got to worry about bangs and scrapes, and it is already 'worn in'.

Needless to say, it came home with me

(Website photos below).

This model is originally based on the Buddy Holly 1943 model.

"The Forty Three pays homage to the legendary banner-era J-45, a classic design that has inspired us both as players and guitar makers. After working with the Buddy Holly Guitar Foundation to recreate Buddy’s 1943 J-45, we decided to permanently add this exacting replica to our range.

Direct and powerful, but with an easy-playing shorter scale length, it’s easy to see why this guitar has been favoured by so many singer-songwriters over the years. The big-bodied J-45 shape, combined with a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, delivers warm mids, solid lows and great definition. It’s a timeless acoustic guitar tone."

Moe_Zambeek · September 2018

Lovely, and congrats!

Jimbro66 · September 2018

Congrats! Those 43s are superb. Alister's guitars are exceptional. Enjoy!

Winny_Pooh · September 2018

Serious envy!!!!!

Teyeplayer · September 2018

Pretty much heaven right there. That is one hell of a guitar.

mgaw · September 2018

good choice there Warren

DB1 · September 2018

Lovely. The Buddy Holly connection would have drawn me to it, I must admit, and it looks gorgeous. GAS attack strikes yet-a-bloody-again.

CountryDave · September 2018

Gorgeous. I had an Atkin OM and foolishly let it go. One day I will own another of Alistair's guitars.

mli3 · September 2018

Sweeeeeeet. Congrats and enjoy

pmg · September 2018

Lovely. Don’t sell it.

terada · September 2018

Beautiful! That headstock shape is so cool!

crunchman · September 2018

Briefly tried one at the show at Olympia today. Lot of background noise but it did seem very good.

Wazmeister · September 2018

So, a few days in...

Firstly, I havent even needed to tune the Atkin yet... impressive.

I played evrything in GG the other day;

- everything in the Gibson range
- every Martin re-imagined (D28 stood out)
- Martin D41 (noice)

But man alive, I kept going back to this lovely Atkin. I just could not put it down.

Very light in weight, gorgeous (and I mean gorgeous) smell, lovely vintage case, great lacquer checking, subtle relicing, worn in feel.

And, I really mean this, the best acoustic sound Ive heard. Wow.

brooom · September 2018

Really cool. Ever since I've taken the decision to drastically reduce the electric guitars I own. I've been playing acoustic more and more. I've been reading up on Atkin and Brook guitars.

I need to find a store where I can go in and try some models of both. In particular to me the Atkin 0037 and 037 are really appealing.

CloudNine · September 2018

Superb Waz, congrats!

chrisv · September 2018

I remember when that came in for review. Unreal.

Wazmeister · September 2018

chrisv said:

I remember when that came in for review. Unreal.

Chris, which issue was it mate ? Ill have it somewhere...

chrisv · September 2018

Probably June 2017, based on when it went online. I can tell you for certain when I’m in work tomorrow... https://www.theguitarmagazine.com/gear/acoustic-guitars/atkin-guitars-forty-three/

Wazmeister · September 2018

chrisv said:

Probably June 2017, based on when it went online. I can tell you for certain when I’m in work tomorrow... https://www.theguitarmagazine.com/gear/acoustic-guitars/atkin-guitars-forty-three/

Ah thanks Chris, appreciate it

Let me know as I may have missed that copy, as I was on me hols last June, and Id like a hard copy.

Wow, your review echoes my own findings.

brooom · September 2018

Have you guys had the opportunity of playing a Brook acoustic? I'm probably going to try some this week, as well as some Atkins.

terada · September 2018

I played the 43 at the guitar show. It was too loud at the event to really hear in any detail but it felt and looked lovely.

The Atkin guys were very friendly to. I could see myself ordering from them I the future.

crunchman · September 2018

Wazmeister said:

chrisv said:

Probably June 2017, based on when it went online. I can tell you for certain when I’m in work tomorrow... https://www.theguitarmagazine.com/gear/acoustic-guitars/atkin-guitars-forty-three/

Ah thanks Chris, appreciate it

Let me know as I may have missed that copy, as I was on me hols last June, and Id like a hard copy.

Wow, your review echoes my own findings.

I should have a copy somewhere if you want it.

Wazmeister · September 2018

crunchman said:

Wazmeister said:

chrisv said:

Probably June 2017, based on when it went online. I can tell you for certain when I’m in work tomorrow... https://www.theguitarmagazine.com/gear/acoustic-guitars/atkin-guitars-forty-three/

I should have a copy somewhere if you want it.

@crunchman - that would be kind of you mate, let me know

meltedbuzzbox · September 2018

good choice mate.
I played a few at Coda and I thought they were much better than the Gibsons.

You did the right thing and played everything, its the only way to know with a guitar, especially an acoustic

WindmillGuitars · October 2018

@Wazmeister That's beautiful .. health to enjoy.. I@ve just sold a D41 so this could be a contender as a replacement

Cabicular · October 2018

My main acoustics are Atkins
A support band were using them at a folk festival I was playing in Pitlochrie and they sounded great
Did a bit of digging and ended up with a dread an OM and a super Jumbo
All stunning guitars and light years ahead of anything else I had owned
Alistair knows a thing or two ....

Wazmeister · October 2018

Cabicular said:

My main acoustics are Atkins
A support band were using them at a folk festival I was playing in Pitlochrie and they sounded great
Did a bit of digging and ended up with a dread an OM and a super Jumbo
All stunning guitars and light years ahead of anything else I had owned
Alistair knows a thing or two ....

Thats interesting mate, as I felt they were “light years” ahead of all else I tried...

What pick ups are you using ?

KKJale · October 2018

Recently played their LG47, the LG2-alike, and was properly knocked out (although slightly put off by the incorrect body shape between lower bout and waist... why, why?!)

The Forty-Three looks brilliant. Serious congrats.

Jim54 · October 2018

Had a short play on a forty-three yesterday. Sounded great, balanced, not muddy or bright. Louder than I was expecting too.
I was really looking forward to seeing the ageing up close but was a bit disappointed with the one I tried in that the 'checking' went in funny concentric circles and just didn't look realistic. Looked like a pool of solvent had been put on the top and allowed to evaporate. Other than that it looked and felt great though. Not sure how different one is to another in the ageing aspect?

Wazmeister · October 2018

Two weeks or so into ownership, and it remains the best, most fun and beautiful acoustic I've ever played !

43rdAnd9th · November 2018

I recently bought an Atkin off a friend... I'd been fancying a J-45 for years and he had this one for sale. It's a custom build, so basically a J-45 shape but not quite the same.

It seems to be the guitar I've been looking for (for a very long time), and nearly a year on I'm still amazingly happy with it. So much so, in fact, that I've decided to sell just about all my other acoustics, because there's no point having a bunch of guitars around that aren't getting played!

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NGD: Atkin J45 'The Forty Three'

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