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ElectricXII · February 2022

After much thought, with the help of some of you guys, about spending up to £600 on a slope-shouldered dreadnought , I sold a couple of basses and bought one of these. It's from 2015 and has lived a life, although the truss rod had never been touched and there was way too much neck relief. That's sorted now, but it needs the action lowered a smidge, and a new set of strings. So far I'm loving it.

Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51903854393_85b680e6d0_b.jpg

Tannin · February 2022

Oh, nice! Best looking Gibson I've seen in quite a while.

ElectricXII · February 2022

Thanks! I blew the budget somewhat, but one of the basses I sold hadn't been touched in a year and the other was more of an ornament than a regular player.

Mellish · February 2022

I was going to steer you towards my tech in London to get a setup til I noticed you're in Scotland! What's your strings choice for it? Gibson have their own brand if you want to try those out. Nice Gibby btw

Tannin · February 2022

There is something about that guitar which calls to me. I'm a notorious Gibson non-fan - I don't hate the company or anything like that, I've just never liked the Gibson sound, or short scales. But every time I open this thread and look at the picture, I really want to play it.

ElectricXII · February 2022

Mellish said:

I was going to steer you towards my tech in London to get a setup til I noticed you're in Scotland! What's your strings choice for it? Gibson have their own brand if you want to try those out. Nice Gibby btw

Thanks.I do most of my own tech work, with the exception of major fretwork. I've been fettling the guitar this morning and I had to loosen off the truss rod nut and lubricate it to get it to move freely. I've now got the neck relief at 0.08" and the action has come down to a decent 2.25 mm on the bass and 1.7 mm on the high E, so fingers crossed no saddle sanding required.

I'm an Elixir fan, so it's phosphor bronze 12-53s.

ElectricXII · February 2022

Tannin said:

There is something about that guitar which calls to me. I'm a notorious Gibson non-fan - I don't hate the company or anything like that, I've just never liked the Gibson sound, or short scales. But every time I open this thread and look at the picture, I really want to play it.

I'm your opposite then, as i'm a bit of a Gibson fan boy. This is my third after an ES-335 and a Les Paul Special TV Yellow. I've got a couple of Fenders too, but generally I like the short scale.

Tannin · February 2022

I think it is the combination of the unusual pickguard, the headstock, the lovely rosewood fretboard, and above all the lovely timber of the top. It just does it for me.

musicegbdf · February 2022

Looks nice . Which model is it ?

ElectricXII · February 2022

musicegbdf said:

Looks nice . Which model is it ?

It's a J-35. Basically a J-45 except the internal bracing is like the Advanced Jumbo.

musicegbdf · February 2022

Thanks , I am not up to date on acoustic models.
I see it is discontinued . Assume there is current version .

artiebear · February 2022

Congratulations, that looks lovely. Loving the banner headstock. I'm a big fan of the 35 style bracing. It really brings up the mids and puts a bit of hair on the usual Gibson slope shoulder tone. Enjoy.

Edited to add that a bone saddle to replace the tusk one would be a decent addition tonally.

ElectricXII · February 2022

artiebear said:

Congratulations, that looks lovely. Loving the banner headstock. I'm a big fan of the 35 style bracing. It really brings up the mids and puts a bit of hair on the usual Gibson slope shoulder tone. Enjoy.

Edited to add that a bone saddle to replace the tusk one would be a decent addition tonally.

Thanks! The banner's not period correct for a J-35 but I like the old school vibe. I'm going to need to play this live, and I've got a strap button which I could fit to the heel, but I'm hesitating to add a "modern" appointment to a 30s-look guitar. I might see how I get on with a strap tied on at the headstock.

artiebear · February 2022

Yep, the original 35's had a silkscreen type logo to save on embellishments, but it's a nice nod to the past on yours. TBH the strap around the headstock sometimes balances the guitar better and pulls the neck in slightly, so not a bad idea.

Andy79 · February 2022

artiebear said:

Yep, the original 35's had a silkscreen type logo to save on embellishments, but it's a nice nod to the past on yours. TBH the strap around the headstock sometimes balances the guitar better and pulls the neck in slightly, so not a bad idea.

The J-35 didn’t have a banner logo, is the point @ElectricXII is making

ronnyb · February 2022

Very nice i was wondering myself whether it was a J35 or a J15 there seems to be little difference visually. I could be tempted by a slope shouldered J and often peruse the classifieds here and elsewhere to see what's for sale.

artiebear · February 2022

Andy79 said:

artiebear said:

Yep, the original 35's had a silkscreen type logo to save on embellishments, but it's a nice nod to the past on yours. TBH the strap around the headstock sometimes balances the guitar better and pulls the neck in slightly, so not a bad idea.

The J-35 didn’t have a banner logo, is the point @ElectricXII is making

yep I got that ? Should have added the word "basic" to avoid confusion.

Mellish · February 2022

I'm not a fan of a strap button on the heel of an acoustic, but that's just me YMMV. In any event, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun playing it

artiebear · February 2022

Mellish said:

I'm not a fan of a strap button on the heel of an acoustic, but that's just me YMMV. In any event, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun playing it

I have them ( heel button ) on most of my play out acoustics. Not that I prefer the position, but mostly because a) it means that the strap is not left in the case attached to the guitar ( certain straps causing contact contamination with the guitar's finish and b) while it's sometimes ok, I don't like the feel of bumping up against the strap/tie behind the nut.

I do still think that some guitars hang better the old fashioned way.

Mellish · February 2022

artiebear said:

Mellish said:

I'm not a fan of a strap button on the heel of an acoustic, but that's just me YMMV. In any event, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun playing it

I have them ( heel button ) on most of my play out acoustics. Not that I prefer the position, but mostly because a) it means that the strap is not left in the case attached to the guitar ( certain straps causing contact contamination with the guitar's finish and b) while it's sometimes ok, I don't like the feel of bumping up against the strap/tie behind the nut.

I do still think that some guitars hang better the old fashioned way.

I don't disagree with any of your response

. As I say, it's just me. I just don't think it looks nice. It no doubt serves a purpose and serves it well but not one for me

artiebear · February 2022

Mellish said:

artiebear said:

Mellish said:

I'm not a fan of a strap button on the heel of an acoustic, but that's just me YMMV. In any event, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun playing it

I have them ( heel button ) on most of my play out acoustics. Not that I prefer the position, but mostly because a) it means that the strap is not left in the case attached to the guitar ( certain straps causing contact contamination with the guitar's finish and b) while it's sometimes ok, I don't like the feel of bumping up against the strap/tie behind the nut.

I do still think that some guitars hang better the old fashioned way.

I don't disagree with any of your response . As I say, it's just me. I just don't think it looks nice. It no doubt serves a purpose and serves it well but not one for me

@Mellish , I do think you are right. We have just become accustomed to the heel idea. I remember playing my early gigs a few

years ago and having the aforementioned strap arrangement along with a mic in front of the sound holes as a pick up. Ah those were the dates !

ElectricXII · February 2022

No heel button for me I’ve decided. Currently searching house for shoelace.

Mellish · February 2022

@artiebear ; - always do what works best for you, mate

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