Well, I picked up a Gibson J-45

Cougar

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Despite my complete satisfaction with my F-50R, I always figured I'd have to pick up a nice Gibson at some point. Last time I had on order a walnut-backed J-15 burst (with the abalone rosette) through Music Villa in Bozeman, the F-50R popped up, and I went with that instead. Never looked back. And not sorry I never looked back!

So now I ran into this 2015 J-45 custom shop red-stained flamed maple. 65 of them made. Reportedly in mint condition. Put in a good deal offer, which was accepted. Came in the other day. Action was high, so I took it in for a pro setup. Now she plays fine, sounds good. Bass is good and present, and there's good balance throughout. Has nice electronics and a modicum of bling. It's a great guitar, but it's not an F-50R!

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killdeer43

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Congrats!
My first guitar, period, was a brand new 1969 J45 and it looked a bit different than this one. I kept it long enough to make my fingers bleed on the way to a few other brands.

Wish I could see it again, just for a visit. :wink:

Joe
 

Stuball48

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Cougar:
Beautiful, gorgeous, and stunning are first three adjectives that went through my mind. You have to be happy, today.
And your username always brings additional joy to your post as I taught and coached at the high school level for 40 years and last 33 were at Dickson County whose mascot is the Cougar.
 

richardp69

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I'm a huge fan of the J 45. I have four of them, all different tonewoods. Although my 1st love is, and will likely always be, the Guild brand, the Gibson sound is unique (to my ear anyway). I always hear a bit of honkytonk and a bit of twang whenever I pick mine up.

Congrats, it's a really fine looking guitar!!!!!!
 

txbumper57

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"Well, I Picked Up a Gibson J-45". How many times did you throw it on the ground before you picked it up? LOL! Just kidding, She looks beautiful man! Does it have a Sitka or Adirondack top on it? I'll bet that combo of Maple with the Sloped Shoulder body style sounds inherently unique. You'll have to post a soundclip if you get the chance to record it, No Hurry of course but I am sure others are interested in hearing it as well. Congrats Cougar on a Great Looking Guitar!

TX
 

Grassdog

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Congrats on your purchase, I'm a big fan of the J-45 as well. Hope you enjoy owning it. It's that Gibson chunk or thump or whatever it is, but it's definitely there. One of the quintessential rock/blues/country rhythm guitars out there, maybe used on more recordings than any other acoustic. I have a Southern Jumbo (basically a J-45 with the parellelogram fret inlays) and it's been my main go-to acoustic along with my Guild GF-30 and Guild 12.
 

Eric P.

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Wow. Stunning. My main acoustic right now is a J-35 (modern). Although I've had a few excellent J-45s pass through my hands over the years. That one looks like it could be a keeper. And I consider the Gibson Custom Shop guitars as good as anything out there these days.
 

Cougar

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Thanks, everyone! Yep, it's a good one!

Does it have a Sitka or Adirondack top on it?

It's sitka. For a "custom shop," it doesn't look like a AAA. It's got a little runout. Still, it's a stunner!

Here's a demo of a guy who's really got the Gibson thump going!

 

MLBob

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Love the sound of the maple body in that clip of Greg playing!

Bob
 

twocorgis

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Congrats, and everybody should have a round shoulder Gibson in the herd. Love my WM45!
 

bobouz

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Yup, gotta love those Gibson roundshoulders!

Earlier this year, I picked up another one: A NOS custom shop 2015 J-50 - a supremely satisfying guitar.

There's something about the roundshoulder's low end thump, combined with a typically dry overall note clarity, that's really addictive.

Congrats Cougar on your new best friend!
 
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