Gibson 50's J-45 Review - Three Months Later a Change of Heart 

Yip, that intro finger-picking is something else….👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎸🇺🇸

for sure!@@graham1745

Ms Rose! Great to see you and get your thoughts on this. I have become convinced that you are correct, ma’am. I never really know if my playing drives folks to the channel, or drives them away 😂. Thanks for the kind words, ma’am 👍🏻

@@graham1745You are too kind, Graham. Thank you, brother man 👍🏻

Yes that's true sometimes it takes time to improve, but also (experience will tell you) they simply Don't Improve, that's been for Me an important lesson also to learn 😊😊

Hang in there brother man, you’ll get it 👍🏻

Great analysis and thanks for the kind words, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Charlie, thank you, brother man 👍🏻

Hey there, Cody. Great to see your smiling face, brother man. I really appreciate the kind words! Looking forward to your next bombshell video, my friend 👍🏻

Hi John, appreciate the encouragement and the feedback. I agree, there’s something about a Gibson, brother man 👍🏻

Thanks, Dean. I was sure about to sell it and very glad it finally started opening up some. Appreciate you listening and especially for the feedback, brother man 👍🏻

Hi David, I’m super impatient when it comes to guitars, as you know. I’m glad someone didn’t make an offer when I first put it up for sale. Always appreciate you and thanks for the kind words, brother man 👍🏻 Say hey to the family for me.

@@randysrhythm Will do Randy.

Hi Otis, you’re too kind. You are certainly welcome and it’s great to hear from you, brother man 👍🏻

Thank you, Ms J-Lyn! Haven’t seen an upload from you lately. Soon? Great hearing from you, ma’am 👍🏻

Thank you, brother man Bruce 👍🏻

Thanks, Xai! Yes sir, they are great guitars, brother man 👍🏻

My brother Paul! Yes sir, I think that’s right. I’ve got a relationship in Hawkins, Texas and you’ve heard me mention him on the channel, Kelly Barber. Back when he was Taylor’s #1 seller, he took a TV satellite dish and customized it with Taylor’s name in it and then had folks play the guitar in front of it. It was genius. He still has it in his acoustic room. I said all of that to say, I think you’re on to something there. Thanks, brother man 👍🏻

Thanks, Oz! Much appreciated my friend 👍🏻

Thank you very much 👍🏻

Thank you, Terry. I use that phrase a lot more often, since you first mentioned it. Always appreciate you, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Trevor, it’s amazing what a wee bit of patience can do, eh? Your fiddle example is a perfect one to talk about, especially if it’s the one you still use in your videos. It sounds beautiful. Always appreciate your insights and feedback. I hope gigging has been active and the time spent doing it is valuable, brother man 👍🏻. Thank you for the kind words.

Thank you, Gary! Appreciate you, brother man 👍🏻

Hi David, that Guild is one killer guitar. Good luck with choosing, because that choice would make a sane man crazy. I have a bit higher opinion of the Guild 50, but I’m more partial to square shoulders. Thanks for a great observation, brother man 👍🏻

Sir Paul, you made my day, showing up on the channel. It’s been a day or two, so I hope you and yours are doing well. Thank you so much for the kind words and I am looking forward to your next upload, brother man 👍🏻

Thank you, and you are most welcome 👍🏻

Hi Tom, removing the pickguard helped, I think, but the larger contributor to me was just to playing the living dog out of it. You probably know more about this than I do, but it sounds better to me when I individualize, or harmonize the notes, than when I strum it. Could that be because the top is opening, but just not fully there yet? Always appreciate your feedback and insights. Thanks for the kind words, brother man 👍🏻

@@randysrhythm I'm glad that one turned out to be a keeper.....because it sure looks and sounds great.

Thank you, Eddie and glad I could help, brother man 👍🏻

@@randysrhythm ❤️

Thanks, Dave 👍🏻

If I helped in any way, Mason, then I’m beyond grateful and you are most welcome. As far as the sound opening up, I don’t think anyone has ever done a scientific study on it. However, our own ears seem to tell the story that it is a fact. Wood is made up of cellulose fibers and this is just an opinion, but I think those fibers move and age over time. I think that gets accelerated when they continuously vibrate. If I had to guess, which I’m going to do here, it never really settles back to its exact original state. Between the temperature, humidity, the amount of pressure applied when strumming or picking, it suffers constant and light changes that eventually lead to a settling point. It may continue to change after that, but the changes seem to be more subtle as time goes on. One thing is for sure, a properly built guitar is going to go through this process. I’ve always thought of a properly humidified guitar as a lot like a Christmas tree. It continues, on some small level, to remain dynamic, instead of static. Eventually, I’m pretty sure, it reaches a settling point, but when that is, who knows. I hope this helps, brother man 👍🏻

@@randysrhythm Fantastic explanation...thank you!

Hi Stephen, you are most welcome, brother man 👍🏻

Thank you, James 👍🏻

Hi David, great to hear that. Mine is continuing to open up and certainly has developed that Gibson tone that I’m accustomed to hearing. It’s surely a keeper. Appreciate you stopping in to share your experience with it, brother man 👍🏻

I’ve never even thought about the acoustic properties of solid bodied electrics. Now I have something to ponder a bit. Great points and much appreciated, Dunsy. Loving what you’ve done with your channel, brother man 🥃👍🏻

Hi David, great to at least know that I’m not alone. Appreciate the view and the feedback, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Jimmy, they are certainly fantastic sounding guitars and the test of time has proven that fact, brother man 👍🏻

Thank you, J 👍🏻

Thanks Gerald. I should have pulled it out while you were here. It really makes a difference when you sit across from any guitar. I always try to get someone to play the guitar I’m interested in while I’m in the store, if it’s possible. I’m not always successful, but it’s pretty amazing how it can sometimes swing you 👍🏻

Hi Micky, a great tip! This really is a great way to properly hear your guitar. Really appreciate this insight and I think it will really help all of us, brother man 👍🏻

I have old plaster walls. My hallway is like an acoustic amplifier.

Thanks for posting. I have a beautiful Taylor custom order with mahogany back amd sides that I will be keeping but I would like to also have a dreadnaught. I've tried the Martin D18 and D28. I have also tried a few J45's and I really like how it feels and sounds. I will be trying a Martin D35 next but I'm thinking I will be bringing home a Gibson J45 just like yours. Beautiful looking and sounding guitar! 😊

Hi Ron, it’s a great, sweet sounding guitar, for sure. That Taylor sounds like a dream guitar. You’re most welcome for the post and I really appreciate you sharing, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Colonel, I think it was Trevor Hansbury in the comments on this one that these beasts are organic. I thought that was a great way to put it. Yes sir, I’m with you. I do think it’s just going to get better, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Jim, there are way too many amateur luthiers out there and unfortunately you found one. I’m sure his intentions were good, but it is really sad to hear of the issues he created. It can be corrected with the right hand on it, so hopefully that’s the case here. A 30+ year old J-45 should sound as sweet as honey when you get it back. Thanks for the story and let me know how it turns out, brother man 👍🏻

Thank you, Rowan 👍🏻

Great point and I certainly wouldn’t count them out either. In fact, I own 3 Epiphone acoustics that are Masterbilt and love all of them 👍🏻 By the way, only the main factory Epiphones are in question with me. The Masterbilt guitars are the ones that I’ll give a chance. I’ve had really good experiences with them. The Masterbilt factory is the Indonesian custom shop. I just wanted to make that clear, so I am not misunderstood 👍🏻

Hi Daniel, great to see you and you certainly nailed it. Thank you for the kind words, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Ms Susan, yes’m, there are just simply guitars that refuse to cooperate and open up. As I mentioned in the video, I’ve never picked up a Gibson J-45 that didn’t sound amazing with the first strum. I was so disappointed. That said, this one got better daily, which blew my mind, to say the least. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to make such great points here. You’re welcome at my fire anytime, ma’am 👍🏻

Thank you, Mike. I use Martin Retro 12’s 👍🏻

Hey Tonto, that pickguard is pretty massive, so I was pleased to find one that had been removed. Believe me, I get it, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Jimmy, considering the 2 Martins you have, that’s quite a compliment to the J-45. I loved my Standard and wish I still had it. Appreciate you sharing your experience, brother man 👍🏻

Same I bought a j45 and always have been a Martin man. But I’m thinking of selling my two martins as the j45 just does better overall.

@@paurelius885 maybe keep one Martin

There’s definitely a unique sound to these 45’s that just hits that sweet spot, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Ms Brooke, I know you ladies don’t have very many birthdays, but the next one you do have, you might hint to that great guy you’re married to that a Gibson acoustic would be a great bd present 😁. Let me know if it worked. Thank you for sharing and you are most welcome, ma’am 👍🏻

@randysrhythm that's a good idea Randy. 😉 😆 Hope you have a blessed day, my RU-vid friend.

Yes sir, that Excellente has a richness that’s pretty dadgum tough to compete with 👍🏻

Hi MJT, yes sir, it’s a keeper. It really shines when recording, more so than when you’re playing it. I’d say it’s a recording hog, brother man 👍🏻

@@randysrhythm I'm sure it is. I've got three old Gibson's. A J-200, J-50 and a Southern Jumbo. They are all great recording guitars. Nothing like a good Gibson. Good luck with yours!

Hi Arthur, so very pleased to hear from you with such a great story about a great guitar builder, Maton. I have a good friend that bought one last year, made from Blackwood. That thing sings like an angel. I first heard of Maton after seeing Tommy Emmanuel play one. At some point, I’ll be getting one. I have a few friends in Australia, so glad to see you watching and commenting on here. It’s an honor to have you here, brother man and a point well made about how guitars open up 👍🏻

@@randysrhythm . .Hey Randy, thanks for your very friendly welcome! Yeah, that was the point of my comment. Acoustic guitars do indeed open up, and Matons in particular are legendary for doing that extraordinarily well. I'm not an acoustic player myself. I'm electric Blues-Rock all the way. I came upon this video because I'd been watching a video from the Gibson daily emails that they send me . . and when that one had finished, yours came up next. You're a very handy finger-picker there, my friend . . a skill I never worked on myself due to being thrust into a working band as lead guitarist very early in my guitar-playing career as a teenager back in 1973. Just didn't have time. Then one thing led to another and next thing I knew I was going full-time into the music industry as a solo act, playing Blues-Rock naturally. LOL. That was 25 years ago and I only recently had to retire against my wishes due to problems with my hands. After gigging every weekend during those 25 years and going flat out from Friday morning when I left home to go on the long drive to my first gig way out in the country, to arriving back home Sunday evening, or even in the early hours of Monday morning, the last thing I felt like doing was practising! I did go every second Wednesday to jam with my band, but that was about it. And now that I'm retired and have the time, I can't play!! Dagnabit!

All things nobody ever told us was coming our way 😂. I suppose our dad’s didn’t want to depress us at a young age 👍🏻

Hi Martin, you are most welcome and thank you for the kind words. I think the only difference is the neck and appointments. The inlays are much nicer on the Custom and a lot of people like the neck, as opposed to the one I’m playing here, which is more of a 50’s profile. As far as sound goes, they’re probably identical. I’m not opposed to holding something a bit uglier, but if if it’s pretty, I’m not going to argue with it, brother man 👍🏻

@@randysrhythm Hey Randy, thanks again for your estimation and opinion! I think I need to get this J-45 Custom into my hands, play it and compare it to the J-45 Standard. (I'm not opposed to a pretty guitar either.)

Yes sir, I get it for sure. The 45 is certainty a special instrument. Appreciate you sharing, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Alvin, sonically they are going to be ever so close. The main differences that I can see are the neck profile (50’s chunky), pickguard and more retro looking tuners on the 50’s version. That said, it’s going to come down to your taste in appointments. I’m a retro guy, so I really am liking this guitar a lot. Admittedly, I like a slightly thicker neck and this one is perfect. I hope this helps, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Chris, no sir, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one before. I’ll go look at them on Reverb and see this beast. Sometime in the next month I’ll try to find one in a guitar store. I’ll be in Montreal in November and I’ll look there too. Thanks for the heads up, brother man 👍🏻

@@randysrhythm That’s awesome! Try and play a bunch of Seagull guitars while you’re there, they’re built right in Quebec. Montreal is Godin ground zero!

@@chrisb8193 I plan to visit them. I’ve owned a few Seagulls over the years and they are decent guitars for sure 👍🏻

I believe you summed it up. That’s exactly what I’d say. Appreciate the feedback 👍🏻

Hi Andre, it’s crazy sometimes how different guitars cay be from the same builder! I’d like to pick up a 35 at some point. Great story and glad you landed a keeper, brother man 👍🏻

A great point and appreciate the additional insight, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Dana, you are so right, brother man 👍🏻 Just curious, that’s the second time you’ve called me Kyle. The good news is that I pretty much answerer to anything 🤣

@@randysrhythm is that your name or am I mistaken??

@@danaeverhart6487 randy’srhythm - Randy 😁

@@randysrhythm ok 👍🏻 Randy, I saw someone called you Kyle so I thought that might be your name, and Randy was your screen name, my mistake my apologies. PeAce ☮️

@@danaeverhart6487 Actually it was funny, so no need to apologize. But, I knew you’d probably feel bad if you found out from someone else and I had never mentioned it. I have done that so many times myself. Not a worry in the world, brother man 👍🏻

Thank you 👍🏻

Hey Ovash, if I’m in a store, I try to get someone to play it, then play it myself. It seems the only way to get the match I’m looking for. There’s the fundamental problem with ordering online, sometimes a home run and sometimes not so much. You make a great point, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Peter, appreciate the comment. Great to have someone from Amsterdam on the channel, brother man 👍🏻

thank you, Randy. but the question was, do you use Martin Retro mm12 Nickel strings on the Gibson 50 J45? or another brand. Thank you Gr Peter from Amsterdam

Sorry Peter, I thought you were telling me that is what I had. Yes sir, I use Martin Retro 12’s on all of my guitars. I think they only come in monel.

Thank you Randy

Hey there, appreciate you reaching out. That is a little tune I developed to get my fingerstyle speed to increase. It’s one of the tunes I use to warm up and get my fingers awake, so to speak. Nobody has ever asked me what tune that was, so I just assumed it was junk 😂. I really appreciate you asking about it 👍🏻

Haha! I love it man, still working on getting it up to speed but it is a lot of fun to play. Cheers. @@randysrhythm

Much appreciated. Do you mind if I ask what your first name is?

Yes sir, name is Mike. @@randysrhythm

@user-nk3qx9ko3w Thanks, Mike 👍🏻

Hey brother man, of all the things that never crossed my mind! Much appreciated 👍🏻

Most, if not all Gibsons, have the LR Baggs. These are typically considered top notch. I’ve plugged several of my Gibsons in and they’re decent. I’m more of the type that prefers to mic any acoustic, so I may not be the best person to answer that.

Hi Cody, while some may not care for my answer here, I have to tell you that it’s the Hummingbird. I never thought I’d say that about Epiphone, brother man 👍🏻

I actually have both. They are different animals by design. The IBG Hummingbird is big, bold and bright. It is what a hummingbird is supposed to be. Very close to Gibson and for the money Epiphone by far wins this. The Gibson 50's J45 faded I have has opened up and is so discreet and subtle when asked to be. It also strums great. I like the J45 for Travis picking and emotive work. The Hummingbird for when I want to be Graham Parsons or Keith Richards.

That’s a great analysis and I appreciate you laying it out clearly, brother man 👍🏻

Thank you 👍🏻

Hi Peter, I have Martin Retro 12’s on it.

@@randysrhythm thank you it does sound amazing. I have Martin Life span phosphor Bronze. I will give these a try.

Hi Bernie, maybe they need a cheaper microphone 😂. Very much appreciate those kind words, brother man 👍🏻

Hi Nicholas, I don’t think I’ve ever even looked closely at that before. Appreciate the feedback, brother man 👍🏻

Much rather have the silk screen over pearl on a J45

Imo there’s nothing like a Gibson acoustic if you get a really good en