You missed probably the most important difference in built that accounts for the difference in tone and performance that is the X-bracing is different between the J-35 and J-45. The X-bracing is has more open angle to it which shifts to a more all around response rather than the focus of the J-45. Of course the J-45 X-bracing is more acute or smaller angle giving it that focus sound. The tone bars may be a bit different in the guitars. Just thought I mentioned it. The difference in esthetics wouldn't account for the sound differences. I like the J-35 as it has cleaner and more separation between the strings. The J-45 has that muted and slighly muffled strumming sound that is coveted by many. In the end to each their own. Cheers!
Richard Barrett...you're trully one of a kind...fabulous guitarist, great teacher, musically knowleagable as few and on top of that you're an inspirig musician and person. Thanks. Keep on (sorry Gibson, I love Gibson accoustics but this time I had to take my hats off to Richard).
I always loved the sound of the Gibson Hummingbirds, and this one's no exception.. I've never owned a high end guitar like this but as l'm a fiddle player I've been up close and personal with loads of acoustics.. There's something about the balance of highs and lows that gives both clarity and warmth (as in "what is he/she ACTUALLY playing?!" when it really matters, and a second is a long long time.. I also like the bound fingerboards and other fancy stuff. The other 2 are great too, but as reflected by the price I prefer the J50 for sound. Lovely well articulated playing as ever, and a good representative demo! 🌟👍
I have a J-45 60's...I came here to listen to the J-35. I like it but realize now, it sounds just very much like my Yamaha FG5 Red Label. Interesting. I learned your little variation of some open chords by the way nice.
I have one of the epiphone master build hummingbirds. For the price point it is one of the better guitars I've ever played. Currently saving for the original. Thank you for this review
every guitar is unique, it's so hard to even compare one j45 with another off the line on the same hour of build. i have a 2000's j35 that's brilliant, i also have a 69 epi texan and a 66 j45, they all seem to have good days and bad days, for instance i started doing my own comparison videos cos at one point i thought £25 guitars i bought sounded just as good as my j45 - but right now the j45 is actually sounding twice as good as i recal, i have no idea what has perked it up! one thing i tried, i bought a 2004 USA martin OOOX1 some years ago, another irresistible bargain, and frankly i think it's the best acoustic i ever owned or played, and i've had at least 50 guitars since 2013. it is so good i thought i'd buy another and see how consistent they are, and lo, i got hold of a 2016 mexico OOOX1AE and behold - they are different beasts. the electric version is just as good, but the bass isn't as deep and the tone is entirely different, so here are two identical guitars, made from artificial materials for the most part, sounding comparable, but entirely different. i have lots of comparisons on my own channel.
I have been wanting a j35 for years, Gibson historically gets the head stock wrong every time, a “banner” logo does not belong on a j35, that came after 1952, when the j45 started. Yet Gibson kept using it, if you wanted the correct logo on a j35 , it had to be custom shop, that to me just silly. This time they got the headstock logo correct! On the faded, The tuners are completely wrong but that easy to change. I have a new j35 faded it’s getting pleked and should be finished in a day or so. Found the correct 3 on a plate tuners with white buttons at stew Mac, so they will get changed out. To most none of this matters, to me, if I have a j35, I want it to look like the original.
i have a used j35, can't think what year but a 2000's and it sounds so good i don't care what they print on the headstock. if i wanted a 42 or even a 52 i'd find one rather than get a modern copy, not new anyway. all the guitars i currently own have been "can't resist" bargains - 69 epi texan for £800 for instance. i have a few of my guitars demo'd (badly) on my channel.
