WHY YOU NEED A VINTAGE GIBSON ACOUSTIC 

What I really like about this video (and this channel) is the fact they are talking about a guitar they probably don’t have in stock or will struggle to get. It is easy to come on RU-vid and talk about an in-stock guitar. All in-stock guitars are great when you sell guitars for a living. Love to see these guys excited about guitars just because they are great guitars.

I have a 1957 Gibson J45, nothing else sounds like it. Beautiful guitar.

Ya, there is something magical in a vintage Gibson acoustic.

My local shop owner has a 1949 Southern Jumbo and he lets people play it. It’s beat to hell but it’s magical. It’s been over a year since I’ve played it and I still have dreams about it

I own a 1949 Gibson LG-2 It sounds fantastic, especially for finger picking. I also have a 1964 Hummingbird and a 1952 J45 that are at the luthier. Not sure yet how they truly sound. They were in pretty bad shape when I got them. But you could tell that they had potential. Can’t wait to get them back.

I’m a Martin guy but I played a 65 Hummingbird that unfortunately I didn’t have money to buy at the time and it was the best guitar I’ve ever played, something about that one was very special. It made every guitar I’ve played since then sound just okay and it haunts me every day.

I have a Hummingbird. It was my bucket list acoustic and I finally got one at a killer deal that I couldn't pass up. Great guitar.

Please have more jams together on the channel! You guys are amazing.

That old straight mid punch of a classic Gibson. The Gibson Hummingbird is the prettiest acoustic guitar ever made in my opinion, followed by a Gibson J200.

Some beautiful sounds coming from those boxes, gentlemen. Love the old Gibson acoustics - aesthetically and sonically.

Thank you so much for a great channel....your guitar outro was simply spectacular!

Guys, this video made me smile a lot. I’ve had two items on my bucket list for a long time. One was an original Kenner AT-AT from the 80s and the other was a semi-vintage J-45. Thanks to eBay, I’ve managed to score both in this past year so I’m a happy boy. Keep up the good work gentlemen. Thank you.

I love what Don Everly said some years ago.."back in Kentucky there were Gibson and Chevy families,and there were Martin and Ford families.We were a Gibson and Chevy family" I agree with you guys...there is nothing like the Gibson sound.I have a J-160E that was made for me in 2008,and I have a 2016 J-45. I could never be without those two flattops.I like and respect the other makers very much, but "Only A Gibson Is Good Enough". Nothing like them. And..nothing like you guys either. I enjoy all the videos.Thanks

I would like to hear and see you guys jam more

This made me love your guys channel even more

Great video guys, love the old Gibson acoustics. Especially the Hummingbird, I instantly think of our man Keith Richards, ‘nuff said.🎧

Speaking for the J-45, the "workhorse". I have one. Not the greatest for finger-picking, but no better guitar to strum and sing over. It has a very tight mid-range that manages to complement even soft singers who struggle a bit with projecting. Especially great for singers with spoken-lyrical styles (think Bob Dylan "Don't Think Twice") which is the cohort that made the J-45 famous.... It can't do what a Martin D18 or D28 does for flat-picking, but a Martin D18 or D28 requires a real strong vocalist to project over its boom. When you get to a point where you start to view them in terms of "tools in the toolbox" instead of some linear scale of bad to great you understand. Sadly, most players think on the linear scale. They try a J-45 next to a good Martin in the showroom. The Martin's projection and sustain dominates and they think "wow, this is a much better guitar" without any context for the performance scenarios where the J-45 will outshine it. Think I'm wrong? Do this- get a TASCAM or ZOOM high quality digital recorder. Take it the showroom on an empty day, pick 2-3 songs you like to play and sing. Record yourself with a J-45 and then with a Martin or Taylor or whatever. Listen back and you'll hear the J-45 doing its magic.

I have a 1967 Gibson b-45 12 string and it looks beautiful and sounds amazing. Very resonant and clear sounding plus it feel great on the hands. Def recommend a vintage Gibson to everyone.

When you strum a Vintage Gibson your whole body resonates.

Got my hands on a 1967 hummingbird. For $75. It was 1974 and I found it in the back room of the music department at Millsaps College with its back crushed in. I begged the department head to sell it to me and we arrived at the price. Had a new back put on it for 100 bucks. It was magical. The neck, as you said, was so easy to fret all the way up. So how does the story end? Life got real and law school wanted its tuition. Yes, I sold it to become a…Blues Lawyer😩. Not a week goes by that I don’t remember that wonderful flinty voice of that guitar. Thanks for making me sad all over again.

Thank you for doing this...I love Gibson acoustics - I have 2 vintage ones - a '46 LG-2 and a mid-50s L-50 (archtop), both family heirlooms that were handed down to me...What I love about good Gibson acoustics is that they never just sound "polite" - there is always a raw quality to their sound, a little bit of grit to them, edgier than other brands... Last February I picked up a 2004 Songwriter Deluxe...A real sleeper in the modern Gibson catalogue imo, and can be had for pretty fair prices, all things considered...Gorgeous guitar and although it is a sweet sounding instrument, it still has that Gibson bite to it...It is ageing really beautifully and already sounds "old". I came across this clip of Jimmy Page playing a J-200 - possibly the same one he borrowed from Big Jim Sullivan and used for all the acoustic work on LZ-I - that illustrates to me what I'm trying to say about that sound...(The video is badly corrupted, but the audio still sounds pretty good)...ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OmVQKFPexRk.html Thanks again for doing this and helping to counter all the tedious Gibson hate that has become so fashionable these days...

Always enjoy listening to you two😁

I have a J35 reissue from 2014 - not vintage I realise but when I got it I loved that clear crisp sustain across all the strings and 7 years down the road it just keeps opening up and getting better and better. Perfect rhythm guitar.

I have a 2020 Southern Jumbo form their Original line. It’s stunning. I can’t tell you how much I love it. I’m not sure how it stacks up against the vintage ones but wow. Such a good rich sound and not to mention the how drop dead gorgeous it is in person.

A 1969 Martin D-18 scratches my vintage acoustic itch... Magical things happen to acoustic tone over decades.

Excellent jam to kick off the morning. Thanks

I have a 1958 Gibson LG-O that sits in a mix perfectly and has a beautiful midrange tone. The highs are warm and the low end is pretty mellow but defined. Nothing sounds like an old guitar. Thanks for the video guys!

Taylors seem to have thin tops. I've always wanted a Martin. I found a Guild suffering in a pawn shop and rescued her. I'm very happy with my Guild.

It’s rock & roll - the smell, the sound, you can’t beat it and maybe the taste too. You guys rock

I love this channel, you guys crack me up.

Love that Hummingbird!...What a great sounding guitar, I'm extremely envious...Shorter scale, yes? Beato has a vintage Country and Western I wouldn't mind getting my hands on too!

Love you’r opening duo jam …don’t stop now you two young uns ..👍😎🎸

Got me a late fifties Southern Jumbo. Bought it ( through a mutual friend ) from an old hermit who lives in the woods in a camper, was under his bed in a case for decades. It's the perfect guitar to accompany yourself singing. Sounds just like the beginning of "Night Moves". Only acoustic I'll ever need.

That first 15 seconds reminds me of every time I walk into a Guitar Center.

These guys were flying high lol 😂. I love it. This is a real guitar show!

Black 1933 L-00, been in the family since ‘36. Recent neck reset with bridge plate and saddle rebuild. Great to play, smells like history too.

I have 3 acoustics and they’re all Gibsons (J45, Hummingbird & SJ200). I find they compliment vocalists the best. I do a lot of solo acoustic shows, but also back up other singers and always get compliments on the tone.

Three weeks ago I bought a new Gibson L-00 from the Gibson Garage, and though not a vintage guitar in age, it sounds like an old guitar right now. Mellow, aged, yet with a big sound for such a small guitar. It’s awesome.

I could write a whole 100-page monolog about this but I'll paraphrase. I worked at the acoustic factory for a short while and was in final assembly buffing and final finish on git-fiddles. While I was there picked up a 1936 j-35 historic, a 1952 j-185 historic, and a j-45 rosewood studio. Added to my one nice guitar which was a jean' laravvee rosewood lv-03 making an heirloom collection to give to the grandkids. Working there was awesome while it lasted. Getting to handle 100's of guitars a week, play them, set them up, and hear the first ever sounds out of a guitar. There was something about the experience that had this nostalgic magic of handling and playing everything from 45's to custom shop 1 of 1's that was really special to me personally. Some guitars jumped to life, and some were dull and clunky sounding that will open up over 5 years of playing. The hardest part was seeing them all and not taking most of them home, and it was always a rare privilege to fully finish out and play models like the western classic, pre-war j-200, and my personal favorite the historic LG-2 (very hard to get otherwise I would own one). Plenty of gripes about the work, but goes with the territory of factory work run by corporate companies. A lot of "experts" will bitch about quality control, and some of those problems are very warranted (dealt with a few things myself) however I will say that every guitar has a personality from the first time you string it up IMO and a great many of them are life long instruments. I have been playing my entire life and there is a certain love you have for an instrument when you play them every day. That is exactly how I would describe 99% of them, and most especially the ones that hang on my wall. whether they are re-issues or actual vintage (I would recommend the re-issue for the simple reason that manufacturing is way better than 70 years ago from the quality of wood to the tools they use to build them) they sound great right out of the case and only sound better with time. Even the more basic models age like wine if you have a good luthier and know how to keep them happy. I was lucky enough to get ahold of 2 dream guitars earlier in my life and I get to play for my kidsevery dayy, even if it is old mcdonald 75 times in a row.

Just bought an aged-top custom shop Hummingbird a few days ago. I'm obsessed. Turns out I bought it on Keef's birthday! A good sign. :)

What is vintage? I think Gibson had several hot spots for really good acoustics throughout the decades. I have a 2001 J100 Xtra that might technically be vintage? It is an amazing guitar that I will never part with. The color change on the top as it has aged wonderfully is amazing, and it has its sound that is hard to replicate. Spruce top, maple back and sides, mahogany neck.

Am I jealous? Noooo...not at all. I'm still drooling.... Nice jam!

I recently bought a 2006 L1 bourbon burst with an ebony fretboard. De-griming the fretboard and a rubbing an eraser over the frets seemed to make it happy and it began singing. It wakes me up to play like a puppy. It makes me late for work.

Tasty little ditty at the end👍

Long about 1980, or possibly '81, I was in a small shop (Ray Muffet's) in Providence, RI. In my hands I had the sweetest sounding parlor-sized guitar (vintage Gibson) I'd ever heard or played. And I'd already owned a couple of triple-O and double-O Martins. I think the asking price was around 200 USD - which seemed to be a steal. When I put all my busking-monies together from that week, it came to just about that (I was homeless, at the time, and it was all I had). But I was nearly powerless over that guitar. At the very moment I was about to cave and buy the damned thing, I heard the tinkling of the bells above the rickety front door, and in walked the greatest blues/R&R guitarist I'd ever known, a man by the name of Riley Hayford, who just happened to be a friend of mine. I said, "Riley, please, please talk me out of buying this guitar." Without saying a word or even attempting to play it, he spun it around and began pointing out all the probable reasons that it was available for 200 USD. A cracked top, passing through the bridge, which was slowly lifting along the bottom edge, along with some discrepancies with the neck joint, and a few other significant odds and ends. As if by magic, the spell had been broken. I was able to put the guitar back on the stand and leave the store - _and_ have dinner that evening. But I have never forgotten that day, nor how unbelievably other-worldly that guitar both played and sounded. Having owned a number of top-shelf vintage Martins and a couple of modern-day Gibsons, over the years, I get the "intangibles" that vintage Gibson acoustics often bring to the table. It is as if they become imbued with every player that ever touched them. I'm not claiming that I'd stumbled across one of Robert Johnson's L1s, or anything like that. But in the years since, I've sometimes wondered.

Always wanted both of those guitars. But the ones I tried to get never worked out. I ended up with a Clean 65 Gibson dove and I absolutely love it

When visiting my father in Florida, he offered for me to take home his 1947 Southern Jumbo. The guitar is a stunner, with recently installed medium strings (vs the light) this baby is loud, perfect for bluegrass. Fantastic guitar.

You guys sound great 👍🎸

I have a d18 i love had for along time. But i just bought a Epiphone inspired by Gibson J45( I added ebony bridge pins, kluson tuners and removed the thick pickguard replace it with a smaller thinner one) It’s amazing my new best friend. I take turns on them they are so different but very cool.

I'm a proud Southern Jumbo owner. Love it.

I traded a ‘62 Gretsch Peppermint Twist Corvette for a beat-up ‘56 Gibson J-50. It needed lots of repairs , most of which I did. A luthier will now mount the bridge I made and cut the saddle slot. I once had an amazing ‘63 Hummingbird. I sold it out of financial need. I love Gibsons so much I named my dog Gibson.

I have 2 vintage Gibsons, both archtops. One is an ES 125 I got at great expense to the parish from Norman's Rare Guitars, which is a delight. The other I bought from some dude on craigslist, a circa 1942 L50 or similar. Both are spectacular, they look , feel, play and, above all, sound superb. I love them to death, haven't yet played a modern guitar that 'buzzed' me the same way. I don't know how much the mojo affects the perception - certainly it does - but for me it comes down to the total package; as my old karate instructor used to say, if it feels right it IS right.

Yes! More of this! You guys’ sound great together! Electric next…

Love my 91 J200, most balanced tone I have ever heard. Ironically it is the guitar everyone asks to play.

I've played a 1950 Gibson Acoustic and a 1964 Gibson Hummingbird and they were amazing!

Thirty years ago I was a Martin devotee. As time went on, I moved away from the Martin/ rosewood back and sides to preferring mahogany back and sides. Back before the pandemic, I bought a Gibson J-35 reissue for a grand. To my ears, a Gibson slope shouldered dreadnought sounds the best. I believe that we are living in a golden age of acoustic manufacturing and there is no need except to feed your ego to deplete your bank account for a vintage guitar.

More jamming like that, please!

1972 gibson b-20 small body acoustic. still sounds great, got it at Manny's with my dad.

I have a Gibson acoustic guitar that's a prototype, serial 01. It was made for a lefty and was converted to right handed so the pick guard is on the top instead of the bottom. There's just something magical about it. When you dig into it it really blossoms like nothing else.

I bought a second-hand 2012 Custom Shop Hummingbird for a reasonable price and loved playing it. Then I found out it was a limited edition (#38 of 50 made) and all of a sudden I don't want to touch it. I think about selling it just so I can get a beater j-45 or another hummingbird that can just live a normal life. BTW, . It was great hearing you two play together!

Nice playing!

I know this is an older post.. But Yall are spot on with these guitars. I have a new 2024 Hummingbird and it's just amazing. Coming off of a couple different Martins.... D28 and D35, both were awesome but there's something about these Gibsons. They sound great but look even better.

When I was shopping for an acoustic in 2015 I tried a ton but one day I picked up a Gibson j15 that was just magic. I bought it on the spot and have used it since. I’ve tried over 5 other j15s and none of them feel or sound as good as mine. I really got lucky finding a gem. It’s my go to when recording.

Have to agree. I truly enjoy playing my Taylor, but there is something magical about vintage.

1933 L-00 thank you kindly from the Custom Shop. Truly magical!

I have a 1968 Gibson Dove as well as a 1975 Martin D 35 You are right - the Martin booms with sound but the Dove is just a beautiful sound and makes me smile. It is my go to acoustic

No one near me carries Gibson acoustics so I had to order one sight unseen from the internet. Ended up going with a southern jumbo. Nicest acoustic I've ever played. Records amazingly well and it hasn't even aged yet.

I love the sound of a dark-ass acoustic guitar. My uncle has a Gibson Hummingbird from like 71 and it's so rad. I have a Yamaha acoustic from 76 and, while the neck is hard to play, the sound is so dark and groovy. The body feels like balsa wood at this point.

I recently bought a 62' Gibson J-45 and it like nothing else I have every owned. There's a little bit of magic in there, like these guys say, "Get One"!

Just bought a vintage J40 and it’s my first Gibson acoustic. It was a budget model back in the day, but it plays very well. Kalamazoo made and not very pricy for a vintage Gibson. I’m happy with it.

I got ahold of a 000 size Lag 2 years ago. After about a month I sold all the full body acoustics I had and have no plans go back. Thin small body, great sound. No awkward playing positions.

Just saw one in the shop yesterday!

Hey Bax and Jon, Keep stomping out your stuff. I have been enjoying it when I have moments to stay in touch with your series. I have a 1964 Gibson J-50 ADJ, which had the bridge removed for a fixed bridge by a master luthier. For acoustics though, I am spoiled; however, a lifetime that right moments have presented me, and more importantly with dough in the back pocket, has allowed me to gather a few things. I have a Guild D-35 ('72), and Martins D-12/20 ('71) & D-18 ('68). But, the J-50 was my forever guitar, and not the J-45... which is the same beast. I wanted the clear top... I guess it's the Tom Petty and Bob Dylan influence more than the Bruce Springsteen deal, I guess. I held out for the J-50, too; the local vintage shop, with the master luthier, that deals in beautiful stuff had it returned for consignment and I got a call. Voilà, about 9 years ago. For those wondering, like Baxter says, it is the first guitar all of my buddies head to when they come to my studio. I feel like strumming it is like sliding a warm knife through soft butter, and it is my main acoustic gigging guitar. It has a wicked action, no buzz, and the lead playability and tone electrically is as good as it gets. (LR Baggs M-80 is in the sound hole. I tried the M-1 in the hole. But, it was too sensitive as this thing wants to resonate forever.) All around, she is a beautiful guitar to play, to hear, and to admire. I feel very lucky to be her custodian for many years to come. Thanks Guys.

I've got a '65 Country Western and it is spectacular. It's also the lightest guitar I"ve ever picked up. It feels like a feather but sounds so full. Mine is the only one I've seen with a black pickguard. All other pics/videos I can find have tortois pickguards.

Excellent episode. My favorite part is when they let the guitars do the talking at the end.

I have a mid seventies Gibson acoustic that's an old workhorse & sounds great

In 1971 I bought my first good guitar, a brand new J-50. I still have it today along with 3 Martins and a bunch of others. It is heavier than the Martins and has a very different, more mellowed tone. One of the Martins is mahogany laminate, the others solid rosewood/spruce while the Gibson is mahogany/spruce. All with very different voices. For the Gibson I think of songs by James Taylor or Tom Rush. I'll keep it 'till I'm fitted for my toe tag.

Great Video, nice shirt Jonathan

My HB , bought new in the late 60 s , benefited from removing the adjustable saddle (mine was rosewood of all things) . Mine also has the narrow nut width which was great to learn to play on but less useful for fingerpicking. The aging of the top over 50 plus years has significantly increased the warmth and sustain.

I just acquired what I believe is a 1964 Gibson SJ. A dream of a guitar! The neck is the most comfortable necks I have ever played. Would love to learn more history about it!!!

Those old Gibson acoustics have a kind of squeezey nearly buzzy sound that is sooooo nice. Sold my 67 hummingbird because the thin nut was a pain. Got a Martin d18

Agreed. Thanks

I love my 39’ J35 and 58’ J200 both priceless to me and always sound better every time I play them. I’m so fortunate to have them given to me the only guitars I’ll never part with until I leave this world.

“We had one acoustic when I was growing up, my Dad put his foot through it during a family argument” - EVH (true quote)

awesome jam, fellas! Both sounded amazing. come on lottery! myehhh... LOL!

I wish I can afford an old Gibson Hummingbird but I'm happy with the one I have it's an Epiphone inspired by Gibson one but it still sounds great and plays great

There is no smell better than the old discontinued Gibson aerosol polish. Not only is it the best polish ever, but it’s the best smelling ever. I actually still have a full can that I bought in the early 2000’s because I found out it was going away. Gibson! Please bring it back!!!!

Just got a 2021 Montana J45 ...Only need to wait until 2081 and it should be good and vintage!

I love all of the talk about relic guitars, road worn, and reissues. But what I’d love to see is a video talking about strings. What did the legends use when it comes to guitar strings back in the early days? Are some of those brands still around? Have some come and gone? Anyways. Love the channel! Great content.

Seems like, I've only been able to play them at guitar shows (no vintage shops near me) Had a friend that owned an early '70's Guild G-37, I think ? One with no back braces and an arched back. Wow, coolest acoustic I've played to date . Cheers!

Someone else put a comment in about a Yamaha. My parents gave me one in 1980 and it has aged beautifully and when you put a new set of strings on it it still sounds great. I mostly play my Taylor 912 CE at this point but I pick the Yamaha up two or three times a week. I’ve kind of turned it into a fretless wonder at this point. Lol Old (vintage) acoustics rock!

63mint SJ - plastic bridge. Never going to change it unless it breaks. What a guitar. Dark burst as well.

My dad bought me a '65 Gibson LGO for my 1st guitar. It cost more than he made a week at the time. Still have it!!

I have a 64 Gibson J-50 that I bought used in 1969. I love it, it's my go-to, and I will never sell it.

I have a 1957 Gibson lg-1, I think the magic is the wood, how old was the wood that they used in construction? Just the fact that it made up to where I live, is a miracle. I’m in Winnipeg, for reference, go to Grand Forks, North Dakota and head North for about 70 miles, it get cold in the winter

I have a largely original 1956 Gibson J45. It was my grandpas guitar for the majority of his life, and is one of my most prized possessions. It was kinda eye opening to hear someone talk about the "Deadness" of these guitars. There is something about the sound, that maybe at very first pluck almost leaves something to be desired. A dull, woody sound at times, especially when playing individual notes, most noticeable on the bassier strings. I have been playing around with string brands, styles, gauges, trying to bring some brightness into those lower notes, but that mellow tone always comes back after a good break in period. However, start strumming some big chords, throw some cross picking in, sing over it, or better yet add it to a small band... The thing comes to life! It's a somewhat unique, timeless sound, filled with both music history, and in my case family history. Not to mention the thing plays amazingly, the best playing most well setup guitar in my collection despite being nearly 70 years old now, a lot of that is a thanks to my grandpas routine maintenance and the luthier he had work on it. Its quite beaten and battered, but every scratch is a memory of music played, and I hope to continue those memories for the rest of my life until its time for its next caretaker. Great video, the enthusiasm behind these vintage Gibson's is contagious and makes me even more proud to own my grandpas J45 than I already was!

I have a J100xtra maple body, sounds great

more outtro jams like this one please :)

I have a 1946 LG-2. Sweetest sounding Box ever

Such a beautiful guitar collection you could build, for the price of one of those guitars.