Sound:
I guess that I must have gotten one of "the Good" ones, because mine has that beautiful J-45 tone, in spades. From the moment I picked it up in the shop, this was the one I chose over all the rest. Imagine my surprise and good fortune to find that it was a "used"(2007)model, that someone had traded for an SJ... and the asking price was only $1399.00! Even though I was vacationing in WA state, and had not intended on buying another guitar, I had to take it home.
Feature:
It came with a quality Gibson case(though most cases these days are of pretty good quality; many Gibson cases are made in Canada, even....like me!) The Fishman pickup system was a nice added feature; It produces a nice, accurate accoustic tone... with not so much of the "tinniness" that some systems have. What really makes this instrument specail, though, is the Rosewood! IMHO, the Rosewood model is the nicest sounding of all the J-45's.
Ease of Use:
I'm pretty sure that the previous owner set a lower than normal action on this guitar; you merely have to whisper to the strings to produce chords. Really a dream to play, it honestly feels more like an electric fretboard than acoustic...
Quality:
I have yet to find a single physical problem with this guitar; the finish, as far as I can see, is flawless; ditto the fretboard & what I can see of the internal structure; the neck is well attached & straight, the truss rod works normally. The machine heads are very accurate and strong..it holds it's tune very well, through bends and slides and agressive playing. A+ here....
Value:
The average retail price for this guitar is more than fair, by comparison to other guitars in the same price range.
Manufacturer Support:
I have never had to avail Gibson for support, I own 2 other Gibson Guitars....but I am sure they would stand firmly behind their product. In the instances where I have contacted them, their responses were prompt & helpful
The Wow Factor:
RRRRROOOOOOOOSSSSEEEEEWWWWWWOOODDDDD!!!!! The sound produced by this wood is incredible; not to mention the awesome scent that radiats from the sound hole when you play...
Overall:
I have been playing guitar for 30 years now, and this is the first Gibson acoustic I have ever owned; If(my)luck holds, it will surely last me another 30 years, like so many of the 40's and 50's J-45's that are still being played today.
3 of 3 people
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Sound:
I love the sound of the rosewood 45. Much much better than the plain mahogany.
Feature:
Good pickup system in these. Thats about all the features you can get on an acoustic.
Quality:
Heres where I have to drop the bar on my rating. I love these guitars BUT there is a big failure rate with Gibsons. When you find a good J45 then its heaven however there are many lemons out there. I check the music stores regular for the perfect specimen and have been horrified at some of the crappy ones. Bad neck joint, bad truss rods and the famous Gibson finish problems. THis is inexcusable. WHile I love the rosewood 45 when its good I cant overlook how many Gibsons are bad. This goes for their entire line including electrics. My friend bought a $3500 Les Paul Custom are frets starting popping out of the wood.
Value:
Expensive. If all of them were keepers then I'd give this a better rating. Its the failure rate that makes me give this a 7. They arent paying enough attention for what they are charging.
The Wow Factor:
I cant rate anything to high here. Dumb category
Overall:
Gibson, get your act together and deliver consistent quality products and you'll be kings again.
8 of 11 people
(72.73%) found this review helpful. Did you?
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