"New" Gibson J-35 vs Gibson J-45

[threadbare]

Gibson has reissued the J-35 and the price is right. Under $1700. I was wondering the differnece between the J-35 and J-45. I know that in the old ones the bracing was different, but what about the scale length of each of these guitars. Also does anyone know how the bracing is in the J-35 reissues. Is it like the vintage ones or more like modern J-45's?

 

[Stubee]

The old J-35s & the old J-45s were more different than they would seem if you played some...but these ain't 'old'. I don't mean they are bad or good, just that a '39 J-35 might sound quite different than a '44 J-45 and I'm not sure the differences today would be so noticeable. Just my take on the old ones, haven't seen the latest J-35 yet.

I'd go to the Gibson Forum http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/forum/40-gibson-acoustics/

as there are some threads there on the new J-35.

It does sound like a nice guitar. A modern J-45 can also be a darned nice thing.

 

[Stubee]

I should add: I believe scale length for the new J-35=J-45, a bit different bracing.

 

[younkint]

I've been following the new J-35's some. Most reports are quite favorable, but there are just too few reports from folks that have actually had one in their hands ...and in a location where they could actually hear it (noisy trade shows, etc.). Frankly, I'm surprised at the price ...and also very interested.

I guess we'll know more as time goes on. No doubt some TDPRI member will be able to clue us in before too long.




.

 

[threadbare]

About all I've found Googling is that the way the J-35 is braced, makes it a little less bassy than a J-45.

 

[MikeCee]

2 or 3 tone bars?

 

[zombywoof]

The original J-35s were, of course,all over the place - two or three tone bars, scalloped and non-scallop bracing and so on. Gibson was pretty much experimenting with it until they hit on the version that became the J-50 and
J-45.

I gather the new version has 2 tone bars. Also it is the only J-35 in existence that ever had a Banner. It has the same top bracing found in the AJ and J-45 TV but has diffferent back braces. They are more rounded as not as tall as in the J-45TV. The necks also are a bit beefier than on the J-45 TV.

Bottom line, as with all Gibsons other than the Legend Series guitar, this is not a reissue but more an "inspired by" version with a very nice street price - at least for a Gibson.

 

[Stubee]

ZW has captured it well.

On the tone bars: all I know is that I've played some vintage J-35s that were very good, some simply great. I never thought to look at the tone bars on any of 'em. Mea culpa.

The new one is to me a very nice move by Gibson.

 

[threadbare]

Wow, Thanks ZombyWoof!!!! You've really done your homework on this.

 

[Sacdubro]

Check this review out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSV0KvxOvvI

 

[BadTranslate]

Here is the best review of the J-35 I've found. It has a lot of pictures and is very knowledgeable. It's by Phil O'Keefe of HarmonyCentral.
(link removed)


There is also the J-45 vs. J-35 demo:

 

[cnlbb]

My search - oddly enough - ended with an Eastman E10ss. Saved a few dollars and got the guitar sound I wanted. Perhaps I touched a special eastman and a few bad gibsons, but it's at least worth checking if you're looking for a guitar along those lines.

edit :: spelling

 

[Dingbat]

All the new J-35s I've played in the last few years were really good and sounded great. I also did like the J-45s though I tried a few that were quite dark, almost muddy, sounding. I ended up with a J-29 Elite and couldn't be happier.

 

[Stefanovich]

I played a new J-35 in a music store for about 20 minutes and I thought it was an incredible buy. It was not the best acoustic I have ever played, but for the money it was awfully good. The voice was clear, articulate and balanced. I personally like the bass heavy, boomy dreadnought sound, but the J-35 would be a much better choice for the person who only wants one acoustic guitar.

I am a student right now, if I was still working that guitar would have come home with me. (And I RARELY buy new guitars).

 

[jimd]

I've plunked on a few J-35s in the store. They are very nice. I think in general they sound nicer than a standard J-45. The J-45TVs are a step above both.

 

[uriah1]

They j35 sound brighter than j45. Which can be good or bad based on your perspective.

 

[sbpark]

The old J-35s & the old J-45s were more different than they would seem if you played some...but these ain't 'old'. I don't mean they are bad or good, just that a '39 J-35 might sound quite different than a '44 J-45 and I'm not sure the differences today would be so noticeable. Just my take on the old ones, haven't seen the latest J-35 yet.

I'd go to the Gibson Forum http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/forum/40-gibson-acoustics/

as there are some threads there on the new J-35.

It does sound like a nice guitar. A modern J-45 can also be a darned nice thing.

Respectfully disagree and a new J35 and J45 sound nothing alike. The new J35 shares the same bracing pattern as a J45TV, whereas a J45 Standard has a different bracing pattern. As someone who has actually owned both, they really sound nothing alike. The J35 is a bit drier, smaller sounding, while the J45 Standard is a much bigger, richer sound. Both are great sounding guitars in their own right.

I still have the J45, don't have the J35 anymore.