Gibson Advanced Jumbo question
David Drucker
more attention to Gibson acoustics in general. (Not that I *need* another
guitar -- or can come close to affording one -- but it doesn't hurt to have
data at the ready, just in case.)
My Taylor GAMC (precursor of the 514) fills all quiet fingerstyle and light
strumming needs, and the J45 is a wonderfully responsive, and surprisingly
articulate, cannon. What I'm wondering is whether an Advanced Jumbo would
bring anything substantially different to the table. I know that, as
compared with the J45, it has a longer scale and replaces mahogany with
rosewood. Based on my understanding of, and experience with, other
spruce/rosewood instruments I'd expect the AJ to be more complex, and have
less punch.
As none of my local guitar shops -- which I define as being within a 90
minute one-way drive -- have an AJ for me to try, I'd love to hear from
anyone who's got direct experience with both the J45 and the AJ, and could
provide a take on the differences. At that point, I'll be able to decide
whether to play hooky one day, and seek out an AJ to try.
Thanks!
David
--
We were half way to Rivendell when the drugs began to take hold.
-- Hunter S. Tolkien
Wade Hampton Miller
>I'd love to hear from >anyone who's got direct experience with both the J45
and the AJ, and could >provide a take on the differences.
David, I've played them side by side, both at my local Gibson dealer and at
another store in the Lower 48.
I happen to be a big fan of Gibson J45s, and have always wanted one. But I
came very, very close to buying an AJ a couple of years ago.
The AJs I have tried have been louder and bassier than the J45s. I would
characterize the AJ as an excellent bluegrass lead guitar, with lots of high
end and good single string volume and projection.
The J45 is more suited for an accompaniment role, to my ear, as probably the
best fiddle backup guitar on the planet, particularly for Texas Swing. The
sound of the Gibson J45 on Texas Swing is every bit as defining of that music
style as the sound of a Martin dreadnought is for bluegrass.
So I suppose you can say that the AJ has tonal characteristics closer to a
Martin sound than is common for Gibsons. In particular, there's a sustain to
the bass that is often lacking in other Gibson dreads.
It's a commonplace observation that "Gibsons just don't have as much bass
response as Martins."
Gibson dreads do HAVE the bass response, but as a rule it doesn't sustain as
long as on an equivilent Martin, so it SEEMS less bassy. So there's this
perception that Gibsons have a "rounder" sound, or whatever....
But on the AJ, at least on the good examples, that bass response is right
there, and it hangs in there, too.
Yet you get a nice balance on chords played up the neck.
So, yeah, I'd say it's worth a trip to check out some Gibson AJs. The usual
caveats regarding Gibson acoustics apply: they can vary wildly. But you get a
good one in your hands, and it can be very, VERY impressive.
Hope that makes sense.
Wade Hampton Miller
Chugiak, Alaska
Remove the "Howdy" to reply...
George W.
Go play hooky, David. I don't know how you dfine "punch" BUT I've had
a chance to compare the AJ's and J-45's several times in several
different shops and IMO they're day and night. It's the only thing
that compared well to the Collings CJ (based on the AJ) I ended up
getting at Mando Bros. This was the standard sunburst AJ, not the
brazilian. Very cool guitar.
G.
Mike Rickard
it in a few months ago - about $1500, I think. New ones there also, made
specially for Fuller. AJ's to me are very bright and brash, not what I need
as a songwriter. My J-45 is very woody, supports vocals well. Pretty much
what Wade and others said.
Mike
"David Drucker" <d...@spamfree3e.org> wrote in message
news:oUaXa.152966$EQ5....@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
Fred Shrimer
I merely liked the shorter-scale but also rosewood SJ a bit better. It
was a bit "rounder", a bit (forgive the pun) "fuller" in sound.
Gotta try 'em side by side though, to really appreciate the tonal and
playing differences. Agree with Mike about the woody. I like
round-shouldered mahogany dreads -- they be nice.
Fred
Mike Rickard
want to run out and buy a lottery ticket. Just superb loudness and tone.
Mike
"Fred Shrimer" <ftsh...@removethiscrap.telus.net> wrote in message
news:3F2D995...@removethiscrap.telus.net...
David Drucker
the AJ is, indeed, different and potentially wonderful, and b), is probably
not the best choice for me. (Too bad, since I love its looks.)
Fortunately, it turns out that I'll be able to pass through Staten Island
next Monday, on my way home from the Jones Beach Dead show, and you know
what *that* means!
dd (with a woody J45 too)
"Mike Rickard" <mari...@pdq.net> wrote in message
news:bgk4v0$3...@library2.airnews.net...
Wade Hampton Miller
>What I'm inferring from your replies is that 1)
>the AJ is, indeed, different and potentially wonderful, and b), is probably
>not the best choice for me.
Well, maybe not for the kind, considerate, taxpaying, registered voter David
Drucker we all know and love, but it MIGHT just be the perfect guitar for your
evil twin persona....
You know, "Druck" the biker, "Druck" the amateur chemist, "Druck" the "screw
YOU if you think I'm paying any child support, Judge!" evil twin who wears a
headband and lets his stomach hang over the waistband of his Levis...
Might just be PERFECT for that aspect of your personality, Dave.
Just a thought.....