Walnut J45

seagullplayer Supreme Member Posts: 1,022 Location: Southern Indiana Playing guitar since: Long enough I should be better at it...	Walnut J45 Aug 27, 2021 17:13:43 GMT -5 ancient1 and Garland like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by seagullplayer on Aug 27, 2021 17:13:43 GMT -5 Yesterday was Walnut's first birthday. (according to the SN) Look who come out to visit. Here are pics of the Gibson Studio J45 Walnut Burst and my Epi Masterbilt AJ45
	Gibson J45 Studio Walnut Burst Epiphone Masterbilt AJ45-ME Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500ME NS Epiphone Hummingbird Pro Seagull M6 Spruce Gibson J40 (1972 era) Yamaha 365S (1980 ish) Taylor 110, 2004 Martin DC-160GTE

Derick
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Posts: 7,594

Location: Staffordshire UK
Playing guitar since: Way back yonder.

Walnut J45 Aug 27, 2021 17:23:17 GMT -5

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Post by Derick on Aug 27, 2021 17:23:17 GMT -5

seagullplayer,

Two beautiful guitars, are they having a birthday party.

Faith Mercury, Parlour Guitar.
Tanglewood TW40 Sundance Historic, 12 freter. Solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides.
Takamine GY93E-Nat, Parlour Guitar, solid Spruce top.
Epiphone ES339, semi acoustic Electric guitar,
Fender Mex Stratocaster, White with Maple neck.
PRS se Custom, 24 fret, Mahogany back with Maple cap.
Tanglewood TW 45 Re Sundance Reserve, All solid wood, Cedar Top,Mahogany back and sides.

TonyKgull
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Posts: 6,425

Location: Ontario, Canada

Walnut J45 Aug 27, 2021 17:27:40 GMT -5 seagullplayer likes this

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Post by TonyKgull on Aug 27, 2021 17:27:40 GMT -5

seagullplayer , You made me check my guitars. Just 2 days ago was my Alvarez Artist AG70CEAR's birthday as well! She is 3 years old though. She has grown into the job of being my main workhorse for church. Happy birthdays all around then.

=====================================
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
- Jesus, from Matthew 11:28-30

Garland The Mostest Bestest Member Posts: 4,661 AKA: Gdjjr Thistime Location: Texas! Playing guitar since: off and on since 1960, a lot more off than on	Walnut J45 Aug 28, 2021 6:49:59 GMT -5 seagullplayer likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Garland on Aug 28, 2021 6:49:59 GMT -5 seagullplayer, give the kids a hug (or strum) from me Maybe I'll keep a guitar long enough to celebrate a birthday- - depending of course on how many I have left ....
	Playin at playin guitar- SO MANY GUITARS/SONGS, SO LITTLE TIME Guild D140 Natural Epiphone Dove Pro (limited edition)Alpine White Luna Artwood Vintage Distressed Folk Body Washburn HG75SEG-0 (gave to my youngest son) Gretsch 5420T in Aspen Green Orangewood Ava w/LR Baggs Lyric Martin 00015M w/LR Baggs Lyric Lag T118ASCE-BLK Guild D240E A-M-I J45 clone Squier Affinity Telecaster in White

ancient1
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Posts: 815
Playing guitar since: late 50's....always a beginner

Walnut J45 Aug 28, 2021 10:17:11 GMT -5 via mobile Derick and Garland like this

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Post by ancient1 on Aug 28, 2021 10:17:11 GMT -5

Aug 27, 2021 17:13:43 GMT -5 seagullplayer said:

Yesterday was Walnut's first birthday. (according to the SN)

Look who come out to visit.

Here are pics of the Gibson Studio J45 Walnut Burst and my Epi Masterbilt AJ45

Fraternal twins, nice

Seagulls live 40 + years....so should our guitars

seagullplayer
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Posts: 1,022

Location: Southern Indiana
Playing guitar since: Long enough I should be better at it...

Walnut J45 Aug 30, 2021 7:04:02 GMT -5 Derick and ancient1 like this

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Post by seagullplayer on Aug 30, 2021 7:04:02 GMT -5

I posted these pics on a couple of FB groups I'm in. Got asked about how they compare.

I played the Epi for nearly three years, it improved a lot over that time. It is a good guitar and isn't going anywhere. I put it away when the J-45 came and have not really played it at all in nearly a year. It still sounds good lots of bass response. We always found it very easy to sing with.

The neck is a tad thicker than the Gibson, it is easy to play and still has a perfect set-up.

I think the neck profile on the Epi is more like a J45 standard would be.

I think the Epi may have lost a little weight over the past year, it seemed lighter. Not as light at the Gibson, but a lot closer than I remembered.

I do plan to install some new strings and have it ready if needed. It may come in pretty handy over the fall and winter.

I played a bit on both guitars for my wife she picked the Gibson over the Epi each time. I do too. I did change the saddle and pins over to bone on the Gibson not long after I got it. I think it improved the bass response. You would never mistake one for the other. The Epi may sound more like a standard J-45, the Walnut brings a different flavor to the tone of the studio. I'm sure there are folks that would prefer the Epi over the Gibson. They are different, but both are good sounding.

The neck on the Studio is a different profile, a bit thinner. I find it just a bit easier to play, but I NEVER complained about the Epiphone neck. The Studio body is thinner I think that has as much difference in how it plays as the slight difference of the neck profiles.

I played a few Gibson J-45 standards while owning the Epiphone and I never found one I liked any better. I think the AJ-45 ME is a pretty good clone. It did really improve with playing, as did/does the Gibson. I think there is more tonal differences between the studio and standard models than I thought.

If you are in the market for a J-45, I would try and play both.

If you think the standard is your preference, you might try a broke in AJ-45 Epiphone. I would be curious to hear an inspired by Gibson J-45. On paper it and my masterbilt are pretty much the same guitar.

Price wise, I happened onto a great deal on the Epiphone, it normally runs about $700. I got mine on some kind of crazy sale for $550.

I picked up the Gibson from Sweetwater with hard case for about $1700.

Last Edit: Aug 30, 2021 9:36:34 GMT -5 by seagullplayer: spell

Gibson J45 Studio Walnut Burst
Epiphone Masterbilt AJ45-ME
Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500ME NS
Epiphone Hummingbird Pro
Seagull M6 Spruce
Gibson J40 (1972 era)
Yamaha 365S (1980 ish)
Taylor 110, 2004
Martin DC-160GTE

tom
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Playing guitar since: I turned 60.

Walnut J45 Aug 30, 2021 7:18:24 GMT -5 ancient1 likes this

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Post by tom on Aug 30, 2021 7:18:24 GMT -5

Great looking guitars. Thanks for the pictures and your thoughts. I have heard that the Inspired by Gibson Epiphone guitars are very good; actually close to the Gibson in sound and playability. Is your Epi one of those?

A recent post someone stated they prefer not to buy Chinese made instruments. I too feel that way, but I do own an Alvarez I bought through St. Louis Music and happy that I have it. The guitars coming from China are much improved based on what I read, but I think I will resist the urge to buy another. My last purchase was made in Canada (my current dream guitar) and is the second one from there I have bought. I sold the Art & Lutherie to generate the $ to up grade.

I am one of those that defintely have no need for more than one guitar, but consumed with the desire.

I have lately started thinking about buying a mandolin. Anyone have thoughts about that?

Garland
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AKA: Gdjjr Thistime
Location: Texas!
Playing guitar since: off and on since 1960, a lot more off than on

Walnut J45 Aug 30, 2021 7:33:40 GMT -5

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Post by Garland on Aug 30, 2021 7:33:40 GMT -5

Aug 30, 2021 7:04:02 GMT -5 seagullplayer said: