J-45 seen played out on a gig

[StringPicker6]

This weekend I was at a local apple picking farm with an outdoor picnic area and a small flatbed trailer converted into a small stage.  On the stage was a young guy playing songs alone on his Gibson J-45.  I think I finally get the appeal now:  That guitar had such a short sustain that there was no overlap of the guitar into his singing voice.  It was like the chords and notes jumped out and then quickly went away to make room for his singing.  It's funny to read descriptions about it and then to finally witness it to get he "Aha!" moment! I do see the appeal now.  I'd love to hear a Larrivee L-24 played live to see if that has a similar effect.  I can completely understand now why solo singers love the J-45. 

[Silence Dogood]

While I've never noticed exactly what you're referring to with an J45, I can tell you when you run across a great J45 there is nothing else like them.  They have this wonderful, dry tone that sounds like no other guitar.  I'm not sure I would want that sound all the time, but I have admit it would be great to have one for when the mood strikes. 

[William2]

I have been listening to a lot of Gibson models lately trying to gain an appreciation for them. There seems to be different versions of the J-45. The only one that has really turned me on is the Banner model. I think that is the expensive one. I actually prefer the J-35 in videos I have seen. And I think it is the different X bracing configuration that gives the 35 that more open tone I like. And if I had to play a J-45 I would probably go with the Fades series. They sound better to me when compared with the J-45 standard series. Comparing the faded with the Standard model, it looks like the Faded models seems to weigh less than the Standard Series and this may be because it has less finish on it looking at the available Sweetwater models for sale. But think overall they are overpriced, and I always end seeing a comment like the above or some version of it. "I can tell you when you run across a great J45 there is nothing else like them. "

[Gill]

Well,I must have had a different J-45 then,the Rosewood Custom I had a few years ago,had sustain up the wazoo,and then some,it was a rich resonant acoustic guitar,the only reason I don't have it now was purely financial- I needed to sell it,otherwise I'd still have it today.

[William2]

Based on the videos I have watched, whenever I see the words Custon shop whether it is a Gibson or a Martin, it is noticeably better sounding than their regular lineup. And I am impressed when I see hide glue being used like Gibson does. And I am fascinated by some of the things they have done with their bridges. I love the body lines of the Hummingbird and the J-45.

[B0WIE]

There's definitely positive aspects to guitars that have more emphasis on the attack as it lends to note separation and clarity. However, I can't say a J45 is less sustaining than a Larrivee dread. I consider Larrivees to be relatively dry sounding guitars. And, that's not a negative. It's part of the reason they're so articulate. When it comes to a J45 sounding exceptionally dry, I'd personally attribute performance to being a bigger factor.

[Silence Dogood]

It has always seemed to me that clarity is the main factor with Larrivee.  They aren't overly bassy, trebly, etc, but they tend to sparkle with clarity.  I love that sound. 

[StringPicker6]

I think the mahogany combined with the short scale on the j-45 give it such a quick decay and less overtones. Who knows...  all I know is that I'd rather discuss guitars today than get mentally assaulted by the election news.