• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Most recent GAS: 2005 Gibson J45 Historic

In major need of a quality acoustic, I splurged on this 2005 Gibson J45 Historic. It has the pearl buttons on it instead of the chrome Grovers that most other J45s have, with Fishman Martrix pickup... no vol or tone controls on it.

Here's some pics of what it looks like, although this is not the exact one.
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-10869.htm

cool

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Most recent GAS: 2005 Gibson J45 Historic

No mention if it's any good....  tongue

I bet it's nice. I'm a fan of the older 'woody' Martins myself.

  • From: South Brunswick, NJ USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 133

Re: Most recent GAS: 2005 Gibson J45 Historic

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

In major need of a quality acoustic, I splurged on this 2005 Gibson J45 Historic. It has the pearl buttons on it instead of the chrome Grovers that most other J45s have, with Fishman Martrix pickup... no vol or tone controls on it.

Here's some pics of what it looks like, although this is not the exact one.
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-10869.htm

cool

Very nice guitar!  I have been thinking about this same model myself...I prefer the shorter scale length and the tone is amazing.  Enjoy!

Russ B.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Most recent GAS: 2005 Gibson J45 Historic

Crap.

Latest dilemma, I found one at a local store for $300 less money. I ordered this one from Arkansas Guitar Center.

Should I play the local one against the one I just ordered (shipping to my home today) and take the one I ordered BACK if I like the local guitar store's J45 better?

the local one is an 04 but without the historic decal on the back. same button tuners and slightly better LRBraggs pickup... vs. my Fishman Matrix. hmm

I just really don't like the hassle of returning such an expensive thing... but there'd be a $300 savings...

advice?

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2011-08-29
  • Posts: 267

Re: Most recent GAS: 2005 Gibson J45 Historic

Yes, you should compare the two...  3 bills is a lot of money in my book and in this market there are a TON of great guitars at great prices out there...but at the end of the day it's the quality of the guitar that matters....and I'm sure the guitar was not cheap to begin with.

You are the consumer.  Besides who's more likely to get a bailout...hmmmm....not us (the consumers).  Of course I'm exaggerating because we all know a guitar store is not going to get a bailout but you get where I'm coming from.

Rather than assuming you might suffer from the unwarranted guilt that I used to feel when returning an expensive item, may I ask why you are not comfortable returning an expensive item?

Oasis.Guitar's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Most recent GAS: 2005 Gibson J45 Historic

My opinion is the Historic is a more expensive instrument.  The other seems like it is cheaper but the historic for the price I think might be the better deal.  You could try both like you said, but think of it this way you had to pay shipping didn't you?  your more then likely going to pay for it again on an instrument that you won't even own.  So you'd save $300 bucks but spend like $50 or more on the shipping.  If it was me and I wasn't hurting I would keep the more expensive, however if you did play both and decided that there wasn't a $300 difference then I'd send it on it way.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Most recent GAS: 2005 Gibson J45 Historic

I think Gibson played lightly withe Historic Collection more as a name than a quality upgrade.

I can say I already like Grovers better than the traditional button tuners. Grovers are just easier to turn. hmm

I just got the acoustic in the mail on Friday, put new strings on it and polished the frets. I really do like the sound.
Taking back this guitar for the other one would probably take a half a day of my life. I'm not sure if the Historic Collection J45 is worth more than the normal one or not... and I'm not sure when I'll have time to play them both and see which one I like better.

I did get free shipping. I think Guitar Centers are a pain and I don't like dealing with the one in Detroit... had bad experiences there. There's the anxiety of taking this back to them  neutral  awww screw it. I'll find time and get it done!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool