Why isn’t the Gibson AJ as popular as the J-45?

[studio1nz]

I absolutely love my AJ to bits; so lightweight with awesome tone and projection. But it does have a neck like a wet noodle which isn’t great living in a high humidity environment.

[mbrewer]

The 45 is Gibsons most iconic acoustic. It’s always been in their catalog and where as the AJ was more of a limited run.

I’ve owned a AJ For around 10 years and just picked up an excellent condition 2016 J45 a few months ago.

These guitars as someone mentioned do look very similar, but the tone couldn’t be more different.

The AJ to me, does everything a little better than the 45. More volume, more overtones, more sustain, more “thump”. I absolutely love it. I go hot and cold with the 45. It has a nice resonant bass but the the trebles are a little thin. sometimes my ears like this and sometimes not.

I tend to grab the 45 to accompany me when I sing. It’s lower volume and lack of overtones don’t compete with my voice as much.

[llew]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

It’s always been a mystery to me why the Gibson Advanced Jumbo has been so neglected over the years it’s been in and out of production. It’s my favorite Gibson acoustic model, and the only Gibson that I own.


whm

I have to agree with Wade. My only Gibson is an AJ but I do have a Kopp K-35 which is IMO is what a J-35/45 wants to be when it grows up?

[zombywoof]

I have no dog in this hunt as I have played a 1942 J50 for many years. But if you look at Gibson Jumbos during the 1930s they were constantly experimenting with different body depths and taper, soundhole diameter, bracing carve and pattern, and what have you, so specs were certainly fluid. In 1941 they finally settled on a formula they liked. Although at one point it was announced the J45 was going out of production, as far as I know it never did. In fact, in 1983 Abe Wechter was tasked with building a prototype which returned the model to older specs which debuted at NAMM the following year. By contrast the AJ was out of production from 1939 or 1940 until 1990.

I do not think longevity in the catalog though has anything to do with it. I know more than a few who think the AJ is the best thing Bozeman has going. That said, Bozeman uses their AJ body and bracing platform for a number of models such as the J35 and whatever the latest incarnation of the J45TV is. So, what difference you will hear comes down to lumber and scale. I am just one who prefers a short scale and a mahogany body.

[jpricewood]

Seems like there is a lot of love for the AJ. So if you had to pick the top mainstream production rosewood dreadnoughts, would it look something like this?

In not particular order:
Martin D-28 and its relatives (35, 40 series)
Guild D-55 and relatives
Gibson AJ
Taylor 810 and relatives

[rokdog49]

Today, you could almost add the Eastman E20D to that list. Just as mainstream today as a Guild or an AJ neither of which I see anywhere. As far as the J45 Standard, I just can’t keep my hands off it. That short sustain, and thump just works for me.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by jpricewood

Seems like there is a lot of love for the AJ. So if you had to pick the top mainstream production rosewood dreadnoughts, would it look something like this?

In not particular order:
Martin D-28 and its relatives (35, 40 series)
Guild D-55 and relatives
Gibson AJ
Taylor 810 and relatives

To me, the AJ wouldn't even make the list of "top mainstream rosewood dreads." Just my opinion, but I don't put a slope dread in the same category as a traditional dread body built in the Martin tradition. It's all of the best 14-fret dreads, then all of the best 12-fret dreads, then the AJ....maybe.

The AJ is kind of in no-man's land. I don't know why I feel that way, but there it is.

[hubcapsc]

Originally Posted by brencat

To me, the AJ wouldn't even make the list of "top mainstream rosewood dreads." Just my opinion, but I don't put a slope dread in the same category as a traditional dread body built in the Martin tradition. It's all of the best 14-fret dreads, then all of the best 12-fret dreads, then the AJ....maybe.

The AJ is kind of in no-man's land. I don't know why I feel that way, but there it is.

I've sold an hd-28 and an Authentic d-28 and still have my Kopp AJ...

-Mike

[Misifus]

Why isn’t vanilla ice cream as popular as chocolate? People like what people like, It isn’t alwayes according to some rule or formula. Tastes change, popularity is a variable thing.

[High_Colorado]

Originally Posted by Misifus

Why isn’t vanilla ice cream as popular as chocolate? People like what people like, It isn’t alwayes according to some rule or formula. Tastes change, popularity is a variable thing.

Hold on... WHAT is the scale length of vanilla ice cream?

[jpricewood]

Originally Posted by Misifus

Why isn’t vanilla ice cream as popular as chocolate? People like what people like, It isn’t alwayes according to some rule or formula. Tastes change, popularity is a variable thing.

Everything has a history, and history is interesting.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histo...lla-180972551/

[generalliamsayn]

IMHO the best current version of the AJ is Colling's CJ. My first one was Sitka/IER but then I got one that's Adi/Mahog that is a better all-around guitar. In my book, it covers a lot more ground than a J-45.

So, my question is...do you think the Gibson AJ would appeal to more players if it was mahogany b/s instead of rosewood?

True, it would just more-or-less be a long scale J-45 (I'm not sure about possible bracing differences), but perhaps people don't lean towards towards that darker rosewood tone in Gibsons like they do with Martins.

Thoughts?

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by brencat

The AJ is kind of in no-man's land. I don't know why I feel that way, but there it is.

My bet is it’s either because you haven’t played “a good one” or because your ears prefer other brands (in general) to Gibson tone. The Gibson AJ was reportedly the first guitar to widely be called the “banjo killer” and “bone crusher” in the bluegrass community. A good one is really something to behold.

[ewalling]

Aesthetics could have something to do with it. The shape, dimensions, and look of the J-45 may strike a chord (ahem!) with the public that the AJ does not, regardless of sound.

[Colt45]

Originally Posted by Dotneck

I liked mine. I might have kept it except for the neck geometry

That’s why I got rid of mine too.
My J-45 isn’t going anywhere.