Gibson J-45s are everywhere

[hotroad]

Why is the iconic Gibson J-45 the guitar that I see most musicians playing on most videos, not just YouTube? Is this guitar given away to the artist if they play it? Do video companies have a stash of J-45s in their back room that come out when the cameras start? Is it the easiest guitar for an artist to play if they don't bring theirs to the filming? Gibson J-45s are showing up on TV and computer screens much more often than any other acoustic. Why?

[eljay]

they ain't nicknamed "the workhorse" for nuthin' . . .

[scotly50]

I see mainly Martins.

Because people like them and buy them and play them...?

[Rev Roy]

Can’t say I’m seeing what you’re seeing...but no surprise. A good J-45 is a superb all around guitar.

[Jaden]

It’s the burst and the warm surround sound. I’ve heard there has been a steep price increase; good on them/ Gibson - this is not a model to be sold cheaply - the mahogany I’ve seen on some of these is now becoming priceless.

[Russ C]

Apart from their sound, which is obviously pleasing to many many people, I perceive they're a way of playing a pretty cool and prestigious guitar without looking like you're trying to impress .. I mean there's always been a blue collar attitude in blues rooted music - which I'd argue is most popular music in the last century.
But back to sound - they do just sit right as an accompaniment to voice or with other guitars .. at least they're the reasons I pick mine up from the herd when I'm heading out.

[ChrisE]

Probably because they sound great and look cool. They have an iconic timeless look.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by eljay

they ain't nicknamed "the workhorse" for nuthin' . . .

Exactly. Plus they're iconic. I always wanted one. Then I got waylaid by Guild jumbos.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Can’t say I’m seeing what you’re seeing...but no surprise. A good J-45 is a superb all around guitar.

Same here. I see them, but I see lots of different acoustic guitars being played
On TV and You Tube stuff.
The J45 has attributes that make it a great guitar for accompanying vocals.

[zombywoof]

I never could figure out who bestowed the "Workhorse" moniker on the J45. Seems to be a fairly recent though and may be a play on the "Workingman" J45 which was a pretty hot seller with is $1K price tag when introduced around 2000.

I have been playing Gibsons for decades and currently own a 1942 J50 and 1961 B45-12 (a stock J45 with a tailpiece and floating bridge and humongous headstock). Also played a 1956 SJ for many years. I have also owned a couple of Martins over the half century as well. What really distinguished the Gbsons for me though was their quicker decay. They bloomed right out of the starting gate and then quickly got out of their own way. Although not necessarily what I would call loud guitars, I also liked the balance with the saturated mids. Not a good or a bad thing just different but it works real well for me.

[Triumph1050]

Because many artists want to play a Gibson but dont necessarily want the excess looks of a S-200 or Hummingbird. A dark 'burst J-45 fits the old bar room, small venue, bluesy country/rock genre of singer-songwriters. it's still a staple of many of those artists but has expanded to more modern higher budget groups because of that nostalgia. And ya, you see them on CMT and Audience music channels all the time
Plus they sound great... I love'em. I love the Hummingbirds as well but my hats not big enough.

[PHJim]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

I never could figure out who bestowed the "Workhorse" moniker on the J45. Seems to be a fairly recent though and may be a play on the "Workingman" J45 which was a pretty hot seller with is $1K price tag when introduced around 2000.

I have been playing Gibsons for decades and currently own a 1942 J50 and 1961 B45-12 (a stock J45 with a tailpiece and floating bridge and humongous headstock). Also played a 1956 SJ for many years. I have also owned a couple of Martins over the half century as well. What really distinguished the Gbsons for me though was their quicker decay. They bloomed right out of the starting gate and then quickly got out of their own way. Although not necessarily what I would call loud guitars, I also liked the balance with the saturated mids. Not a good or a bad thing just different but it works real well for me.

When I saw Ian Tyson in 1962, he had a Gibson 12-string with slope shoulders and a very long headstock. It looked like the tuners were spaced the same way as a six string. I've never seen another like that one.

[MarkWW]

I mostly see Taylors and Martis but maybe I am watching the wrong shows.

[phcorrigan]

Watching Ken Burns' Country Music, the two guitars I saw most commonly were Martin Dreadnaughts and Gibson J-45.

I love the sound of a good J-45, and if I could justify the cost I would buy one, but I really don't need another guitar. ("Need?" you say?)

On the other hand there are some really good ones and some not so good ones. I played one recently at the local GC that just sounded dead.