One guitar or two? UPDATED: I decided

[TBman]

Originally Posted by taylorman22

Their price of $1707 is really good. I’m thinking of buying it, before someone else does, and testing it out for a few weeks. They do have a 30-day return policy.

That's like $500 less than what I paid for my J-45.

[taylorman22]

Yeah, really really good price. The cheapest used one in excellent condition on reverb is almost $1800 and no return policy.

[Jabberwocky]

J45 for $1707, please, Taylorman22.

You played it. You liked it. The price is great. Put your own strings on. Ask for it to be set up at the shop. Play it again just to be sure.

[taylorman22]

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

J45 for $1707, please, Taylorman22.

You played it. You liked it. The price is great. Put your own strings on. Ask for it to be set up at the shop. Play it again just to be sure.

It’s 90 minutes away. I’m calling when they open tomorrow morning to put money down and have them hold it for me. That’ll hold it for 30 days. I still need to get me Taylor 314 sold to make up the difference. That gives me time to go back and play it some more. Then after I buy it, my 30 day window starts and I can really work it out acoustically and plugged into our PA.

Gonna have to change my forum name to “Giblorman”

[taylorman22]

I’ve only played a handful of J-45’s, so I don’t know that I know the difference between s good one and a bad one. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of several Gibson dealers close by to go test them out. Thankful for a GC return policy.

[Kruton]

Originally Posted by taylorman22

I’ve only played a handful of J-45’s, so I don’t know that I know the difference between s good one and a bad one. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of several Gibson dealers close by to go test them out. Thankful for a GC return policy.

You'll know a bad one when you hear it Taysonman

[vindibona1]

You have a Taylor GS6 and want a Hummingbird? What's with the Gibson gas? What sound are you looking for exactly?

[taylorman22]

Originally Posted by vindibona1

You have a Taylor GS6 and want a Hummingbird? What's with the Gibson gas? What sound are you looking for exactly?

No, I'm not really wanting a Hummingbird. I'm wanting a J-45. The Hummingbird sounded great tho.

I've always had Taylors, and if I'm honest with myself, most Taylors all sound very similar. Yes, I can hear the differences, but they have the same type of sound. All of my Taylors have been bright, even the cedar topped Taylors I've had, and I've had 12-15 different ones. What I'm looking for now is something the opposite. I want something warm, with a lot of midrange, something comfortable to play, and something that sounds good unplugged in my office and for leading some singing in small groups of 15-20 people (acoustically). I'd probably use it from time to time live as well, plugged in, when we have less instruments in the band. But, for the most part, mainly wanting a totally different sound and something that sounds good unplugged, played while singing.

[taylorman22]

Originally Posted by Kruton

You'll know a bad one when you hear it Taysonman

Ok, I understand now. I drove back to Portland today to play the J-45’s. Both stores had sold them, but was able to play the same Hummingbird again. It sounded great, but wasn’t as good as I remember. I also played a J-45 cutaway that sounded amazing. It had more bass than the Hummingbird and I think it was louder too. I think i know now what a good J-45 sounds like.

[Truckjohn]

And you also found out what happens when you leave a good J-45 in the store to think about it.. .

[taylorman22]

Originally Posted by Truckjohn

And you also found out what happens when you leave a good J-45 in the store to think about it.. .

Lol....yep. It didn’t blow me away tho. That’s why I hesitated. This one today did tho. Guitar Center found another GC about 4 hours away that has two available at the same price. They’re gonna play them and ship the best one to the store closest to me. I can try it and buy if I like it.

[Zissou Intern]

Have them ship in a new or used J15 and you just may save yourself a $300 to 700 dollars.

I've owned a J45, J45TV, and a J15. I have played a couple dozen J45s and handful of J15s. You can't assume that a J45 will sound better than a J15. They both have the classic Gibson tone and they may or may not scratch that itch. It will come down to the individual guitar, not the model number. My J15 is much better than my J45 and J45TV. Go figure.

[taylorman22]

Originally Posted by Zissou Intern

Have them ship in a new or used J15 and you just may save yourself a $300 to 700 dollars.

I've owned a J45, J45TV, and a J15. I have played a couple dozen J45s and handful of J15s. You can't assume that a J45 will sound better than a J15. They both have the classic Gibson tone and they may or may not scratch that itch. It will come down to the individual guitar, not the model number. My J15 is much better than my J45 and J45TV. Go figure.

Someone here locally has a J-15 and they’re willing to trade me straight up for my Taylor 314. That would save me $900. Would net $800 from my 314 and a J-45 is $1700. The problem is I really like the sunburst on the J-45. I’m afraid even if I like the sound of a J-15 better, I might still look back and wish I had the J-45.

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by taylorman22

Someone here locally has a J-15 and they’re willing to trade me straight up for my Taylor 314. That would save me $900. Would net $800 from my 314 and a J-45 is $1700. The problem is I really like the sunburst on the J-45. I’m afraid even if I like the sound of a J-15 better, I might still look back and wish I had the J-45.

I understand. A Gibson 'burst can be almost impossible to resist.