Classic Sound and Instrument 
by Jorma Fan from Chicago Metro, January 2007
Music Background:  Open mikes for fun

I really love this guitar!!! I've played and owned Taylors and a Martin and this one really sings. It has a superb acoustic tone whether fingerpicked or strummed and the body just hums in your arms when you dig into it.

It has a very natural amplified sound when plugged into a clean amp setting and you can dirty it up if you want to add some distortion.

The finish and detail work on the the neck joint is excellent and the finish on body and neck is great.

This is a blast to play acoustic Neil Young or Gary Davis; Blues or singer-songwriters... it's great!!!

  Well made, good sounding 
by Patrick Kondratko from Northern Michigan, USA, September 2006
Music Background:  Hobbyist musician / engineer

I replaced my 1963 J50 with this 2005 J45. I would rather have my original back, but it's lost to a house fire.

That said, this instrument has grown on me, and I'm very happy I have it. It plays very well, and seems to bring out better skills from the player. The tone is equally great, both full, punchy, and round.

I'm not very happy with the pickup system, sounds quite cheap, but I don't use it, but might if it was great.

  The only one for me 
by Ian from Nashville Tennessee, September 2006
Music Background:  Musician/Recording Engineer

My J-45 is the only guitar i will ever wan't or have for the rest of my life. It looks, sounds, and feels beautiful. Nothing can compare. Its sound is full and heavy and it looks stunning. You won't regret for a second buying this guitar, it will become part of you. Everything else will seem obsolete.

Don't buy anything else, save up and get it... i am glad i did

Sweetest Thing 
by Carol Vance from United Kingdom, June 2004

I'm a reasonably accomplished guitar player, although I hadn't played for a few years before buying my new Gibson J-45 a few weeks ago.

All I can say is that this guitar has already become part of my life. Whatever mood I'm in, whatever I'm feeling, the J-45 reflects it straight back at me, and that makes me play better and enjoy more. It responds precisely to the mood of the moment. In other words, it doesn't get in the way of the music I'm trying to make.. it simply becomes the means to it. Very subtle and very understated. Powerful, sensitive and sweet. Just the way I like it, haha.

Don't waste your time with the Working Man J-45 though. It sounds dead in comparison to the regular J-45. Spend the extra for the real thing and you will be playing this guitar long after you forgot the price you paid.

Oh, and for those late nights when you really want to do chill with some music that's intimate and special, get some Elixir strings and you (and the J-45) will simply float away.

Hey, I am sure there are better guitars on the planet but this one has already earned its place in my family. Hell, just go buy one. Pay the money and get one.

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