Hello Geoff,
I think you mean J-45, but there could be many models I do not know about.
I've owned a fantastic J-45. It was actually a Southern Jumbo, which is the exact same guitar with more fancy trim and maybe (just maybe) select tonewoods. It cost a damn fortune, as mine was 1954, but man did it sound like heaven. I sold it last year in 40 minutes at 1am on a Sunday night. The guy who bought it basically sent me a note thanking me and informing me that I was completely nuts for selling it. He was right and also wrong. The old Gibsons can sound fantastic, but they are very limited for modern fingerstyle. I needed a cutaway and I needed solid intonation all the way to the 15 fret. My Gibby was decent in the first five positions, but everything above that was just less than I wanted. Above the fifth bends were more difficult, suspended chords didn't sound as harmonious as I wanted, and complex fingerings, ala Juber or King-Tommy were just too difficult.
Enter the Uber Juber. I picked up a madrose first and I'm not going to be able to sell you on it. You just have to hear one.
elderly.com
This model and the one that follows are my favorite Martins of ALL TIME. Yes, I am putting these above a 1928-1930 or so OM. Why? Tolerances. They just play better. And they open fast.
So, a new one came out in December. This one is mahogony. I own number 3. Even more amazing than the Mad Rose, and cheaper to boot.
elderly.com
The one in the picture is actually mine, number 3.
Elderly has the best price in the USA, period. They are the largest Martin dealer. You can return it if you don't like and the price is cheaper than is listed.
I will listen to your link after work. Thanks, I"m always looking for more stuff to play, but my pile has grown and my practice as of late diminished.
If you want some links to great music or some recommended materials, let me know and I'll post some stuff. Juber's transcriptions and solo work are my favorite, as they are so well arranged and I can play them. Tommy's stuff is just too damn hard, but it is beautiful. He is the best, but Juber is the best arranger.
Ry Cooder is great, but I never took to the chicken pickin.
Good Playing
TH |
