Martin D28 vs Gibson J45

[Okitekudasai]

I am considering buying one of these new in the next week and I wanted to ask
what is the great difference between the two ? Im sure there are some experts
out there. I have never owned a quality acoustic and this will be the first.
thanks in advance.

[Jerry Dallal]

Post by Okitekudasai
I am considering buying one of these new in the next week and I wanted to ask
what is the great difference between the two ? Im sure there are some experts
out there. I have never owned a quality acoustic and this will be the first.
thanks in advance.

Well, it depends on the J-45. If you go for the rosewood version, then
the difference is basically the quieter thumpy Gibson sound vs the
Martin's more mid-rangy sound.

If you go for the mahogany J-45, then you've got the clearness of
mahogany versus the overtones from rosewood to factor in, too.

In my opinion, the J-45 doesn't seem to sound the same since Gibson
decided it was an acoustic-electric rather than a straight acoustic.

There's really no need to limit yourself to these two models EXCEPT that
both are the quintessential instruments of their respective companies.
No doubt others will be telling you to try this and that. I'll stay out
of it!

Good luck with the search.

[Fred Shrimer]

If you -- for the Gibson -- mean it in its "traditional" mahogany b&s
construction, then you really are describing two different guitars, from
several perspectives.

As Jerry mentioned. the rosewood variant of the J-45 might impart a
slightly similar sound, due to the rosewood, but the construction and
voicing of the Gibson will be "Gibson", and the D-28 will sound like a
Martin should.

They're both fine guitars, but they'll fill different 'tonal niches',
not to mention other aspects, such as scale length, etc.

Fred

Post by Okitekudasai
I am considering buying one of these new in the next week and I wanted to ask
what is the great difference between the two ? Im sure there are some experts
out there. I have never owned a quality acoustic and this will be the first.
thanks in advance.

[Mike brown]

Personally, the Martin. But then I could possibly be a little biased.

Michael James

(not a big fan of Gibson acoustics excepot for that "magic" one that
happens from time to time)

Richard B

[G5832]

Post by Okitekudasai
what is the great difference between the two ?

I have a Martin D35 & a Gibson J45. Love them both. To me, the main
difference between the D28 & J45, besides their signature sounds and
rosewood/mahagony tones, is the slightly wider & shorter scale neck of the J45.
I like the J45 for fingerstyle blues. Also, although a dreadnought, the J45
feels a little bit smaller. Both are great guitars. They do sound and play
differently, so it depends on what kind of sound & style you after.

Randy

Remove nospam to reply.

[jonnie]

Randy makes some good points. Shorter scale of the J45=less string
tension, smoother/sweeter sound, less volume. Long scale=tighter
string, adds volume and punch, so D28 will out-holler the Gibson, but
have an edgier sound. More pianistic.

J45 "feels" a little bit smaller. Yep-Gibson has narrower waist +
shallower upper bout + short scale. Dreads feel boxy to me.

Mahogany (Gibson) vs Rosewood (Martin): look for a clear
woodier/sweetier bell tones w/MHG. RW is known for strong bass and
overtones. Id say in general it makes a big but metallic note..

What kind of sound & style you after? J45 as mentioned is good for
blues, also swing, fiddle back up in old time music, folk (early
taylor/dylan), rock (hem Beatles). D28 (big ringing sound) is the
signature box for bluegrass, stills/young brand of folk- tho not
limited to either.

A word re new vs vintage. As a newer player, Id look for new ones or
models from the 90s. Gibsons from 62-end of 80s & Martins from 67-mid
80s were built more heavily so may be lacking in sound and may not get
good resale value. Early boxes command top dollar.

Good luck. Jonny

[csj]

It also depends on what kind of music you are going to play - for
example you wouldn't show up at a bluegrass jam with a J45. You don't
say what kind of music you will be playing - but that would make a big
difference to me.

Also, I'm not sure about the neck scale on the J-45 - is it the Gibson
short scale? That could also make a difference in how the instrument
feels in your hands.

csj

Post by Okitekudasai
I am considering buying one of these new in the next week and I wanted to ask
what is the great difference between the two ? Im sure there are some experts
out there. I have never owned a quality acoustic and this will be the first.
thanks in advance.

[Jerry Dallal]

Post by csj
It also depends on what kind of music you are going to play - for
example you wouldn't show up at a bluegrass jam with a J45.

?!?!?! No one ever told me to leave...

[madgamer]

they most likely thought you were some city dude who didn't know any
better :-)

Post by Jerry Dallal

Post by csj
It also depends on what kind of music you are going to play - for
example you wouldn't show up at a bluegrass jam with a J45.

?!?!?! No one ever told me to leave...

[Jerry Dallal]

I'm told it's regional with the north--the Northeast in
particular--preferring Martins and the south--the Southeast in
particular--preferring Gibsons. Wouldn't know. Never been south. Not
for music, anyway.

Post by madgamer
they most likely thought you were some city dude who didn't know any
better :-)

Post by Jerry Dallal

Post by csj
It also depends on what kind of music you are going to play - for
example you wouldn't show up at a bluegrass jam with a J45.

?!?!?! No one ever told me to leave...

[Wayne Harrison]

Post by Jerry Dallal
I'm told it's regional with the north--the Northeast in
particular--preferring Martins and the south--the Southeast in
particular--preferring Gibsons. Wouldn't know. Never been south. Not
for music, anyway.

i'm from north carolina, and damn near every bluegrass picker i have
*ever* seen plays a martin dread of some vintage and/numbering.
otoh, the acoustic rock/folk/country people show no overwhelming
favorite.

wayne harrison

[misifus]

Post by Wayne Harrison

Post by Jerry Dallal
I'm told it's regional with the north--the Northeast in
particular--preferring Martins and the south--the Southeast in
particular--preferring Gibsons. Wouldn't know. Never been south. Not
for music, anyway.

i'm from north carolina, and damn near every bluegrass picker i have
*ever* seen plays a martin dread of some vintage and/numbering.
otoh, the acoustic rock/folk/country people show no overwhelming
favorite.
wayne harrison

From Tennessee to Texas, for bluegrass, it's Martin mostly.

-Raf (Aware that we have not established that it's bluegrass
that Okitekudasai is interested in.)

[Jerry Dallal]

Post by misifus

Post by Wayne Harrison

Post by Jerry Dallal
I'm told it's regional with the north--the Northeast in
particular--preferring Martins and the south--the Southeast in
particular--preferring Gibsons. Wouldn't know. Never been south. Not
for music, anyway.

i'm from north carolina, and damn near every bluegrass picker i have
*ever* seen plays a martin dread of some vintage and/numbering.
otoh, the acoustic rock/folk/country people show no overwhelming
favorite.
wayne harrison

From Tennessee to Texas, for bluegrass, it's Martin mostly.
-Raf (Aware that we have not established that it's bluegrass that
Okitekudasai is interested in.)

Hey, I'm *still* looking for a left-handed sky hook, that is, when I'm
not out on a snipe hunt. Some people are more trusting than others.
What would the world do without us? :-)

[Hal S.]

From what I have seen, Martin are still the best made guitars. I prefer
Martins, and I have both. Some of the new re-issue Gibson's, like the
Advance Jumbo are really nice!
HS

Post by misifus

Post by Wayne Harrison

Post by Jerry Dallal
I'm told it's regional with the north--the Northeast in
particular--preferring Martins and the south--the Southeast in
particular--preferring Gibsons. Wouldn't know. Never been south. Not
for music, anyway.

i'm from north carolina, and damn near every bluegrass picker i have
*ever* seen plays a martin dread of some vintage and/numbering.
otoh, the acoustic rock/folk/country people show no overwhelming
favorite.
wayne harrison

From Tennessee to Texas, for bluegrass, it's Martin mostly.
-Raf (Aware that we have not established that it's bluegrass
that Okitekudasai is interested in.)
--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
http://www.ralphandsue.com

[Ken Cashion]

Post by Okitekudasai
I am considering buying one of these new in the next week and I wanted to ask
what is the great difference between the two ? Im sure there are some experts
out there. I have never owned a quality acoustic and this will be the first.
thanks in advance.

I have been reading these comments and I would like to offer
my thoughts.
The J45 is slope-shoulder and as such, gives a good voice to
what is taking place in the lower bout. When Gibson made the tobacco
sunburst J45 in a natural finish, they called it a J50. I have a 1955
J50. Good spruce top, mahogany neck, back and sides.
Then Gibson did a J45 in sunburst not in mahogany but in
rosewood. They should have called this the J55 or something but J45
it isn't.
I have a new rosewood J45 which is the same shape as the J50.
Re Martins.
I don't own one. I could never afford the kind I wanted and
now that I can, I am more aware of the sounds and I prefer the sound
(and looks) of a slope-shouldered guitar.
I talked with a couple of knowing displayers at the Arlington
Guitar Show about how surprized I was at how quickly the price of used
J45 and J50s were increasing. It was explained to me that for quite
sometime, bluegrassers wanted Martins and really wanted prewar
Martins.
This has driven the Martin prices sky-high, with the results
that those playing bluegrass are now starting to think twice about the
Martin prices and are starting to look around for the best sound for
the money.
They have "discovered" old slope-shouldered Gibsons and that
is what is now driving those prices up...too bad they aren't driving
the old Martin prices down...yet.
We should expect to start seeing more slope-shoulder Gibsons
in blue grass bands.
Gibson had a few years in the 60s when their consistency was
not good at all. The older guitars are fabulous and some of the newer
ones may become that way. I might not live long enough to hear what
my J45 rosewood will sound like when his voice matures.
The difference in the J45 mahogany and J45 rosewood is that
the mahogany is like a well-balanced chorus where each voice (string)
is heard but they melt together into a more harmonius, integrated
sound. This makes it good for accompanying the voice and some styles
of finger picking.
The J45 rosewood has a bold, out-right, in-your-face
arrogance. No one could name a J45 rosewood with a woman's
name...well...maybe... "Butch" could be considered multigendered.
The chorus is still there in the rosewood but it is more like
a choral tryout where everyone is trying to out-modulate the guys on
both sides.
This is great for flat picking runs and a "bass-whomp" that
will be heard by all...but the guy playing banjo of the guy standing
in front of the banjo.
Before I bought the rosewood, I asked this group what its best
application would be.
The answer was "it depends."
It still does.
Try them all. One will tell you to buy it. I turned down a
really, really good deal on a Guild when I bought the J45 for a lot
more...and I've not regretted it. When the J45 rosewood spoke; I
listened.

Cheers -- Ken

[George W.]

Post by Ken Cashion
Try them all. One will tell you to buy it. I turned down a
really, really good deal on a Guild when I bought the J45 for a lot
more...and I've not regretted it. When the J45 rosewood spoke; I
listened.

I prefer the rosewood J-45 myself. The original poster might want to
check out the Gibson AJ. Since it's rosewood and a long scale it's
probably a better comparison to a D-28 though they're still very
different animals. I've had a chance to play several AJ's and loved
every one.

G.

[Ken Cashion]

On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 09:52:25 -0500, George W.

Post by George W.

Post by Ken Cashion
Try them all. One will tell you to buy it. I turned down a
really, really good deal on a Guild when I bought the J45 for a lot
more...and I've not regretted it. When the J45 rosewood spoke; I
listened.

I prefer the rosewood J-45 myself. The original poster might want to
check out the Gibson AJ. Since it's rosewood and a long scale it's
probably a better comparison to a D-28 though they're still very
different animals. I've had a chance to play several AJ's and loved
every one.

George, Mike Rickard suggested that I look at an AJ at Fullers
as I went through Houston last year and I did. I liked it fine but I
had been playing my J50 for 40 years and the J45 felt familiar...jeez!
I wonder why? :o)
I was trying to decide between the Guild and the J45. The
Guild was less than half what I ended up paying for the J45 but the
Guild was a full (square) dred and was a little softer on the bass
than the slope-shouldered Gibson. I was told I should have expected
it would be. (I hadn't.)
The Guild displayed superior workmanship to the Gibson in
every way I could think to compare them.
I just replaced, shaved, crowned, and dressed all frets on my
big Silvertone and the next time I change strings on the new J45, I am
going to dress the ends of those frets...can you believe it?
I expected the Gibson frets to be delivered in better shape
than I could make those on my 50-year-old Silvertone.

Cheers -- Ken