While many factors make up the G-45вЂ™s tone signature, the biggest differences between the G-45 and J-45 are likely down to the GвЂ™s solid walnut back and sides. Many tones are unusual for a slope-shoulder dreadnought and potentially very useful in recording situations. That doesnвЂ™t mean the G-45 doesnвЂ™t sound excellent, though. The G-45 sounds very different-even within the wide spectrum of variation in the J-45 family. If youвЂ™re looking to the G-45 to deliver classic mahogany-and-spruce J-45 tones, you might want to consider alternatives. Someone is clearly paying attention to the details. ItвЂ™s little surprise that this guitar emerged from the same Bozeman, Montana, shop thatвЂ™s produced GibsonвЂ™s highest-end acoustics for years.

Less conspicuous elements like bracing and the solid lining that takes the place of kerfing at the top and back joins are flawlessly finished. While the G-45 is inexpensive by Gibson flattop standards and uses less luxurious materials in places to achieve that aim, it shows no signs of cutting corners in construction. And the G-45 uses the J-45вЂ™s belly-up bridge shape, in a nice nod to J-45 tradition. The G-45 uses GibsonвЂ™s Advance Response neck profile, which is thicker than the J-15вЂ™s Slim Taper neck. Other significant differences between the two guitars have little to do with cost savings. The G-45 also uses a Fishman Sonitone pickup system, which is less expensive than the J-15вЂ™s LR Baggs Element. So where the J-15 had a walnut bridge and fretboard, the G-45 uses Richlite fiber-based composite, and where the J-15вЂ™s neck was maple, the G-45 uses mahogany-like utile. The G-45 uses the same basic walnut-and-spruce tonewood formula, but uses different woods and materials elsewhere in the guitarвЂ™s construction to achieve a more accessible price. Just a few years back, Gibson introduced the J-15, a slope-shouldered, solid walnut-and-spruce take on the J-45 template. If you have a feeling that youвЂ™ve seen the G-45 before, in some ways you have. And at $1,299 for the Standard model reviewed here, it comes with an accessible price tag, too. Yet for all these differences, the G-45 offers cool alternatives to canonical Gibson sounds that fit well in modern music production. And while it shares the same handsome lines, dimensions, and scale length with its more rustic elder cousin, the walnut-and-spruce G-45вЂ™s voice is brighter and more contemporary sounding than a traditional mahogany-and-spruce J-45. GibsonвЂ™s new G-45 is a very different kind of Gibson dreadnought. If a venerable and dusty old barn could sing in soft summer evening light, well, that might just be the voice of a J-45. But the modelвЂ™s enduring appeal and super-classic status is also tied to a certain sound: earthy, husky, mellow but big. On most days, IвЂ™d venture that they are the prettiest flattops of all.

Gibson J-45s are absolutely beautiful things.

Fishman sonitone pickup reviews