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You are here: Home » Gibson Acoustic Guitars: Gibson J Series of Acoustics

Gibson Acoustic Guitars: Gibson J Series of Acoustics

Last updated: December 8, 2021 by Nate 2 Comments

Gibson J Series acoustic guitarsLike Fender, Gibson are more known for their electric guitars – particularly the Les Paul – but there is also a wide selection of Gibson acoustic guitars.

Unlike Fender, Gibson?s acoustics are focused on the higher end of the market – whereas most of Fender?s acoustics are at the more affordable end.

Below are details on the Gibson J Series of acoustic guitars currently being produced as 2016 models- starting from the lower cost guitars and working up.

Contents hide
1 Gibson?s J Series Acoustic Guitars
1.1 The J-15
1.2 The J-35
1.3 The J-29
1.4 The J-45 Standard
1.5 The J-45 Custom
1.6 The 1960s J-45 Burgundy
1.7 The J-45 Genuine Mahogany
1.8 The J-45 Progressive
1.9 The J-45 Red Spruce Figured Mahogany Special
1.10 1950s J-45 Antiquity
1.11 1968-J-45-Ebony
1.12 J-45 Vintage
1.13 J-185 Quilt Vine VS
1.14 Final Thoughts

Gibson?s J Series Acoustic Guitars

With the lowest priced Gibson Acoustic (The J-15) being $1,499 (USD) – not including the Maestro by Gibson acoustics?and assuming you count Epiphone as a different brand – you can see why I say that Gibson are targeting the higher end of the market.

This is in stark contrast to Fender?s acoustic strategy – their highest priced acoustic is $999.99 (USD) and you can get Fender acoustics for as low as $120.

Anyway I digress.

The J Series 2016 lineup features 13 different models

  • J-15
  • J-35
  • J-29
  • J-45 Standard
  • J-45 Custom
  • 1960s J-45 Burgundy
  • J-45 Genuine Mahogany
  • J-45 Progressive
  • J-45 Red Spruce Figured Mahogany Special
  • 1950s J-45 Antiquity
  • 1968-J-45-Ebony
  • J-185 Quilt Vine VS
  • J-45 Vintage

The J-15

All of Gibson?s acoustic guitar?s featured in this post are handmade and the J-15 is no exception.

The J-15 features:

  • Body Shape/Size: Round Shoulder Dreadnought
  • AA Grade Solid Sitka Spruce Top
  • Solid Walnut Back and Sides
  • Scalloped X bracing
  • Maple Neck
  • Walnut Fingerboard
  • 24.75? (629mm) scale length
  • 1.725? (43.8mm) nut width
  • Tusq nut
  • Walnut bridge with Tusq saddle
  • Cutaway: No cutaway
  • Electronics: L.R. Baggs Element

For more on the J-15 check out SixStringAcoustic?s Full J-15 Review

The J-35

The J-35 features:

  • Body Shape/Size: Round Shoulder Dreadnought
  • AA Grade Solid Sitka Spruce Top
  • Solid Mahogany Back and Sides
  • Scalloped advanced jumbo X bracing pattern
  • Mahogany Neck
  • Rosewood Fingerboard
  • 24.75? (629mm) scale length
  • 1.725? (43.8mm) nut width
  • Tusq nut
  • Rosewood bridge with Tusq saddle
  • Cutaway: No cutaway
  • Electronics: L.R. Baggs VTC
  • Finish: Natural

The J-29

The J-29 is similar to the J-35 except that it has solid rosewood back and sides.

Otherwise it has the same features as the J-35 does in the list above.

The J-45 Standard

Now we get into the J-45s, starting with the Standard. J-45 is Gibson?s best-selling model.

The Standard model features:

  • Body Shape/Size: Round Shoulder Dreadnought
  • AA Grade Solid Sitka Spruce Top
  • Solid Mahogany Back and Sides
  • Standard Scalloped X bracing pattern
  • Mahogany Neck
  • Rosewood Fingerboard
  • 24.75? (629mm) scale length
  • 1.725? (43.8mm) nut width
  • Black Tusq nut
  • Rosewood bridge with Tusq saddle
  • Cutaway: No cutaway
  • Electronics: L.R. Baggs VTC
  • Finish: Sunburst

So what?s the difference between the J-35 and J-45 apart from the finish and the tuners?

Firstly the J-45?s neck profile is slimmer but?most importantly it?s the bracing. The J-45 has Gibson?s standard X bracing pattern and the J-35 has the advanced jumbo X bracing pattern. So, what does this mean? Check out the video below to learn more.

Personally I find the J-45 richer/fuller sounding and prefer that – but this is a personal preference thing?- and others prefer the J-35.?Which do you prefer?

The J-45 Custom

The Custom J-45 features Rosewood back and sides – this is the major difference between the Standard and the Custom.

There are some other small differences but that?s the major one.

The 1960s J-45 Burgundy

The main differences between this model and the Standard are:

  • Bone nut
  • Adjustable saddle
  • 1.687? (42.8mm) nut width
  • Burgundy finish with white pick guard

There are some other smaller differences too.

The J-45 Genuine Mahogany

The big difference between this and the Standard is the Solid Mahogany Top in place of the Sitka Spruce top.

The J-45 Progressive

The Progressive is very like the Standard in most ways – but there are a couple of major differences.

  • The progressive has a Richlite bridge with a titanium saddle. This is different but not the biggest difference about the bridge – the biggest difference is that it?s adjustable. It?s called a tune-o-matic bridge and allows you to easily adjust the action (string height).
  • An L.R. Baggs Lyric pick up in place of the L.R. Baggs VTC
  • Gibson G Force Tuning System – this is an electronic system on the headstock that automatically tunes your guitar. You can even set alternate tunings to be automatically tuned when you select them

The J-45 Red Spruce Figured Mahogany Special

The major differences with this model compared to the standard are:

  • The Adirondack Red Spruce Top
  • Figured Mahogany – there?s not a lot of difference tonally than the Mahogany used on the other models, but it?s rarer and has a more unique look to it – it?s typically only used on limited edition guitars (like this one)
  • Only 65 of these have been made – limited edition
  • Gold Tuners

1950s J-45 Antiquity

Another limited edition produced for 2016 is the 1950?s Antiquity edition.

The major differences from the Standard are:

  • Bone Nut
  • Bone Saddle
  • Sunset Sunburst Finish and other cosmetic differences

1968-J-45-Ebony

The next limited edition option is the 1968 Ebony model.

The major differences from the Standard model are:

  • Bone Nut
  • Very slim nut width – only 1.575? (40mm)
  • Rosewood bridge with adjustable black Tusq saddle – so you can adjust your action quickly and easily
  • Ebony finish with cream pickguard

J-45 Vintage

The last of the limited edition J-45s is the J-45 Vintage. The Vintage is new for 2016.

The major differences to the Standard are:

  • Thermally Cured Adirondack Red Spruce Top
  • A thicker rounder neck profile
  • Vintage Nickel Tuners
  • Bone Nut
  • Bone Saddle

J-185 Quilt Vine VS

Finally we have the most different guitar in the J Series lineup – the J-185. It is a Jumbo shaped guitar and features premium tone woods to go with the premium pricing. Moving on from the $1,499 priced J-15, the J-185 comes in at $3,999 to round out the J series.

  • Body Shape/Size: Jumbo
  • AAA Grade Solid Sitka Spruce Top
  • Quilt Maple Back and Sides
  • Standard Scalloped X bracing pattern
  • Mahogany Neck
  • Rosewood Fingerboard
  • 24.75? (629mm) scale length
  • 1.725? (43.8mm) nut width
  • Bone nut
  • Rosewood bridge with Bone saddle
  • Finish: Vintage Sunburst
  • Extravagant vine inlay

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of options in Gibson?s J Series acoustic guitars. And there?s plenty of difference price-wise too. But they are all quality hand-made instruments made with quality woods and materials.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, then Gibson’s acoustics are probably out of your range, but if you’re looking for a premium ?model, then the J series guitars are worth checking out.

Filed Under: Brand Spotlight, Gibson

Comments

  1. Jim says

    June 23, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Hi Nathan. There sure are a lot of different acoustics aren’t there. I really like the J45 Red Spruce model, with the light colored wood. I just think it looks a bit different, and unique. I like the sound of acoustic guitars. When I was a teenager, a whole lifetime ago, I learned how to play on an acoustic, but then of course I had to have an electric. A teenager in the sixties, come on! but I really do like the softer sound of an acoustic. I guess that’s reflective of my change in musical taste as I’ve gotten older. I like music in general, a lot, and an acoustic guitar has such a mellow sound. thanks Nathan for the nice website and the good info about the guitars.

    Reply
    • Nate says

      June 23, 2016 at 7:26 pm

      Hey Jim

      Thanks for visiting. Yeah the Red Spruce model looks nice. It’s got a bit of a different sound to the other models too because of the Adirondack Spruce top. Would be nice to know that there are so few others out there too.

      I started playing guitar in the 90’s and yeah same thing – had to have an electric, so after starting out on the acoustic I had to have an electric too. But now I’ve definitely moved into the acoustic guitar realm. I love the sound and I like

      It’s never too late to start playing again! You might not be able to afford a Gibson J Series guitar but there are other great guitars for a cheaper price. Check out the “Guitar Reviews” menu at the top where you can search for guitar reviews by price – of course these are only a selection of the many guitars available but it’s a good place to start.

      Reply

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