Just recently acquired this at auction and arriving next week. there was thoughts that this might be too good to be true . thoughts ? does anyone have a similar guitar and can vouch it’s real. The top did not seem to have as much patina?
Hey everyone,
Just picked up a pre-owned 50s J-45 Faded, and man, I am absolutely blown away. I’ve played a few J-45 Standards over the years, but this one is something special.
Here is why I think this model is a complete winner:
Insane Resonance Out the Box: Because of the thin satin/faded finish, this thing breathes. It feels incredibly resonant right out the gate—no need to wait a couple of years for the heavy gloss to settle and the wood to "open up."
The Upgraded Hardware: I actually didn't realize until I got it home that these come stock with a bone nut and saddle. It makes a massive difference. The guitar is so much more responsive and articulate than I expected.
Classic J-45 Voice: It still retains that signature Gibson thump and mid-range clarity. Whether you're playing solo or fitting it into a dense mix, it just sits perfectly.
Aesthetics: Personally, I love the vintage 50s-style tuners on this. They look so elegant and classic compared to the heavier, slightly gaudy Grovers you see on the modern Standards.
The Only "Regret":
If I could change one thing, I maybe wish it was the sunburst version. But since I bought this used, I got it for an absolute steal of a price. Honestly, the natural faded look has totally grown on me anyway—it has a great vintage J-50 vibe to it that makes it pretty unique!
Anyone else playing one of these Faded series? How are you liking it compared to the standard gloss models?
I’m about to pull the trigger on a J-45 50s Faded. I love the "thump" of a Gibson, but I’m curious if the satin finish changes the character too much.
Is it still the "Workhorse," or should I just save up the extra $500 for the high-gloss Standard? I do a lot of home recording, so I'm mostly worried about how it sits in a mix. Cheers!