I am surprised to say that the J45 sounds better. More range, clarity and definition. And volume! Just an amazing instrument. Never, ever thought I would choose the Gibson over the Martin but here we are. Great comparison. Well played. Thanks for sharing.
I am biased. I love slope shoulder guitars. And with my good headphones on, this j45 has an extra little jangle in there that the d28 doesnt have. Love it. Sounds amazing.
I had (and still have) a J-45. For 10 years it was my only acoustic guitar. But…. I wasn’t really happy with it. It sounded warmer and deeper than most other J-45’s and when I played with my acoustic band I couldn’t really cut through. When Covid hit the planet, I decided to save as much money as I could to be able to buy my second acoustic. And because volume was a big deal I went for the D-28. I remember I liked the sound, yet I preferred the sound of a D-18 that they had hanging there. But I figured it would still be a better idea to go for the D-28, because of the rosewood and it would probably be on the other side of the sonic spectrum. When I play at home, just me and my D-28, I love it. But I wish I would have bought the D-18. I was afraid it would be too similar to the J-45, but now I know there’s still a big difference between the two. By the way, that J-45 of mine…., after I bought I fell into all sorts of physical problems that disabled me from playing that guitar too much. You know they say that acoustic guitars need time to “open up”? It’s true. I just wrote that at first I was a bit disappointed about my brand new J-45. But man, this guitar switched from sounding dull and lifeless (relatively speaking) to the best J-45 you could possibly want. What an incredibly good sounding guitar is that!!! I can only hope the same thing will happen with my D-28 sometime between now and a year from now. 🙂
@@GarySchiltz : I know. Especially in Europe the prices went up immediately after the pandemic. And though I’m not an economist, it was easy to understand why there would be an inflation. That’s why I made a deal to buy a Martin 00-15m literally right after I picked up my D-28 at the counter of the music store. I already knew it would take at least 6 months for them to build one and send it. I mean, there was a huge backorder on most guitars at that point. The war in Ukraine made things even worse (in many ways). The result is that I can sell both guitars right now and make a profit on them. But I don’t want to sell anything. Even though I’m a little disappointed with the D-28, it’s still a beautiful guitar. It’s just that I’d love to have a D-18 as well. Then again, I would also wanna have a good LG-2, or a nice Hummingbird or an SJ-200. All for different reasons. Still addicted I guess. 🥴
The J-45 is a little bit warmer and has a little bit more bass on the low end. The D-28 is brighter, louder, and cuts through a little better. I think the D-28 has a bit more overtones blending together as well.
The biased part of me would say the D-28 is best since that’s my “holy grail” guitar, and I managed to get one recently, but they both sound amazing, just different.
@@ianmeadows6351 I'm right there with you on that - I have both but in my heart I'm a Gibson guy. The one in this video sounds so good - thanks for all your great comparisons !
I own the Martin. I literally went to guitar center and looked for Gibson the other day and they didn’t have as many. Maybe an inventory issue. They usually have them……… I did notice sounds on the Gibson that are more unique and gives it a very gritty but still smooth sound. I like both.
I love the sound of the J-45 I own an SJ200 unfortunately the quality of the finishing is so bad I wouldn’t spend that money on a Gibson again, I played a Yamaha 116D ARE yesterday. £900 and significantly better finished than my SJ-200 and sounds better than the D-28 on top of that this has the best neck of any acoustic I have played in 30 years. The Yamaha is popular among those who know of it, but damn more people should know of it.
Take your pick -- the slightly scooped sounding Martin vs the woody, mids-forward Gibson. Both do their thing very well. I own a 45 and a 000-18 adi-top. Personally I find Gibson necks a little more comfortable, though not as comfortable as a Taylor.
I do own at this time. 2022 J45 Standard, 2023 Southern Jumbo Original, 2023 Hummingbird Original., 2024 D18 Standard. I like all or wouldn't have spent the money.. each has it's own place. Hummingbird has a very mellow tone, great for vocals. Southern Jumbo sounds great. But more pleasing to look at. So, after my ramblings, the D18 is my go to guitar. Can't decide if I want to put a pick up in it or not. I chose the D18 over the D28 new Rosewood I don't like.. D28 that's been played regularly for 2 or 3 years sounds better. But I'm in the now not later. The tone of a guitar is subjective / preference.. tutorial was good entertainment. In the end neither is better than the other, it's just up to the one about to pull out a sack full of money.. both are really great guitats..
That j45 sounds good! It sounds better than the j45 that was compared to the d18. I have a d28 and d18, I really love the d18, but now I am thinking about adding a j45 😮
Ok I’m more than a little biased because I’m a J-45 owner but both sound great and are a testament to why they are iconic guitars. While I’d never trade my J-45 for anything I wouldn’t mind adding a D-28 or D-18 to the stable.
Yes - and I have several videos comparing those two guitars. This is just for reference, maybe for people who have no idea about the tonal differences between two very popular acoustics.
Actually, mahogany emphasizes the fundamentals and produces fewer overtones - more clarity and good string separation. Rosewood sounds richer and more complex. I own a 1977 HD28 and a 2016 J45 - love them both.
@@martindiem3248 thats the tone wood theory... but not always the case. Especially considering the fact that short scale produces more overtones than long scale.. My ear is different from your ear, this J45 is different than your J45, and i hear way more overtones and natural harmonies from the J45 in this video.
@@liberalsrmentallyflawed3611 yes. Exactly why it’s interesting to hear the differences between manufacturers side by side so you can get an understanding.
I am surprised to say that the J45 sounds better. More range, clarity and definition. And volume! Just an amazing instrument. Never, ever thought I would choose the Gibson over the Martin but here we are. Great comparison. Well played. Thanks for sharing.
2 incredible guitars! I love the J45.......I'd love to own either one
Great comparison, both are great, but the J45 really rocked...so warm and open.
I am biased. I love slope shoulder guitars. And with my good headphones on, this j45 has an extra little jangle in there that the d28 doesnt have. Love it. Sounds amazing.
Vanilla and chocolate! Classics! Got to have them both!
I have a D-18 and it sounds wonderful, the D-28 sounds amazing, but I think the J-45 sounds like it’s coming from heaven.. I may have to reinvest 😉
I had (and still have) a J-45. For 10 years it was my only acoustic guitar. But…. I wasn’t really happy with it. It sounded warmer and deeper than most other J-45’s and when I played with my acoustic band I couldn’t really cut through. When Covid hit the planet, I decided to save as much money as I could to be able to buy my second acoustic. And because volume was a big deal I went for the D-28. I remember I liked the sound, yet I preferred the sound of a D-18 that they had hanging there. But I figured it would still be a better idea to go for the D-28, because of the rosewood and it would probably be on the other side of the sonic spectrum.
When I play at home, just me and my D-28, I love it. But I wish I would have bought the D-18. I was afraid it would be too similar to the J-45, but now I know there’s still a big difference between the two. By the way, that J-45 of mine…., after I bought I fell into all sorts of physical problems that disabled me from playing that guitar too much. You know they say that acoustic guitars need time to “open up”? It’s true. I just wrote that at first I was a bit disappointed about my brand new J-45. But man, this guitar switched from sounding dull and lifeless (relatively speaking) to the best J-45 you could possibly want. What an incredibly good sounding guitar is that!!!
I can only hope the same thing will happen with my D-28 sometime between now and a year from now. 🙂
@@mariodriessen9740 From what I've seen, Martins lose very little value, and over time even increase if well taken care of. Reverb... 🙂
@@GarySchiltz : I know. Especially in Europe the prices went up immediately after the pandemic. And though I’m not an economist, it was easy to understand why there would be an inflation. That’s why I made a deal to buy a Martin 00-15m literally right after I picked up my D-28 at the counter of the music store. I already knew it would take at least 6 months for them to build one and send it. I mean, there was a huge backorder on most guitars at that point. The war in Ukraine made things even worse (in many ways). The result is that I can sell both guitars right now and make a profit on them. But I don’t want to sell anything. Even though I’m a little disappointed with the D-28, it’s still a beautiful guitar. It’s just that I’d love to have a D-18 as well.
Then again, I would also wanna have a good LG-2, or a nice Hummingbird or an SJ-200. All for different reasons. Still addicted I guess. 🥴
Apples and oranges. You need both.
Agreed. My wallet is sad because of this.
Both sound incredible. I’m a bit partial to the J 45 though
The awesome iconic tone of both D28 and J45 👍🎶🎸
The J-45 is a little bit warmer and has a little bit more bass on the low end. The D-28 is brighter, louder, and cuts through a little better. I think the D-28 has a bit more overtones blending together as well.
J-45 sounds so much more open, can’t get over it, and as a Martin owner 🤦🏻♂️
But for the best of reasons. The longer scale on the Martin makes it much more forward with a more percussive, satisfying attack!
Different tone woods, different tones. Both have beautiful voices
Both sound great. Soulful playing. J45 sweeter to my ears.
The biased part of me would say the D-28 is best since that’s my “holy grail” guitar, and I managed to get one recently, but they both sound amazing, just different.
That was great Ian, thank you. What are your thoughts? If you were going to keep one ... which would it be?
I happen to be a J-45 guy (just because of my tonal preferences) - so if I had to have just one guitar, it would be a J-45.
@@ianmeadows6351 I'm right there with you on that - I have both but in my heart I'm a Gibson guy.
The one in this video sounds so good - thanks for all your great comparisons !
I own the Martin. I literally went to guitar center and looked for Gibson the other day and they didn’t have as many. Maybe an inventory issue. They usually have them……… I did notice sounds on the Gibson that are more unique and gives it a very gritty but still smooth sound. I like both.
I love the sound of the J-45 I own an SJ200 unfortunately the quality of the finishing is so bad I wouldn’t spend that money on a Gibson again, I played a Yamaha 116D ARE yesterday. £900 and significantly better finished than my SJ-200 and sounds better than the D-28 on top of that this has the best neck of any acoustic I have played in 30 years. The Yamaha is popular among those who know of it, but damn more people should know of it.
Take your pick -- the slightly scooped sounding Martin vs the woody, mids-forward Gibson. Both do their thing very well. I own a 45 and a 000-18 adi-top. Personally I find Gibson necks a little more comfortable, though not as comfortable as a Taylor.
我有D28也有J45 標準版，影片中的都比我的聽起來還好聽。這影片內D28聲音已經很好聽，但是J45的空間感還有高音的清晰度跟甜味更勝一籌，低音則是D28 更多更廣泛，不過J45 低音雖然量更少可是更集中更乾淨清晰。
這影片的J45 聽起來有種觸動我靈魂的感覺，所以我後來有收藏一把 J45 1942 BANNER，直觸靈魂的聲音
I do own at this time. 2022 J45 Standard, 2023 Southern Jumbo Original, 2023 Hummingbird Original., 2024 D18 Standard. I like all or wouldn't have spent the money.. each has it's own place. Hummingbird has a very mellow tone, great for vocals. Southern Jumbo sounds great. But more pleasing to look at. So, after my ramblings, the D18 is my go to guitar. Can't decide if I want to put a pick up in it or not. I chose the D18 over the D28 new Rosewood I don't like.. D28 that's been played regularly for 2 or 3 years sounds better. But I'm in the now not later. The tone of a guitar is subjective / preference.. tutorial was good entertainment. In the end neither is better than the other, it's just up to the one about to pull out a sack full of money.. both are really great guitats..
Nicely played and executed, but I think the pick was a little too thick. Sounds like concrete against the strings lol
That j45 sounds good! It sounds better than the j45 that was compared to the d18. I have a d28 and d18, I really love the d18, but now I am thinking about adding a j45 😮
John Hurlbut plays a phenomenal J-45 with Jorma..
Which one does Ian prefer?
Very nice both... But..... for me the j45. A litlle more character. 😊
Ok I’m more than a little biased because I’m a J-45 owner but both sound great and are a testament to why they are iconic guitars. While I’d never trade my J-45 for anything I wouldn’t mind adding a D-28 or D-18 to the stable.
Wouldn’t a D-18 and J-45 be more comparable?
Yes - and I have several videos comparing those two guitars. This is just for reference, maybe for people who have no idea about the tonal differences between two very popular acoustics.
Especially a satin finish d18
Both. Together, side by side. Someone picking the Martin, someone strumming the Gibson. Yes please.
Warmer and richer sound on D28
Ian Meadows, what are your go-to acoustic guitar strings? 🎉
Daddario EJ16s
Always been a Martin guy but now my heard is owned by Gibson
J45 all day
Wow j45! How does a mahogany j45 have more overtones than a rosewood? Crazy. J45 all the way
Actually, mahogany emphasizes the fundamentals and produces fewer overtones - more clarity and good string separation. Rosewood sounds richer and more complex. I own a 1977 HD28 and a 2016 J45 - love them both.
@@martindiem3248 thats the tone wood theory... but not always the case. Especially considering the fact that short scale produces more overtones than long scale.. My ear is different from your ear, this J45 is different than your J45, and i hear way more overtones and natural harmonies from the J45 in this video.
En este vídeo gana la J 45 y es más barata
Blind tested. I can always spot the Gibson because of their increased clarity. J-45 wins
Well after paying over $3000 tax and all for a D28 it turns out the J45 sounds better. Hmm, oh well.
J45 wins.
Gibson all the way
Ian you do my favorite demos and comparisons. Your videos helped inspire me to get my HD28. I love the j45 sound but man I hate Gibson aesthetics.
The D28 sounds like a grand piano. Way better than the J45.
Completely deferent guitars.. Like Comparing a Mustang to a 442.
Ok
That’s what makes this an interesting comparison...for me at least.
Why would you only compare same spec guitars? How would people ever pinpoint what they like?
@@adam_michael540Because each maker has different tonal characteristics..
@@liberalsrmentallyflawed3611 yes. Exactly why it’s interesting to hear the differences between manufacturers side by side so you can get an understanding.
@jaredleto have both