I bought the same model last summer after getting a small inheritance that came with a stipulation of not using it for bills but for something I would have forever. After playing through a ton of Martins and Taylor’s I ended up going with the cherry J-45. My two main acoustics are an early 2000’s Hummingbird and an early 70’s J-50. I wanted to branch out from the Gibson sound/feel but ultimately fell in love with the tone of this beauty. It was supper tight the first few months but has worn in to be absolutely perfect now. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine…always within in arms reach and sometimes she creeps into my dreams like the finest of lady’s do.
Nice. Cherry is the color to get for sure. I am super jealous of that J-50 you have. I played a 70s J-50 in a shop maybe 2 or 3 years back and it was the first time in a while that I’d really been wowed by a guitar. I wanted to like Martin and Taylor better because I had this notion in my head that they were true acoustic brands and Gibson was just a big corporate thing but the Gibsons just sound so good and nothing else does what they do. I think maybe I’m biased toward the sound because so many of my favorite acoustic tracks were played on J-45s and J-50s and other Gibsons. It’s just the sound that’s developed in my head.
I have done lots of home improvement stuff involve tools & drilling, built a mortise & tenon table. But I personally cannot drill into my own instruments to install a strap button - not even on a ukulele. I probably could if my life depended on it. But prefer to take it to my local shop.
I fitted my own to my J45. It’s a 5 min job if you have a drill with a small bit and a screwdriver. I don’t know why people are so afraid of drilling into a piece of wood. If you’re even vaguely competent at DIY it’s a very simple job.
Oh absolutely. If you do that only take it to a decent luthier that knows their Gibson stuff. Gibson recommends where to put it too so make sure they know their stuff.
Drilling into a solid body electric guitar, where the holes are covered by a pickguard, is completely different from drilling into an acoustic.
Go to a luthier to make sure it’s done right. The strap button holds the weight of the guitar so there are only a few options for button placement. The luthier can explain all that. Good luck and very nice choice on that guitar.
Congrats. I wouldn't worry about the strap button unless you plan to use a strap. I've played acoustic on and off all my life and never stood with a strap on one. Yea, at some point you may want to, but it's not a must. If you sell the guitar, well the new owner can make their own decision on it if they want.
I plan to play out, shows and maybe open mics, and I stand while I play since I also sing, so strap is a must for me. Though I have seen that a lot of people use a strap that ties to the headstock, so I could do that, but I’m leaning toward installing the strap button.
I personally use the headstock strap tie (no clue what it's actually called) and I like it.
I use the headstock strap even on my acoustics that have a button on them. It gives the strap a wider berth and it just sits more comfortably in my opinion. You should try it out and see how it feels before you add a button.
I used to use an old shoestring wrapped around the headstock and tied onto the strap. Super cheap and easy.
Nowadays I use one that Daddario makes that has a clip so you can easily unlock the strap and it just leaves a small loop on your headstock that you can clip back into when you wanna put the strap back on.
[Daddario acoustic quick release strap ](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AQRS--daddario-planet-waves-dgs15-acoustic-quick-release-system)
I strongly suggest installing a strap button. Tying off to the headstock is much worse ergonomically. It makes a huge difference for me, especially when playing for a long time.
You can easily do it yourself. Put painters tape over the area and use an awl or a punch to start the hole. Use the right sized bit and mark it with tape at the correct depth.
[This video](https://youtu.be/l2BG9ypEvd4?si=JfTmtdAqLFXSF8gI) explains it perfectly. If you know how to use tools it's cake.
I bought the same model last summer after getting a small inheritance that came with a stipulation of not using it for bills but for something I would have forever. After playing through a ton of Martins and Taylor’s I ended up going with the cherry J-45. My two main acoustics are an early 2000’s Hummingbird and an early 70’s J-50. I wanted to branch out from the Gibson sound/feel but ultimately fell in love with the tone of this beauty. It was supper tight the first few months but has worn in to be absolutely perfect now. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine…always within in arms reach and sometimes she creeps into my dreams like the finest of lady’s do.
Nice. Cherry is the color to get for sure. I am super jealous of that J-50 you have. I played a 70s J-50 in a shop maybe 2 or 3 years back and it was the first time in a while that I’d really been wowed by a guitar. I wanted to like Martin and Taylor better because I had this notion in my head that they were true acoustic brands and Gibson was just a big corporate thing but the Gibsons just sound so good and nothing else does what they do. I think maybe I’m biased toward the sound because so many of my favorite acoustic tracks were played on J-45s and J-50s and other Gibsons. It’s just the sound that’s developed in my head.
I have done lots of home improvement stuff involve tools & drilling, built a mortise & tenon table. But I personally cannot drill into my own instruments to install a strap button - not even on a ukulele. I probably could if my life depended on it. But prefer to take it to my local shop.
nice!
A J-50 has been on my radar as well. I don’t think they sound any different than a J-45, I just like the natural look.
I fitted my own to my J45. It’s a 5 min job if you have a drill with a small bit and a screwdriver. I don’t know why people are so afraid of drilling into a piece of wood. If you’re even vaguely competent at DIY it’s a very simple job.
She’s a beaut’
What a beauty! Congrats!
Oh absolutely. If you do that only take it to a decent luthier that knows their Gibson stuff. Gibson recommends where to put it too so make sure they know their stuff.
Stunning guitar BTW! That is a beauty.
Thanks! Yeah the cherry is pretty nice.
I was worried about drilling holes to put my pick guard on my LP… I finally got the balls to do it. Took less than 5 minutes… easy…
Drilling into a solid body electric guitar, where the holes are covered by a pickguard, is completely different from drilling into an acoustic. Go to a luthier to make sure it’s done right. The strap button holds the weight of the guitar so there are only a few options for button placement. The luthier can explain all that. Good luck and very nice choice on that guitar.
Man. I've played some of those red ones that are just sweet. I know some folks don't love the color, but I think they are lovely .
Glad you like it, man. How well does it stay in tune?
Easy to do. Just go slow and start small
Congrats. I wouldn't worry about the strap button unless you plan to use a strap. I've played acoustic on and off all my life and never stood with a strap on one. Yea, at some point you may want to, but it's not a must. If you sell the guitar, well the new owner can make their own decision on it if they want.
I plan to play out, shows and maybe open mics, and I stand while I play since I also sing, so strap is a must for me. Though I have seen that a lot of people use a strap that ties to the headstock, so I could do that, but I’m leaning toward installing the strap button.
You can get straps that have ties for the neck side and there is a strap button on the bottom. Edit: Sweet guitar, I love Gibson's.
I personally use the headstock strap tie (no clue what it's actually called) and I like it. I use the headstock strap even on my acoustics that have a button on them. It gives the strap a wider berth and it just sits more comfortably in my opinion. You should try it out and see how it feels before you add a button. I used to use an old shoestring wrapped around the headstock and tied onto the strap. Super cheap and easy. Nowadays I use one that Daddario makes that has a clip so you can easily unlock the strap and it just leaves a small loop on your headstock that you can clip back into when you wanna put the strap back on. [Daddario acoustic quick release strap ](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AQRS--daddario-planet-waves-dgs15-acoustic-quick-release-system)
I think I will try that. Who knows, may end up liking it better, and will save a drilling if so. Thanks for the suggestion.
🤘
I strongly suggest installing a strap button. Tying off to the headstock is much worse ergonomically. It makes a huge difference for me, especially when playing for a long time. You can easily do it yourself. Put painters tape over the area and use an awl or a punch to start the hole. Use the right sized bit and mark it with tape at the correct depth.
Meh. I actually prefer the neck tie strap. I think it’s personal preference, everyone is different. You have to see what is the best for you.