Acoustic Paradiso - Gibson J15, J29 & J35 Comparison

Welcome to Acoustic Paradiso on Andertons TV
Today Mick and Pete compare 3 Gibson J-Shaped guitars. The J15, the J19 and the J35.
Which is your favourite?
All audio is recorded using 2 Neumann KM184 miss and a Universal Audio Apollo 8P.

[@HC_GUITAR]

We need pete and mick back for more acoustic paradiso videos, they are sorely missed!!!

[@johngraydon506]

So true,these two were unique and made me happy

[@user-eu9ws3uo9f]

I'm loving the edit (showing the up close of the instrument). I'm loving the acoustic season. Hope to see more of this season. Nice playing by the both of them. Good work.

[@TheGomer321]

this is a video I have been waiting for, thanks guys!

[@Rickenbacker325]

Love watching you guys! I had the same predicament and ended up buying the J35, it was a tough call! I am glad I did and have noticed that the J35 records and cuts through a lot better than my Southern Jumbo and J185.

[@mike5199]

Thanks you guys this was an awesome review that ya'll did . . . The way you played that j15 makes me wanna go buy one now :)

[@STING00005]

This was awesome, broheems. I've been thinking about the J35 for quite some time, but I think I'll have to go with a J-15. If I were only ever going to play Bluegrass, I'd pick up the 35, but the 15 is so well rounded! thanks!

[@richardgalpin594]

This is such a good video, and really highlights why you should go to a guitar shop and try as many guitars as you can. I have a J35 and I love it. Top work Pete and Mick!

[@michaelbentley4182]

Excellent as usual. I have a Gibson Songwriter which is fantastic. Mick and Pete are the best reviewers around - oh and Greg Koch !

[@johngraydon506]

Agree love Greg too

[@budandbean1]

Wow, the little tune you used to close the video was outstanding. Tight work fellas...

[@morodochable]

it was good, wasn't it

[@spud4242]

epic...

[@CopyrightedUsername]

Bought the J-35 immediately after watching this back in February, am self taught of just over a year now so I know it's not being used to its full potential but that only makes me try harder every day because it truly is a beautiful guitar and I don't know where I would be without it.

[@musicadefe4837]

I think the J35 sounded the best. Thank you for the awesome way you guys review the guitars. These are the best reviews I've seen and heard.

[@Dagaz56]

Thanx guys.. I just went out and got a J-15....Love your reviews !

[@marcandrejoannette4853]

That is what i call a real comparison,it really helped me,thanks guys..!!

[@timothypike7611]

I bought the j 35 after watching this video several times.....no regrets at all!!

[@herbythechef7624]

Do you still like it? I played one in the store this weekend because an employee recommended i try it. He said it was his favourite in the store at that time. It played better than thr j45 that was there and i think it sounded better than the d28 i was playing there as well

[@stevescage]

Great stuff guys. As a J15 owner I found it hard not to be biased but I followed it round and watched your feel as you played and it was obvious that the J15 tipped it's nose in front. Who would have thought it! Each Gibbo tends to have a character of its own though and it may be that the J15 was finished in Montana on a good day.

[@danielsan2349]

drunkenly ordered a J15 walnut burst last night, can't wait!

[@pgcracka]

So how much are you loving your drunken self these days?

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

@@pgcracka probably more than before since he has his J15 lol

[@nizman1000]

I also came to the same conclusion - tested the same 3 guitars and the J15 , for me. stood out with its expression that could be both brash or smooth..love it!

[@GeorgeWoodenPhoto]

It is a good thing there are no 24-hour music stores around or I would be spending money right now on a J-15. For the price, I have heard nothing that comes close. I am a big fan of walnut guitars for both tone and beauty. Thanks, guys, you settled my mind as to whether it would be the HP 635 W or the J-15. It is the J-15 without any hesitation.

[@lionhead7497]

You guys have confirmed with your playing but more with your shared thoughts of the newer J15. I agree, its best of the line-up. I am also super impressed with Gibson co. Side note, those mics sound killer!

[@jakeschleifer1303]

That last jam was just something out of this world. I also find it hilarious when mick has to keep handing Pete a different guitar every couple seconds to pick one :D

[@jonlevesquemusic]

I own a J15 so it's great to see they liked the J15 the best even tho it's cheapest. Something about the warmth of the walnut that draws you to it. I love playing it more than my Mahogany Martin most days.

[@tooleyoclock]

Great demo. You made it clear that these three models are all outstanding acoustic instruments with very negligible differences in terms of playability and tone. I can hardly choose a favourite. Maybe the J15, actually. Very sweet and robust. All powerful instruments. You guys played very nice and simple riffs for demonstrating tone and response. This is much appreciated. You are also great players the both of ya.

[@byebyebeano8616]

The J35, I find from hearing it through earphones and youtube, is more open sounding, more "plain" sounding. The other ones are much more scooped in the mids.

[@onixtheone]

You still should play these in person, i can hear compression from youtube or who knows where.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

-- BACK AND SIDES...my experience -- *Rosewood* is great for flat picking, great volume. The quintessential Gibson tone for American folk and bluegrass. *Walnut* is great for recording, strumming rhythm accompaniment- even acoustics *Mahogany* is great for softer picking/finger picking, full of warmth and audible overtones at low volumes. *Maple* is durable, sounds great amplified with the *De* *Armond* *230* *&* *240* - unique "magnetic + piezo" sound hole pickup. Maple tone gets better with age, the longer the better, and is why a 1960's Gibson Dove is such a beautiful prized instrument!

[@nsiepmann]

Stunning outro jam - I never tire of Pete leads with capoed Mick rhythm.

[@geoffreyallen888]

The two mic channels are very different so you have to keep track as they swap around. Which is fun and gives you more idea. All of them are really nice. I have a J35, play it every day and it's a peach but I think I'd like any of those three. Very good video, very nice toons too but no sale! Next acoustic I buy is going to have to be stratospheric because if you can't get something out of any of these, take up drums.

[@hteosamnet]

Another great day with acoustic paradiso.......

[@jimmy5634]

I have a J45 and a J15 . Both are excellent. The J15 is by far the best guitar Gibson makes for the money.

[@gwawd]

Lovely video. Cheers!

[@yamahagh]

that was an awesome demo guys , makes ,me want to go pick up my acoustic again, oh dear maybe an acoustic Gibson " needs " to be bought !

[@styx85]

I love Pete's "oh my good-ness" reaction at 18:54 :D Mind blown!

[@garydc1057]

Superb show gents... My two-pence worth? I've played all of them a number of times and time after time after time, even though my eyes might wish differently, I'm afraid the J15 is always the winner.. It's got a hint more bass than mahogany, but isn't as 'thick' or muddy as Rosewood, the mids are pretty darn good and the trebles just right.. It's the one I'd buy, but each to their own. They're all pretty good guitars so I doubt 'buyers regret' would ever be an issue.. Keep up the good work, and a special mention for the flowery shirt; #strong

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

My 2017 J15 is a gem. I went to the guitar shop with $1600 to spend.. I did play a couple 45s. Loved em, BUT... even if I had the money I still would have stuck with the 15. Something about the walnut just drew me in. Not to mention the maple neck and walnut stringer looks stunning.

[@luigipedone8071]

These videos with Mick and Pete are awesome. They are similar to the process you are involved in when you are in a shop to buy an acoustic guitar. This video helped me to choose my j-15 and to understand that it was the right Gibson for me. Mick is missed in the latest acoustic guitar review videos. I don't think using the fingerpick is like using a pick or just your fingers. It is not objective, there is no uniformity between what is played by the thumb compared to what is played by the other fingers. I chose the j-15 for a feature that I would never have noticed if the reviewer had used a fingerpick. Hope to see Mick and Pete together again soon.

[@Daehawk]

The one that Pete says he prefers was also my pick before he said it. Its cool to see a pro player still get excited about a guitar.

[@jankattelaar4747]

I really much enjoy seeing and listening to you guys playing with the Passion I like and recognize. I cannot onderstand hoe you guys would not know which model you were playing because of for instance the difference in the Woods of the bodies OR does that make me a freak knowing the Specs of most acoustic guitars? 😆 I like the J15 and own one.

[@georgevartanian6136]

got a 45 standard , 35 is the only other acoustic im interested in !

[@dl88889]

Is there some tutorial somewhere with a nice breakdown of the lick lesson on 12:30 ? I really like it, and seems like a great way to improve strum + pick switching.

[@IvoTrausch]

You should also do at some point a video about mic's. Those Neumanns are all fine and such, but they're half a grand at least.

[@bigupbebop4706]

I was a Northern (England) gigging musician for 12 years and worked out that I spent more money on gear than I earned playing. Pete I'd love to know how many gigs you'd have to do to justify buying one of these Gibson Acoustics. Nice to see Mick play something Pete can't, you have to up your game man! Paradiso are the best vids on KZbin Cheers.

[@danishpete]

Thanks for your comment. Well, justifying buying a guitar is difficult, but when you pick it up and it "speaks" to you it is different! Take just last week for instance, I walked in to Andertons and there was a purple Telecaster there, £1800, second hand, I picked it up and it was just amazing (for that is), so I really wanted to get it. Now I thought it being a heavy relic purple sparkle Tele it was gonna hang around for a while and I had time to sort it later in the day, well how wrong was I... I was so excited I posted a photo on Instagram saying it was one of the best Teles I've ever played (might have been a mistake) course next thing I know it had been sold ;(... And I regret not getting it.... So, I think it's not about how many gig or justifying it, when the guitar finds you, just get it...... Best. P

[@maxschwanz5170]

Great video. Could you do a comparison between the new gibson "studio" models (j-45, j-200, humming bird ) and their standard counterparts?

[@elifineart]

Great job! fun and i've learned what i wanted to know... J15, thanks.

[@gibby6904]

Robert Plants guitarist "Skin" Tyson has a J35 and says it records beautifully! I have heard him use it on live videos and it sounds fantastic! I love mine.....

[@sheridanhenson2886]

"I've played J-45s I've liked less than that". This has been absolutely true for me!!!

[@jimmy5634]

The J 15 is a strumming beast. Played a used one recently and the bottom is killer.

[@fjmilleriii9704]

Totally agree!

[@ArielCardona]

The J15 is an everything beast. Happy owner and player

[@blueser100]

Fabulous video. 👌

[@sheridanhenson2886]

I LOVE my J15. BOTH my friend and I bought one within a couple of months of each other. The walnut on a Gibsons sounds warm, balanced, and chewy. Almost vintage. And for $1500, I believe it's the most high value Gibson offering in their lineup.

[@pablo9364]

Sheridan Henson same with me LOL. Just got the J15. GIbson will soon eventually realise it's too good value and put the price up. I used to have a Martin d28 but I honestly prefer this J15. Beautiful instrument.

[@mickymillersson4376]

I like Micks comment that the J15 plays better than some J45s he has played. There's a lot of love out there for the J15, it's a bargain, get one. 2020 October. I have had my J15 for 5 years. I bought it because I wanted a J45 but those I tried I did not like, they were not as Gibson sounding as the J15. I still treasure that guitar and play it often. I've still not bought the J45 I've wanted for so long. Seems each time I'm about to take that plunge I think, "no, I've got the J15". Maybe one day soon!

[@kyleskidmore9381]

I really like the J 15 and yes I do own one but the sound is so mmmmmmm. Walnut to me is very nice and the fact that the bridge, fret board and back / sides are walnut from where I live is awesome. O and the stip of walnut sandwiched in the neck as well with the maple.

[@romysan1]

good demo. one of the better ones. they all sound nice. for the price the 15 does amazing !

[@brocluno01]

OK, I agree on the J15, my fav too. Just goes to show that there are good alternative woods that can be integrated if you know how to build a guitar. Well done :)

[@raytheprinter]

I love Gibson acoustics! Nice fun lively tone.They make my playing ,,,,livelier.

[@markwhitelaw7192]

Anyone else think the intro sounded a bit like the Sesame Street theme? HAHA but seriously, its so nice to hear some great players demo acoustics without attempting to shred on them or just play a few boring chords. It always seems to be one extreme or the other. Here you are really able to hear the guitars! Nice job guys!

[@ky9999]

mick is playing seriously well today

[@SnappingTurtle90]

I have a j29. Had it a year. Absolutely love it. Beautiful guitar

[@VERBANDTREM]

Me two! can't believe the volume and bass!

[@herschoolcolors]

Same. Fav guitar (acoustic or electric) I’ve ever owned.

[@Dwaynefreeman]

Sounds aside, the J35 is gorgeous!

[@JimmyMilne]

The only thing that gets me through mondays is the promise of Acoustic Paradiso!

[@lukasvnenk5664]

One off-topic question : I really love the way the guitars sound in the intro. Is that DI blend with mic, pure DI with some effects or what? I's like the sound was glittering.

[@nickcoulter973]

Okay... Now, I see why Gibson lovers are devoted to the brand. It’s the acoustic line. These three sound amazing for the money. I’m especially fond of the J-29

[@herschoolcolors]

Bought a j29 second hand and it is absolutely my fav guitar (acoustic or electric) that I’ve ever owned and fav acoustic I’ve ever played. Will not sell it for anything.

[@christianboddum8783]

The hard test would be playing them for a night individually, which would tell you which one would be pleasing to the ear for a whole night. To me the rosewood sounds warm and rich - a little withdrawn, the mahogany kicks like a hammer. Not soo crazy about about the midscoop on the rosewood and the walnut model YMMV...

[@danieljanevans1003]

Bought a J15 because of this, and, Pete’s not wrong.

[@user-yx4yu2qw4d]

Спасибо большое за это сравнение

[@michaelbalance98]

The J 29 to my ears, has more tonal response and more brightness than the other two.

[@kickpublishing]

My J15 is my favourite acoustic by far, not as easy to play as my Taylor, not as full or deep as my Martin but by far the sweetest of the 3

[@keithhunter3910]

The J35's full C neck profile is, by far, the best neck profile of all three.

[@ZombieKilla2008]

I am having a seriously tough time choosing between the J-15, the Martin SWDGT (or a D-16rgt), and a vintage Guild (either d-25 or 35). I like playing anything from Nick Drake to Ray Lamontagne to Alt-J. Any help choosing would be great!

[@grandnaguszek7417]

Great comparison guys. The J-15 is a wonderful guitar, bound to become a classic.

[@mikegraham4513]

Especially now since it has been discontinued? Go figure.

[@vassilispapathanasiou8575]

great players

[@Daehawk]

Not complaining about the amount of vids we get of you guys to watch....love them all....but they're working you to death guys :) Im still curious as to what happened to Pete's ribs.

[@GUITARCODES]

I prefer the look of the j 35 but the j 29 sounds more balanced to me

[@s.pmurphy6083]

love watching your videos mick is a secret guitar jedi great playing and love the way yous can just jump into a jam together ive actually bought a new guitar off watching your videos sadly not one of these but a great guitar non the less its the sigma jm sg45 which yous did a great review on i also own a yamaha transacoustic which again yous did a great review on and a yamaha fg180 50th anniversary which i would have loved to see yous review

[@MarkSD]

I love my 15

[@jezzepi]

Please please please do some lick of the day videos!!! Between you two and Dan you have some killer blues licks I'm sure everybody would enjoy learning! No explanations needed, just a fast version and then 1/4 speed with a camera zoomed in on the fret board????

[@jakeschleifer1303]

Yes please

[@jankattelaar4747]

I very much like your performance while testing the guitars. I'm alsof a proud and glad owner of my 2018 J15. Tnx for confirming my choice. Blind testing?; I would think you would immediate recognize the models by seeing the different wood of the guitars of does that make me nerdish? 😂

[@FabrizioRodulfo]

What strings are you using on the J15?

[@PhiI93]

Pete is such a great rhythm player.

[@metalsquid]

Intro reminds me of Sesame Street with a laid back vibe :)

[@stevenmarr8183]

I think sometimes when people play these in person, they're taken over by the "more volume and bass" of the J15 and J29. If you play them in comparison to a J35, they will seem louder and more "full" in the lower frequencies. This is because the J15 and J29 are both more "scooped" and bass heavy with their walnut/rosewood sides and back (bracing has to do with it as well). The thing that I think gets lost on people is that.. when you want to record an acoustic guitar, you don't actually want something too bass heavy. You'll be fidgeting with it endlessly to get rid of the low frequencies. The J35 and J45 really is perfectly balanced. On top of that, they are very "mid" heavy - which really is the frequency sweet spot for any instrument and vocal. An instrument that has naturally pronounced mids is a keeper and is wonderful for recording. If recording, the J15 and J29 will be harder to get clarity and character from because of the heavy bass. The J35 will be incredible to record and will bring lots of clarity and character. Consider all of this when playing live as well, as the same EQ issues will be apparent when mic'ing for live performances.

[@pgcracka]

I'm not sure if you've played a J-15, but my experience is that they are less bass heavy than J-45s. I sat in the store for a couple of hours going around and around between a J-15 and 3 different J-45s. I ended up buying the J-15 specifically because it had a lot more going on in the mids/highs but still has the woody Gibson tone in the bass. In any case, these are all slope-shouldered dreads, so I'm not sure I agree that the differences in the bass are as dramatic as you imply. In the case of the J-15 specifically, it's constructed exactly like a J-45 but with walnut/maple in lieu of mahogany (in fact, the cutaway J-15 is called the J-45 Walnut Avant Garde). As far as my understanding goes, Mahogany is actually a warmer tone wood than walnut, and my personal experience would seem to confirm that is the case, as the Mahogany J-45s did sound warmer (heavier in the lows) than the J-15. Anyway, at the end of the day, any slight differences from the tone woods aren't going to be enough to create massive EQ problems one way or the other. Having said all that, every guitar sounds a little different, and something as simple as changing the strings can have pretty big impacts on the tone profile, so...find the guitar that inspires, and go play! I think we worry too much about things that aren't that important, haha.

[@Whitty43]

@@pgcracka I totally agree with you! This guy has it wrong, the j15 has no where near the same bass as a J45. And also saying the J45 has more middle is wrong also, the J45 is scooped around mids, the j15 has a punchy middle sound. Basically these guitars are polar opposite of what this guy said! Lol

[@wsguntoro3985]

the big J, sounds great

[@andrewbowen6875]

Great test job but the difference between the thing is very subjective since the Mahogany back imo makes for less ring which is a good thing for someone recording

[@ingokremmel1365]

Cool Bro

[@burnsZY85]

I have the J15, i have to say it is a great guitar.

[@romysan1]

i just bought a used j15, not sure what year it is. i took a chance off of ebay. i paid 950.00 for it. i like the 45 size. it is a little bit brighter than my 45 but it has a nice tone and it rings out. someone on another site said it seemed like a mix between a martin and a taylor. i think he is right. so far so good especially for the money. i like it. i have two martins, two gibsons, one taylor, one tak, one guren honer. i may sell the tak. they all have very good sound and playability

[@romysan1]

also, its nice that there is not too much bling on this guitar...just a nice piece of wood. so far, very happy!

[@curtisstroud6104]

would be a fairer comparison if the mic EQ levels were set the same!

[@JasonFiske]

genius. thank you.

[@rhysrowlands5380]

do all 3 of these guitars have volume and tone controls or just volume?

[@shakafever]

I bought a J-15 and I'm as happy as a clam in the mud

[@fjmilleriii9704]

Ditto. J-15 forever!

[@pgcracka]

+1

[@jimmyfranklin3862]

the main reason the J-15 is the least expensive is all the woods used, walnut, Sitka, and Maple, are all Domestic wood. nothing imported i.e Honduran Mahogany, or East Indian Rosewood. keeps the cost way down. at $1,499.99 it's a great Value

[@cajunqueen5125]

luv this

[@stuarcari]

It's funny seeing Pete struggle a little as he's normally amazing. He might be human after all. Gives us crap players a little glimmer of hope. Great demo as usual guys :)

[@danishpete]

Haha. I am very human and I just want to learn Micks licks. And I WILL get it ;-).

[@stuarcari]

+Peter Honoré Haha, no doubt you have it already. I didn't mean any lack of respect, it's just you're a great player and normally faultless and it's a bit refreshing for me as a fairly new player to be reminded that even great players still need to practice before getting something and it's not just me and my hopeless fingers haha. Cheers Pete.

[@Whitty43]

Pete can I ask a question, I can't seem to get this answered anywhere else. I just bought a j15 and it has the LR baggs vtc, I thought it should only be the volume control? It's a 2018 model. Any idea? Cheers

[@alexgonzalez7785]

is there any chance the j29 has a bit of a bigger body than the j 15?

[@redukonio]

I really prefer the J15. Sounds most balanced with a still having a thick Bottom. If Gibsons Craftsmenship would just be better ... The two J15's I played sounded great but had a few flaws. Bad fretwork and bad laquer. So I went with a different brand.

[@truthof7382]

Fret slap bugs my ears. Raise the action on those short scales for you gents. Greg video review and playing as usual. Thank you

[@onixtheone]

You can also put thicker gauge strings to raise the tension so they don't buzz too much, i always use thicker strings on short scale guitars.

[@trollfiddler]

Gobsmacked too! Liked the cheap one all the way through. Also liked the 29 second choice.

[@gibby6904]

are the frets the same size?...I find bigger frets easier to play

[@StevieRich]

Without reading any other comments, it seemed to me that whichever guitar the guy on the left hand side of my screen was playing was the better sounding due to his pick attack. It sounded like he was using a thicker pick and possibly of a different material. If that was the case... that was a foobar guys... lol. If not, then I actually liked the J35, then the J15 and last, the J45

[@adddrian100]

What about reviewing some 12 string guitars? :)

[@gabrielmalapitan7668]

From this comparison, I like the one I could afford best.

[@philsaunter1956]

The thing I really like about the J-15: no Passport required.

[@bastardsonofretkillr]

When I bought my Gibson J-15 I played against every acoustic in the store and I walked out with the J-15 after I bought it I put the largest Jumbo frets i could find and locking tuners and a fire stripe pick guard

[@pablo9364]

bastardsonofretkillr I did the same too preferred the j15. Even over the ones up to double the price

[@houseofcards911]

Can I ask where you picked up the pick guard?

[@wahivalleys3011]

They sound a bit different per player since the guy on the left plays behind the soundhole, and the guy on the right plays over the soundhole. The guitars barely sound different, it's just a matter of volume. I'd go J15 myself listening to those guitars. Wahi' Valleys

[@dalehamon4295]

The 2014 J15 was the best ones in my opinion

[@hershelmeadows7921]

I like the 35 the best id have to say