I'd heard the Epiphone IBG J-45 was quite the bargain

Only my second acoustic guitar video, I had to see if everything I'd been hearing about the Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" J-45 was true.
I share my thoughts about the guitar's workmanship and materials, and discuss why you might want to look at this one, whether you're thinking of a Gibson J-45 or not. I also mention any shortcomings, and, of course, I provide sound demos.
www.patreon.com/leonardgriffieblues

[@GPLP335]

Love your honest and spot on guitar and gear reviews...thanks man!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Appreciated.

[@PJmusica]

A lot of people change the pick guard because the stock guard is so big and thick that it takes away tone, but honestly, mine at least, I think sounds as good as most j45 Gibsons, so I just left the big pick guard on it. All j45s sound kind of midrangey to me, I wanted the Gibson j45 sound for recording, when I want that sound, and I think this guitar delivered that sound but ultimately I prefer Martins. Taylor for finger picking.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I suspect the pickguard wouldn’t make much of a difference. And one thing most of us know about Gibson acoustics is they are really all over the place and always have been. Some are absolute magic and others are dead as fried chicken. Most fall somewhere in between to varying degrees. About 20 years ago I played an early 60s J45 that was stunning, but for consistency, I prefer Martins as well. Thanks so much for watching.

[@donnymac575]

Gibson should say "Inspired by Epiphone".😊

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

😆 Thanks for watching.

[@John-wr6yo]

Gibson should say inspired by bling.

[@markochomba8755]

Excellent video for such a great guitar. I also have the Epiphone J45 IBG, but you changed the pickguard? Since that guitar does not come with a tabby pickguard which I think is spectacular, another thing, I would like to know if this guitar has the same weight as the original Gibson, because it seems a little heavy to me and I have tried other guitars with solid woods and they are not so heavy.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Actually the pickguard was changed before I bought it. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear. As for the comparative weight, it’s been a long time but I do seem to remember the Gibsons I’ve played being a little lighter, though of course they’re all going to vary somewhat.

[@markochomba8755]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thanks for your answer, and yes you made it clear about the pickguard, but as soon as I saw it I realized with that tabby pickguard it looks spectacular, and I thank you, the pictures informed me a lot about the guitars.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

@markochomba8755 I seem to recall seeing those pickguards for sale on Reverb

[@markochomba8755]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thanks for the tip. One last question, I have been playing the Epi J45 and I see that the frets (metal bars) are gradually wearing out as I play, I come from the classical guitar or criolla as it is known here in Peru and it is my first guitar with metal strings. My question is if it is normal that the frets of an acoustic guitar or with metal strings wear out faster?

[@John-wr6yo]

I love lr baggs products and dont mind putying them in my instruments. Really impressed with their hifydelety pick up.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, some nice stuff.

[@johnwalsh3919]

Great review, lovely playing as always, take care ✌️🧷🎸

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks my friend.

[@philnewton2011]

Great review, Leonard, thank you!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. Appreciated.

[@tokairic3925]

I tried the Epiphone in my local store and thought it wasn't bad - until I picked up a Faith Neptune which just blew it away it was so much better. More money but worth it.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Nice. Enjoy it and thanks for watching.

[@John-wr6yo]

Eastman slope shoulder guitars beat epipiphone and gibson all hands down. With eastman it's not only value ,but a quality built historically accurate playable,resonate instrument. I have the e22ssvsb sunburst red spruce soundboard,and walnut back and sides,with varnish. I have its companion oo loo gibson style little guitar also and they are fantastic. They out shine many of my higher end guitars. There is some real MOJO in these walnut ,red spruce slope shoulders.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, I’ve been quite impressed with Eastman guitars and have featured a number of electrics and one acoustic. I tend to prefer 12 fret slotheads so my first acoustic review was the Eastman E10 OO. I liked it a lot. Thanks so much for watching.

[@promoted738]

The Eastman varnish series are truly fantastic. I had one for a long time and they have one big flaw if you're a gigging player. I have a day jo and need to leave my guitars in the car during the day. I crack the windows but it still gets pretty hot in the car. The Eastman varnish finishes literally melt under those conditions. None of my higher end nitro finishes do this. I got to the gig one night and the Eastman was welded to the fur on the inside of the case. It took a lot of effort to get it out of there and felt terrible all night - all that fur in the finish of the guitar! A local dealer was telling me that his Eastman contact won't ship the varnish series in the warmer months now for that reason. Again, fantastic quality guitars - but they melt!

[@guitarzan0515]

Really nice guitar! Sounds great that little exit lock was cool! Yup the electronics are not great, and I agree to gig this thing, a guy would probably want change em. Thx

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. It must have been seen as important for sales to include a pickup system, then couldn’t meet their price goal without compromising on what they put in there.

[@Chris-Kidd]

Where did you get that pickguard

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It actually came to me with the guitar. I talked about it in the video. I have seen them for sale on Reverb but I didn’t note the seller or price.

[@mikekatz6024]

What is the string action?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Higher than I like. About 2mm treble and 2.5 bass at the 12th, plus it’s a little bit high at the nut. If I were keeping it I’d be doing some setup work, which is pretty typical. Thanks for watching.

[@willtilley513]

Indonesia or China?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

This model’s made in Indonesia. Seems a little odd since other companies have their solid bodies made in Indonesia and their acoustics in China.