In 1972 I bought an Epiphone FT-570 with a natural finish. My first brand new guitar. That guitar has been with me through time. Lost it in a poker game and about a year later won it back. It’s a wall hanger now. The bridge is cracked, the saddle is split into several pieces and the belly has about a half inch of hump across it. No major scratches or scarring of the finish so the quilted maple looks amazing. The $500 Cdn I spent on it over a half century ago parlays to about $3,750 Cdn today. I pondered getting it repaired but figure for the $1,000 or so it would take I’d get a newer guitar and so the FT-79 Texan was added to the fleet. I’ve since taken on an older Martin D35 that needs a neck reset and frets. I’ve also got a few other guitars in various conditions. Guitars as much stories as the music they make.

So, if the Texan is the Epiphone copy of a Gibson J45 then I’d like to if the Epiphone IBG J45 is a downmarket version of the Masterbilt Texan. FWIW, I’ve been playing my Masterbilt Texan for five years now and I’ve tried a few Gibson J45s at the big box store. In my view the Masterbilt sounds better. I haven’t tried the IBG J45 but my expectation is that it will be similar. From a sound regard the Gibson has a more resonant sound that the Epi. I’m chalking that up to the nitro finish on the Gibson versus the poly finish on the Indonesian Texan.

Thank you, very useful video!

Excellent performance 🎸🎶🎵 New Subscriber added 😎🎧

I have a 1964 Elitist Made in Japan, Casino. Blondie.

Which Ampl?

Sold mine ,no sound quality, just hype

I’ve got an MD60….. it’s blows big names out the water! Such a great tone! Big sound, and most beautiful v neck!

Love the IBG J45 - I've had mine for quite a while. As a performing artist I'm fussy about the amplified sound - In my opinion, ANY under saddle pickup will sound like hard plastic - I tear them out immediately and use a magnet sound hole pickup with a built in mic. As for the guitar itself, it's a bit of a heavy build but it feels and sounds great. Very satisfying "Gibson" like experience. I've owned about 7 proper J 45's over the years, including a Banner (very pricey). This IBG version is really good comparatively. The Hummingbirds are good - the SJ200's don't sound like much at all. Though, the newest version of the Epiphone SJ200 that comes with a hard case for 1500.00 is pretty killer.

👍👍👍👍👍

I had exactly the same experience with GAK this week, buying a Classic Vibe Tele. Was gutted when I got my lovely new guitar only find it was shocking. How it ever passed a QA I will never know

People are so funny when it comes to tuners. They think if it doesn’t stay in tune well or isn’t intonated it must be the tuners. Noobs. It’s always the nut. Unless it’s a $50 guitar.

Very good job on this, Graeme. That 45 sounds fantastic, brother man 👍🏻

How did i manage to miss this one! 🙈 Great vid mate 😃👍tasty playing, and the guitar sounds killer through the super champ too 😎👌

Great review ! Are those 20-80 elixer

FANTASTIC tone!

Do you know how the body is routed? I know some of these squiers are routed for humbucker making them great mid platforms.

Hi Graeme, I doubt the typical music listener could tell the difference between custom pickups from the lesser ones. Your playing skills make ‘em sound great, just as it is. Great review and I’m a fan of the roasted maple, brother man 👍🏻

A very nice looking and sounding instrument - pickguard looks great in that colour. Loved those position 2 and 4 sounds, especially on the clean setting. Nice buy, Sir.

A very nice, well loved and well played instrument - lovely big sounding chords.

Great lead playing man ❤️🎸

Yes, sounds amazing.

There’s so much better than any of the models listed in the comments. Dollar for dollar Taylor can be beaten everywhere in the lineup.

I’ve bought many guitars from Sandy in Sound control over the years Martins Lowdens and Taylor’s great guy. Currently own a Taylor 110 great wee guitar, Currently in the market for an all solid acoustic used 310 is definitely on my list.

Good video mate 👍🎸

I have a 2007 110e that was my first guitar. Bought it as a teenager and still have it today. Still my best sounding acoustic and is my “you can only grab one guitar in a house fire axe”

You need a new battery for your clock

Your guitar sounds exceptional, Taylors are wonderful instruments. I have a 410 Walnut/Spruce that I use as my daily player. I also have a Alvarez 5022, I bought 50 years ago before I left home on my own. It was my constant companion and helped me get thru lonely times and when my kids were growing, it was a great source of entertainment to them when I'd play. I still have it and it competes well against my Taylor...The Taylor wins on tone, but my old, trusty, well broken-in Alvarez constantly reminds me It's as sparkly, warm and as playable as the younger acoustics in my stable.

My first Taylor was a 2001 710ce that I bought brand new in the fall of 2001. I still have it to this day and I can’t imagine ever selling it. I have a 2022 324e that I bought new in May of ‘22. It was built in March 2022 on literally the last day before Taylor switched the 324’s from Tasmanian blackwood backs & sides to mahogany backs & sides. I love the sweet, smooth and warm tone of the mahogany top. But when I want to just jam, there’s nothing better than the rosewood/Engelmann spruce combo on my 710ce.

I've got a 110 that I feel the same way about. Just can't get rid of it.

I also have some really nice "gig" guitars (Taylor 324CE-BE & 614CE Ltd), my best loved go-to guitar at home is my Taylor 2001 Big Baby. which I bought second hand in about 2003. First acoustic I'd ever owned which sounded in tune all over the neck, and stayed in tune. Started me on a Taylor journey, I own five now!

Nice to hear someone wax poetic about their guitar, you obviously value yours a lot. When you were playing it in this video, was it through the Fishman pickup, or just through the same microphone as your voice? Ok, my story. When I lived in the northern suburbs of Detroit (Michigan, USA) in the 1980s, I got interested in classical guitar. I visited the local music store (Motor City Guitar in Waterford) and didn't find anything I could afford except a 1970s Yamaha - probably all laminate and heavy, with a cracked headstock. I thought to myself, all I need is a bit of glue and a screw countersunk, filled and sanded, and she'll be good as new. So I got it for very little money, fixed it up, and have played it ever since, in Michigan, New Mexico, and now Ecuador. It's old and beat up, but then so am I, and I'd never part with it.

Just bought one a week ago was used 2010 310 ce love at first strum

Great sound. Thanks.

Hi, in the last two weeks l've acquired two Epiphone acoustics. One, a IBG 1942 VOS antique burst Banner J45 with the Braggs electrics. Now this is a "15" serial no. Very early build from China (072). I was a little concerned when l saw that it wasn't a "23" from lindonesia, but l shouldn't have been. It has no build quality issues whatsover. I couldn't find a single thing wrong with it. The tone is incredible. Shimmery highs, the middle thud that we all love about J45's and a lovely low end. Plays like a dream. I like to mic up my acoustics when out playing live but l have to say that the electrics in this thing are great. I can get to sound so natural just by plugging it into a regular amp but straight into a desk it's wonderful. I was also lucky enough to find what l think maybe the only Epiphone Excellente in the UK and she came to me last week. Wow wow wow! The most beautifully appointed guitar. All mother of pearl, bone and ebony in all the right places but the tone! So sweet and responds so well to a more gentle approach. Not sure why Gibson are allowing these things on the market at the prices they're going for. If they had a Gibson logo and were made in the USA they'd be £2-4000 more! Cheers!

you'd think fatter necks would fatigue your hand faster than a thin neck. But, I find the exact opposite.

Reviews very consistent, great guitar, terrible neck pickup and guitar cable jack is loose.

The Gretsch that beat the Epiphones? With all respect. That would be any Gretsch.

I have the Epiphone J45 and I think it is an excellent guitar, but my question is if the 2 guitars weigh the same, because the Epiphone is very heavy, I don't have how to compare, since I don't have the Gibson, could you clarify this doubt. And if all solid body guitars are that heavy?

Always been a Gibson guy. Having said that, the Teles and Strats that are iconic in regard to song I love, its a no brainer to have one of each in my collection. I scored a Squier Tele 50s, and with two simple mods-brass bridge parts and tuners and the thing is a tone monster hotrod! The neck is fantastic, I mean its like the best neck profile and it blew me away. A $400 KILLER DEAL of a guitar that was almost perfect out of the box. A Strat is next.....

I'm thorn between the Guild DS-240 (500$ less) and the Epiphone.. Yes the Guild isnt a full solid wood like the Epiphone but.. To play at home.. anyway thanks for the video.

Hi there Graham. I'm a retired guitarist, but in my retirement I've bought a few guitars to keep me company. These guys don't have to slog it round noisy pubs - they are just for my delectation. I bought the inspired by Gibson Epiphone J45 and the J200 - I figured I'd never be rich enough for the Gibson versions. I bought the J45 with a cutaway. Its a nice guitar - stays in tune. On both of them I had a luthier cut holes in the side to make battery compartments. I don't like having to stick my hand through the sound hole. Would be interested to hear your music.

I like this guitar, but something about the sound of the IBG hummingbird just touches my soul.

I have the Epiphone J45 and I think it is an excellent guitar, but my question is if the 2 guitars weigh the same, because the Epiphone is very heavy, I don't have how to compare, since I don't have the Gibson, could you clarify this doubt. And if all solid body guitars are that heavy?

Hey Brother, you should look in a 70's era Guild D25. You could easily pick up 50ish aged gem for the price of the Epiphone. Extremely undervalued in the vintage market. Sweet sweet warm sounds

I just bought an eipophone j-45 studio model….i love it. Not the liveliest sound in the world, but for $340 USD, worth every penny. Frankly, I’ll probably never be a good enough player to justify a different/higher end model guitar.

Martin Medium Phosphorus Bronze strings are the best in my opinion. Your finger picking pattern is not bad. :o)

I have a Gibson j-45 and I have been trying the elixir of lights on it. The first through third are 13s forth through sixth are 12s.. Worth a try. The Epiphone does sound good. Is the scale length the same as Gibson?

They’re great guitars. Very flexible with style. You’ll love it.

Great video, I have the 2627t and I absolutely love it! I wanted a gretsch back in the 80's now I have one and I want ten more lol!