Hubby got an inexpensive electric he calls the PartsCaster, LOL. 

That’s funny!

My son keeps saying my next guitar should be an electric. I show him the plug in on my Taylor. I also told him next time he asks me what I want for my birthday...but I’d rather have a Gretchen 5021 or a high end parlor guitar. I’ve had my eye on several nice parlor size guitars but figure an  expensive guitar won’t turn me into a good player or a rock star  🤩 

100% Gibson slope shoulder player at this point in my life. You'll have to take my word for it that I've played, and gigged solo and in bands for a long time. I've horse traded more guitars than I care to remember. After all these years I finally realized that the Gibson slope shoulder sound and short scale is home. I aspire to a SJ-200 but every time I try one I'm reminded why I like the J series. 

Singing is equally important for me. I find Gibson slope shoulders perfect for solo performance and singing. A good slope isn't a guitar that gets in the way. There's a softness to the tone of a good slope that's complete ear candy for me. The shorter scale feels like a favorite pair of warn in bluejeans. I find they're great for solo fingerstyle too. Of course Gibson makes them in a bewildering number of variations and generalities are difficult. Still, it's hard to go wrong with a spruce over mahogany J-45. 

Having said that I also have a G-45 Standard in my possession. Spruce over walnut and with a thinner depth. Side by side the fundamental J tone is there but with a bit less volume and a quicker decay. If you're looking for a guitar that you can cuddle but with a little more variety of tone and volume than a parlor guitar check out the G series. Should you figure out time travel and make the rounds of campus folk clubs circa 1959 the G series has you covered. Listen to Woody performing Rangers Command and tell me this isn't the same tone! ( I have no idea what he recorded it with by the way, probably some Martin)

I have a Epiphone Masterbilt slope here as well. It's a fine guitar in it's own right. It's not a Gibson. This is not to say it's inferior. It's got one foot in the Martin spectrum and one in Gibson. Neither good or bad, only different. If you like the Gibson sound buy a Gibson.

@oldtimeplayer  Okay, now that's the kind of answer I was looking for! Thanks for the detailed account of your Gibsons, Brian! 😀 

@jerseychicadee I have to say that a really nice guitar does make you a better guitar player, because you want to play it more. I took the leap and bought the Martin D-18 this spring and have never regretted it. I have played more the past 4 months than I have the past 4 years, because I just have so much fun with it. I wish I could have had this guitar about 40 years ago.

I recorded myself playing today. I’ve decided my guitar sounds like poo. I’m going to off it and get a better guitar. 

I just put my Fender on Craig’s list for sale. After hearing it on recording I do need a better guitar 

I haven't tried recording myself playing yet. Kind of afraid to, LOL. 

@jerseychicadee I hadn’t plugged in my Taylor in so long I couldn’t remember how it all worked lol

I don’t even have an amp. I have a 10 year old concert ukulele with electronics that’s never seen a plug too

@shysue

I have a Gibson J15 and it’s okay Good guitar!

I play a Gibson....BUT...it is a J-60 which was built to rival a D-28. Gibson made them from 1992-1999 and then again in 2005 and 2013. Mine is a 2005. It is not rosewood but walnut. My bud has a '52 D-18 and the 2 guitars sound very much alike. I love my j-60 and it has been with me a while. So not a fair comparison vs traditional Gibson model but it is a great Gibson nonetheless.

@jerseychicadee

My Fender 140nat was $210 on CL + $50 for a great Gator case. I’ve added a Colosi bone saddle+pins, SantaCruz strings. Basically I’m squeezing blood out of a turnip but it actually sounds quite good. I figure that once I get a Martin, I’ll keep this pup as backup, deck playing when I’m sweating all over it, travel warrior, etc.  Just throwing that thought out there...

My Fender would sound better with a better player. Hahahahah It's me in sure. I have Taylor and it sounds just as bad proving its me