I've had 2 j45s, a standard and 50's original series and now I have the atkin j43, couldn't be happier with the atkin, it surpasses the gibsons entirely
So glad you've done this one! Great to compare - the Gibson with classic & beautiful range of sound for all styles, the Atkin maybe with a little more scooped and modern sound, and also for all styles - noticed you both adjusted your playing in the first few notes for the Atkin to reflect this quite different dynamic it has. They are different - but both guitars are lovely!
Simple for me - I have a Forty Three and it does everything better than the mass produced Gibson. Old Gibsons are great but when the cost accountants did their thing they lost the essence of a J45. Before I played several J45's when I went to my music shop and the standout winner was the 43. Dry, woody and better balanced to my ears. BUT people still go for the badge and history despite the hand crafted Atkin.
I had both of them. The 43 had to go. It is a good guitar but it has not the typical j45 sound. The gibson is not the best guitar in the world but most of them do their job being a j45 damn good. I love both of mine (standard and tv).
Although I'm not a real Gibson fan and although I like the Atkin, my choice would be the Gibson. Those J45 are the ones of Gibson I like the best. Perhaps an idea for the next guitar battle: the Guild D55 natural IR/spruce vs the BSG D-33F jacaranda/german spruce. Or perhaps the Furch Red OMASG vs the BSG OM-33F. Would be nice.
Thank you TFOA for taking the time to do this! As someone who lives in the UK and supports UK luthiers, I REALLY wanted to like the Atkin more than the mass-produced Gibson. But sadly the Gibson sounds (at least to me) a bit warmer and more "classic" with great mid range. The slightly wider neck width of the Gibson would also tip the scales for me.
Thanks for commenting! There's a reason Gibson is as big as they are now, (and especially now) they make great guitars! If the Gibson speaks to you more, go for it!
@@thefellowshipofacoustics I just bought the Atkin and it is excellent. It really surprised me how light and touch sensitive it is, with a great sound - plus it looked much better in person than I had appreciated from the photos online. Mine's a lefty Atkin which must be rare!
J45 for me, it has that warmth and depth that you associate with a good Gibson. The J43 sounds great but it hasn't got the J45 vibe going to my ears and comes over more bright and jangly.
I had the 50's j45 and I sold it and bought the atkin j43, maybe it doesnt come across as well in this video but the atkin blows it away in person. Bass, clarity, everything
They both sound incredible. I have a slight lean towards atkin as I think the tone comes across nicely (at least on the recording), but both lovely instruments.
The J45 is on my list because of its classic sound. But I have heard that sound and build quality at Gibson may vary a bit so I would not want to order online and rather have a look at and play the particular guitar before buying.
The Atkin is good, but at almost twice the price of the J 45, The Work Horse wins this fight time. Furthermore, I feel they should offer a nut width of 44 mm vs 43 for a little more room to work with. I really do like the balance of the Atkin though, it is a very well made guitar that will compete more in line with Kevin Kopp and other boutique makers.
It baffles me that they went with a 43mm nut width, Gibson has never used that size and I understand the '43 era were actually 45mm/1.75". I appreciate then can offer a custom build, but why model a vintage guitar and use a different nut spec?!
@@cougarblue Gibson began to use 43mm size nut in the 1947 and into the 60's from what I understand. I find that the 43mm nut with a short scale makes for a lot more string dampened notes that with a 44mm, which I find to be a perfect nut width. And I have larger than average hands. I've even seen some Gibson's from the 60's with 42mm nuts, which are really slim.
@@andrewhumphrey1047 You might be right, it's difficult to find definitive answers about this. Nut width is always a very personal choice; I'm a finger-picker and also prefer the room and string spacing that a 44-45mm nut provides.
Hey Kees, leuk idee! Ben bang dat we daar binnenkort niet aan toekomen maar ik ben altijd bereid je meer informatie of een kleine video te geven. Neem gerust contact op ;)
the j45 standard is about 2600,- / the J43 about 3700,-. (TFOA makes the best price worldwide!)That's a big difference. But the J 45 is mass-production, the J43 is individual handmade in small production numbers. Atkin produces only max. 600 guitars a total of a year....You've to decide...
Thanks for the scientific review it least in terms of tone. Based purely on sound I’m surprised I massively prefer the Gibson. The Atkins is probably a bit more balanced but the Gibson just has more character. Keep up the good work fellas
The passage he played from 2:25 to 5:15 was the defining segment in the comparison of these two instruments. The J45 has more sparkle in the high end which is one of the things it is known for. The Atkin reminded me a lot of an Eastman 10 SS with its warmer mids and subdued highs. Everyone likes what they like and they both sound great in their own way. Admittedly I’m a biased J45 owner, but I prefer it in this comparison. I didn’t even think it was close.
@@thefellowshipofacoustics …it is. I’ve heard a number of “copies” and every take I have heard on the J45 has been relatively good in it’s on way. I would love for you to play my J45. It has every attribute of that instrument in spades.
Couldn't tell them apart in the fingerpicking, which is all that interests me, so I'd go with the Gibson because it looks beautiful whereas the Atkin looks like a schoolkid's woodwork project.
Atkins J43 sounds like a good J45 should sound: Woody and warm. But not all J45 have this soundquality. Some models dissapointed me. So for me: I love my J43!😙
Good stuff but you play too long on each so the differences are harder to tell Just play brief then swap it’s easier for the ear to determine the difference. But both great guitars and great playing to
I've had 2 j45s, a standard and 50's original series and now I have the atkin j43, couldn't be happier with the atkin, it surpasses the gibsons entirely
So glad you've done this one! Great to compare - the Gibson with classic & beautiful range of sound for all styles, the Atkin maybe with a little more scooped and modern sound, and also for all styles - noticed you both adjusted your playing in the first few notes for the Atkin to reflect this quite different dynamic it has. They are different - but both guitars are lovely!
The Atkin has a different dynamic range indeed! Needs some getting used to, both sounds lovely indeed :)
Simple for me - I have a Forty Three and it does everything better than the mass produced Gibson. Old Gibsons are great but when the cost accountants did their thing they lost the essence of a J45. Before I played several J45's when I went to my music shop and the standout winner was the 43. Dry, woody and better balanced to my ears. BUT people still go for the badge and history despite the hand crafted Atkin.
I had both of them. The 43 had to go. It is a good guitar but it has not the typical j45 sound. The gibson is not the best guitar in the world but most of them do their job being a j45 damn good. I love both of mine (standard and tv).
Although I'm not a real Gibson fan and although I like the Atkin, my choice would be the Gibson. Those J45 are the ones of Gibson I like the best. Perhaps an idea for the next guitar battle: the Guild D55 natural IR/spruce vs the BSG D-33F jacaranda/german spruce. Or perhaps the Furch Red OMASG vs the BSG OM-33F. Would be nice.
Sounds good Jan! Thanks for the tip ;)
Thank you TFOA for taking the time to do this! As someone who lives in the UK and supports UK luthiers, I REALLY wanted to like the Atkin more than the mass-produced Gibson. But sadly the Gibson sounds (at least to me) a bit warmer and more "classic" with great mid range. The slightly wider neck width of the Gibson would also tip the scales for me.
Thanks for commenting! There's a reason Gibson is as big as they are now, (and especially now) they make great guitars! If the Gibson speaks to you more, go for it!
@@thefellowshipofacoustics I just bought the Atkin and it is excellent. It really surprised me how light and touch sensitive it is, with a great sound - plus it looked much better in person than I had appreciated from the photos online. Mine's a lefty Atkin which must be rare!
@@chrisphillips3017 Congrats Chris! Glad you're enjoying the Atkin :)
J45 for me, it has that warmth and depth that you associate with a good Gibson. The J43 sounds great but it hasn't got the J45 vibe going to my ears and comes over more bright and jangly.
I had the 50's j45 and I sold it and bought the atkin j43, maybe it doesnt come across as well in this video but the atkin blows it away in person. Bass, clarity, everything
Gibson for me more clarity and note separation
I’ve played both. In person the Atkin was the clear winner for me.
They both sound incredible. I have a slight lean towards atkin as I think the tone comes across nicely (at least on the recording), but both lovely instruments.
For the things I listen for…I hate to admit it…I like the Atkin better.
The J45 is on my list because of its classic sound. But I have heard that sound and build quality at Gibson may vary a bit so I would not want to order online and rather have a look at and play the particular guitar before buying.
To be honest Thomas, the new Gibson's (from 2019 and on) are incredibly good! We haven't had Gibsons this good in years...
Great you did some fingerpicking. Good for comparison.
Thanks Peter!
The Atkin is good, but at almost twice the price of the J 45, The Work Horse wins this fight time. Furthermore, I feel they should offer a nut width of 44 mm vs 43 for a little more room to work with. I really do like the balance of the Atkin though, it is a very well made guitar that will compete more in line with Kevin Kopp and other boutique makers.
Great point Andrew, thanks for sharing!
It baffles me that they went with a 43mm nut width, Gibson has never used that size and I understand the '43 era were actually 45mm/1.75". I appreciate then can offer a custom build, but why model a vintage guitar and use a different nut spec?!
@@cougarblue Gibson began to use 43mm size nut in the 1947 and into the 60's from what I understand. I find that the 43mm nut with a short scale makes for a lot more string dampened notes that with a 44mm, which I find to be a perfect nut width. And I have larger than average hands. I've even seen some Gibson's from the 60's with 42mm nuts, which are really slim.
@@andrewhumphrey1047 You might be right, it's difficult to find definitive answers about this. Nut width is always a very personal choice; I'm a finger-picker and also prefer the room and string spacing that a 44-45mm nut provides.
I'd like to see the nineteen vs the 43 and the OM perhaps even dust bowl 000
That's a good one! Thank you for letting us know!
J45 all day , huge difference for me
I totally agree. The J45 has a more “open voicing” with bright jangly trebles.
I’ve yet to hear any clone that sounds like a J45. They just don’t.
and a deeper richer sound@@jimmy5634
Kunnen jullie productrevieuw van epiphone es335 figured blueberry burst
Hey Kees, leuk idee! Ben bang dat we daar binnenkort niet aan toekomen maar ik ben altijd bereid je meer informatie of een kleine video te geven. Neem gerust contact op ;)
Great Battle. What strings are you guys using on both of these guitars? I love Martin Lifespan 2.0 PB on my J45! Both sound superb.
We use Martin 0.12's! ;)
All the Atkins I’ve listened to sound good-but have a huge midrange- not quite the Balance/Treble to Bass that I look for.
I have the j43, after previously having a j45, the bass is huge and smooth, have you heard one in person? The atkin is a step up for sure
Are the prices comparable ?
the j45 standard is about 2600,- / the J43 about 3700,-. (TFOA makes the best price worldwide!)That's a big difference. But the J 45 is mass-production, the J43 is individual handmade in small production numbers. Atkin produces only max. 600 guitars a total of a year....You've to decide...
@@user-zk2mv8tw9e Thanks for helping eachother out! ;)
Thanks for the scientific review it least in terms of tone. Based purely on sound I’m surprised I massively prefer the Gibson. The Atkins is probably a bit more balanced but the Gibson just has more character. Keep up the good work fellas
Thanks Peter!
surprised?? the j 45 is in the top 3 steel string guitars ever made
The passage he played from 2:25 to 5:15 was the defining segment in the comparison of these two instruments.
The J45 has more sparkle in the high end which is one of the things it is known for. The Atkin reminded me a lot of an Eastman 10 SS with its warmer mids and subdued highs. Everyone likes what they like and they both sound great in their own way.
Admittedly I’m a biased J45 owner, but I prefer it in this comparison. I didn’t even think it was close.
Thanks for sharing Jimmy! The J45 is the original for a reason :)
@@thefellowshipofacoustics …it is.
I’ve heard a number of “copies” and every take I have heard on the J45 has been relatively good in it’s on way.
I would love for you to play my J45. It has every attribute of that instrument in spades.
Gibson
Couldn't tell them apart in the fingerpicking, which is all that interests me, so I'd go with the Gibson because it looks beautiful whereas the Atkin looks like a schoolkid's woodwork project.
The J45 is also quite a bit cheaper
Atkin by my ear and a set of JBL monitors. Better consistancy as well.
Couldn't agree more David ;) - Maarten
Atkin all the way
Atkins J43 sounds like a good J45 should sound: Woody and warm.
But not all J45 have this soundquality. Some models dissapointed me.
So for me: I love my J43!😙
TH Atkins wins for tone and loudness
Gibson by far
Thanks for the comment!
For this comparison to be accurate the guitars should have been played by twins. Too many variables :)
Hahaha, but what if one of them has 10 minutes more playing experience?
They clearly sound different. Maybe the Atkin is superior, but a thousand dollars superior?
Atkin sounds played in and open, like an old Gibson.
Good stuff but you play too long on each so the differences are harder to tell Just play brief then swap it’s easier for the ear to determine the difference. But both great guitars and great playing to
Thanks for the feedback ;)
2:25 3:44 1:42
Too many guitars, not enough space,not enough money
Letting aside which anyone might think sounds "better", only a J-45 sounds like a J-45. So if you want a J-45 sound.......
Atkin sings, rings more. No contest.