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Average Price: $1,495

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$200

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Rediscover the timeless allure of a classic with the Gibson J-35 Reissue, an acoustic-electric guitar that pays homage to its storied past while embracing the needs of the modern musician. Originally launched in the mid-1930s, the J-35 was a pioneering predecessor to the J-45, beloved for its robust sound and elegant design. Today, this reissue faithfully replicates those vintage specifications, ensuring that every strum resonates with history.

Crafted with a solid Sitka Spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the Gibson J-35 Reissue delivers a rich, warm tone that is perfect for any setting, from intimate acoustic sessions to larger live performances. This guitar's slope-shoulder dreadnought body enhances projection and depth, making it an ideal companion for singers and songwriters seeking that unmistakable Gibson sound.

Incorporating a thoughtful modern touch, the J-35 Reissue is equipped with an L.R. Baggs Element onboard pickup. This addition ensures that the guitar's natural acoustic voice translates flawlessly into amplified settings, maintaining clarity and balance. Paired with a '40s era tigerstripe pickguard, the aesthetic appeal of this instrument is as captivating as its sound.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, the Gibson J-35 Reissue offers a bridge between the past and present, providing both vintage charm and contemporary performance.

Key Features:

  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Slope-shoulder dreadnought body
  • L.R. Baggs Element onboard pickup
  • '40s era tigerstripe pickguard

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model J-35 Reissue
Finish Antique Natural
Year 1994 - 2018
Made In United States
Categories Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp No
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Dreadnought
Color Family Tan
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson J-35
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 19
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Montana Factory Era
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What type of wood is used in the Gibson J-35 Reissue, and how does it affect the sound?

The Gibson J-35 Reissue features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. This combination provides a warm, balanced tone with a strong midrange presence, making it ideal for various musical styles.

Is the Gibson J-35 Reissue suitable for live performances?

While the Gibson J-35 Reissue does not come with a built-in pickup, its robust projection and rich tone make it well-suited for mic'd live performances.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson J-35 Reissue like?

The Gibson J-35 Reissue has a comfortable, rounded neck profile, which appeals to players who prefer a traditional feel and ease of playability for both strumming and fingerpicking styles.

How many frets does the Gibson J-35 Reissue have?

The Gibson J-35 Reissue comes with 19 frets, offering a traditional range for acoustic playing, suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar parts.

Does the Gibson J-35 Reissue come with an active preamp?

No, the Gibson J-35 Reissue does not include an active preamp, maintaining its classic acoustic sound without electronic modification.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Guitars and Gear Vol. 26 - Gibson J-35 Reissue Acoustic-electric Guitar Demo

Video thumbnail for Guitars and Gear Vol. 26 - Gibson J-35 Reissue Acoustic-electric Guitar Demo by Sweetwater

Guitars and Gear Vol. 26 - Gibson J-35 Reissue Acoustic-electric Guitar Demo

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Reviews

PROS

  • Beautiful natural finish with a nearly brand-new gloss appearance

  • Outstanding ease of play, especially beneficial for those with arthritis

  • Excellent sustain and pleasing bottom end sound

  • Versatile for fingerstyle, light strumming, and flatpicking

  • Sounds great both unplugged and plugged in

  • Distinct separation of sound across highs, mids, and lows

  • Comfortable neck and quality build

  • Unique, string-forward sound reminiscent of a Martin D-18

  • Increased value over time, making it a solid investment

  • Complements other Gibson J-type guitars well

CONS

  • Electronics are adequate but not exceptional, may require an upgrade

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson J-35 Reissue.

Setup and maintenance

  • Gibson J-35 often ships with 12-gauge strings (EJ16), which may feel like mediums due to high action; users suggest these can help lower action naturally.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners replace the stock Fishman pickup with an LR Baggs model for improved tone and volume balance.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • A common issue is shallow saddle radius which can cause uneven string volume when amplified, particularly louder A and D strings.

    Source
  • Vintage models feature a black ink stamped FON with batch numbers handwritten in red, offering a unique historical touch.

    Source

User experience

  • Users report that the J-35 sounds significantly better with light strings rather than mediums, improving overall tone.

    Source
  • Owners note the guitar's sound cuts through in jam sessions, holding its own against a closed-back banjo.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners find the J-35's tone well-suited for solo performances, preferring the drive and volume of phosphor bronze strings for such contexts.

    Source

Build quality

  • The "soft V" neck profile provides comfort, with a wide nut and bridge spacing ideal for fingerpicking.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Described as a hybrid of a Banner J-45 and a 1930's D-18, with well-defined notes, a dry punch, and balanced tonal spectrum.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Review: Gibson J-35 Reissue Retains the Charm of its Ancestor | Acoustic Guitar

acousticguitar.com

The Gibson J-35 Reissue impresses with its blend of vintage aesthetics and modern craftsmanship, offering a warm, full-bodied sound that's both a strummer's delight and a fingerpicker's dream. With its responsive dynamics and classic Gibson "dry" tone, it's a versatile instrument suitable for various playing styles. The inclusion of the L.R. Baggs Element pickup provides a stage-ready, balanced amplified tone, though some EQ adjustments may be necessary for recording. While not a budget model at $1,699, it remains a compelling choice for those seeking a US-made guitar with historical charm and modern reliability. A few minor cosmetic inconsistencies noted in the review do not detract from its overall appeal and value.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 9 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
walter

Start Dad off Right

My dad decided he wanted to pick up guitar. We went to our local Sam Ash and checked out a bunch of acoustics. He was set on getting an acoustic electric so that he could plug and play. I picked up a bunch of guitars but kept coming back to this one Unplugged this guitar is full and crisp. Very articulated on every string. Theres no cut away so theres more to the body of the guitar. Plugged in, the discreet Baggs pickup knocks it out of the ball park. The only control is a volume. The pickup is full and tasty.
I went halves on this guitar with my dad so that he could have something quality that he likes to play.

levieramsey

Acoustic Guitar

this is the acoustic guitar I always use

mhenwood47

Dang, yo...

Sweetest acoustic I've ever played, and sounding better each time I play it. Stellar.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Nameless Ghoul uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Nameless Ghoul

Singer, Guitarist

Ghost

...
Verified via YouTube

In this performance by Ghost during the Unholy/Unplugged Tour, the Nameless Ghoul on the right can be seen playing Gibson J-35. It's especially apparent at the beginning of "Jigolo Har Megiddo".

See how Wayne Sermon uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Wayne Sermon

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Imagine Dragons

...
Verified via Premierguitar

For the acoustic tunes, Sermon grabs either his Gibson J-35 or Gibson LG-2 American Eagle (shown here), both flattops have LR Baggs M1 pickups. The LG-2 is kept in standard tuning and used on “Trouble,” “Thief,” and “Release,” while the J-35 is tuned a half-step down and is featured on the bridge to “I Bet My Life.”

-Premier Guitar; Rig Rundown with Imagine Dragons

See how Brian Fallon uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Brian Fallon

Guitarist, Singer

The Gaslight Anthem

...
Verified via YouTube

In a performance for CFOX Uninvited Guest, Brian Fallon played a Gibson J-35 Reissue during his rendition of "1,000 Years."

See how Nick Jonas uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Nick Jonas

Singer, Guitarist

Jonas Brothers

...
Verified via YouTube

In a performance at the Jonas Brothers 50/50 Show at The Viper Room on October 10, 2021, Nick Jonas used a Gibson J-35 Reissue, which he later gave to a fan. This is captured in a video uploaded by HeyConcerts on YouTube.

See how Clemens Rehbein uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Clemens Rehbein

Singer, Guitarist

Milky Chance

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, we can see Rehbein playing Gibson J35.

See how Jorma Kaukonen uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Jorma Kaukonen

Singer, Guitarist

Jefferson Airplane

...
Verified via Mwe3

"And the one that I play most of all is that J-35. But I have that Advanced Jumbo also and I just had a feeling that it would record record well. The J-35 is a mahogany guitar. It sounds like a mahogany guitar and the AJ is a rosewood, which has a little bit of a different sound. And so when I got down to the studio, I just realized that these are the two I want to use for the session. I may use them for the next one too."

See how Luke Combs uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Luke Combs

Singer, Guitarist

Luke Combs Band

...
Verified via Photo

On Luke's official Instagram, you can see him playing what appears to be a newer Gibson J-35.

See how Norman Blake uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Norman Blake

Guitarist

Teenage Fanclub

...
Verified via Premierguitar

According to the Premier Guitar's interview, one of the guitars Blake uses is the 1937 Gibson J-35.

See how Jonny Two Bags Wickersham uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Jonny Two Bags Wickersham

Singer, Guitarist

Social Distortion

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In the Premier Guitar article "Rig Rundown: Social Distortion [2015]," Jonny Wickersham is noted for using the Gibson J-35 Reissue, showcasing his preference for high-quality acoustics.

See how Javier Blake uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Javier Blake

Singer, Guitarist

División Minúscula

...
Verified via YouTube

Javier Blake ha estado utilizando la Gibson J-35 Reissue durante un par de años en sus shows acústicos. Sabemos que se trata de este modelo dado su característico golpeador estilo AJ (Advanced Jumbo) Firestripe, así como el logotipo de Gibson dorado en el clavijero y la leyenda "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough".

See how Derya Nagel uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Derya Nagel

Guitarist

Good Tiger

...
Verified via Photo

Dez and jo can be seen with their gibson acoustics in this photo

See how Skin Tyson uses Gibson J-35 Reissue

Skin Tyson

...
Verified via Photo

Liam “Skin” Tyson calls himself a surreal Scouser. For those not from the U.K, a “scouser” is a Liverpudlian (a native of Liverpool).

Still a member of Britpop stars Cast, Skin has also long-been the main guitarist in Robert Plant’s solo bands, be they called Robert Plant and The Strange Sensation or the Sensational Space Shifters.

Here’s “Skin” with his new-found love, a Gibson J-35. “Skin’s combination of pastoral acoustic open tuned guitars and electric 21st century psychedelia make him a perfect foil for Robert Plant’s balladry and fire,” says his PR rep. Right on!

Skin now works from his home base of Snowdonia, North Wales, where he put together the project “Men from Mars.” Updates on Skin Tyson at Robert Plant’s website and Cast’s website. He’s a great guitarist. With his new Gibson J-35, he probably got even better. Gibson’s J-35 is a handcrafted U.S-made update on a classic acoustic.

http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/Liam-Skin-Tyson.aspx

Album Usage

The Gibson J-35 Reissue has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson J-35 Reissue, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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