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Can you still go to Atkin and custom spec a guitar, or are they only going through dealers now they are bigger? I'd quite like to spec one with a V neck like my HD28V. I know it's probably not vintage correct for 1943 Gibson, but it's a great neck.
Vintage correct is difficult for War time Gibsons. 4 piece tops, maple backs, laminate, pretty much anything went. The earlier Js had a V so close enough
think the 0028 have a 1 3/4” nut too?
Will have a ponder on it over the coming weeks and see what I arrive at. There's a large part of me that feels it'd be a shame to part with the Atkin, it's a beautiful guitar and I love the fact it's made in Kent where I'm from.
Rather than lose a lot of money on a sale/trade why not have a chat with Alister? He’s a very approachable guy and might perhaps suggest some solution. It could be worth a phone call if you particularly like the sound of your 43.
The lacquer is so thin it marks so easily. Just as well it's a relic model!
I think Atkin must take the Martin approach of setting their guitars up with slightly high action from stock on the basis that it's far easier to lower the action that raise it.
It also needs a fret polish too I think. Both procedures are quite simple and I should be able to do them, but as it’s a valuable guitar I think I prefer to leave it to the pros, just in case lol!
My other Atkins (an OM and an L-1) both have very shallow C-neck profiles, so the fat D-neck may be unique to the J43.
As regards nut width, I fret notes with my thumb a lot so find 43mm (1-11/16") nut width just right for my hand whereas the 44.5mm (1-3/4") nut width of my previous Santa Cruz OM made thumb-over playing less comfortable.
I've not had a chance to play an Atkin 43. At the time I bought my OM Alister had only made the one-off Buddy Holly tribute guitar in that style. I have to say I'd really love one of his L-1 Historic or Model '36' guitars though. Maybe one day.
Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread.
Back on track, I've just been listening to a few YouTube videos and comparisons of the Atkin J43 with the J45, it sounds great but doesn't have the J45 vibe going on to my ears; it's definitely a more modern balance. Has anybody been able to compare one with the Collings version, the CJ35?
I may be a little biased as I own one myself, but I will say they are brilliant guitars, as i'm sure the others are too.
I agree that the Collings CJ35 is indeed a great guitar. I have heard some folk say that it sound like no Gibson they have ever played, my answer is play a lot more old ones,