February Challenge ’26 Drop D Flatpick Gibby J45

[John H]

I got my J45 back after a month in the shop. She’s a beast! Here’s my adapted version of Down in the Coal Mine that I sniped from Ryan Kimm’s web site. It’s a Drop D arrangement that toggles between D-C-A with some prime lickage in between. Hope you like. Looking forward to hearing everybody’s submissions. Check out the throaty low end on this at around 1:13. Pretty gnarly.

John

[Bob M.]

Beautifully played John.

I really like that tune and the guitar sounds fantastic.

[JoeD1]

That was an awesome performance John. The guitar sounded great.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Michael Krailo]

That’s some mighty fine playing. The J45 sounds incredible. It looks like a comfortable player of a guitar. And yes that low end was coming through in the recording with authority. I’m sure you feel that in your bones.

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

[AndréM]

John man that was awesome.
You old Gibson is roaring, you can sell all your Martins now,LOL.
I love that gritty low end sound.

AndréM

AndréM

[Michael L]

Ah, so nice John! You’re right, those low tones growling out like that are amazing. So cleanly played with great feeling. Love the whole thing!

[Dieter]

Wow, that really sounds authentic and goes back to the roots. Great performance.

Dieter

[Raffaele S]

What a great sound your guitar makes, John, amazing….

[sciencefiction]

Killer performance, John! Enjoyed everything. Yeah, I liked that change transition at 1:13! That rocks! Also, some parts reminded me of EP113. Excellent!!
Larry

[sciencefiction]

Whoops, meant EP131, not 113.
Larry

[James B]

Great tune, John. You really nailed it and the guitar sounds super.

James

[sunjamr]

Well that’s interesting: The opening riff was similar to the call lick of lesson EP354, which I played. Maybe Brian got his inspiration from Down in the Coal Mine. Drop D really is a great key for improv jamming. Well played, John!

Sunjamr Steve

[Alan L]

So very good John. Driving rhythm and captivating riffs. Love it!

[JoLa]

Man, I love Drop D tuning grooves like that! Your Gibson is a killer, you’re right, the low end parts were just so deep and gnarly! But what’s even more impressive is your fluid uninterrupted groovy playing, it’s what you do so well, John. Loved every bit of it!

🎸JoLa

[Laurel C]

Just hearing the first few notes for the Drop D key was a welcomed sound. This is right in your wheelhouse John, tapping into ground roots acoustic playing. Fast, but you have proved this time again, your speed endurance is solid and articulate. Love Drop D tunes. Awesome playing on an awesome guitar.

[Bill]

You are nailing those fast Bluegrass runs John. The 45 is sounding great, amazing the clarity even in Drop D on those real low strums.

[Mark T]

That’s a wonderful feel you have on this submission, John – beautifully played. It’s the unique tone of the J45 that convinced me to get mine – nothing else came close, and I just love it! 👍🎶😎

[Carpa]

It’s beautiful how you do this without accompaniment and still stay nicely in time, well played.

[Guido]

I love the drop D tuning, and your rendition is absolutely brilliant, John! Loved the variety of rhythm strummings and licks and leads, very well balanced, and your J45 sounds like heaven! Enjoyed very much to listen to it, great job!

Guido

[Pap]

Oh ya John! I didnt realize you have mad skills at flat picking! Nice job with the string skipping and your J45 sounds really nice. Good seeing you get’n er done! Cheers. Pap

[Manfred M]

It was so great to be part of your “guitar back” celebration, John. That’s exactly how you should celebrate it. So we all got something out of it. That was pure fun!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Denise]

I love that full tone of your J45. Great Drop D sound and playing. Yes these bass lines sound very powerful!
I also like these chord slides.
Very impressive sounding.
Well done, my friend.

More Blues!

[charjo]

Oh yeah, right in your wheelhouse, John. Love the deep resonance of the J45, you must be very happy with it.
Great relaxation and accuracy in your strumming hand.
John

[Andy N]

That was a fun listen. Drop D always puts a smile on my face. Excellent work keeping the rhythm tight and not missing beat with those delicious fill licks. So much music in that open position. Awesome 🙌

[Martin W]

Yep your right that Gibson has a big sound , love the sound of Drop D , it’s a fine platform to make your own , I’m really liking those fills in between the rhythm sounds so good and keeps things interesting throughout.
Great submission, enjoyed it !

Martin

[Serena C]

wow John, this is so inspiring! drop D has always fascinated me, it’s time to give it a try, thank you for this superb submission!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[Mike W]

Yet another one for you to be proud of, John. It was a relatively long piece but you were consistent all the way through, while going at a fair pace. Sounded terrific all the way through and those licks were amazing.

[Liam Innes]

That was class John.

Drop D with country and bluegrass vibes I can tell that you were grinning from ear to ear while playing this.

Nothing better than getting your baby back after a stint in the shop. I’m sure there will be many more subs coming from you both.

Liam.

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. “

[Richard G]

Playing in Dropped D is always a bit of a growler and the groove you set up with your J45 John brought the best out of those mahogany woods. I loved all three minutes of it.

Richard

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