J200 copies

liam1981sw · September 4th, 2006, 04:38 PM

Does anyone know which companies copied gibson j200 guitars in the 70's? someone told me 'el maya' used to. i love j200 and want to pick one up. anybody know?

Johnny Isaacs · September 4th, 2006, 09:58 PM

It'd be easier to list the ones that didn't copy the J200.

Here's the one's I've seen:

Aria
Alvarez
Ibanez
Cortez
Yamaha
Hondo
Goya

And I'm sure there's a lot of others I can't remember off the top of my head.

Johnny Isaacs

liam1981sw · September 5th, 2006, 09:52 AM

any lawsuit copies? i always see the antoria hummingbird and dove copies on ebay but never the j200. anyone know where i can get hold of one?

zooropamofo · September 13th, 2006, 11:35 AM

Maybe consider an Epiphone J200 or J300?

studio1087 · September 23rd, 2006, 12:49 PM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=518650

Epi has their own plant for their imports. They don't cotract the work with mystery manufacturers.

Christophe · January 6th, 2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liam1981sw

Does anyone know which companies copied gibson j200 guitars in the 70's? someone told me 'el maya' used to. i love j200 and want to pick one up. anybody know?

Hi Liam,
I recently bought a J200 "copy" which is really a Japanese built Gibson. It is an "Orville by Gibson" built in 1991 and kept in pristine unplayed condition by a collector in Japan. I bought it from "Japanguitars" who can be found on-line. The guy who runs it is English but lives in France. He has another J200 which is already fitted with an undersaddle transducer/pre-amp. I bought the one without a transducer and this week fitted an Ashworth AJ221 microstrip which works direct into a standard amp without need for pre-amping. These Orville "copies" are really true Gibsons built to the American specs by Japanese luthiers just for the Japanese market simply because the USA models were too expensive to sell abroad at that time (something about the value of the dollar).
Anyway I am really pleased with my J200 after changing the strings and setting the bridge saddle height. Because it had not previously been played it felt a bit tight but 3/4 weeks of strumming is opening up the fullness of the sound nicely.
I have looked at the current Epiphone J200's and think they are OK for the price but quality and finish standards are very variable. I would suggest you play before buying to find one which feels right. I woud not buy on line as you may get a DOG! Good luck and regards
Christophe

RickG501 · January 8th, 2008, 01:46 AM

Epi J200's have laminate tops, don't know about the J300(never heard of it).
They might sound good amped (price is right though $450 I think), but are not much for volume acoustically.

Washburn makes a nice one as well. (I found one of them locally that I really, really liked). Spruce top with maple back and sides...vewwy pretty.

Edit to add:
http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...umbos/j28.aspx

Christophe · January 9th, 2008, 02:54 PM

I have heard/read somewhere that the J300 has a solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides just like the original early Gibsons but how Epi does this at a budget price I don't know. Maybe they are no longer available.

I wouls agree that Washburn are now back to making excellent guitars after wallowing about in the mire for some years

Iain · January 10th, 2008, 11:47 AM

I had a black Antoria J-200, from the 70s (I believe). Nice guitar, very handsome, played well. got it very cheaply from a friend and added a pickup...but it sounded better unplugged than at any electric gigs, sadly.

Sold it and now use this http://www.ivormairants.co.uk/store/...?productid=371, which looks and sounds great acoustcally and plugged in (it also has an active Baggs soundhole pickup added)

Iain

lewis · January 10th, 2008, 11:51 AM

I once owned an MIJ Epiphone J-200 copy that was made in the '70s or early '80s.
That particular specimen was a very poor acoustic.

zombywoof · January 12th, 2008, 10:52 AM

I play an old Gibson J200. The guitar has a booming bass, aggressive mids and fat highs. And it is loud. Not what you would call a bright sounding guitar though.

The majority of copies I have played over the years are really just that in looks. The J200 was considered a custom instrument with only between 150and 200 being made each year.

Anyway, I would recommend an older Ibanez Concord or Alvarez. If you played one side by side with a '59 or '60 J200 you would hear a noticeable difference. But I have yet to play any copy that truly captures the old school J200 tone or volume. The Ibanez and Alvarez are extremely nice guitars in their own right and will get you in the J200 tonal ballpark at a bargain price.

Good Luck

guitardedzen · January 12th, 2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickG501

Epi J200's have laminate tops, don't know about the J300(never heard of it).
They might sound good amped (price is right though $450 I think), but are not much for volume acoustically.

Edit to add:
http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...umbos/j28.aspx

I can stand behind the fact that they're not much volume...compared to to a Martin or Taylor of course but the top is like you said laminate spruce, but the back and sides are Maple, which doesn't give you much volume in an acoustic guitar. I do enjoy the tone from the Epi J-200's and their perfect for around the house.

JimiBryant · January 12th, 2008, 11:14 AM

I have a '67 J-200, it's a real hoss of a guitar.
(mine has the tune-o-matic bridge, just like George Harrison's)

one really has to play these pretty hard to get a good sound but they sure are loud!

honestly, I think there are better-sounding acoustic guitars - but playing a J-200 is kind of like driving around in a Cadillac..

zombywoof · January 12th, 2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiBryant

I have a '67 J-200, it's a real hoss of a guitar.
(mine has the tune-o-matic bridge, just like George Harrison's)

one really has to play these pretty hard to get a good sound but they sure are loud!

Just curious - does your J200 have the large floating brace (which Gibson started adding in 1961) screwed to the top? This may be one of the reasons you find it hard to get a "good sound." Ya see alot of 60s J-200s with both the brace and the adjustable bridge removed.

freddie · February 13th, 2008, 03:16 PM

You know I find the j-200 to be quite low in volume for it's size. I'm always surprised when I play one, because they look so huge.... cool guitars and I like their tone alot.

Borgnine! · February 13th, 2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddie

You know I find the j-200 to be quite low in volume for it's size. I'm always surprised when I play one, because they look so huge.... cool guitars and I like their tone alot.

That's why they're sometimes referred to as the "whispering giant".

Jakedog · February 19th, 2008, 07:38 PM

I have a 1974 Alvarez 5055 Model. It's an almost dead nuts SJ-200 knockoff. All blonde, flame maple back and sides, all the right binding, pickguard, crown inlays, etc. Mine does not have a moustache bridge, but that's about the only difference. Solid spruce top, laminate back and sides, plays and sounds like a million bucks. This was my father's number one guitar, and he bought it brand new. When I started playing, I asked him about it. He said the shop had this one, and a real J-200, both brand new. He said he picked this one because it was $275 w/HSC, and played and sounded just as good as the real J-200. I never believed him, but I never played a real J-200 until years later. When he died, I got this guitar and started playing it all the time at home. It made me jones for one to gig with. So I started looking at J-200's. I gotta say, he was right. I have one now, and even with pro set-up work, it's not nearly as nice a player, and doesn't sound nearly as nice as this old Alvarez. And I ain't the only guy who thinks so...

Look around for one of these old Alvarez models. They pop up on e-bay now and again, and usually go for around five hundred or less.

Jake

KotS · April 12th, 2008, 12:27 PM

There's one on Fleabay (UK) right now, Item No 120243522841. Currently £330.00 ($..?) with 1 day 4 hours to go.

I'm watching with interest as I recently scored one of these -

She's an Antoria 'Hummingbird'. Got her for £35.00 (!) at a car boot sale last week, and I'm expecting the call any day now to tell me that she's ready to be picked up from my repairers.

She'll have had a bridge shave, new (bone) nut and bridge, string and set up. All in, it'll still come to less than £150.00

First chance I get, I'll be A/B'ing her with this -

- It's the real thing, owned by a friend of mine..!

Adamb618 · July 28th, 2008, 10:09 PM

I have a Cortez Model J-200 for sale. It's probably from the early 70's. still in excelent playling and physical condition.

September 4th, 2006, 04:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
liam1981sw NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: England Age: 27 Posts: 6	J200 copies Does anyone know which companies copied gibson j200 guitars in the 70's? someone told me 'el maya' used to. i love j200 and want to pick one up. anybody know?

September 4th, 2006, 09:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Johnny Isaacs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,494 3 Photos	All of them! It'd be easier to list the ones that didn't copy the J200. Here's the one's I've seen: Aria Alvarez Ibanez Cortez Yamaha Hondo Goya And I'm sure there's a lot of others I can't remember off the top of my head. Johnny Isaacs __________________ Myspace music page I've never trusted a guitar player who hasn't licked a few 9volts... Famous last words...... after this one, no new Tele's!

September 13th, 2006, 11:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
zooropamofo Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ottawa Age: 28 Posts: 910	Maybe consider an Epiphone J200 or J300? __________________ I was tryin' to find my way home But all I heard was a drone Bouncing off a satellite Crushin' the last lone American night This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there? This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?

September 23rd, 2006, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 4,230 36 Photos	http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=518650 Epi has their own plant for their imports. They don't cotract the work with mystery manufacturers. __________________ JLG Carry On

January 8th, 2008, 01:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
RickG501 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Age: 54 Posts: 1,056	Epi J200's have laminate tops, don't know about the J300(never heard of it). They might sound good amped (price is right though $450 I think), but are not much for volume acoustically. Washburn makes a nice one as well. (I found one of them locally that I really, really liked). Spruce top with maple back and sides...vewwy pretty. Edit to add: http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...umbos/j28.aspx Last edited by RickG501; January 8th, 2008 at 01:50 AM. Reason: Edit to add link

September 5th, 2006, 09:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
liam1981sw NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: England Age: 27 Posts: 6	any lawsuit copies? i always see the antoria hummingbird and dove copies on ebay but never the j200. anyone know where i can get hold of one?

January 9th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Christophe NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: France Posts: 3	I have heard/read somewhere that the J300 has a solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides just like the original early Gibsons but how Epi does this at a budget price I don't know. Maybe they are no longer available. I wouls agree that Washburn are now back to making excellent guitars after wallowing about in the mire for some years

January 10th, 2008, 11:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
Iain Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 316	I had a black Antoria J-200, from the 70s (I believe). Nice guitar, very handsome, played well. got it very cheaply from a friend and added a pickup...but it sounded better unplugged than at any electric gigs, sadly. Sold it and now use this http://www.ivormairants.co.uk/store/...?productid=371, which looks and sounds great acoustcally and plugged in (it also has an active Baggs soundhole pickup added) Iain

January 10th, 2008, 11:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,922 28 Photos	I once owned an MIJ Epiphone J-200 copy that was made in the '70s or early '80s. That particular specimen was a very poor acoustic. __________________ "I'm a maestro, I'm a maestro," Taj Mahal, 8/20/05.

January 12th, 2008, 10:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
zombywoof Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Back in the Heartland Posts: 2,924 17 Photos	I play an old Gibson J200. The guitar has a booming bass, aggressive mids and fat highs. And it is loud. Not what you would call a bright sounding guitar though. The majority of copies I have played over the years are really just that in looks. The J200 was considered a custom instrument with only between 150and 200 being made each year. Anyway, I would recommend an older Ibanez Concord or Alvarez. If you played one side by side with a '59 or '60 J200 you would hear a noticeable difference. But I have yet to play any copy that truly captures the old school J200 tone or volume. The Ibanez and Alvarez are extremely nice guitars in their own right and will get you in the J200 tonal ballpark at a bargain price. Good Luck __________________ "I don't play a lot of fancy guitar. I don't want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks." John Lee Hooker

January 12th, 2008, 11:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 46 Posts: 1,842	I have a '67 J-200, it's a real hoss of a guitar. (mine has the tune-o-matic bridge, just like George Harrison's) one really has to play these pretty hard to get a good sound but they sure are loud! honestly, I think there are better-sounding acoustic guitars - but playing a J-200 is kind of like driving around in a Cadillac.. __________________ *we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun.*

February 13th, 2008, 03:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
freddie Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portsmouth, U.K. Age: 44 Posts: 186	You know I find the j-200 to be quite low in volume for it's size. I'm always surprised when I play one, because they look so huge.... cool guitars and I like their tone alot.

February 19th, 2008, 07:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TX Posts: 3,231	I have a 1974 Alvarez 5055 Model. It's an almost dead nuts SJ-200 knockoff. All blonde, flame maple back and sides, all the right binding, pickguard, crown inlays, etc. Mine does not have a moustache bridge, but that's about the only difference. Solid spruce top, laminate back and sides, plays and sounds like a million bucks. This was my father's number one guitar, and he bought it brand new. When I started playing, I asked him about it. He said the shop had this one, and a real J-200, both brand new. He said he picked this one because it was $275 w/HSC, and played and sounded just as good as the real J-200. I never believed him, but I never played a real J-200 until years later. When he died, I got this guitar and started playing it all the time at home. It made me jones for one to gig with. So I started looking at J-200's. I gotta say, he was right. I have one now, and even with pro set-up work, it's not nearly as nice a player, and doesn't sound nearly as nice as this old Alvarez. And I ain't the only guy who thinks so... Look around for one of these old Alvarez models. They pop up on e-bay now and again, and usually go for around five hundred or less. Jake __________________ Oh, the fear I've known That I might reap the praise of strangers And end up on my own All I've sown was a song And maybe I was wrong -Emily Saliers

April 12th, 2008, 12:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
KotS TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 16	There's one on Fleabay (UK) right now, Item No 120243522841. Currently £330.00 ($..?) with 1 day 4 hours to go. I'm watching with interest as I recently scored one of these - She's an Antoria 'Hummingbird'. Got her for £35.00 (!) at a car boot sale last week, and I'm expecting the call any day now to tell me that she's ready to be picked up from my repairers. She'll have had a bridge shave, new (bone) nut and bridge, string and set up. All in, it'll still come to less than £150.00 First chance I get, I'll be A/B'ing her with this - - It's the real thing, owned by a friend of mine..!

July 28th, 2008, 10:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
Adamb618 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: edwardsville Age: 22 Posts: 1	I have a Cortez Model J-200 for sale. It's probably from the early 70's. still in excelent playling and physical condition.