Gibson Acoustics

Hey everbody

I've been in the market for a new acoustic recently, and I've had my eye on a Gibson. From the ones I've played down at Guitar Center, they seem like just the guitar for me, I love the feel of the necks and their tone. Great stuff

I'm looking at the J-185EC Blues King, there is a Gibson special edition (that's what the guy there called it) red one at GC for about $1,800. It was normally about $2,300, but nobody wanted it because it was red. Well, I like red and I've had my eye set on this one for a while.

My other choice was the LC2 Sonoma small-body. I'm not too sure of how much this one costs, or how it sounds, but I've heard a few good things about it.

I don't have the money to spend as of right now, but I'm looking to see if anyone can put in a word or two for either of these guitars, good or bad.

Peace

I haven't played either of those but I am a big fan of the Montana-built Gibson acoustics. I have a J-200 and a rosewood J-45. I think a good Gibson acoustic is hard to beat and if you find one that calls your name I'd get it. A good Gibson has sparkle, clarity, warmth and balance (wish I did).
My only "disappointment" with Gibson is the Tusq nuts and saddles. I've had mine replaced with bone and they sound better to me (don't want to get into a Tusq/bone argument, ymmv).

For that price- check out a few old Gibson's from the '60's. You caqn find good ones in that price range- you'll forget about the new ones.

My recommendation is the J-100 Gibson. Sounds better than either of those two, and I just bought one new at GC for $1400. They're discontinuing to carry them supposedly- I was told this by the mgr who I know personally.... It's awesome.

Billy

I like the Montana Gibsons a lot. I've owned a Hummingbird for a few years and love it. I had an 80's model and mine absolutely blows it away. I've never played a 60's model, so I can't make that comparison. I've played some J-150's & J-200's and enjoyed them very much. I haven't found any small bodied Gibsons like the LC2.

Dan R

I played an advanced jumbo (fancy J45) at the GC in Scottsdale that sounded pretty good... it was around $1800.

I have a 38 L-OO, a 49 J45 and a 62 J45.

I like the Gibson Hank Jr. plays.

http://www.hankjr.com/concert.htm

slide show, Gibson's near the end
http://customcurbingdesigns.com/hanktupelo/index.htm

I don't know about those particular models but I'll give up some love for the Montana factory. I have a really nice J45 that I love. They're like any other though, play'em 'til you find the one that really works for you.

dB

I've got a LC1 Cascade. The specs are the same as the LC2, with the exception of the top being cedar and some other cosmetic differences. The neck is great, being 1 3/4 at the nut, so it is good for finger picking. Very responsive instrument. Mine had the Schertler Bluestick, and works very well. They may be using the Fishman now.

Beez

I have a 2003 Gibson J50 that I adore. The guitar opened up very nicely after only a short time, maybe 3 months! It's beautiful too, good wood and craftmanship.

john

I'd look at a few Guild's too... I have an F-50 that I love...

Love Gibson acoustics. Prefer them pretty much over all others. Here is my somwehat less than pristine 1960 J-200.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Gibson.jpg


Gibsons do tend to get a bit pricey and you have to be real careful if you go looking on eBay. There have been more than a few J-45 fakes showing up (the shape of the headstock is usually the dead giveaway.

I agree with the recommendation to check out Gibbys from the 1960s as well as the new ones when you are ready to buy. But you gotta be careful. Gibson tended to do some somewhat rather unwise things to their guitars - like put a floating brace they began installing in the J-200 in 1961 which did hurt the guitar's tone. Those adjutable bridges Gibson started putting on the J-45s in the mid-50s were also ill advised. Point is, a 1960 J-200 in fine condition will run ya maybe $10,000. A 1964 J-200 in fine condition can often be had for less than $2500. But some will sound alot better than others.

have a look at the collings and santa cruz guitar companys slope shoulders if you want that style of guitar.

Ducking

have a look at the collings and santa cruz guitar companys slope shoulders if you want that style of guitar.

Ducking

There's a sixties J-45 for $2000 just around the corner here. I played it, and it sounded great!...

There's a sixties J-45 for $2000 just around the corner here. I played it, and it sounded great!...

Exactly, they don't make em like they used to

Ducking again

Exactly, they don't make em like they used to

Ducking again

You don't find them around here normally. During my lunch pause I went back there to play it lol.

You don't find them around here normally. During my lunch pause I went back there to play it lol.

an early or late 60s?, maybe you shuold snatch that one.

My preference for Gibson would be prior to 1960 and from 1992 on up to today.
IMHO, the '60's...especially mid-60's...would be the beginning of a down period for Gibson. All of the guitar makers got in a rush to fill the orders that came as a result of theBeatles and the boom in pop music.....everyone wanted to play. The quality went down,...not just for Gibson but for Fender, Martin...everybody. I would take a '60's gibson over a '70's. IME, I have never picked up a '70's Gibson acoustic that truly deserved to have a Gibson logo on it. I will echo that sentiment for mid '70's Martins...the bridges are in the wrong position for one.
The real beginning of the downturn was 1958 when Gibson introduced the tuneomatic bridge on acoustics. Then, in the '60's you can find plastic bridges on not just B-25's but also on J-45's. Yes, I have seen it! I have also seen 3/16" thick plywood used for bridgeplates. J-200's in the '60's can have a 1" square bar from one rib to the other under the bridge with an adjustable screwjack to counteract bellying of the bridge. Most of these were jerked out.
I first saw one of these when I recovered a J-200 for a friend. The guitar had been stolen in '76 and I got it back in '92. I had to call Dan Erlewine to see what was up with the weird contraption. He said that it was something that most people removed, but it should be left in for the vintage value since it was still there. The guitar went to a collector. It was not much of a sonic thrill but looked very nice.
IMHO, the Montana factory is building the best acoustics Gibson has had since the '50's. My '92 J-30 Rosewood(limited production..fewer than 50 guitars) is an unreal guitar for sonics. I traded a rough '7- D-28 Martin for it and have never been happier about a trade.
As for the mention of the J-185 that started this thread in August, it is a different guitar than everything mentioned elsewhere in this thread. It is a small bodied take on the J-100/200 guitar. The vintage J-185 is one of the most sought after vintage Gibsons....very rare.

I was on the Gibson site last night. They are starting to put some Audio clips for their guitars.

I can say this, there is a noticable difference between the clips. And from a long J45 player, the clips seem to be accurate.

I think you need to decide on a few things. 1) Is there a particular sound that you are looking or just the look. 2) Scale length neck...24 or 25. 3) and finally, some of the Gibby's run a V shaped neck vs. a C.

I've had a "97 J-45 for about 5 years that has been agreat guitar by any measure. It stands out among every other Gibson I've played and sounds very similar to a friends old banner headstock. I'm selling the guitar because I found a Collings CJ that has a better neck for me, and I can't keep everything. But I hate to let it go, this one's special.

One thing to keep in mind is the saying that "the only thing consistent about Gibson acoustics is their inconsistency." You can find great guitars from Gibson and some not so great. Be sure to play through a couple if you can.