theflyingturtle Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 There is a J-200M (The "M" stands for mini) for sale not too far away. I wondered if anyone can tell me about them. I am considering driving a few hours away to try it out. Specifically, I have a bad right shoulder from decades of guitar playing and falling off of motorcycles. I can no longer sit in a chair and play unless the guitar is small enough that I can rest my right arm in a relaxed position. I am looking for guitars that can accommodate my disability. Right now I already have a Spring Hill Fender mini jumbo in sitka/maple but the 16 inch wide lower bout aggravates my right shoulder when I sit and play. The J-200M has a 15 in. lower bout which is a step in the right direction but the only guitar that I can sit and play comfortably has a 14 inch lower bout. I am simply unsure if the guitar will allow me to enjoy playing without discomfort. Also, for those that have tried out one of these, how is it compared to a standard J-200? Will I be "missing out" too much from a standard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 If you are looking for a 14 inch body do yourself a favor and try out or buy one of the Epiphone Masterbilt Century Olympic models ( 14") They are archtops but have a beautiful tone different from a flattop but very nice and punchy. As far as the J 200 M : Here's Robi from Gibson Montana doing a demo also: If you are looking for something thinner in depth the Eric Church Hummingbird Dark is only 4" deep (not sure if this will help your shoulder but it's less effort): http://www.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/2016/Eric-Church-Hummingbird-Dark.aspx If none of those fit the bill you might want to try and locate a used Fender D!ck Dale Malibu . It's only 3 inches deep and built on a very small folk style body JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 ......the only guitar that I can sit and play comfortably has a 14 inch lower bout. Well, that would seem to indicate that a 15" body would not be comfortable, yes? I wonder if standing to play would allow you to use larger body guitars without pain........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingturtle Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 Well, that would seem to indicate that a 15" body would not be comfortable, yes? I wonder if standing to play would allow you to use larger body guitars without pain........ It does seem to indicate that it may not work but I really have no basis for comparison to tey out in front of me. Yes, I do often have to play standing up, especially if I am singing and practicing. However, if I am working at a song with paper and pencil, sitting down and writing out the chords to a song, sitting down with some friends and jamming regularly requires a guitar that can be played sitting down. Add to this the inevitability of getting old. That shoulder isn't going to get better and I will need smaller, more comfortable guitars as I age. It's like turning 40 and needing reading glasses. It isn't if your eyes are getting worse, it is when and how bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Strictly speaking Gibsons: J-185 with it's narrower waist. J-165, smaller still. Various LG & 00 bodies. L body shape (early 2000s). Try anything you can get your hands on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingturtle Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 Strictly speaking Gibsons: J-185 with it's narrower waist. J-165, smaller still. Various LG & 00 bodies. L body shape (early 2000s). Try anything you can get your hands on! Thank you for posting that. That's good info. If anything my plans were to end up with a vintage LG-2 and/or a Martin 00-17 when this 200 popped up on my radar. It is nothing I have heard of before and liked the small-bodied guitars. I saw someone at an open mic with an Emmilou Harris Gibson. That guitar sounded amazing and this 200M reminded me of that guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 I saw someone at an open mic with an Emmilou Harris Gibson. That guitar sounded amazing and this 200M reminded me of that guitar. FYI - There are two versions of the Emmy Lou model. The earliest was based on the early 2000s L-shape (which is when the Emmy Lou model was first released), while the more recent version is based on the mini J-200 size you're currently considering. They're both good examples of sizes that might work for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 I recently bought a CJ165 which is the Jumbo shape with a 15" bout, so probably the same size. When sitting and playing, the smaller waist lowers it a little more on the lap and it feels very comfortable and smaller than it actually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 I recently bought a CJ165 which is the Jumbo shape with a 15" bout, so probably the same size. When sitting and playing, the smaller waist lowers it a little more on the lap and it feels very comfortable and smaller than it actually is. Correct the 2007 and on version of the Emmylou + any version of the J 200 M is the J 165 body size JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 I have never seen one of the J200M's I would like to try it out. I wonder how it compares to a LG-2 Eagle? I like the LG-2 I have no complaints but always willing to look at a new Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I played a sunburst one today at Russo's. I wanted to like it, but the guitar seemed too heavy for too little sound. I'll take an LG2 any day. However, they look real cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I played a sunburst one today at Russo's. I wanted to like it, but the guitar seemed too heavy for too little sound. I'll take an LG2 any day. However, they look real cool! How did the sound/tone compare with an LG-2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 After reading Sal's comment, I weighed these guitars. LG2 3lb 10oz, CJ165 4lb 4oz. The CJ does have electronics, battery and metal buttons but I would think that would only be about 3oz. Sound wise, I can't compare an all hog guitar to a Spruce over RW. Apples to oranges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I played a sunburst one today at Russo's. I wanted to like it, but the guitar seemed too heavy for too little sound. I'll take an LG2 any day. However, they look real cool! Or maybe maple is just not your thing ??? JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 1493008814[/url]' post='1851172']Or maybe maple is just not your thing ??? JC Might be.... might be... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 After reading Sal's comment, I weighed these guitars. LG2 3lb 10oz, CJ165 4lb 4oz. The CJ does have electronics, battery and metal buttons but I would think that would only be about 3oz. Sound wise, I can't compare an all hog guitar to a Spruce over RW. Apples to oranges. Dave is that LG 2 one of the "John Thomas" replicas? JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Yes. Since John was not given one by Gibson, this is one that he bought to compare to his original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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