Brucebubs

As someone who owns an older model 2012 EJ-200 and new 2020 Historic 1957 SJ-200 I can tell you the difference is huge - but having said that the EJ-200 can be a lot of fun when you give it a firm hand - those upgrades on the new EJ-200 seem mighty nice - I would still like to throw a set of bone bridge pins on that Epiphone EJ-200 and a set of DR Sunbeam round-core strings, both really lifted my EJ-200 to another level.

Neil Young has an amused look as he's being handed a SJ-200 in a sea of D-45's.

I put Pete Townshend up there on his signature SJ-200.

My new 1957 SJ-200 came with a D'Addario 2-way humidification system included in the case.

Those strip tuners and that adjustable height saddle are typical of the cheap Asian imports from the early 1970's.

Willie Wagtail nest on my clothesline .

We're lucky to even find a Gibson acoustic guitar in a store here in Australia let alone pick which one has the nicest burst. I'm happy with my new 1957 SJ-200 - it just gets better every time I pick it up.

I like Music Nomad products.

When you think about it he really only got $3.00 each for the hundred million songs he's written.

Those Gotoh Relic are a quality tuner. I have a brand new Gibson with Gotoh tuners and they are superb .. but as others have said, tuning can be affected by overnight temperature and humidity changes, I still need to fine tune the guitar before playing.

It's a Planet Waves O Port Sound Enhancer. Fitted by the previous owner. Does it work? Honestly can't tell you, it was in there when I bought the guitar, happy with how it sounds (with Sunbeams) so I just left it in - I've never heard the guitar with it out.

I asked for string suggestions for my Epiphone EJ-200 on another forum a couple of years ago - several suggested mediums to drive that big top - made sense to me - tried a set of round-core DR Sunbeam mediums and it went backwards - by chance I had a set of Sunbeam lights so I put them on next - incredible difference - love them on that guitar.

Thanks but I think .013's would just be overkill on my guitar - in fact, none of my guitars sound or play better with mediums.

I need to wash my eyes.

For the record - Yes, I do own that exact same 1957 SJ-200 but I also own these 2 Martin guitars ... - 2009 Martin Grand J12-40E Special - 2011 Martin JDP II build #71 of 71

The 1957 SJ-200 has 'Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing'. I think the comparison here is not RW vs Maple or Jumbo vs Dreadnought but the difference between 2 completely different guitars with a similar cost.

New comparison clip I found. OK, so maybe I'm just biased but I think the Gibson sounds better to me.

Update - Dealer came through, received a much cleaner, better made replacement in the mail this morning. From this, To this,

I hear you brother.

That looks great with that pickguard. Mine has a Planet Waves 'O' Port Sound Enhancer fitted by the previous owner, it sounds great as is so I just left it in. As I mentioned previously I changed the saddle and bridge pins to bone and they really improved things then I discovered DR Sunbeam round-core .012 lights and they lift it to a whole new level. My serial number is - 12032310993

This one,

Thanks again everyone - bit of history with me and Elixirs - they don't talk about my playing and I don't talk about how they feel like they're covered in greasy fried chicken fat - tried them 3 times - guess I'm one of the people with skin that just slides off their coating - no problem with other brands of coated strings, just Elixirs.

I'm still staying with a Guild F-612 - the 12-string jumbo with 18" lower bout - there's one listed on Reverb for over $10.6K Australian + shipping ... in 'Fair' condition! https://reverb.com/au/item/125435-1971-guild-f-612-very-rare?locale=en-AU Pete Townshend has one.

Dumb thread - I asked the AGF moderators to remove the word 'crap' from the opening post ... and they did. It just becomes an exercise in 'brand bashing' and there's nothing worse than owning and loving a guitar and seeing someone else call it crap.

Thanks again everyone - great suggestions - the warmth and depth has surprised me, loving it - I can see why they fit .012 lights from the factory. For those who may be interested I also have a maple Huss & Dalton MJ Custom. I take my hat off to the H&D for it's light build and responsiveness but the Gibson has more tone and greater versatility.