egoidealmusic

Well, everything is going to sounds weak compared to those two! To your larger point, though, it's interesting that there do seem to be some who say that what Gibson is building now (aside from the QC issues that flair up) are some of the best that they've made in many decades. I'm not experienced enough to say that myself, but every newer one I've played has sounded great.

Don't beat around the bush, Jed--let me know how you really feel! 🤣 Seriously, though, I very much appreciate that honest assessment, and that's defiitely a push back towards an LG-2!

So I know that the nut on the F-25 is a full 2 inches and that it's a shorter neck, but are these otherwise the same? The Reverb rabbit hole has sucked me in once again in my looking for something new and I'm curious. How do they compare soundwise?

can't access.

And I'd thought about a 6 string banjo Bluesking77 (because I'm too old to start a new instrument), but I don't think I'd play it that often.

Thanks, Dave. Another sold at some point for a grand less, though I can't tell when it was sold, so that doesn't help me (if someone knows how to tell on this guirar the price history please let me know). I'd love to have it, but not for that much!

That's a beautiful guitar--great sound. Hmmm...that CS all hog is looking better and better to me. Seems a bit overpriced at 2999, but I'm not sure what they should be going for these days.

Which did you own, Dave?

So to swing this forum back around to where it started, I'm seriously considering an LG-2. Have my eyes on a couple on Reverb--one's a just barely used 50s LG-2 in natural and the other is a 2013 custom shop LG-2 in all mahogany. Have been reading some reviews of it and folks either love it ("it's so mellow and beautiful") or hate it ("it's to mellow and flat"), and am curious if any of you have played/owned one of these. Potential dark horse in the running is a Martin 00017E in black smoke. Love the tuxedo look.

I was starting to get the shakes from withdrawal!

Haha neither a mandolin nor a Martin post, but I'm loving the conversation that's being had! As far as a Martin, though, I have been considering one of their 00017Es in the black smoke. Love that tuxedo look. Anyone played one?

Thanks for the thoughts, all! I've got a mandolin and I just never play it--my hands just don't work with those little tiny frets and neck. As far as guitars, I've found I really like the shorter scale for my style of playing, so I don't think a Dove is the way to go for me. A Hummingbird though is another I'd considered. I'd love to have an aged top, but those are really more money than I'd like to spend (though if I had it I'd do it in a heartbeat). As far as something bigger (J-200 or the like) I've thought about it, but I find them a bit uncomfortable to just sit around and play.

So, I've got my 50s J-45 that is my #1, and I got about 6 months ago a Recording Kind all solid wood parlor guitar (which is really fun to play) and I'm considering adding something new. The J is the quinticential J--loud, lots of bass and stong mid-range punch. The RK is just the opposite, super bright and sharp. Both serve great purposes for different kinds of songs/styles. Considering adding one more, and I'm thinking either either the 50s LG-2 or the L-00 Original. Am thinking I want something somewhere between the J and the RK parlor. Thanks in advance!

Absolutely love Sierra. That old time voice and great guitar style. I wish all country music had this feel instead of the crap pop so much has become.

Congrats on the 50s J-45. I've been in love with mine since I got it and even though I beat on it it loves me back. Enjoy!

Interesting. I'd thought they were shipping with the PBs.

That's a great suggestion QuestionMark. I've got an Epiphone EL-00 and it's a fantastic guitar. Obviously not the big tone of a Gibson as it's got laminated sides and back but a really playing fun guitar. And you're right, at about $400 (or less if you don't mind a scratch or something) a great starter acoustic. Another option for a lower priced but really nice guitar are the all solid Recording Kings. I got one of their parlor guitars not too long ago (just over $400 when I called Musician's Friend to see if they had a coupon) and it's an absolutely amazing sounding small guitar, and all solid wood. I actually find the neck a little small for my taste, but really enjoy playing it when the J-45 is in the case.

You'd want to think about nut width as well as neck size, and if I'm not mistaken the 60's J-45 or J-50 has the narrowest nut with at 1,68 as opposed to the L-00 (and most other Gibsons) at 1.72. Those are bigger bodied guitars, but if your main concern is neck feel it might just be something to consider.

I believe the studios aren't as deep bodied as the standards, or at least that's the case with the J-45. So you'd get less volume and, from my experience, less bottom end.

This is fantastic--just what I needed to hear today!

Has anyone tried the GHS Americana strings?

Definitely waited to cut the strings unitl after installed and tuned (and stretched and tuned again). Also, have noticed that they are some of the noisiest strings when sliding up or down. I don't do much of that as I'm usually working in cowboy chords (or Dylan chords to make myself feel better), but they are very squeaky. Other than that, really like the sound of them.

That is a beaut, and that grain is fantastic. Maybe the two guitars are sitting at slighly different angles, but is the upper bout rounder than the other?

Thanks, Nick. I prefer the almost dead sound too (particularly with along with my low and scratchy singing voice), and these are moving nicely into that period, so I'd love to have them stay that way.

Haha I didn't mean to start a war! Was just curious as to what folks' range was with these. Mine are still sounding good, but I'm guessing I'm getting close to a change point as I'm really bad about wiping the strings down after playing.