bobouz

I've been playing LG sized bodies since the late '70s, having had three '60s B-25/Epi Cortez examples, and still owning one. So when the LG-2 American Eagle came out in 2013, I just had to have one. Workmanship & playability were excellent, but the low end tone was too meek to be well balanced with the upper end. I still kept the guitar until 2019, hoping it would open up some - but it never did. Eventually, I lucked upon a 2007 LG-1 (limited run of 20 in the USA ) that has X-bracing, so it's actually an LG-2 in disguise. This one's got the balanced tone I was after, so all's well that ends well. Moral of the story: The right LG sized guitar could be lurking anywhere, and there can be a lot of variation between them. There have been quite a few limited run LG-sized models in the 2000s, so keep an open mind & keep looking - the right one will eventually come along!

Thanks Dave!

A note about this comment I just made above: Given that you are looking at brand new versions of the 335 & 339, I would expect to find rather similar neck profiles available. But there is no substitute for an in-hand assessment, and that’s where the Sweetwater rep could be super helpful. They seem to have a good reputation for assisting their customers, so it would be worth seeing what they can do for you.

That’s the thing BBP, it all depends on the year & version. I too own a 339 (2009), a 335 (2011), and previously owned another 335 (2006). All the necks are vastly different, and back when I bought the 339, there were two neck profiles to choose from. It can be quite a moving target!

Just recalled that there was a Brad Paisley J-45 model in 2010. It was done in a light cheery sunburst, and had a batwing pickguard that inclded a rather unattractive (imho!) paisley design. Edit: Here’s another one - Keb Mo Bluesmaster. Edit #2: Assorted John Lennon J-160e versions, and two versions of Paul McCartney’s 1964 Texan, made in Bozeman for McCartney’s Adopt-A-Minefield fundraiser back in 2005. And one more that comes to mind: Nick Lucas models.

Can’t really say without playing them both, but most likely there will be notable differences in tone between the two models due to body size - and neck profiles can be a moving target from year to year & model to model, so that also is a tough question to answer. Perhaps you can pick the brain of someone at Sweetwater if they’re willing to do an in-hand demo of both instruments for you. Best of luck in finding one that’s satisfying!

Ah well, there are other good aftermarket P-90s in a humbucker size, such as the Seymour Duncan Phat-Cat, but at some point the P-94 will be back in stock. Maybe just use this time to research other options, but personally, I’d prefer putting Gibson pickups in a Gibson whenever possible. Bottom line, it’ll make for a good 2021 project - Happy New Year!

That's actually a good price - I paid more than that for it here in the USA! If your supplier has it in stock, you might want to grab it. It seems like there are large gaps from one production run to the next, so when they're gone, it usually ends up being a while before it's back in stock.

Didn't know about the Love Dove. I had an early '70s Dove with that bridge, which I actually prefer aesthetically over the standard Dove bridge. With the dreaded moniker of being a Norlin era instrument, it was actually a fine sounding guitar. Same with an early '70 Heritage Custom I owned. Regardless of what anyone may say, they weren't all clunkers!

First drop a Gibson P-94R into the neck position. This is Gibson’s humbucker-sized single-coil replacement, and a great pickup. See how close that gets you to the tone you’re after, and then you can decide if you want to get the companion P-94T for the bridge pickup. A lot of folks like changing just the neck pickup & leaving the bridge humbucker. The R pickup is currently available from Musicians Friend (Guitar Center) online. I just ordered one myself for modifying my 1990 Gibson Tennessean. They currently don’t stock the T pickup, but it’s on backorder at Sweetwater. Gibson’s P-94 set used to be widely available, but of late it’s become rather difficult to source either one. I used to have both on a Epiphone Riviera (Nick Valensi version), and they do indeed deliver a full P-90 tone (but of course with subtle differences when mounted in a semi-hollow). Also note, there are cheapo copies out there, so don’t be fooled by eBay offers. Good luck chasing that tone. I also have two ES-330s, so I can understand where you’re coming from. The P-94R will get you headed in the right direction!

And as I mentioned in the other recently posted thread about Tony, give a listen to “Skaggs & Rice” available on YouTube - in particular ‘Will The Roses Bloom’. Such gorgeous harmonizing!

Very cool guitar that Sigma chose for a budget copy model! Glad you're out & about - Enjoy!

I bought the duet album Ricky Skaggs references (Skaggs & Rice) shortly after it's initial release, and their harmonizing was just stunningly beautiful. Go to Youtube and give a quick listen to Will The Roses Bloom (where she lies sleeping) for a joyful treat featuring Tony's singing, and those incredible harmonies.

It does look like the battery holder Gibson used for many years. It’s certainly possible that it could have been special ordered from the factory, or perhaps an aftermarket addition. But the use of that holder does not immediately verify the use any particular pickup or system, and a working musician could easily have had any system of his preference installed. That said, I always like to consider probabilities, and because of this instrument’s year of manufacture, it would not be a surprise to find that era’s typical Fishman UST under the saddle.

Nice Bruce - TRC heaven!

The most likely probability is that the pickup was a later addition. The non-cutaway models with a pickup as standard equipment all utilized the same Fishman UST, and a two-pronge metal clip on the neckblock for the 9V battery. Also re Rowdy’s beautiful guitar, the pickguard design wearing off was fairly common at that time. Seemed like all you had to do was breath on it & away it went!

That looks like a nice one, Paul! It’s different from what I have, which is strictly for the Montana lineup. I also have a separate Nashville catalog.

Paul - Yes, I do have the 2001 catalog, along with the 1999 & 2003 catalogs. During that stretch, Gibson put out an acoustic catalog every other year. I went through a number of Gibsons within those years, keeping the ‘00 J-100 Xtra and a superb sounding ‘02 J-45 Rosewood. Other models purchased new included a J-150, J-50, and two WM-45s (satin & gloss). The specs on your J-200 from 2000 are identical to the 2001 version. Therefore, it should have a Madagascar rosewood board & bridge. Also, a pickup was not standard on this model, as you noted with the 2001 you’d previously owned. Specs for the 2001 J-50 are very typical of the breed, with the addition of a standard Fishman UST. This was the same model year J-50 I owned, and while I did love the tone, the neck profile on that particular instrument was a bit too chunky for me. That glitch finally got corrected with a very satisfying 2015 J-50! Again, starting with a major lineup revision in 1999 in conjunction with a stronger focus on traditional models, I think Ren & Bozeman entered a pleasingly noteworthy period of production during the early 2000s. These instruments on the used market are always worth a serious look, imho.

Per the 2001 catalog, your guitar was the basic, standard J-200 model in 2001 - but it's formal name was "SJ-200 Reissue". The models comprising the "J-200 Super Jumbo Line" in 2001 were as follows >>> J-100 Xtra, J-150, SJ-200 Reissue, SJ-200 Elite Custom, and Western Classic SJ-200. The descriptor for your model reads: "Best-seller! Historic 1950 details and the most popular jumbo, known as the 'King of the Flat-tops.' Antique Natural or Vintage Sunburst Finish." I would not directly compare this model to other Reissues or New Vintage models. You cannot concretely expect to find specific features from other models in your instrument, even within the same decade. That said, one unique note in the 2001 spec sheet for your guitar is that the fingerboard & bridge are made out of Madagascar Rosewood. And under Other Features, it lists "1950's SJ-200 Replica." Your truss rod cover reflects the 1950's item. The four-ribbon bridge is quite common for J-200 models (but two-ribbon bridges have also been utilized). Gold Keystone tuners were standard on your model, and also appeared on the J-100 Xtra & J-150 in 2001. I have a J-100 Xtra from 2000 (see avatar) with the same tuners, and they likewise were featured on jumbos for a number of years during that era of production. Gibson's Montana facility built many fine quality instruments in the early 2000s. Congrats on your new guitar & Enjoy!

Congrats! Walnut is a fine tonewood. The one’s I’ve played have delivered a tone more akin to the qualities of maple, which is my favorite. Gibson’s frequent utilization of maple & short-scale fingerboards are two of the reasons I’m drawn to them. Similarly, the P-90 tone of Gibson electrics typically represents the amplified sound my ears want to hear. Play what works & Enjoy!

Time for a short-scale electric with 9s! The very best to you, Jinder.

I think what you have there is a Terrapin Guitars replacement pickguard, style UA-5. Along with being reminiscent of the old Mossman style, Washburn has used something similar for many years.

Extra-Lights work best for my style of play. On an ‘07 LG-1 with X-bracing (so essentially a LG-2), I’m using Martin Retros. On a ‘66 Epi Cortez (B-25 clone), I’ve got D’Addario PBs. Same body size, but two very different voices.

Nope - The Heritage Custom from ‘72 on (which is what I owned), most definitely had solid rosewood back & sides. The above referenced guitar from 1976 is a Heritage Custom, but it is missing it’s label & they've incorrectly called it a Heritage “Deluxe”.

I never did listen to him back in the day. Was just into other stuff.