jgwoods Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 I'm trying to decide. I like the J-185- body shape, size, depth etc. but am a little worried about maple and it's affect on tone. The hummingbird is such an icon to me. I like mahogany, but I'm finding dreadnought bodies to be too big these days, so I can't decide. Is the J-185 all maple edgy sounding? Is the body size on the Hummingbird as deep as other dreadnoughts? which would you pick?
wonderful remark Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 would a J45 solve the problem for you by anychance?
jgwoods Posted January 1, 2009 Author Posted January 1, 2009 would a J45 solve the problem for you by anychance? I'm thinking about the J-45 too. I had an OJ for a while but in the end I sold it because the body was just too deep and it bothered me to play it. That's my concern with a J-45 or a Hummingbird although I think they are a little less deep than the OJ - it was very nearly 5" at the deep end. The J-185 is pretty much the same depth, but with less body width and narrow waist it should sit better and work fine. It's the sound that concerns me there- that I won't like the maple back and sides. I did like maple on my J-200, but the giant body on those almost demands maple as a way to keep it from being too boomy. Maple on smaller bodies often sounds shrill to me.
ballcorner Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 I certainly understand your dilemma. The J-185 is a guitar I love the feel of, but I haven't had the good fortune to find one that had the tone I was hoping for. The Hummingbird has convinced me over time that it is more substance than bling, despite initial reservations, and I would love to find a nice new one around here that I could buy. My local dealer has one right now that booms bass, but that isn't such a great characteristic on a B string. If you have felt the J45 was a bit large and uncomfortable to play in the past, time likely won't change your mind. I have always been a person who could adapt to whatever guitar was in my hands, but lately I reach for the comfortable guitars long before I take out an arm wrecker. D-28s are the guitars I find difficult to play. V-neck. modified V-neck or what have you and that large body conspire to take away my enthusiasm even though the tone is amazing. I always reach for an OM-21 first because it fits the body and the hands like a guitar should. I think you are on the right track for yourself sticking to the J-185 and I simply encourage you to keep trying them until you find one that sings. Meantime, if the right Hummingbird comes along and it feels good in your hands -- pony up! Good luck with your search.
Guest Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 You could consider, as an alternative to the slightly larger Hummingbird, the Hummingbird Artist model, or the similar Songwriter guitar. Here's a Hummingbird Artist: I'm not sure if these are exclusive to GC -- I happened upon one at a GC in Seattle the other day -- but the ones I've tried were nice guitars. The J-185 is what it is: a small jumbo maple body and it has its own characteristic voice. Some like it & some don't. But it sure ain't a Hummingbird! It's just a different guitar entirely. I can't think of a good 'amalgam' of the two at all, even if you went the route, say, of searching for a more-expensive custom-ordered koa or mahogany J-185. The shape of the body and the tight waist of the small jumbo will not produce a comparable tone to that of the Hummingbird. I see this as an either/or choice, for sure. Fred
jgwoods Posted January 1, 2009 Author Posted January 1, 2009 I certainly understand your dilemma. The J-185 is a guitar I love the feel of' date=' but I haven't had the good fortune to find one that had the tone I was hoping for. .. I always reach for an OM-21 first because it fits the body and the hands like a guitar should. I think you are on the right track for yourself sticking to the J-185 and I simply encourage you to keep trying them until you find one that sings. Meantime, if the right Hummingbird comes along and it feels good in your hands -- pony up! Good luck with your search. [/quote'] Funny you should mention the OM-21. My only guitar at the moment is an OM-21 Special. It's a fine fit. I think that an ideal pair of guitars would be a fine Gibson and a fine Martin. I am halfway there. Despite all the fine reports on other makes- Collings, H&D, Larivee, Santa Cruz, and the rest, my dream is 1 Gibson, 1 Martin. The OM-21 Special is Rosewood The perfect compliment is probably a mahogany Gibson. I just don't want to wind up not playing it because it's too big/deep.
Guest Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 how about a RW J185? Another option, but again, a different guitar from both the Hummingbird and the maple J-185. I had a 1996 r/w J-185; nice guitar, nicely balanced, great chorder, a little timid in voice though. Could've been the era, or just (poor) luck of the draw. Looked great. Best neck ever. Haven't seen one since, but I'm sure they get made every so often. Check with a 5-star dealer. Fred
Rambler Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Another possibility: CJ-165. 15' across the middle like an Om, but not as deep as a J185 or j45. But I wouldnt say a J185ws is edgey...
jgwoods Posted January 1, 2009 Author Posted January 1, 2009 Another possibility: CJ-165. 15' across the middle like an Om' date=' but not as deep as a J185 or j45. But I wouldnt say a J185ws is edgey... [/quote'] Thanks for that link- edgy it ain't and i stand corrected on my guess as to the sound. Based on that- and Fullers 7 day no questions return policy I may have them send me a J-185 TV Sunburst and I'll see how it goes.
Jinder Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 J185s are lovely, woody beasts...not edgy at all. A 185 would be the perfect compliment to your OM21, IMHO.
J-200 Koa Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 This looks interesting.... http://www.fullersguitar.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,2117/category_id,102/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,27/
Modac Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 How about a Rosewood J-185? http://guitarsale.com/Gibson-J-185-Rosewood-i256677.music
jgwoods Posted January 1, 2009 Author Posted January 1, 2009 I looked at both of the guitars just above- The Rosewood J-185 is interesting. My Martin Om-21 Special is rosewood so I'm looking for Mahogany..or maple (we'll see) The thin body AJ is a surprise to me. My concern there is that the description is correct- it really is a stage guitar- best plugged in, best for the recorded sound it gives, but maybe not the best as a pure acoustic. One thing we know about Gibsons is their proven designs- they have a bunch of guitars that have worked for a long time. The J-185 fills the bill, J-45, AJ, J-200 etc. I view the thin body as an experiment, and I'm more in the market for tried and true.
jefleppard Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 This looks interesting.... http://www.fullersguitar.com/component/page' date='shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,2117/category_id,102/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,27/[/quote'] i'd love to hear this one.
Blaster Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I acquired a 1998 J-185N about a year ago; I became interested in the model after seeing Woody Mann play one. Now I've owned a couple of J-200s and Hummingbirds over the decades, but never bonded with them, so they were either sold or traded off. The J-185N was an immdiate home run for me, comfortable to play, nice tone, and got it for a good price used. I think they're all great model guitars and it's a matter of finding one that works for you.
GottaBeGibson Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I went shopping for a new Gibson a few years back, intending to get a J-45 or variation (J-50/Southern Jumbo) - I ended up buying a J-185. I'd always thought of maple guitars as too bright and edgy before, but this one changed my mind. Every guitar is of course going to be different, but mine is the most tonally balanced I've ever owned. Warm without being muddy. Clear without being harsh. Playing technique can bring out lush sustain or Everly Brothers style percussiveness. I always recommend bringing someone who also plays guitar with you to any shopping excursion, that way you can hear the guitar from out in front of it too (like where a microphone might be) - and try guitars that you think you won't like, you may be surprised.
jgwoods Posted January 2, 2009 Author Posted January 2, 2009 I called Fullers and ordered the 1 J-185 TV Sunburst they had. The price seemed right- >40% off list and free shipping. Now the wait. Happy New Year to all.
Guest Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I looked at both of the guitars just above-The Rosewood J-185 is interesting. My Martin Om-21 Special is rosewood so I'm looking for Mahogany..or maple (we'll see) I, too, have an OM-21 Special. And I agree, the r/w gives its own sound to the guitar. But, more to the point, it's a Martin guitar, an old Martin design with a few modern tweaks (trussrods, what a concept!), and it sounds like a r/w OM. It sounds different from the other r/w guitars I have, two of which are Gibsons -- an SJ and a J-2000 (16" venetian cutaway jumbo). But I think your search is headed in the right direction, woodwise. Let us know how the J-185TV is. I've bought from Fuller's a number of time, and they do tend to have a wide selection on hand, and they also provide nice pricing. Fred
Fred Staig Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 "but am a little worried about maple and it's affect on tone." I had also been wary about maple until last year I aquired a 50s re issue J200. I already had a custom J200 Adi/madagascar to compare with and was so impressed with the maple sound I purchased a J-185TV. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
jgwoods Posted January 2, 2009 Author Posted January 2, 2009 I owned a maple J-200 a few years ago and it was a wonderful guitar. Maple really helps those superjumbos from turning muddy and at that size I would be wary of rosewood. I heard a few maple midsize guitars that sounded poor- all trebles, no mids, no bass, hard edged sound. Gibson seems to have the secret for getting good tone out of maple and I look forward to the J-185
Fred Staig Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 "and at that size I would be wary of rosewood." My Adi/madagascar J200 is still a mighty fine guitar with a nice ring and great sustain, but I found the 50s maple reissue's tone sweeter but still closer to rosewood than mahogany . (I also have the J100 Xtra mahogany body version, so I've all the bases covered)
Cryoman Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I have one of the 2005 run rosewood guitars from guitarsale. It is fantastic. Comfortable of course, but alive and nice bell tones and good sustain. I love mine (and I also have a AJ, SJ-200, HD-28V, GC-8 for comparison) These guitars have some nice features including the true holly faceplate (you can see the edge in the photos at the guitarsale site), bone nut and madagascar fretboard and bridge. Mine has gold Kluson-type tuners. I think there are only 1 or 2 of the original run Gibson did in 2005 for Guitarsale. Offer them $1700 and I bet you'll be pleased with the response. Cheers, Cryoman
suburude63 Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 I am glad you went for the J 185! Its becoming one of my favorites! Not edgy at all. Check out this version of Shenandoah on one!! Just mellow and great! Strings on these make a big difference in sound ! suburude
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