Larsongs Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 (edited) I can't recall anyone posting anyting about these Guitars? Are they any good? Does anyone play these?? Feedback appreciated Thanks https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SSSWRBG19--gibson-acoustic-songwriter-2019-rosewood-burst Edited September 20, 2023 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 Don't care for the shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 21, 2023 Author Share Posted September 21, 2023 It does kinda look like it borrowed design elements from different models & incorporated them into a bit of an unusual looking Guitar but it sounds quite good.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 I don't know that model. But I know Rosewood. And I like it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 I’ve got a rosewood J200. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J185cat Posted September 21, 2023 Share Posted September 21, 2023 I may be mistaken but I believe Ren designed the Songwriter series. Guess he was just trying to add anew voice to the Gibson family. I don’t personally have any experience with them but people seem to like them. Of course you know the way rosewood affects the sound of most guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 15 hours ago, J185cat said: Of course you know the way rosewood affects the sound of most guitars. Yea. It makes them sound better... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4beagles Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 Got one a few months back- very impressive- loud and articulate- definitely worth trying out to see if it fits your style- lots of bass and good highs a bit more scooped then the short scale hog Gibsons- like the size.....not too big or too small.....really like it....and I have plenty Martins and Gibsons to choose from...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 22, 2023 Author Share Posted September 22, 2023 I can’t find anything about Ren Ferguson designing these Guitars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J185cat Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 5 hours ago, Larsongs said: I can’t find anything about Ren Ferguson designing these Guitars? I could certainly be wrong about that but it does seem like I read that somewhere in the past. Don’t remember where now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 23, 2023 Author Share Posted September 23, 2023 1 hour ago, J185cat said: I could certainly be wrong about that but it does seem like I read that somewhere in the past. Don’t remember where now. It does look like it has his touch on it.. You may be right. I just haven’t been able to find anything though.. I’m surprised there isn’t more info about these Guitars.. Or is that most Gibson guys prefer Mahogany? I’m a fan of both & Guitars made of both.. J-45’s are in the $2999.00 range & the Songwriter is $3199.00, sounds great & definitely has more detail.. Seems like it would be the choice of many??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasAK Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 My memory coincides with J185cat. Years ago, one of the employees at our local shops (at that time a 5 star dealer) told me it was one of their best-selling Gibson acoustics. I also think it kind of replaced the Song Bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4beagles Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 I also read that Red Ferguson designed these from the beginning which I believe is around 2003.......and also can't remember the source....you could check with Gibson- regardless- a very cool guitar with a different vibe then a Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 23, 2023 Author Share Posted September 23, 2023 Considering that a new Martin D-28 Standard (non Electric) is $3199.00 & this Songwriter is $3199.00 but has Anthem Electronics & much more visual detail might make you think twice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 (edited) As far as I can figure Ren Ferguson's main and very important contribution to Gibson was to redesign the bracing carve he inherited and to go with the two different angle bracing footprints. While the evolution of the Songwriter has appeared here before, in a nutshell at first there was the CL Series which have been credited to Ren. These first morphed into the Songbird and then the Songwriter. In general, I prefer rosewood when used for the back and rim of smaller body guitars. So, I will always take a Martin D18 over a D28. Plus, while it is probably petty, I really do not care for any guitar with abalone/pau trim. Edited September 23, 2023 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 23, 2023 Author Share Posted September 23, 2023 (edited) 26 minutes ago, zombywoof said: As far as I can figure Ren Ferguson's main and very important contribution to Gibson was to redesign the bracing carve he inherited and to go with the two different angle bracing footprints. While the evolution of the Songwriter has appeared here before, in a nutshell at first there was the CL Series which have been credited to Ren. These first morphed into the Songbird and then the Songwriter. In general, I prefer rosewood when used for the back and rim of smaller body guitars. So, I will always take a Martin D18 over a D28. Plus, while it is probably petty, I really do not care for any guitar with abalone/pau trim. Is there a D-18 with Rosewood back & sides? I’m not familiar with one? While the cosmetic trim on the Songwriter may appeal to some, the more important added feature compared to the D-28 Standard is the L.R. Baggs VTC electronics at the same Price point.. Although, the D-28 would most likely retain higher future resale value.. Edited September 23, 2023 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4beagles Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 don't over think it....just play one or A/B against the D-28..............I don't think a pick up should be a deciding factor....sound and feel is everything...acoustic that is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 24, 2023 Author Share Posted September 24, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, 4beagles said: don't over think it....just play one or A/B against the D-28..............I don't think a pick up should be a deciding factor....sound and feel is everything...acoustic that is.... I agree.. The Guitar is everything… I want the best Guitar.. Whatever I get it will need a Pickup for my playing wants & needs. The Pick up is a Plus on the Gibson but the Guitar would have to pass the test.. Here’s a comparison Video.. I can’t understand a word he’s saying but at 3:15 it’s just Guitars playing.. Edited September 24, 2023 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 Owned the cut away version. Sold it. Sound it like Gibson meets Taylor. But i also realised I dont like rosewood backed Gibson acoustics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 24, 2023 Author Share Posted September 24, 2023 7 hours ago, EuroAussie said: Owned the cut away version. Sold it. Sound it like Gibson meets Taylor. But i also realised I dont like rosewood backed Gibson acoustics. You hit on an interesting point. It seems most who buy Gibson Acoustics buy them for Mahogany Back & Sides.. Gibson Rosewood & Maple back & Sides Guitars are Outliers… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 8 hours ago, EuroAussie said: Owned the cut away version. Sold it. Sound it like Gibson meets Taylor. But i also realised I dont like rosewood backed Gibson acoustics. The 2 above sound very neutral to me. Like some anonymous clerk in the midsts of circus-people, show-folks, night-clubbers and flamboyant eccentric artists. . Yet I'd like to try one in reality - a Songwriter vs a Songbird could be fun. Also though the body shape and head turn me off. Too wide hips under too narrow shoulders. Have to add something tells me they might surprise positively. Ferguson wasn't born the week before materializing this vision. 22 minutes ago, Larsongs said: It seems most who buy Gibson Acoustics buy them for Mahogany Back & Sides.. Gibson Rosewood & Maple back & Sides Guitars are Outliers… Count rose first - quite a lot have lusted for Jumbos & Doves over the years. For reasons better than good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 (edited) 20 hours ago, Larsongs said: Is there a D-18 with Rosewood back & sides? I’m not familiar with one? While the cosmetic trim on the Songwriter may appeal to some, the more important added feature compared to the D-28 Standard is the L.R. Baggs VTC electronics at the same Price point.. Although, the D-28 would most likely retain higher future resale value.. That is the point. I prefer the mahogany back and rim the D18 sports to the rosewood body D28. And I never cared much about factory installed electronics. While I have owned old guitars with P90 and P13 pickups, the only instrument I have with something a bit more up to date remains my Fairbanks (which I purchased used) in which Dale had installed a K&K Pure Mini. It is unobtrusive enough that while Dale offered to remove it when I sent the guitar back to him for some modifications, I decided to leave it be. Edited September 24, 2023 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 24, 2023 Author Share Posted September 24, 2023 (edited) I own a 1975 Martin D-35 Rosewood back & sides (since new) & a 2001 Gibson Bozeman Masterbilt Solid Top J-160E Mahogany back & sides (since new). I love the Sound of both.. My 47 year old D-35 sounds as good as any of the D-41’s, D-42’s & D-45’s I’ve ever played. Although all were new. I consider my J-160E to be ultimate Round Shoulder J Series Gibson I’ve ever played.. Compared to all the J Series Guitars I’ve played.. I like the Acoustic & P-90 Electric sound. Easy Volume & Tone controls (which look cool too) & the 15th open fret before the body.. My quest has been to find something different Sounding than both the above but equally as good in its own respect.. I’ve played some Maple J-200’s that sound good but expensive.. Hummingbirds & Doves that sound good but I’m not a fan of Birds & Bees on my Pickguards. The Songwriter seems to be an ever evolving Guitar.. In name & build.. What do you all think about that? Edited September 24, 2023 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 On 9/22/2023 at 2:06 PM, Larsongs said: I can’t find anything about Ren Ferguson designing these Guitars? You didn’t find anything because the original name for the series was the Custom Line . The Gibson Custom Line (CL) Series was an acoustic guitar range introduced in the 1990s and made in Bozeman, Montana. The CLs had a longer scale length than the typical Gibson acoustic guitar and were designed by Ren Ferguson to compete with Martin D28 style acoustics which were hugely popular with guitarists. There were 5 tiers of CL guitars ranging from the CL-10 to CL-50. All had abalone rosettes (not really used by Gibson before on a production model), custom pickguard shapes and the more expensive models had mother of pearl snowflake or special leaf fingerboard inlays. A special moment in music history involving this body style was when Aaron Lewis played the song Outside acoustically with a CL model : JC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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