Dnallred Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I'm this close to getting a CJ-165 Rosewood. I like the look of having no cutaway and I need the electrics in it - Perfect! Does anyone out there own one of these things? I've never purchased a Gibson, (played dozens) and latley I'm hearing a lot of bad things about their quality control. Any insight form some of you veteran owners out there? I can't find one locally so I think I'm gonna pull the trigger and risk getting one online (finger's crossed). I guess I can always return it if I hate it but I'd love some insight from someone who has one first. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I owned the Maple one and loved it. The RW 165s are great, but I like the extra chime from the Maple version myself. You can't really go wrong with either...I REALLY miss mine :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I have both the rosewood and maple versions and love them. Both are fine guitars. Like Jinder, I am somewhat partial to the maple one, though a lot of people have told me they like the rosewood version better. The rosewood has a very full, rich sound, while the maple tone is clear, crisp and chimey. The size is very comfortable to hold and easy on the right shoulder. An important question is: what do you want to do with this guitar? For daily play around the house or performing plugged in, either 165 is excellent. If you want to play out without amplification, or play with other folks who have dreadnoughts, I would suggest the J-185. It's louder. If you decide to get a CJ-165, be careful. They stopped making them a while back and some online stores only have the 165 EC version, with cutaway and electronics in the side, which is still being produced. I think some stores now label the cutaway version as CJ-165. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Pretty good price on the maple sunburst here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnallred Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'll be using it mostly for playing out-amplified with my band. I'm thinking of going with the Rosewood becasue I am looking for that full warm sound the rosewood gives. I currently play with a Taylor 314ce so I get about all the Bright Chime I need from that for now. I'm looking for that classic rounded-rock acoustic sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hey Dnallred.... Check out this one that was recently listed in the Acoustic Guitar Forum classifieds... Has me Gassing a bit! Great price too! Maybe he would trade you for your Taylor plus some cash? (It's not mine and he is looking for a trade.) http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154247 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Both versions (rosewood and maple) are very good value. For example the rosewood has an ebony fretboard and nice shell rosette. The blonde maple versions use extremely nice, flamey maple. You probably know this but just in case, if you get one from an online store be sure to call them up and ask for their best price! You might be surprised how low they'll go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nodehopper Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I have a maple and just simply love mine. I think it is a great and very versatile guitar. Nut width on the CJ-165, Gibson calls it 1.72" which for me is a good compromise for fingerstyle playing since the neck is nice and slim in profile. I also like that it is a shorter scale..241/2" I think. I never knew scale length made any difference, but now that I have tried it ...I would be hard pressed to buy anything with a scale of 25"+ ever again. I am really happy with mine and think that it is just a great mix of smaller size, great sound, sexy looks and very versatile tone. I got mine about a year and a half ago and was able to kidnap it from the store for right around $1800 out the door. I would think with the current economy you should do even better! I was lucky and there were 2 in the store so I was able to A / B them and while the one I didn't get was no clunker.....mine did seem to have slightly better tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnallred Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Great info Jerry K and nodehopper! I like that the rosewood has that Ebony fretboard. I'll definitley be keeping my Taylor as my "other" guitar though Taylorplayer, (we've come a long way together so I won't be letting it go). I think you've helped me make up my mind. MF has a brand new natural CJ-165 RW (no cutaway) for $1500 right now. I think I'm gonna grab it on Friday l'll be sure to call up and see if they'll compromise on price (I've heard they aren't big on it though, plus it's already at a stellar price!) (I love the sunburst look on the maple body but I'm not a huge fan of it on the rosewood) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 The non-cutaway 165 is a discontinued product which all the online places are dumping now. You may be able to do even better than what they advertise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson101 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Man that is a good price at MF. I almost want to order one but I've sworn off guitar purchases til I improve my playing!!! I'm surprised they still have the Maple for $2079 and the RW for a sweet $1499.00. Go for it!!! Enjoy!! I do want to add though that a 165 is a small guitar. Since you'll be playing in the band and want the Rosewoood sound I'd think long and hard about them J-185 Rosewoods MF has for under 2,000. Those look NICE!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerpopper Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I played the CJ-165 RW and was completely unimpressed, which was disappointing because I really wanted to like and own a smaller version of a Jumbo. I have an acquaintance who claims that is what he hates about Gibsons--that they are hit and miss in his eyes. I don't think it's quite that bad, because I'm very pleased with mine, but in this case the CJ-165 I played was a dud. Maybe it was one that was finished in a hurry before Friday happy hour in Bozeman. On a completely different note, I recently picked up the Takamine 2009 LTD which looks rather like the CJ-165 and sounds great plugged in. I would call it a poor man's Gibson except it cost the same as MF is selling the CJ-165 RW right now. Unplugged it cannot compare to my Gibsons. I suppose it really is an electric guitar at the end of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.