So...I bought the AJ!

[Jinder]

After spending a engaging afternoon with a huge selection of lovely guitars courtesy of my go-to man for guitars, Glenn Sinnock (visit www.glennsguitars.com for some serious guitar porn!), I ended up taking home the stunning 2002 AJ that I'd had my eye on for the last week.

 

This thing is fantastic-it's been played in, but very gently-there's barely a mark on it-and it sounds HUGE, by far the loudest AJ I've ever played. Really, really great guitar.

 

I took it straight to a house gig I was playing last night in Northampton, tuned it and played my entire set with it-it garnered a great deal of compliments, mainly for the sound but also for its individual appearance. I had two guitarists in the audience say "was that J45 custom made for you?" Which tickled me.

 

I'm still getting used to attenuating the massive volume of the thing, but I love that aspect of it. My Blues King seems to whisper in comparison.

 

And, just to top it all off, the immaculate case (still with dampit, warranty card, packing slip and checklist!) Has a STEVE EARLE STICKER ON IT!

 

Happy days...

[EuroAussie]

Congrats Jinder, sounds like a wicked guitar. Ive also recently become an AJ convert, great guitars, somewhat like a J-45 on steroids, but different.

 

Pics nad sound samples plesae :-)

 

Enjoy !

[Joe M]

Jinder, I'm glad your search is over. I've been reading your quest for a replacement that you've been looking for. Being the pro that you are, I'm sure your assessment of your new baby is spot on, but I feel I've got to add my 2 cents worth.

 

I bought a used, but mint condition AJ about 6-7 months ago. Not a mark on it and, considering it was a 2004 model, made it more impressive looking. When I played it for the first time in the shop where it was, it wasn't overwhelmingly loud. I attributed that to the fact that the strings were old, maybe even the originals. The price was so fantastic (more than $1000 less than a brand new one), that I couldn't resist. Took it home and tried almost every type and gauge of string I could. It never projected at all. Both my D18V and HD28V made it sound like a toy. I tried to tell myself that the AJ was probably never played in and needed to open up. But, both of my Martin's were brand new and had only a few weeks playing time on them. I had heard so much about AJ's being such cannons and I really like the way they play compared to my Martin's, but it sure didn't sound like I expected. So, I returned it.

 

Before anyone accuses me of Gibson-bashing, I'm not; I have a beautiful Dove and a J100xtra that I love, I was just really disappointed in the AJ. I guess it's true what I have read that one has to be careful with a lot of Gibby's, I must have just had a dud.

 

Sorry to ramble and I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I'm really glad you found THE ONE, I'm still looking for that AJ that speaks to me like the one you found.

[EuroAussie]

You Gibson basher you, of to exile now !!

 

Just kidding, actually I wrote I recently became a convert because I only recently played a couple AJ's that fitted the descrption of the cannon Gibson. Before I tried a few and found them all to be quite dull and uninspring.

 

But then I played an AJ at my local shop here in Prague and in Germany at Thomann (yes, it does exist) and they were both outstanding , especially the one in Thomann. Was talking to the head of acoustics there and he says thats his favourite Gibson model and ones one himself.

 

So, I share your perspective but can assure you they do exist, and Im sure Jinder found one of those Cannon beauties.

 

Jinder, I'm glad your search is over. I've been reading your quest for a replacement that you've been looking for. Being the pro that you are, I'm sure your assessment of your new baby is spot on, but I feel I've got to add my 2 cents worth.

 

I bought a used, but mint condition AJ about 6-7 months ago. Not a mark on it and, considering it was a 2004 model, made it more impressive looking. When I played it for the first time in the shop where it was, it wasn't overwhelmingly loud. I attributed that to the fact that the strings were old, maybe even the originals. The price was so fantastic (more than $1000 less than a brand new one), that I couldn't resist. Took it home and tried almost every type and gauge of string I could. It never projected at all. Both my D18V and HD28V made it sound like a toy. I tried to tell myself that the AJ was probably never played in and needed to open up. But, both of my Martin's were brand new and had only a few weeks playing time on them. I had heard so much about AJ's being such cannons and I really like the way they play compared to my Martin's, but it sure didn't sound like I expected. So, I returned it.

 

Before anyone accuses me of Gibson-bashing, I'm not; I have a beautiful Dove and a J100xtra that I love, I was just really disappointed in the AJ. I guess it's true what I have read that one has to be careful with a lot of Gibby's, I must have just had a dud.

 

Sorry to ramble and I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I'm really glad you found THE ONE, I'm still looking for that AJ that speaks to me like the one you found.

[slimt]

Congrats On your Purchase of a Advanced Jumbo... they are a Very Underrated Guitar, alot of People dont know anything about those.. until they have looked at one and Play it.. You can play those softly, Or Loud.. and each string speaks up Nicely..

[Jinder]

Thanks all! I'm really impressed with this guitar...it's unique it its dynamic range. It seems to have limitless strumming headroom and just gets louder the harder you hit it.

 

Joe, it's very interesting that your AJ was muted, it just goes to show the variability between guitars. I have played a few AJs before, but none as loud or rich sounding as mine. It really barks, but in a sophisticated way.

 

If you like the AJ in principle, you could do worse than auditioning a few more to find one that speaks to (or shouts at!) You...

[E-minor7]

Good to hear you made your choice and already bond that strongly with the AJ.

May you go a long road together. . .

 

Btw. I had a serious dialog with Mr. Glenn some weeks ago about his 1966 Southern Jumbo, which I saw on the UK Bay. He sent me some extra footage and I found the old beauty had one crack too many - unfortunately.

A splendid guy, it seems. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[onewilyfool]

Jinder congrads!!! Let's see some pics and sound bites!!! My friend has a converted Roy Smeck, and controlling that volume is one of his challenges....but what a problem to have n-est-ce pas??

[jdd707]

Hey congrats Jinder! I'm an AJ fan .... my '92 is the sweetest sounding instrument I've ever owned and my go-to guitar for the 17 years I've owned it. I think Joe's experience was the exception that proves the rule. My AJ is not a boomer but will hold it's own with all but a boomer Martin.

[57classic]

Play it long and enjoy! The AJ is an awesome sounding guitar.

[Joe M]

Jinder, I sure haven't given up on finding the right AJ. Every one I see in a shop, I try. So far, haven't found the one that speaks to me. The search goes on....and you're right, I'm looking for one that shouts at me.... :)

[BigKahune]

.

 

It sure seemed like the AJ is what you were thinking all along.

 

Congrats. . B)

 

.

[Rambler]

Obv., the WWRD principle does not nor should apply! Enjoy, Jinder!

[MissouriPicker]

Congrats on the AJ. Sounds like you have a monster of a guitar. Patience usually pays-off. Looks like it did for you..

[Guth]

Jinder, congrats on the new AJ — may you create many fantastic tunes with it, bark & all.

 

Rambler, that WWRD? line got quite a laugh out of me. However, you never know if the shop had a different AJ on display if things would have worked out the same.

 

In my opinion as previously stated, when it comes to acoustic guitars, generalities are hard to ignore, but absolutes simply don't exist.

[BluesKing777]

Yes, congratulations on the AJ.

 

Any pics?

 

 

BluesKing777.

[shadowster]

Jinder, I'm glad your search is over. I've been reading your quest for a replacement that you've been looking for. Being the pro that you are, I'm sure your assessment of your new baby is spot on, but I feel I've got to add my 2 cents worth.

 

I bought a used, but mint condition AJ about 6-7 months ago. Not a mark on it and, considering it was a 2004 model, made it more impressive looking. When I played it for the first time in the shop where it was, it wasn't overwhelmingly loud. I attributed that to the fact that the strings were old, maybe even the originals. The price was so fantastic (more than $1000 less than a brand new one), that I couldn't resist. Took it home and tried almost every type and gauge of string I could. It never projected at all. Both my D18V and HD28V made it sound like a toy. I tried to tell myself that the AJ was probably never played in and needed to open up. But, both of my Martin's were brand new and had only a few weeks playing time on them. I had heard so much about AJ's being such cannons and I really like the way they play compared to my Martin's, but it sure didn't sound like I expected. So, I returned it.

 

Before anyone accuses me of Gibson-bashing, I'm not; I have a beautiful Dove and a J100xtra that I love, I was just really disappointed in the AJ. I guess it's true what I have read that one has to be careful with a lot of Gibby's, I must have just had a dud.

 

Sorry to ramble and I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I'm really glad you found THE ONE, I'm still looking for that AJ that speaks to me like the one you found.

 

 

 

 

what strings are you using on the sj100 i've got a beauty but changed the strings thatit came with and now feel as is i've lost the great sound it came with

i've tried exlir and maxim both coated and now on gibson 12's

[Joe M]

shadow, I'm using D'Addario EJ16's on it right now. I like them, but I'm still trying other strings searching for an even "better" sound. Don't know if I'll find it but it's been fun looking for something else. I know that the guitar sounds good with the D'Addario's if I can't find anything better.

[Jinder]

Shadow and Joe, try a set of Martin 80/20 Bronze 12-54s or a set of Rotosound Jumbo King 12s on those SJ100s. I always used either of those on my SJ200 and they really boomed.

 

Thanks to all for the best wishes regarding the AJ...the more time I spend with this majestic guitar the more I bond with it and the more it inspires me-I've barely touched on its potential and I can already feel that it's going to be with me for a very, very long time.

 

It's a bewitching instrument. As I play full-time, I rarely find myself playing at home unless it's to write or record, but since I've had the AJ all I can think about is playing it...I'm currently in London with my wife and daughter visiting family for three days, and the AJ has come with us-just for kicks. I can't remember the last time I took a guitar on a non-work trip like this, but it was certainly a few years ago.

 

I think I've fallen into a bit of a stylistic rut as a guitarist over the last couple of years, but the AJ is really pulling me in new and exciting directions, and encouraging me to do things in a way I wouldn't have necessarily done before. The volume and sustain really support and suggest complex fingerstyle runs and chord melody in a way no guitar I've owned before can get close to. I've no regrets whatsoever about parting with the SJ200 in favour of the AJ-I've found the change of guitar scenery very inspiring, and I've had no shoulder pain yet, despite working the AJ very hard in the last few days.

[slimt]

I put Light guage D Addarios on the one I own.. I found meds to be a little to stiff.. but 1 thing in mind with a AJ ... it has to be played, Not hard.. Just played.... Get the Volume and Tone working in it.. Ive also found the Light guage seem to last okay ..

[Rambler]

..the more time I spend with this majestic guitar the more I bond with it and the more it inspires me...I think I've fallen into a bit of a stylistic rut ...but the AJ is really pulling me in new and exciting directions,The volume and sustain really support and suggest complex fingerstyle runs and chord melody in a way no guitar I've owned before can get close to.

 

That is a wow. A serious wow. What all of us as pickers hope to encounter. I wouldn't have imagined it but so glad you are finding it! Most auspicious.

[Jinder]

I put Light guage D Addarios on the one I own.. I found meds to be a little to stiff.. but 1 thing in mind with a AJ ... it has to be played, Not hard.. Just played.... Get the Volume and Tone working in it.. Ive also found the Light guage seem to last okay ..

 

Mine still has the Martin 12s in came with on it...they've kinda gone off but still sound great. I'm not a Mediums fan personally, to my ears a slope dread feels a little choked by mediums. 12s always feel enough for me and usually have enough pull to get a top sweating without any structural worries.

 

I've noticed my AJ, like yours, reacts well to regular and prolonged playing-the more I put in, the more it gives back. It's certainly "woken up" since I've owned it and have been unable to put it down!

[Jinder]

That is a wow. A serious wow. What all of us as pickers hope to encounter. I wouldn't have imagined it but so glad you are finding it! Most auspicious.

 

Thanks Rambler! It feels like an exciting time. I think a change is often good for inspiration as a player, and it helps that the AJ is different to anything I've owned before. I've always been a Maple man, bar a few dalliances with Mahogany (and the excellent-if a little mysterious-Bubinga of my BK), but that massive AJ sound with all the Rosewood overtones in the top and mids combined with the drier, old-timey thump in the bottom end is really doing it for me. I just want to play the damn thing ALL THE TIME, which is a great feeling.

 

I need to work out what pickup to put in it next...Baggs iBeam or K&K Pure Western Mini (or whatever it's called now!)?

 

I need THAT AJ tone replicated, and with great feedback resistance at volume...any suggestions?

 

Ps I'm keen to avoid soundhole pickups as I'm not a huge fan of the look of them...vain, I know, but still...

[Guth]

I'm not a Mediums fan personally, to my ears a slope dread feels a little choked by mediums. 12s always feel enough for me and usually have enough pull to get a top sweating without any structural worries.

 

I haven't found my AJ to sound choked in any way be it lights, new mediums, or mediums. The more you go up in gauge, the more you go up in volume. That said, lights sound just fine (and I'm generally a medium guy when it comes to dreads). I'm currently using John Pearse PB new mediums on my AJ (.13 - .55) and am liking them quite a bit, although I wish D'Addario made a similar offering.

[Jerry K]

I have tried 8 or 10 AJ's and liked them all. 2 or 3 of them were amazingly nice. I have refrained from buying one because that shape is hard for me when sitting down - shoulder problems. Recently I started using a strap and also began finding comfortable positions by tilting bigger guitars in my lap so I may end up getting one. I know what you mean about the volume and sustain. The guitar builds up a heavenly chorus of harmonics behind the notes you actually play, like holding down the sustain pedal of a piano.