New models Listed

[ponty]

Some time ago, there was discussion about a L-00 Pro. This is now listed on Gibson website,

along with its cousin the AJ Pro. Both Guitar Centre and Musicians Friend exclusives. NICE!

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Small-Body/Gibson-Acoustic/L-00-Pro.aspx

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Round-Shoulder/Gibson-Acoustic/Advanced-Jumbo-Pro.aspx

[Danner]

I played a L-00 Pro at guitar center last weekend when I was checking out the Fishman Loudbox. The L-00 Pro played beautifully, and had an amazingly big tone, even on the low end. Strummed pretty darn well too At $1999 it was a relative bargain in the Gibson range. I didn't buy it, but it was very tempting.

[ponty]

$1750 at the moment - that is a real good buy.

[larryp58]

I actually like both of these guitars! I'm thinking that the AJ Pro (vintage sunburst) and a Woody Guthrie SJ are almost exactly the same guitar with the exception of a bound fretboard and firestripe pickguard?

[ataylor]

I actually like both of these guitars! I'm thinking that the AJ Pro (vintage sunburst) and a Woody Guthrie SJ are almost exactly the same guitar with the exception of a bound fretboard and firestripe pickguard?

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. It seems like a rosewood Woody Guthrie model aimed at hitting a similar price point. Definitely doesn't have the Advanced Jumbo vibe at all.

[rar]

... Definitely doesn't have the Advanced Jumbo vibe at all.

As much as I don't want to be one of those guys who complains about Gibson getting the details wrong on vintage reissues, I must admit that would have a very hard time buying an "AJ" with double parallelogram fretboard inlays and a belly-down bridge no matter how nice a guitar it was. Ya gotta draw the line somewhere!

 

-- Bob R

[Rambler]

The up side--at last, a short-scale hog-backed L00 at a player friendly price point=! The AJ pro on the other hand? I get the logic (yes, really): its paired with an L00 so its got to be an "AJ" but we already build an AJ (see SJ/TV specs in light of SJ/Guthrie), so lets just throw on some hexograms and a block logo on but we'll keep the 25.5 scale because a rose by any other name....right? The motherships marketing department could benefit from a long chat with Martin's **** (er, Richard) Boak on the subject of reissues.

[ataylor]

As much as I don't want to be one of those guys who complains about Gibson getting the details wrong on vintage reissues, I must admit that would have a very hard time buying an "AJ" with double parallelogram fretboard inlays and a belly-down bridge no matter how nice a guitar it was. Ya gotta draw the line somewhere!

 

-- Bob R

 

Not only that, but it's missing the script inlay and the firestripe pickguard! Nothing about this guitar cosmetically says Advanced Jumbo! :)

[Red 333]

I actually like both of these guitars! I'm thinking that the AJ Pro (vintage sunburst) and a Woody Guthrie SJ are almost exactly the same guitar with the exception of a bound fretboard and firestripe pickguard?

 

Unlike the AJ Pro, the Woody is mahogany (though it may be sometimes available in rosewood). Like the Woody, the AJ Pro fingerboard is not bound (the other current SJ models have the bound boards). Given that some mid-forties Southern Jumbos were rosewood, I think the main difference then is that the AJ Pro is long-scale, while the SJ is short-scale. Also, I'm not 100% sure, but is the AJ-Pro body less deep? I THINK someone who saw one posted that this was the case, but I don't know. Neither the specs on the Gibson or Musician Friend sites make mention of this (except to call the Pro a "small body," which may be a left-over from the EL-00 Pro description).

 

Despite the uncharacteristic cosmetics (lack of arrow inlays, etc.), I think Gibson is calling this guitar an AJ because it is long-scale (like its namesake), while the rest of the slopes are short-scale. But you're right, the Pro is very similar to a mid-forties Southern Jumbo (same inlays, unbound fret board, rosewood, belly-down bridge, rosette, etc.) except long-scale.

 

Red 333

[Rambler]

Granted, that on the absolute level, you pick a guitar and it makes a sound. Appointments dont matter. On the relative level, where you work with names and concepts, memories and legacies, the AJ Pro is random (really random, actually), which is confusing. It gives the appearance of being either out of touch with or indifferent to the past. Or maybe they like like doing the mixing and matching. Who knows.

 

There are so many ways this could have been done that would have made more sense: hog back/sides and script logo for a long scale J35. Or, rw and script logo sans inlay for a stripped down AJ. Or, just do an AJ, since its out of production anyhow. Or if you want a rw Sj-Jo, just do it (but keep it 24.75). You can call it a "Hank Williams model."

[ataylor]

Or, just do an AJ, since its out of production anyhow.

 

I might be wrong, but I believe the AJ is still in production, just limited to Five-Star dealers. That's what I was told several months ago anyway.

[Rambler]

I might be wrong, but I believe the AJ is still in production, just limited to Five-Star dealers. That's what I was told several months ago anyway.

Well, not listed on Gib.USA as std issue then. But that's one more instance of the co. being all over the map.

[johnnybregar]

I bought an AJ Pro. Couldn't pass it up whatever it's name is. It is really, really sweet. I have a couple clips posted here: Advanced Jumbo Pro.

 

I agree that it would be nice if they just called it something new, as opposed to recycling the AJ name, which it is only loosely related to, but if you close your eyes and play, it don't really matter in the end. It's probably one of the most flexible guitars I've ever owned. I currently have a D28, a 00-15, a '62 B25 and this one. Plus I owned a Collings dread for a while.

[Rambler]

Just to keep it on the sunnyside, that L00 looks good. Three cheers for Gibson for getting it done. If someone in forum-land takes one home, a review would be appreciated. R

[KL]

Wish they did that L-00 in sunburst

[GotTheSilver]

I bought an AJ Pro. Couldn't pass it up whatever it's name is. It is really, really sweet. I have a couple clips posted here: Advanced Jumbo Pro.

 

I agree that it would be nice if they just called it something new, as opposed to recycling the AJ name, which it is only loosely related to, but if you close your eyes and play, it don't really matter in the end. It's probably one of the most flexible guitars I've ever owned. I currently have a D28, a 00-15, a '62 B25 and this one. Plus I owned a Collings dread for a while.

 

Just listened to your sound clips. Through my little laptop computer speakers, it sounds great! Congrats on a great guitar.