Eyecon Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 Anyone have experience with a 12 fret Gibson SJ200? If so, what tonal difference is there vs. a 14 fret? There is one on ebay that I'm quite interested in. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Gibson-SJ-200-12-Fret-Sunburst-Maple-Custom-Shop-Limited-Edition-Guitar-/320819172475?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ab250147b#ht_1001wt_1059 Thanks in advanced Gibson Guru's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 That's very cool. I dodn't know they were making 12-fret J-200s. I also like the Jackson Browne 12-fret Jumbo - nice looking guitar. Big 12-fret fan. Especially all the great 12-fret flat-tops Gibson made in the early 1930s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 More bass response of a 12-fret, generally speaking. A 12-fret 000 is going to be, say, bluegrass worthy, in a way that a 14-freter isnt. On a J200, though, which already has quite the deep end, I dont see the point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I've played one 12-fret, J-200. And, Paul, I know that we have the same tastes in guitars and I know that, like me, you would have loved this one: a prototype Roy Rogers model. Yep, with the crazy-cool, wide, rope binding and Roy's name in big, pearl script on the fretboard. It was when I was at Gibson in Nashville taking pics of those 4,400 pages of ledgers. I was told that the Roy Rogers estate had refused to authorize its production. Anyway, a 12-fret J-200 is a wonderful thing. I'd love to play another. A number of the very first SJ-200s were 12-fretters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyecon Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 So pretty much a 12 fret SJ200 would have an even more pronounced deep base. Maybe too much huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Big overadorned piece o' crap! 4 grand gets you a 30's era 12 fretter L0 or L00. Wait, if you have that kind of cash, for one to pop up on Ebay. I have a '36 L0 12 fret...best tone I've played in a hunnert years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 So pretty much a 12 fret SJ200 would have an even more pronounced deep base. Maybe too much huh? Well, the maple offsets the width/depth to an extent, but I'd imagine one of these would be more on the resonant/sublime end of things, as opposed to crisp and clear. A concert hall job, not a folkie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 here is a clip of Stan Jay from Mandolin bros playing a J 200 12 fret : JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ200Fan Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 My first post to this forum, as I just bought that 12 Fret SJ 200 Custom that was originally sold by Mandolin Brothers to someone in MA. I've had it a few days now and it's fantastic (once I replaced the very old strings). The shorter neck is very noticeable, but the sound is fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Is it the one that was on our Trading Post forum? That was also a short scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ200Fan Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I believe so, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ200Fan Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I just posted of my first time playing it, in the "Acoustic Performances" board here. Sorry for the poor sound quality and old strings. I restrung it right after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 That sounded very nice! Is that pick guard inlaid too? Nice looker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Welcome, congratulations, and thank you. Thanks for saving me from myself, that is. I had also been on the trail of that one, having had a few conversations with the seller (and with Mandolin Bros- they did indeed remember it). Acoustic curiosity almost got the better of me: the idea of that guitar- that super jumbo bass clarity coupled with the intimacy of the short scale... almost too hard to resist. But you've put me back on course, because there's been something old, something sunburst that's been out there waiting... Play it in good health, and don't be a stranger around here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ200Fan Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Yes, abalone inlays in the finger board, bridge, string pins, and in the circles within the pick guard. Lions and tigers and bears OH MY. Love this thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I've played one 12-fret, J-200. And, Paul, I know that we have the same tastes in guitars and I know that, like me, you would have loved this one: a prototype Roy Rogers model. Yep, with the crazy-cool, wide, rope binding and Roy's name in big, pearl script on the fretboard. It was when I was at Gibson in Nashville taking pics of those 4,400 pages of ledgers. I was told that the Roy Rogers estate had refused to authorize its production. Anyway, a 12-fret J-200 is a wonderful thing. I'd love to play another. A number of the very first SJ-200s were 12-fretters. John , Would you happen to have a picture of that roy rogers sj 200 ? Thanks JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRC Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I haven't played a Gibson 12 fret, but I do like 12 fret guitars and have played many different brands. I have a very nice Wechter TO (triple-O) 8418 12 fret slot head that sounds great. 12 fretters are a different animal with different bridge placement that for the most part produces a slightly deeper, focused bass response and more pronounced mids for fingerstyle playing. My Wechter has a nice round, full balanced and focused tone with good bass. The downside is limited access to playing up the neck. I play Irish/Celtic in DADGAD and often capo up to the 10th fret on my 14 fret guitars. With a 12 fretter, capoing on the 7th fret is pushing it. But they're great for playing open and capoing up to the 5th fret while offering a different tonal personality. BTW, I like the sound of the J200 12 fret in the video. DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogeye Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 John , Would you happen to have a picture of that roy rogers sj 200 ? Thanks JC The guitar in question is actually a Gene Autry J-200. There are many photos of Gene playing his and it can be seen in the Fab. Flat-top book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Don't have a 12 fret J200 but I do have this Gibson 12 fret ( J.Browne prototype). Got a 12 fret Martin slope dread on the way, too. 12 frets are a great addition to any collection if you can swing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 The guitar in question is actually a Gene Autry J-200. There are many photos of Gene playing his and it can be seen in the Fab. Flat-top book. Oops! Got the wrong cowboy! Yes, a replica of this: No, I didn't take any pics (and probably wouldn't have been allowed to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Oops! Got the wrong cowboy! Yes, a replica of this: No, I didn't take any pics (and probably wouldn't have been allowed to do so. John , No problem I got plenty of pictures of that one. You just got me excited wheb you mentioned roy rogers. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 We have a lot of 12-fret Gibsons -- but none are new. Here are the best two: These are both extraordinary guitars. The 35 RSRG is the equal of the old bones from the same period, and the 36 RSSD is the strongest guitar I have eve played. Let's pick, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 John , No problem I got plenty of pictures of that one. You just got me excited wheb you mentioned roy rogers. JC If it helps, I did get a photo of myself play Roy's Super 400 (while managing to dislodge the pickguard while doing so): :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 We have a lot of 12-fret Gibsons -- but none are new. Here are the best two: These are both extraordinary guitars. The 35 RSRG is the equal of the old bones from the same period, and the 36 RSSD is the strongest guitar I have eve played. Let's pick, -Tom Just gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ200Fan Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Wow. I can hear those from the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.