Rock and Reel Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 OK... y'all sold me. I'm shopping for another Gibson acoustic. I have a J-180EB. It plays and sounds nice if not ultra loud. A buddy and I have been covering the Everly Brothers and that distinctive parallel thirds harmony so of course I had to get the Gibson J-180EB. By the way, we call ourselves the ELDERLY Brothers! I had a CS Dove that sounded horrible, was uncomfortable to play and the neck laminations separated. It kinda soured me on Gibson acoustics for a while. After listening to you folks and looking at the Gibson's I'm ready to pull the trigger on something but I need your help. I've narrowed it down to a SJ-200, a Hummingbird or a J-45. I'm not looking for a specific player though I'll sure play it, I want a good representative Gibson. I'd like to hear your opinion as to what is the quintessential Gibson acoustic and why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Well, I don't think you can get a more representative Gibson sound than a J-45. But, based on what you are describing, I think the Hummingbird might be the sound you are after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 If you want a boomy Guitar.. the J200 ... if you want a mellow but Nicely Voiced Guitar.. a Hummingbird.. TV J45s are Nice, I think there about 500 to 800 more than a regular J45... But like any of the ones mentioned... Try them out.. you will find the one... If all else fails.. Go Vintage... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brannon67 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Those three choices are totally different from the other.You will have to play, listen to each one and decide for yourself which one you want. Its great to have them all, but trying to decide on just one, all comes down to feeling and listening and then deciding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 . Since you've got j180eb, similar to the j200 (maple), you ought to consider one of the two hog models. Having seen some pics of your guitars, I'm thinking the H'Bird is a good fit - more toward the bling. . B) BTW, in case you missed it, here's a cool little article on the J-180 - http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/gibson-j-180-0628-2011/ . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 The three models you are considering all ARE the quintessential Gibson acoustic tone, these are the three icon models. All three are great, but all very different. You need to try them all yourself and make up your own mind. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 The guitars originally played by the Everly Brothers were customized J-200s, so I would vote for that, especially a black one. Love the "Elderly Brothers" name - very funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Like everybody above says......there's no single, simple answer here. The 'bird lends itself well to playing with another guitar of a different voice. I tend to think of the J-45 as a solo voice accompanying instrument, rather than ensemble, but have no empirical reason for saying that. I usually think of the 200 as a lead acoustic, either playing with other acoustics, or with electrics (see "Pete Townshend"). It's tricky if you want to do a lot of EB stuff. Much of their unique sound stems from the eerie similarity/interchangeability/compatibility of their voices. That is really complemented by both using the same guitar. Their playing really is primarily background for those incredible harmonies. As you might guess, I really love the EB stuff. Since I can't sing anymore, I'm working on instrumental arrangements that don't replicate the originals, and aren't necessarily even done in a style you could sing to. I once read an academic study (I'll never find it again, so don't even ask) explaining the extraordinary interaction of their voices in genetic terms. Essentially, the article said that siblings are almost uniquely capable of achieving that level of vocal blending (see all of the "brothers" and "sisters" popular singing groups of the 30's-60's). If you want to try to replicate the EB feel, you should probably both play similar guitars. But since replicating the EB's is impossible for us mere mortals, you might be better off using two guitars with complementary voices, rather than unison voices. That may mean testing a bunch of guitars, preferably having your playing partner there with his as well to find a combination of instrumental voices that fits your style. Gee, what a terrible thing to have to do: play a whole bunch of Gibsons to find one that really speaks to you.......! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock and Reel Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 I appreciate the well reasoned responses. It's a tuff choice. It's very hard to find guitars to try. Neither the local music shop or GC stock the higher end acoustics. They might have a Songwriter or a D-28 but nothing that gets my juices going. Nick is absolutely right about the uniqueness of Phil and Don. For us, covering their hits is more of an exercise and homage rather than an imitation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Fwiw, Don Everly's first good guitar was a store-bought Southern Jumbo. That's the one you heard on the earliest hits. The J200's came later. That, plus the J45 is a little more versatile overall than the other 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock and Reel Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Rambler... this may have been Don's first good guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Let me re-phrase "first good flattop". Fwiw, Don's quote about the SJ is in Gibs Fab Flats . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Rambler... this may have been Don's first good guitar! Interesting that they both have their hands covering up the brand on the headstock.... Must be pre-endorsement days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morkolo Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Out of the three you said you're interested in I would choose the J45, only because I find it does travis picking and flatpicking quite well... chord playing doesn't sound too shabby either. The SJ200 to my ears is the ultimate strumming guitar, I can't speak for your J180 but I tried one alongside of an SJ200 and I found the 200 to be much louder, almost as if it was plugged in. I can't comment on a Hummingbird because I haven't tried one that I like yet. Another guitar for you to try if at all possible before you make your next purchase would be a Gibson Advanced Jumbo, it's my favorite out of all of the acoustics Gibson makes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sboiir Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 If you are considering the J200. My first thought is....Do you need the Bling ? If not, you can save a $1000.00 or so and go with the J-100. Same guitar-No bling. Leaves enough extra cash to continue searching for another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Hi R&R. If those guitars with all the bling in your previous posts are yours, I doubt if you would be content with a plain jane J45. So I would look at the J200 range with options! BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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