new J 200. serial number and shipping method, questions

[88mmll]

Hi fellow pickers, I bought a J-200 S/N 90422019. It looks good but it was an EBay purchase so fingers crossed.

I was wondering what year this one is? Any features that are notable from the pictures? Are these really 26" scale? If it is then I might have to put 11's on it???

I have always wanted a howler for some of my singer songwriter songs.

 

Since Jumbos are real big does the pearse arm rest, semi circle, sound like a good idea for the top edge and my elbow not getting pinched?

 

ANy shipping suggestions I bought ground UPS but it is in Florida and I am near LA so I am going to chip in extra for a non truck but air shipment but I don't want to pony up 200$. Please recomend the best method, I am not in a hurry to get it but tomorrow I have to choose the best way to get this across the first 3300 miles by air.

 

Here's the EBay auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/300746000537?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

I appreciate the help.

[j45nick]

It's a 1992. I'll let the J-200 specialists here chime in on the details.

 

As far as shipping goes, I'm not sure one method is better than another. The problem with shipping guitars this time of year (or any time, for that matter) is that big changes in temperature and humidity can have a negative impact on a nitro lacquer finish. As a 1992, however, this guitar may have a Fullerplast finish which may react less to climatic conditions.

 

Whatever shipping method you choose, resist the urge to unpack the guitar immediately when you get it. You can remove the guitar in its case from the shipping box, but leave the case unopened for 24 hours to allow the guitar to acclimate to its new environment. I generally will leave them in the shipping box overnight, then remove the guitar and case and let them sit for another 12 hours before opening.

 

I know that will be as painful as pulling teeth, but it really is best for the guitar.

[jannusguy2]

I'm in the same boat, shipping wise. I just bought a Martin 000-18 that's in CA and I'm in Fla. It will be coming to me via UPS ground. The seller screwed up and got the guitar out a day late. Consequently, the guitar will be sitting in a warehouse over the weekend for Monday delivery instead of getting to me on Fri. I have never had a problem with either UPS or Fedex shipping across the country (or anywhere for that matter). Assuming your seller does a good job of packing the instrument, you should be fine. Nick's advice is solid but very hard to actually follow. I'm not that patient. Good luck with your new guitar. Hope you love it!

[BigKahune]

.

In recent years the scale has been 25.5", as is the TV.

 

I use 12s on my J-200.

 

As for UPS and other shippers - It's common practice to hold packages in the trailers, unless the package is actually going through a sort. The packages are unloaded, sorted, and loaded back into a trailer. Packages are generally not held in a warehouse.

 

 

.

[zombywoof]

If I recall Gibson went back to nitro finish before 1991 so I would assume that is what was used on the guitar.

 

Personally I have had real good luck shipping with the USPS. A few months ago I sent an old parlor guitar to Canada. The guy gave me the wrong address so it came back to me. I then shipped it out again. After all the time and miles it arrived fine. USPS though has a size limit and I do not think there is any way you will be able to cut a box down enough to accomodate a J-200.

 

I have played the same old J-200 for alot of years and never even thought about using an armrest. As for strings - I have used 13s for alot of years. But lately I tried some Curt Mangan medium lights which are 12s with heavier guage low end end strings. So far I am liking them alot - makes the guitars seem real lively.

[jannusguy2]

.

 

 

As for UPS and other shippers - It's common practice to hold packages in the trailers, unless the package is actually going through a sort. The packages are unloaded, sorted, and loaded back into a trailer. Packages are generally not held in a warehouse.

 

 

.

That seems even worse than a warehouse!

[BigKahune]

.

Yes, unfortunately so. You want the ship date so that your package will arrive without a stop for the weekend. If you've got a weekend in the ship time, the package will most likely be sitting in a trailer, in a yard on Saturday and Sunday - no movement in the summertime and those trailer really heat up.

 

 

.

[jannusguy2]

.

Yes, unfortunately so. You want the ship date so that your package will arrive without a stop for the weekend. If you've got a weekend in the ship time, the package will most likely be sitting in a trailer, in a yard on Saturday and Sunday - no movement in the summertime and those trailer really heat up.

 

 

.

That's what I had on Monday only to find on Tues. the package never went out. Should have been here this Fri. and now....Mon. The Ebay seller's feedback is going to take a ding. Or worse. I wonder how a hide glue assembled guitar would survive the temp in a trailer.

[88mmll]

I hope your new vintage is fine....worrisome, I know. I paid $140 to ship it across country mid summer. $90 extra, that I didn't have to pay, in order to get it here this week.

 

Last year I had USPS break a hummingbird neck inside its case packaged well except nothing in the case. All through many appeals and 9 months of them having it, they kept denying their resposibility What a waste of 18$ of $1,800 insurance. I had it pro repaired resold it and lost 7 bills.

 

I am glad this 92 Gibson has a TKL type case and not some Gibson poorly designed (not enough neck support) vintage case.

 

We'll have to exchange pictures of our new purchases. This will be my first Jumbo and first maple guitar. I hope it clicks. I hear great things about it's pedigree. European tonewoods, Spruce / Maple and great attention to detail from 89 to 90 something....Anyway just something I read on here a while ago.

 

I am thinking KK mini for PU but if anyone wants to recommend a better one for jumbo's, please let me know???

Time to write some good tunes.....At least my dog likes em'!

[merseybeat1963]

I hope your new vintage is fine....worrisome, I know. I paid $140 to ship it across country mid summer. $90 extra, that I didn't have to pay, in order to get it here this week.

 

Last year I had USPS break a hummingbird neck inside its case packaged well except nothing in the case. All through many appeals and 9 months of them having it, they kept denying their resposibility What a waste of 18$ of $1,800 insurance. I had it pro repaired resold it and lost 7 bills.

 

I am glad this 92 Gibson has a TKL type case and not some Gibson poorly designed (not enough neck support) vintage case.

 

We'll have to exchange pictures of our new purchases. This will be my first Jumbo and first maple guitar. I hope it clicks. I hear great things about it's pedigree. European tonewoods, Spruce / Maple and great attention to detail from 89 to 90 something....Anyway just something I read on here a while ago.

 

I am thinking KK mini for PU but if anyone wants to recommend a better one for jumbo's, please let me know???

Time to write some good tunes.....At least my dog likes em'!

 

Reading this it sounds like Gibson's cases do not protect instruments well enough.

A good idea I think is to maybe take dated pictures of the guitar during packing as proof that the guitar was undamaged when handed over to they're care.

If they dont see damages on exterior box they can reject claim.

[88mmll]

Reading this it sounds like Gibson's cases do not protect instruments well enough.

A good idea I think is to maybe take dated pictures of the guitar during packing as proof that the guitar was undamaged when handed over to they're care.

If they dont see damages on exterior box they can reject claim.

 

 

Good thinking. That 2008 Hummingbird shipped 400 miles away and got their with a broken headstock. The case design is horrible, IMHO.

The exterior box had no damage but it must have suffered some heavy trauma to whiplash that neck. It was a long 2 appeal process and USPS is really unresponsive on all levels.

Look into snug high end cases for your treasured Gibby's.

Many stock, Gibson acoustic cases have too small neck support, around 5 or 6 inches. The case needs to be redesigned and give it, like 10 inches.

 

What I do is bubble wrap the neck (the smallest bubbles). And add a foam piece between the top of the head stock and the case pocket.

 

When I went through all this I found a couple blogs on insufficient support for the Gibson neck from thier poorly designed cases on several sites. My humble advice for shipping; get a better case and or protect that vulnerable headstock neck joint.