Members seagullplayer77 Posted April 7, 2011 Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 I've been tinkering with the idea of buying myself a "nice" guitar this summer. I have plenty of guitars and I'd probably sell a few before making the purchase (or try to, anyway), but I've never owned an all-solid wood acoustic and I'd like one. I perused through Musician's Friend the other day and the jumbos really caught my eye. I have a few dreadnoughts and if I'm going to spend money on something new, I want it to be something, well . . . new. Different. The Guild GAD JF30 looked mighty fine, especially with the flame maple B/S . But if I buy something, it's not going to be on looks. I'd like to make a trip out to Guitar Center in the next month or two and spend some time in the acoustic room, but until then, I'm looking for suggestions. I'm thinking around $1000. Something other than cedar. Acoustic-electric would be nice, but it's not absolutely necessary. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knockwood Posted April 7, 2011 Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 I've played a couple o' Guild GAD JF30s that sounded great. When I think Jumbo, I tend to think Guild or Gibson. As much as I love Martin's 15 series, none of the J-15's I've played has ever really done it for me. Guild was making a mahogany jumbo for a while (JF48?) that looked fantastic - I think TAH has one. But they discontinued it for some reason. I've always been kind of frustrated with the slim jumbo selection in the under-$2k range. Cannot figure why the body style is not more popular. Once in a while, a beautiful older Guild jumbo will pop up at Elderly in great condition for around $1200... I would be very curious about Eastman - I am curious about their instruments in general. Their guitars look great and I'm dying to try a few out to see if they sound/play as good as they look. Breedlove Atlas series? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seagullplayer77 Posted April 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 I've played a couple o' Guild GAD JF30s that sounded great. When I think Jumbo, I tend to think Guild or Gibson. As much as I love Martin's 15 series, none of the J-15's I've played has ever really done it for me. Guild was making a mahogany jumbo for a while (JF48?) that looked fantastic - I think TAH has one. But they discontinued it for some reason.I've always been kind of frustrated with the slim jumbo selection in the under-$2k range. Cannot figure why the body style is not more popular. Once in a while, a beautiful older Guild jumbo will pop up at Elderly in great condition for around $1200...I would be very curious about Eastman - I am curious about their instruments in general. Their guitars look great and I'm dying to try a few out to see if they sound/play as good as they look.Breedlove Atlas series? I'd noticed this too. Outside of the Guild, there were a few Taks, Breedloves, and a Yamaha in the $1000 neighborhood. Pickings are slim, which is why I thought I'd ask for suggestions. There were some Seagull mini-jumbos as well, but I was thinking of a full-sized jumbo. Even so, I'll certainly give them a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Starrshine Posted April 7, 2011 Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 My GADJF-30 is my daily go to guitar. It's one of the best guitars I have ever had. Mine definitely needed a setup when I got it and I just took another .020" off the saddle to lower the strings some more. Many of my friends always want to use at the jams I go to when I am playing my mandolin. You won't go wrong with that as a choice. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted April 7, 2011 Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 Talk to Jason at Notable about this Larrivee, eh. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180616732432#ht_3506wt_1139 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knockwood Posted April 7, 2011 Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 Talk to Jason at Notable about this Larrivee, eh.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180616732432#ht_3506wt_1139 Great find! I've bought a couple gits from Jason in the past. The guy is great to deal with and I don't think anyone has better Larri prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted April 7, 2011 Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 Talk to Jason at Notable about this Larrivee, eh. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180616732432#ht_3506wt_1139 That looks great! OTOH, here's a few to consider, as well: http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-GAD-JF48-Jumbo-Acoustic-Guitar-W-CASE-/310307770733?pt=Guitar&hash=item483fc8d16d (was considering this one, myself, but am going to look for a natural finished one). http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-JF4-Jumbo-Acoustic-Guitar-1993-Made-Rhode-Is-/290553443811?pt=Guitar&hash=item43a655b5e3 (incredible deal...same model I play, but a lot cheaper than I gave for either of mine!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seagullplayer77 Posted April 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 I ask for ideas, and I get a bunch of eBay auctions. You guys must be trying to get me in trouble . I'm kidding. Thanks for the ideas. I was wondering about Larrivee but I didn't know if they made any jumbos. It looks like they did . . . I'll have to keep my eyes open for one of those to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted April 7, 2011 Members Share Posted April 7, 2011 I was wondering about Larrivee but I didn't know if they made any jumbos. It looks like they did . . . They've made jumbos before, but I believe this is the first time they've done an -03 series jumbo. Limited run, and they might be hard to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members frailer5 Posted May 8, 2011 Members Share Posted May 8, 2011 Well, I just bought a 'factory refurb' GAD-JF30 from an eBay trader in NH. Bear in mind I'm in Australia, so it's quite a big decision to do that. Am very confident it is nothing more than 'light-shop-used', at worst; maybe some light marking. Very thorough listing and pics.I bounced some messages back and forth with the trader, who has 100% rating, and a high trade-count. Basically slightly under half price. Wasn't seriously considering sourcing like that, but kind of tripped over it.It's in USPS's hands. I await. If anyone wants me to photobucket some pics, when it arrives, am happy to do so. If it's as good as I am hoping it will be, I can be PM'd for info on the seller, who I believe has them from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members katopp Posted May 8, 2011 Members Share Posted May 8, 2011 Beware of the J/SJ-200's.Lots of bad and so/so and only few good ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernie P. Posted May 8, 2011 Members Share Posted May 8, 2011 I really liked the JF30 I had.The only reason I sold it was because I prefer a wider neck since I tend to mute strings some otherwise.It had the burst finish and looked fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted May 8, 2011 Members Share Posted May 8, 2011 I've been tinkering with the idea of buying myself a "nice" guitar this summer. I have plenty of guitars and I'd probably sell a few before making the purchase (or try to, anyway), but I've never owned an all-solid wood acoustic and I'd like one. I perused through Musician's Friend the other day and the jumbos really caught my eye. I have a few dreadnoughts and if I'm going to spend money on something new, I want it to be something, well . . . new. Different. The Guild GAD JF30 looked mighty fine, especially with the flame maple B/S . But if I buy something, it's not going to be on looks. I'd like to make a trip out to Guitar Center in the next month or two and spend some time in the acoustic room, but until then, I'm looking for suggestions. I'm thinking around $1000. Something other than cedar. Acoustic-electric would be nice, but it's not absolutely necessary. Any ideas? A few more worthy of your attention... http://cgi.ebay.com/NICE-1979-YAMAHA-CJ-838S-JUMBO-ACOUSTIC-GUITAR-SPRUCE-/320691998495?pt=Guitar&hash=item4aaabb8f1f http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-Handmade-Walnut-Jumbo-/120721095017?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c1b89b969 http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-GAD-JF48-Jumbo-Acoustic-Guitar-W-CASE-/160580356361?pt=Guitar&hash=item256355c909 http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-LARRIVEE-J-03-JUMBO-MAHOGANY-LIMITED-MODEL-/180660099050?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a102e57ea ***** http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-GAD-JF30-Acoustic-Jumbo-Guitar-Natural-/160581946810?pt=Guitar&hash=item25636e0dba http://cgi.ebay.com/Boulder-Creek-ERJ6N-KOA-Jumbo-Acoustic-Elec-Guitar-New-/150568163949?pt=Guitar&hash=item230e8fda6d http://cgi.ebay.com/PEERLESS-PJ60E-JUMBO-ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-803031-/310187068303?pt=Guitar&hash=item4838970b8f http://cgi.ebay.com/BIG-FAT-ORPHEUM-SUPER-JUMBO-FLATTOP-40-50s-17-NICE-/200449115274?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2eabb2c48a http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-GADJF30E-Jumbo-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-w-Case-/160583248986?pt=Guitar&hash=item256381ec5a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seagullplayer77 Posted May 9, 2011 Author Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 A few more worthy of your attention... Thanks for the links, TAH ! That Larrivee jumbo is tempting, though I'd like to play before I buy. After my trip to GC yesterday, I'm starting to realize that maybe a jumbo isn't what I'm looking for after all. I played a Martin grand performance body, and it was the best-sounding guitar I played that evening. And it was a very small body---smaller than a dread, and certainly smaller than a jumbo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LiFeStArTs@40 Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 I totally forgot about the Boulder Creek Jumbo... I've played that guitar at Elderly and would buy that in a heartbeat. VERY VERY nice sounding and playing guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 This is the Cort CJCE from their custom shop in Korea. I've been super happy with mine. It has less bass than a dread by quite a bit, but the mids and highs are way sweeter to my ear. http://www.stringsite.com/guitar_bass/guitars/steel_string_guitar/cort_cj_ce_custom_natural_3553_en.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emory Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 You might want to keep your eyes open for a Tacoma Jumbo used. Wonderful piano like rich tones. Nice case too with a real leather handle! Pic here is from net, easier than loading mine. Don't suggest if you live in hot humid climate. Eats the finish off.... Guy that won Americas Got Talent had same model (saw on Leno). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 What kind of jumbo? There are small jumbos, super jumbos, medium jumbos and some that are basically OMs that are as deep as dreads. I agree with you though, the cheaper Pac Rim ones just seem to be tonally lifeless to me; hey seem to be overbuilt with laminated materials. FWIW my current favorite jumbo is the GS which is sort of a medium jumbo. I don't know if they offer one in the $1000 range but I see that they just added the GS4 which should be only a few hundred above $1000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Howie22 Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 I would be very curious about Eastman - I am curious about their instruments in general. Their guitars look great and I'm dying to try a few out to see if they sound/play as good as they look. Their "historic" series is absolutely awesome. The mahogany model is unbelievable. The thing is a cannon. The low E seems like it would vibrate for days. I can see owning one! FWIW my current favorite jumbo is the GS which is sort of a medium jumbo. I don't know if they offer one in the $1000 range but I see that they just added the GS4 which should be only a few hundred above $1000. Really? Haven't seen that yet! I've wondered if they were going to do a GS3 or GS4. That would be a Taylor guitar I'd consider buying! While not a Taylor fan, I really like the GS models. However, they are too expensive for my tastes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 I would recommend a good used Guild J55 jumbo, made in Westerly RI. I had one and really liked it but eventually sold it to get my D55. They usually go for around $1,200 but they are worth it. Here's one I found for sale: http://cgi.ebay.com/94-Guild-JF-55-Westerly-RI-Jumbo-F-50R-successor-OHSC-/120718994898?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c1b69add2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members herbie d Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 I would like to try that new Martin Batatone. I saw a write-up in one of the guitar rags about it, a few months back. Def would have to handle it first. The thing looks huge. I think it was electrified as well. I went and saw this guy on one of my nights off who played a baratone guitar. It was pretty cool. He also played one of those harp guitars. That blew my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seagullplayer77 Posted May 9, 2011 Author Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 What kind of jumbo? There are small jumbos, super jumbos, medium jumbos and some that are basically OMs that are as deep as dreads. I agree with you though, the cheaper Pac Rim ones just seem to be tonally lifeless to me; hey seem to be overbuilt with laminated materials. FWIW my current favorite jumbo is the GS which is sort of a medium jumbo. I don't know if they offer one in the $1000 range but I see that they just added the GS4 which should be only a few hundred above $1000. I'm kind of sorry this thread came back (and here I am perpetuating it . . . duh!), because I'm not sure I want a jumbo anymore. It was a preconception I had; I wanted something other than a dread, and for whatever reason, I arbitrarily picked a jumbo. I played a Martin grand performance body yesterday, which is basically a clone of the Taylor GA body style. I was very impressed with the guitar, and it was quite small. Anyway, all that to say that while I certainly appreciate the suggestions, I don't know that a jumbo is what I want. The only one I played at GC last night was a Tak, and it sounded awful. Pickings were pretty slim; most of what they had on the floor were dreads, with some smaller body styles. Outside of the Tak, and maybe a high-end Taylor or two, I didn't really seen any other jumbos . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members frailer5 Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 I really liked the JF30 I had.The only reason I sold it was because I prefer a wider neck since I tend to mute strings some otherwise.It had the burst finish and looked fantastic. Yeah, I was aware of that, but my eyes glazed over a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bfloyd6969 Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 Hello seagullplayer - have you considered sticking with Seagull and look at the SWS Maritime Mini Jumbo? All solid woods, and something a bit different too. I have (but am selling for Martin EC funds) the Entourage Mini Jumbo and the body style is very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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