Gibson j-185 alternative???

[halfmassive]

Hi,

I currently have a taylor 214 and like it except for every strumming. I was wondering if anyone knew of a guitar that was similar to the Gibson j-185, basically a jumbo guitar that has a nice balance between bass and treble but doesn;t cost in the neighborhood of $2000 . I kind of want to get a new guitar so does anyone know of a nice jumbo (however I dont want a taylor)that falls into this category for around $1000? I really love the gib but can't shell out the 1700 dollars right now.

 

any help?

 

thanks

[Jere Mealer]

You might look at Takamine. I believe they have a small jumbo that's very reasonably priced.

 

You might also do some serious hunting for a used instrument. You can really stretch your buying buck by going used.

[solitaire]

 

Originally posted by Jere Mealer You might look at Takamine. I believe they have a small jumbo that's very reasonably priced. You might also do some serious hunting for a used instrument. You can really stretch your buying buck by going used.

 

That would be the EG523, like the one Apostrophe owns.

[wizdumb]

I looked for the Gibson signature, Pete Townshend for over a year. I had to have it. The good folks at Gibson said "good luck." After constant googling I found a place in Cal. And got the most beautiful guitar you I have played. I found the guy that put up the pickups at Fischman. He said he would be happy to do the same for me. It just doesn't get better.

[Singin' Dave]

I'm a big fan of my Carvin C980, which goes for about $800 or so new.....Sounds great acousticly, but truely shines when plugged in!

[guitarcapo]

 

I looked for the Gibson signature, Pete Townshend for over a year. I had to have it. The good folks at Gibson said "good luck." After constant googling I found a place in Cal. And got the most beautiful guitar you I have played. I found the guy that put up the pickups at Fischman. He said he would be happy to do the same for me. It just doesn't get better.

 

 

What;s different about it compared to a standard J-200?

[rh2d]

I second on the Takamine. I think they also make a large jumbo. If they do take a look at that, they are usually priced right. To me getting a good strummer means getting a good guitar. Not all will do it especially in the price range we are talking about. I think if you took your time you could find a used guitar that would do you well. Some of the D 28s can be bought for around $1000. I don't know about the Larrivee price wise but the dreds I've played were excellant strummers. Haven't found a good Taylor for strumming but they are pricey anyway. Just keep looking you will find something. Have you looked at the Seagulls. Saw a great strummer about a year ago, got to play it too.

[GN-Nick]

I may lose my status as guitar snob, but I liked a Washburn Jumbo I played. I think it was a Cumberland model.

 

Try it, it could be a one of a kind thing, I dunno....

[Geminitiger9]

had a washburncumb,very nice but I found the fingerboard width a little small so eventually got my J200 which is slightly wider than standard 1 11/16 but the sound of the cumberland was very nice for the price

[Preacher Will]

GN-Nick beat me to it . . . the Washburn Cumberland can be a really nice jumbo. Maple back and sides, spruce top, Grovers and Buzz Feiten all standard--it is a sweet guitar for around 7 bills. I've played several at various places over the last three of four years because I was seriously considering one a while back. I discovered that they can be uneven, sound-wise. One was heavenly, a couple were very good, one was seriously muddy. This is a guitar I would strongly encourage you to play before you buy.

[Terry Allan Hall]

If you want a guitar you can happily get old with, there's nothing better than a Guild jumbo.

 

If you want a disposable guitar (one that'll last, if you're lucky, 10 years), there've been several fine suggestions already.

[edman316]

I was looking for the same thing. I love the J-185 EC Blues model. I bought the $1199.00, J-180 EC from Musicians Friend: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=acoustic/search/detail/base_pid/517175/

 

I called Gibson about it before I ordered it. The J-180 EC is made in Bozeman Montana. It features a solid spruce top, solid maple sides and a solid maple back (same woods as the J-185). The only thing bad about the J-180 is the color (only comes in black) and the fact that it isn't as fancy as the J-185 (no finger board binding, no headstock inlay and it has plain dot markers on the fret board).

 

The guitar sounds and plays awesome. It is a steal at $1199.00. If you like the J-185 but hate the price, the J-180 is your best ticket.

 

Nevermind, I checked the website today (Mar. 2, 2005). Musicians Friend increased the price to $1399.00. I knew $1199.00 was too good to be true. I'm glad I got it before they raised the price.

[solitaire]

Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall If you want a guitar you can happily get old with, there's nothing better than a Guild jumbo. If you want a disposable guitar (one that'll last, if you're lucky, 10 years), there've been several fine suggestions already.

I'd definately look into the Asian built line. Isn't there a JF-30 there? Everything except for the finish is the real McCoy - even has wooden bindings!

[danhops]

A used US JF-30 goes for very little, and some sound incredible.

[apostrophe]

hey solitarie! you mentioned me!! yeah! no ones ever mentioned me before like that! thanks! you just made my day man!!

 

 

as for the EG523SC.....i still, STILL fall more and more in love with this thing everyday, and ive had it for almost a year now. its just incredible. do a search on this forum for EG523SC and you'll see quite a number of comments, including some long-winded ones from myslef.