Mid-tier super jumbo recommendations

[jpricewood]

As many of you know, the EJ-200sce is a nice guitar but it’s not what I would describe as a resonant guitar. I’m looking to upgrade it, but I’m not finding many options out there between the EJ and $2500+ guitars. I don’t play live, and I know I prefer dreads over jumbos, so I don’t want to spend SJ money if I don’t have to. I know I don’t want a mini jumbo, and I don’t want another laminate jumbo. Looks aren’t supposed to be important, but they are to me; I really want a sunburst guitar.

So what options are left: a few offerings from Guild, the Eastman AC630-SB (if I can find one), SJ studios, and the SJ standards? I really like the looks of the SJ studios with walnut B&S. How do they compare to standards with maple B&S? I don’t think I can find many examples to compare. Guitar Center is frustrating because every guitar has to be unlocked and most of them have dead strings

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. .

[Brucebubs]

I've noticed over the years that Sigma make a decent looking Gibson SJ-200 copy but I feel they might just be another Epiphone-like copy ... however, they just started selling a solid wood version - roughly double their usual price.

The Sigma SGJB-SG200/SJG-200



I haven't played one and don't know if they come with a sunburst finish.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sigma-Gu...gAAOSwkZldkhiN

That's US$1428.00

[jpricewood]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I've noticed over the years that Sigma make a decent looking Gibson SJ-200 copy but I feel they might just be another Epiphone-like copy ... however, they just started selling a solid wood version - roughly double their usual price.

The Sigma SGJB-SG200/SJG-200



I haven't played one and don't know if they come with a sunburst finish.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sigma-Gu...gAAOSwkZldkhiN

That's US$1428.00

I like it! I’m a sucker for abalone. The description was difficult to read. Is it for sure all-solid? I guess the B&S are Blackwood. What’s that sound like?

[Dogma]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I haven't played one and don't know if they come with a sunburst finish.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sigma-Gu...gAAOSwkZldkhiN

That's US$1428.00

https://www.sigma-guitars.com/guitar...-sg200limited/

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by jpricewood

I like it! I’m a sucker for abalone. The description was difficult to read. Is it for sure all-solid? I guess the B&S are Blackwood. What’s that sound like?

I questioned the seller about the price a few months ago and he got back to me that the letter 'S' in the model number stands for Solid wood version.

Here's a link to the lower cost laminate wood version with sunburst finish!
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sigma-Gu...QAAOSwcUBYMWXE

That's around US$954.00

Might be worth asking the seller if they make the solid wood version with a sunburst finish?

[AndrewG]

Unless it absolutely must be a full size SJ-style I suggest the Yamaha LJ16. Slightly smaller (similar to Gibson J185 dimensions), but with a big voice and all solid Englemann spruce over EIR, ebony bridge and fretboard with maple binding. The LJ6 is also available with laminated back and sides for a couple of hundred less. Semi-rigid cases included:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S07Z2BHUuco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_nasQOyV3g

Great value, under a grand.

[Esq.]

I picked up an Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500M that I’ve been really impressed with, both tonally and quality of construction. Solid sitka top with solid mahogany back and sides. Rosewood bridge and fingerboard and bone nut and saddle.



I’m trimming my collection down to one nice dread and one nice small body, so have considered putting this one in the classifieds if you have any interest.
IMG_4621.jpgIMG_4622.jpgIMG_4624.jpg

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by Esq.

I picked up an Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500M that I’ve been really impressed with, both tonally and quality of construction. Solid sitka top with solid mahogany back and sides. Rosewood bridge and fingerboard and bone nut and saddle.

That's a great guitar as I also have one. And I also have a jumbo, although mine has laminated back and sides. However, the Epiphone is a slope-shouldered dreadnought and not a jumbo. My jumbo, for example, is too large to fit in a standard case that would accept a dreadnought.

[Esq.]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

That's a great guitar as I also have one. And I also have a jumbo, although mine has laminated back and sides. However, the Epiphone is a slope-shouldered dreadnought and not a jumbo. My jumbo, for example, is too large to fit in a standard case that would accept a dreadnought.

You’re right, I got a little loose with my jumbos. The AJ - advanced jumbo - is a slope shouldered dread.

[jpricewood]

Thanks for the responses. I already have a J-45, so I don’t really want another SS dread/jumbo. I really want to keep a true super jumbo in my collection. These all-solid Sigmas are very intriguing, but I have no idea what they sound like. Is their quality on par with Eastman?

[jpricewood]

Just tried a $6k J-200 LTD. It did convince me that I want an all-solid jumbo, but in no way was it worth that much. The setup was also terrible. I know it was only one example, and it did sound good, but that’s about it.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Unless it absolutely must be a full size SJ-style I suggest the Yamaha LJ16. Slightly smaller (similar to Gibson J185 dimensions), but with a big voice and all solid Englemann spruce over EIR, ebony bridge and fretboard with maple binding. The LJ6 is also available with laminated back and sides for a couple of hundred less. Semi-rigid cases included:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S07Z2BHUuco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_nasQOyV3g

Great value, under a grand.

The LJ6 is a smaller guitar. Its smaller than a dread (I had one and stupidly sold it). I took the pick guard off immediately after buying it and it looked exactly like a smaller version of Taylor's GS8. I have a picture of it somewhere next to the GS8 I used to own.

[jpricewood]

Just played an Eastman AC630 at Sky Guitars in Denton, TX. Wow. Every part of its build and tone screamed quality. Honestly, Gibson should be embarrassed, and I’m a Gibson fan.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Dogma

https://www.sigma-guitars.com/guitar...-sg200limited/

Limited to just 48.
I like it!




SGJA-SG200+ Limited

Body Size: Grand Jumbo-14 Fret
Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
Top: Solid Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Solid Flamed Maple
Neck: Maple, w/ walnut strip, Low Profile
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Fingerboard: Solid Black Ebony
Scale Length: 25.4” (645 mm)
Neck width at nut: 1-3/4” (44,5 mm)
Tuning Machines: Tulip tuners w/ ivory knob, gold
Electronics: Fishman Sonitone
Finish: Vintage Sunburst UV-finish
Case: SC-GJ Deluxe Plywood Case (black)
Strings: D´Addario EXP16

List price: $ 1.998,00

[HeathJ]

I own the Eastman AC-630BD and it’s an amazing guitar. I’ve played several SJ-200 and none come close to my Eastman and they are 3 times the price of the Eastman. To my knowledge Eastman has only made one 630 in Sunburst and I had the chance to buy it and didn’t do it and I regret it. The Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield Mo received the only one but have since sold it. It was one beautiful guitar.