Jumbo 6 string options

[Stonehauler]

All,

I know I've said that my guitar buying days are over...and they might still be, but I've been thinking of getting a jumbo 6 string. I have a dread (laminate b/s, my travel guitar) that sounds really good, an 814 that is very nice, but really misses the bottom end, and a 12 string jumbo (Guild F-512 Maple). The 12 string is my favorite of all of them, but I am wondering if a Jumbo 6 might be the answer I am looking for in a 6 string.

So, the biggest issue is I am not sure I want to spend 3-6k for a US jumbo. Obviously, the big three would be Taylor 18 series, the Gibson SJ-200, or the Guild F-55.

But what are people's thoughts on the Guild F40 or the F-150, or the Epiphone J-200 (IBG line)?

Good bottom end is important, but it also needs to have a lot of balance to it as well. Nothing muddy or mushy about the low E, but solid bass support and then good tone all the way through. I play for me and my family. No one sings when I play because none of us have any kind of a voice, so no need for a guitar that "supports the singer" as the expense of it's own tone.

No need for electronics. I play, I don't gig, and it's a jumbo. It should produce plenty of sound all on it's own. It is has electronics, that's nice, but if two are equal except for the electronics, it won't matter to me.

Throwing out something to mess up the works...should I be looking at a baritone guitar for the better low end support....

[Bob from Brooklyn]

My Martin dread has more bottom end than my Gibson jumbo. Just sayin'

[Earl49]

One option might be the Alvarez ABT60 baritone. You can put heavy EJ-18 (59-14) strings on it and tune to D-d for a big bottom end, and it isn't very hard to play that way. Those 59-14 strings are pretty light for that scale length. I got both guitar and case together when I sold my Taylor baritone but eventually came back into the baritone fold a few years later once my hand healed up.
https://www.sweetwater.com/c600--6St...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Plus the JC-1 hard case to match:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...coustic-guitar

Or my former Taylor baritone is currently listed for sale by a forum member on the Boise CL here:
https://boise.craigslist.org/msg/d/b...663460827.html

[davenumber2]

Try to find a Guild JF-30. Jumbo Guild maple tone for way less $ than an F-50 or F-55.

[Silly Moustache]

Our definitions of a "jumbo" differ so I can't help.

To me a Jumbo is the J-45/50 and the AJ design, the Jumbos that seemingly you are referring to are what I understand as "Super Jumbo" (i.e. SJ200 etc.)

I have no idea why Jumbo guitars are called "Slope" Dreads - there are the original 12 fret dreads that fit that description.

[Stonehauler]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Our definitions of a "jumbo" differ so I can't help.

To me a Jumbo is the J-45/50 and the AJ design, the Jumbos that seemingly you are referring to are what I understand as "Super Jumbo" (i.e. SJ200 etc.)

I have no idea why Jumbo guitars are called "Slope" Dreads - there are the original 12 fret dreads that fit that description.

If you want to call it a super Jumbo, that's fine...which Super Jumbo would you recommend?

[jp2558]

If you get the chance try a Martin M-36.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Stonehauler

...I've been thinking of getting a jumbo 6 string...I am wondering if a Jumbo 6 might be the answer I am looking for in a 6 string...

Good bottom end is important, but it also needs to have a lot of balance to it as well. Nothing muddy or mushy about the low E, but solid bass support and then good tone all the way through...

You can score a Rainsong JM1000 all-carbon-fiber 17" jumbo for around $2500 - I've owned one for 20 years and it checks all your boxes...

[donlyn]

Jumbo 6 string options

Well if you are talking the Gibson J-200 and its expensive siblings, that's one thing. While I can't speak of all such large Jumboes, it seems that most of the Gibson/Epiphone lines have narrower necks/fretboards, often in the 1+11/16" range out to maybe 1+23/32" range.

I happened upon a used (like new) sunburst Sigma SG-200, which is an exact knockoff of a Gibson J-200, but with one important distinction (besides the price). The neck is fatter, rounder, and has a nut/fretboard width of 1+3/4". Reminds me very much of a Gibson Les Paul Custom I used to own back in the '60s. Loved the feel of it, and this one feels just as good.

Anyway, because I like the feel of that Sigma neck, I end up playing this one quite a lot. Has a lovely tone, with a slow decay that adds to its sonic appeal. And very easy to play too.

Other than that, it has the exact same dimensions as a Gibson J-200. 17" lower bout width, 5" deep and same scale length. And is a whole lot cheaper. (I have a Gibson and Epiphone versions too. The Epi IBG is a bit smaller in all the dimensions and has a narrow and flatter neck.The Epi EJ is full size with a narrower V-neck.)

The Gibson and EJ versions are built heavy, the Sigma is slightly less, and the IBG version is the lightest build. By comparison, the Taylor 818 Grand Orchestra has a wider waist, lighter build, and can be much louder than the Gibson/Epi J-200 family.

I really like Jumbo guitars, mostly for their naturally balanced sound. Which I enhance by using HD gauge strings {.013 - .053}.

I fingerpick all my instruments using my nails as picks.

Be well and play well,

Don
.

[Mr Bojangles]

Originally Posted by Stonehauler

If you want to call it a super Jumbo, that's fine...which Super Jumbo would you recommend?

Silly Moustache is correct; he's calling it a Super Jumbo because that's what it is. The SJ in SJ-200 stands for Super Jumbo.

[Teherie]

If I was looking for a jumbo, i’d check out a Larrivée.

Last month I received an email from Larrivee that they are building a special run of jumbos including both a rosewood and mahogany 6 string and a mahogany 12 string. The list prices range between $2,500 and $3,300 and I’d call a dealer.

I own three Larrivees including an LV 12 string, an LSV 6 string and a parlor. All three are top shelf.

[Stonehauler]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

You can score a Rainsong JM1000 all-carbon-fiber 17" jumbo for around $2500 - I've owned one for 20 years and it checks all your boxes...

listened to that and it sounds beautiful (also been listening to some baritones and they sound great and very different).

How well does the carbon fiber hold up compared to a traditional wood guitar?

[Stonehauler]

Originally Posted by donlyn

Jumbo 6 string options

Well if you are talking the Gibson J-200 and its expensive siblings, that's one thing. While I can't speak of all such large Jumboes, it seems that most of the Gibson/Epiphone lines have narrower necks/fretboards, often in the 1+11/16" range out to maybe 1+23/32" range.

I happened upon a used (like new) sunburst Sigma SG-200, which is an exact knockoff of a Gibson J-200, but with one important distinction (besides the price). The neck is fatter, rounder, and has a nut/fretboard width of 1+3/4". Reminds me very much of a Gibson Les Paul Custom I used to own back in the '60s. Loved the feel of it, and this one feels just as good.

Anyway, because I like the feel of that Sigma neck, I end up playing this one quite a lot. Has a lovely tone, with a slow decay that adds to its sonic appeal. And very easy to play too.

Other than that, it has the exact same dimensions as a Gibson J-200. 17" lower bout width, 5" deep and same scale length. And is a whole lot cheaper. (I have a Gibson and Epiphone versions too. The Epi IBG is a bit smaller in all the dimensions and has a narrow and flatter neck.The Epi EJ is full size with a narrower V-neck.)

The Gibson and EJ versions are built heavy, the Sigma is slightly less, and the IBG version is the lightest build. By comparison, the Taylor 818 Grand Orchestra has a wider waist, lighter build, and can be much louder than the Gibson/Epi J-200 family.

I really like Jumbo guitars, mostly for their naturally balanced sound. Which I enhance by using HD gauge strings {.013 - .053}.

I fingerpick all my instruments using my nails as picks.

Be well and play well,

Don
.

Thank you for your advice. I will give them a listen and then see if I can find some to play. As you can see, I am no stranger to Sigma and I love my DM1ST, even if it's a plywood guitar. It still sounds beautiful. I would not recommend any different guitar to a player just starting out....provided you get a good setup (from the factory, my setup was horrible)

[davenumber2]

Originally Posted by Mr Bojangles

Silly Moustache is correct; he's calling it a Super Jumbo because that's what it is. The SJ in SJ-200 stands for Super Jumbo.

I’m pretty sure we all knew what the OP was talking about.

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by Stonehauler

listened to that and it sounds beautiful (also been listening to some baritones and they sound great and very different).
How well does the carbon fiber hold up compared to a traditional wood guitar?

Stone, the Rainsong jumbo was good enough for a brand new updated David Wilcox signature model, and he gets great tone acoustically and amplified. They also use the Jumbo body for their custom baritone guitars. Expect it to be LOUD - nothing shy about it.

A carbon fiber guitar is WAY tougher than any wood guitar could ever hope to be, and should last for thousands of years unless deliberately abused or destroyed. Plus you can forget about humidity and [mostly] temperature issues. My Rainsong WS-1000 was bought new 22 years ago, and there has been no change in tone, neck angle, or setup since Day One. It has traveled in every condition from -40°F in Alaska to 110°F in Arizona. I now have gone almost completely carbon fiber and only have one nice koa Taylor and a couple of inexpensive wood guitars lingering around. I even have a composite Blackbird Farallon ukulele which became my primary player a few years ago.