New Epiphone inspired by Gibson j200 thoughts? - Page 2

phydaux · #16 09-24-2021, 07:02 PM

For $200 more I'd get an Eastman AC630BD.

BoneDigger · #17 09-24-2021, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phydaux

For $200 more I'd get an Eastman AC630BD.

$200 more than what? I actually own both of these and the J200 was $950 where the AC630-BD was $2,100. That's a bit more than $200. And honestly, they are both fabulous guitars. Tone wise, the J200 gives up very little to the Eastman. I would definitely say the Eastman is overall much more pleasant to look at, and fit and finish are better, but I'm not completely convinced it's $1,000 better.

phydaux · #18 09-24-2021, 08:42 PM

My mistake. For some reason I thought the thread was about the new Gibson G series G-200. That's retailing for $1999.00. Compared to that I'd spend the extra and get the Eastman.

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-200 retails for $899, and from all reports is a fabulous guitar.

donlyn · #19 09-24-2021, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phydaux

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The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-200 retails for $899, and from all reports is a fabulous guitar.

It is. And the sunburst on mine looks great too. Been my go-to guitar for a few months now, mostly just to learn it, as it is a bit different than one would expect.

The nut width is 1+11/16" on the Epi IBG J-200. Which is the same nut width as on my EJ-200.Which works out to 1.687" in decimal notation. 1+11/16" is my low end for fingering.

There are some small differences in the specs, the most noticeable of which is the carve of the neck. The EJ-200 starts as a slight V carve at the nut which gradually morphs into a C carve where it meets the body.

Edit > Just to be complete about it, my Gibson J-200 is a literal 'hair' over 1+11/16" nut, so it is really no difference. But the neck carve still makes me feel so right at home. Not as shallow as the Epi flattened C carve, but more a real C carve.

Don
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donlyn · #20 09-24-2021, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phydaux

My mistake. For some reason I thought the thread was about the new Gibson G series G-200. That's retailing for $1999.00. Compared to that I'd spend the extra and get the Eastman.

*

Still want to try one of these. Big draw for me is the spruce over walnut body which is a nice combination which I've sampled before. And the port is something I want to hear also.

Steep price, yes, especially when compared to it's new 'G' series brethren. But who knows until you you try it?

Don
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BoneDigger · #21 09-24-2021, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phydaux

My mistake. For some reason I thought the thread was about the new Gibson G series G-200. That's retailing for $1999.00. Compared to that I'd spend the extra and get the Eastman.

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-200 retails for $899, and from all reports is a fabulous guitar.

I have played one of those too! Honestly, it sounds really good! If I had not bought the Eastman BEFORE I had a chance to play it, it would be a toss up. I think the Eastman would win, based on looks mostly, but the Gibson sounded quite nice! No idea if the sound hole contributes anything to speak of other than hearing it better as a player, but I don't think it sounded any worse because of it. In other words, I don't think it detracts from the guitar.

sandral · #22 09-28-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richoguitar

Has anyone seen or played the new Epiphone Inspired by Gibson j200.

I have the IBG J200 I've had it for about a week and love it. I also have the IBG J45 IMG_5427.jpg

Felixq78 · #23 10-14-2021, 02:39 AM

I must admit I've been a Gibson snob but when my new Epiphone Hummingbird was delivered and I played it, fifty years (yes I'm an old fart) of snobbery just melted away. I'm so impressed with Epiphone's workmanship that I'm about to order a J-200

Brucebubs · #24 10-14-2021, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixq78

I must admit I've been a Gibson snob but when my new Epiphone Hummingbird was delivered and I played it, fifty years (yes I'm an old fart) of snobbery just melted away. I'm so impressed with Epiphone's workmanship that I'm about to order a J-200

Welcome to the AGF - yes, I think the new IBG Hummingbird is quite remarkable too and mine sits surprisingly comfortably next to my SJ-200 here at home.

donlyn · #25 10-14-2021, 11:36 AM

New Epiphone inspired by Gibson j200 thoughts?

OK, once more into the breach.

To start with I own a 1985 Gibson J-200, a 1994 Epiphone EJ-200, and a 2021 Epiphone IBG J-200. And they are all different in so many ways, but yet are all the same in others.

In little ways, they are all about the same, like a 17" lower bout width. Not exact, but worthy of a photo finish. The new IBG is about a 1/4" shallower in depth than it's brethren. To my ears, makes no real difference.

The nut widths are all 1+11/16" wide, or are at least in the ballpark. My calipers are unable to open wide enough to more accurately measure. (I have both an ancient analog and a new digital caliper.) Either way it makes no real difference for playing.

Sound-wise there are major differences, mostly because my Gibson has solid rosewood back and sides and sounds simply amazing. The EJ-200 has maple laminate back and sides, while the IBG has solid maple back and sides. All have some overtone and slow decay action going for them, with the Gibson way out in front on those. After all, I've been breaking it in for 36 years.

All have a similar feel to them, but here is the biggest difference. The Gibson has a Gibson carve, which means I love it. I kept a Les Paul standard, cherry sunburst with flamed maple which has a very similar feel to it. And with hand-wound pickups, it also sounds great.

The EJ-200 has a 'V' carve to it which morphs into a 'C' carve near the heel. Took a while to get used to playing, but certainly OK with it now. I've had it for about 5+ years. I think I have one of the 'good' ones, and it earns its keep in times of high humidity. I find that large solid-body guitars can sound a little 'wonky' in times of high humidity.

The IBG J-200 has a semi-elliptical 'C' carve, with the center almost flattened out. I have had this guitar for about close to 5 months. I found it was almost like learning to play a new instrument. And the reason is mostly due to the neck carve, and that took me quite a while to figure out. Turns out my left hand took a while to adapt to holding/playing it. I have been giving this one the Lion's share of my playing time. Much more than the rest of the 'pride'. And it has paid off, as I am very much at home with it now. And I expect better things as it keeps breaking in. Really liking the sounds it makes. It also somehow has a subtle ability to respond as quietly and as smoothly as I choose.

In summary, my overall ranking would be of course the Gibson, then the Epi IBG, and then the EJ laminate. But they are all good instruments and are all 'keepers'.

I string them all with Elixir PB HD Light Gauge strings, .013 - .053. And I tune the bass 'E' down a couple of cents, just because it sounds better.

And I fingerpick all my instruments, using my nails as picks. And I think Jumboes are the most balanced type of guitars, which in my book makes for great fingerpicking.

Don
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KESTLY · #26 10-14-2021, 11:58 AM

I have the Epiphone IBG AJ45 and it is quite an impressive beast. Not quite up to the Gibson version, but give it some time to break in and...maybe. I have removed the cheap electronics, had a professional set up done, and am going to remove the giant thick plastic pickguard. The electronics added quite a bit of weight to the guitar, and I will never use them. This guitar is a great strummer, powerful and smooth - I do like it. And, it is really nice looking too!

BoneDigger · #27 10-14-2021, 12:11 PM

The jumbo's I have owned or presently own include the IBG J200 (own), an Eastman 630-BD (own), and a Martin CEO 8.2e (owned). I have never owned a Gibson SJ200 but I have played a few. I think the Epiphone really has it's own voice, but it is a pleasing voice. It is a great guitar for singer/songwriter type stuff and really is a great strummer. It records very well and sounds great. I have had no issues with the neck shape. As noted earlier, I would prefer a wider nut width, but it's not a huge problem.

donlyn · #28 10-14-2021, 02:14 PM

New Epiphone inspired by Gibson j200 thoughts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

The jumbo's I have owned or presently own include the IBG J200 (own), an Eastman 630-BD (own), and a Martin CEO 8.2e (owned). I have never owned a Gibson SJ200 but I have played a few. I think the Epiphone really has it's own voice, but it is a pleasing voice. It is a great guitar for singer/songwriter type stuff and really is a great strummer. It records very well and sounds great. I have had no issues with the neck shape. As noted earlier, I would prefer a wider nut width, but it's not a huge problem.

Hey BD,

I would agree with everything you wrote about the Epiphone J-200, except I don't mind the nut width. I have been spoiled a bit with necks from Taylor and Gibson, and even an Alvarez. I fell into the realization that my left (fretting) thumb wasn't doing its job correctly, and that led to more focus and some subtle changes. And I also find the voice very agreeable. I just can't give an honest comparison to my Gibson. They are really two different beasts. I am a big rosewood fan, but I appreciate the differences between the two. A bonus is that the Epiphone IBG J-200 is a handsome no-cutaway sunburst model when my 'heard' contains no other sunburst models.

Frankly I am extremely impressed by the IBG J-200. And 'Jumbo' is my favorite guitar shape. One of the reasons I went after this one was for a change of pace, and I was pleasantly surprised when I first went to try it out. It 'followed' me home that day. I would recommend it to anyone who might be interested in a quality instrument for a great price.

Don
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Brucebubs · #29 10-14-2021, 02:39 PM

Great guitars. No hard case included but negotiate for one if you can - the Epiphone cases are like their guitars .. great value for the money .. here's mine with my IBG Hummingbird.

Br1ck · #30 10-14-2021, 02:52 PM

No matter what, Gibson or any other maker is not going to make a cheaper guitar that sounds too close to their big boy profit machines. It would be very foolish of them. The fact they are as good as they are is amazing in itself. I've been toying with buying a Collings F style mandolin. I don't need fancy, so the MF is fine. Same great materials, and well built, but every time I play one next to an MF Deluxe and the MF5, the more expensive mandolins sound bit by bit better. Same with a D 28 and a D 45. They know how to get something extra, be it in the raw materials or the craftsmanship. Or maybe they have figured out sight effects hearing.