Has anyone ever played a Gibson J-100 12 string?

Rosewood99 · #1 01-26-2017, 08:44 AM

Saw one for sale on the Gibson forum.

Steve DeRosa · #2 01-26-2017, 09:08 AM

If you're buying for sheer rarity go ahead (there's a reason they didn't sell too many of these - a Guild just eats it alive), but if you gotta have a Gibson and you're buying for tone look for a B45-12 "Sundown" - only 12-string they ever got right...

Rosewood99 · #3 01-26-2017, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If you're buying for sheer rarity go ahead (there's a reason they didn't sell too many of these - a Guild just eats it alive), but if you gotta have a Gibson and you're buying for tone look for a B45-12 "Sundown" - only 12-string they ever got right...

Really want a studio deluxe 12 string but was curious if the j100 was any good.

larstusor · #4 01-26-2017, 01:30 PM

If you want a 12 string without commissioning a custom build, get a Taylor.

Rosewood99 · #5 01-26-2017, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larstusor

If you want a 12 string without commissioning a custom build, get a Taylor.

I already have a Taylor 12-string. I'm asking about a Gibson. What does commissioning have to do with anything?

Brucebubs · #6 01-26-2017, 03:14 PM

I haven't played a Gibson J-100-12 or a Songwriter Studio Deluxe 12, in fact I don't think I've ever played a Gibson 12-string.

I see that you're selling your Taylor 12 and that you already own a Gibson Songwriter Studio Deluxe 6-string.

If I may make a suggestion, a Studio Deluxe 12-string might just provide a jangly, almost 'too similar' version of your 6-string whereas a different Rosewood/Spruce build/make (as opposed to your Taylor 12) might offer a slight contrast to better compliment your Studio Deluxe 6?

Let me put it another way, I own a Martin Grand J12-40E Special Rosewood jumbo 12-string. I wanted a 6-string to compliment it but not match the tone - I didn't want a 6-string that sounded exactly like my 12-string with the octaves taken off.
I went for a different body shape/style with Alpine Spruce/Mahogany that produced plenty of volume to keep up with the big jumbo 12.

So, opposite to you, I owned the 12-string I wanted first and then bought a 6-string to compliment it.

My suggestions over a Gibson Studio Deluxe 12 would be a Taylor Grand Orchestra 858 or wait for the new Cordoba build Guild F-512 (or maple F-412) arrives - Elderly Instruments already list them 'delivery expected soon'.

Just a suggestion, feel free to ignore it - most do.

drive-south · #7 01-26-2017, 05:51 PM

I'm not a fan of the B45-12. I've played a few and hated the neck and the tailpiece/bridge. I much prefer a pin bridge setup.

I own a Gibson J185-12 and love it especially the neck. I requires a slightly heavier string than some 12 strings due to the short 24.75" scale.

I also own 2 Guild 12's (JF30-12 and D25-12) These have bigger necks and longer scale. I use fairly heavy strings but tune them down to D-D and open G.

Rosewood99 · #8 01-26-2017, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I haven't played a Gibson J-100-12 or a Songwriter Studio Deluxe 12, in fact I don't think I've ever played a Gibson 12-string.

I see that you're selling your Taylor 12 and that you already own a Gibson Songwriter Studio Deluxe 6-string.

If I may make a suggestion, a Studio Deluxe 12-string might just provide a jangly, almost 'too similar' version of your 6-string whereas a different Rosewood/Spruce build/make (as opposed to your Taylor 12) might offer a slight contrast to better compliment your Studio Deluxe 6?

Let me put it another way, I own a Martin Grand J12-40E Special Rosewood jumbo 12-string. I wanted a 6-string to compliment it but not match the tone - I didn't want a 6-string that sounded exactly like my 12-string with the octaves taken off.
I went for a different body shape/style with Alpine Spruce/Mahogany that produced plenty of volume to keep up with the big jumbo 12.

So, opposite to you, I owned the 12-string I wanted first and then bought a 6-string to compliment it.

My suggestions over a Gibson Studio Deluxe 12 would be a Taylor Grand Orchestra 858 or wait for the new Cordoba build Guild F-512 (or maple F-412) arrives - Elderly Instruments already list them 'delivery expected soon'.

Just a suggestion, feel free to ignore it - most do.

I ideally am looking for Gibson Studio Deluxe 12 string precisely because it sound like my Six string Gibson.

Also found a rare J45 12 string that intrigues me. I have to downsize for financial reasons but want the Gibson sound.

Still would like to know if the J100 is any good.

Brucebubs · #9 01-26-2017, 06:48 PM

Sorry, my mistake.

Steve DeRosa · #10 01-26-2017, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulzoom

...Also found a rare J45 12-string that intrigues me. I have to downsize for financial reasons but want the Gibson sound.

Still would like to know if the J100 is any good.

That's essentially an early slope-shoulder B45-12 with a non-adjustable pin bridge - might have possibilities...

As far as the J-100 is concerned, see my post #2 above...

Quote:

Originally Posted by drive-south

I'm not a fan of the B45-12. I've played a few and hated the neck and the tailpiece/bridge. I much prefer a pin bridge setup...

FYI I'm not a fan of the early tailpiece/adjustable-bridge models either - this is the one you want:

Bought the identical guitar right after I graduated from college, in a not-quite-cherry/not-quite-teaburst that I've never seen on any other Gibson (the stage lighting here makes Gord's look nearly identical to mine, but his was actually more of a Hummingbird-style cherryburst when I saw him in person); had an almost pre-NT Taylor-like flat-C neck, and needless to say nailed the Lightfoot tone - never should have traded it...

Rosewood99 · #11 01-26-2017, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

As far as the J-100 is concerned, see my post #2 above...

Post #2 doesn't tell me why you don't like the J-100. You say the Guild "eats it alive" but (correct me if I'm wrong) it doesn't sound like you have actually played one.

Steve DeRosa · #12 01-26-2017, 08:37 PM

Uh, yeah, I have - and if you've ever played a Guild jumbo 12 you're familiar with the volume, sustain, richness/complexity of tone, et al. that have arguably made them the standard by which all other production 12-strings are judged, so you'll know exactly what I mean by "eats it alive." If you'd prefer a single-phrase descriptor, I'd say "one-dimensional" (surprisingly and disappointingly so - you know the old story about "guitars you really wanted to like?") - and, as I suggested above, you'd be far better off with either a Gord-style B45-12 or that custom J-45-12 you mention; till then, I'd hang on to that nice koa Taylor if I were you...