Gibson Steel String Guitars

I bought this guitar on a whim one day in 1973 I had always wanted a gibson J200 and I went out to buy a new one. When I reached the store there waqs the shiny new J200 and next to it was a more shiny gibson gospel. I spent the next two hours playing them both and comparing then the guy in the store said have a try of this used J45 you wont be dissapointed and half an hourb later I was walking out of the store with it. The guitar has everything you would expect from a gibson plus an ever elusive something else, just a little something you cant quite put your finger on but its there all the same. Every time i pick up this guitar it sings to me even if the strings havent been changed for months. although it does like nickel strings rather than bronze. Even with the heaviest gauge strings on the action is wonderful. The thing I dont like about the guitar is the 40cm split in the back top edge which got there after a heavy drinking sesion at a friends place about 25 years ago and its never got any bigger. It could use a refret but Im afraid it just wont be the same instrument afterwards and that my love affair with it might end in divorce. Its a beautiful solid spruce top with honduras mahogany back and sides it has a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard kluson machines I suppose a fairly standard early sixties J45, although I did remove the scratchplate (I just think all acoustics sound better without them). It has those big fat sixties gibson frets as well (one reason Im reluctant to have it refretted). This is the kind of instrument that only comes your way once in a lifetime and you have to grab it and never let it go. Its the kind of instrument you should cherish and not abuse during drunken binges. You should play it to the best of your ability and let it sing its song to you. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I just "stole" this at a garage sale for $250 including the hardshell case. It is a 1980 model. The guitar's hardware (tuners, frets) were badly tarnished and the wood finish was very dirty and smudged. It also came with some dead bugs inside. After cleaning this thing up and re-stringing it, it is a beautiful guitar that sounds great. Big, booming low end, intonation is excellent, octave are right on, fingers easily, nice neck. I plan on lowering then string action (I do this to brand new Martins too though) and installing an internal transducer. Besides that, this guitar really isn't lacking in any area. Very Gibson-like, super quality, fit and finish is great. Even though this guitar had been neglected for 5-6 years, it cleaned up suberbly. Stays in tune very well (once you have stretched the new strings). I was in the market for another Martin when I found this and couldn't be happier with this find. I have Gibson electrics but this is the first Gibson acoustic I've owned and I'm very impressed. The sound quality, excellent fit and finish combined with the price I paid ($250) make me give this a 5. This guitar would be a good buy at $800. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

My mom bought this guitar back in the 70's for about 200 dollars. Since it was small she gave it to me to use as a first guitar (lucky me). As a side note i would like to mention that the little piece of paper that was originally inside the guitar has fallen out so we are not sure as to exactly what model this guitar is. My mom thinks B-25 but it could be another B model. Now that i've been playing for awhile i notice the quality of this guitar. For its size its got a pretty loud sound, and its tone is sweet also (this is probably helped by the aged wood). The guitar stays in tune extrememly well. I still appreciate its size, especially the neck and its shape. I never could get used to those bigger accoustics. I can't think of anything i really dislike that is the fault of the guitar. Its old, its banged up, but it still sounds good. The things still in one piece after over 30 years despite a lot of (paint) cracks, wear and tear. Well i guess i should start by saying good luck finding one of these things. I havent seen another one yet but thats just me. Its a great little guitar making it good for a beginner, although there are cheaper guitars that would do just as well. As a vintage gibson the quality is also gonna be pretty good even for more advanced player. I'd give it a 5. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I went to the local guitar store in Virginia to test out the Martin DC-28, which has been my dream acoustic for as long as I can remember. When I got there, I pulled the Martin off the wall and played away, and fell in the love with the feel of the Martin. From where I was sitting, the tone was certainly better than my Ibanez acoustic. Then the Manager comes in, and asked if I had tested the Gibson Hummingbird Pro on the wall. I rebutted, no, I am here to test the Martin (and thinking, what is this guy doing since the Martin is right under 3k). The guy tells me to listen to him play both guitars while I stood back (to hear the real tone which you can’t hear well while you are the one playing). I could immediately tell that the Martin was WAY "twangy'er" than the Gibson, with much more high end. The Gibson sounded much fuller, like your favorite rock tunes. I then played it and while the playability was ever so slightly easier on the Martin, I am all about tone. UTILIZATION Looks and sounds great. Pick up seems good, nice tone. My complaint would be with the action, way too high at the nut and bridge. My tec said he could get it to play like my Taka mine, low, smooth and buzz free. This is a beautifully constructed instrument. The playability of this guitar is fantastic. It has a nice deep sound that Gibson is famous for. Great action on the neck. The electronics in this guitar are good as long as you have a good amp to play through. SOUNDS The highs, mids and lows resonate fantastically. The only real problems I have with it are the neck needs to be adjusted due to the fact that it isn't straight, it isn't off horribly but still, it isn't straight. And the other problem is the pickup; it's awful. OVERALL OPINION High Quality guitar, it cost a pretty penny though. But if you can afford it I say go for it! You wont be disappointed.