What's up at Gibson?

[barney 59]

Really???????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????

Sounds like a Martin man!

[grassrootphilosopher]

Sounds like a Martin man!

He´s probably never played an old one (Bannerhead guitars in general, old L-00´s, old Super Jumbos [pre war 200s, yummy]), not speaking about jazz gutiars.

My old box outplays most other guitars I have ever played (including some interesting vintage ones). But hey, different strokes for different folks. I do generally not get the Bourgois or Collings thing (also on mandolin), even though they are highliy regarded.

[Timbofood]

I have a friend involved with the historic preservation people here and I have not heard anything since the last thread I posted in on the smokestack last winter.
She was of the understanding that it was just waiting for paperwork and surveys to determine when and where to start. It's "in the works" as the saying goes.
So, Joyce, fretboard festival was fun?
As to the guitar quality, I have played some pretty darned fine Gibson guitars, there's a friend of mine has a spectacular J-200, I know several blues guys with J-185s that are incredible. So, while you may not have played one that you are impressed with, everyone hears things differently.
Seems to me that WSMwas pleased enough with one to own one, right.

[barney 59]

He´s probably never played an old one (Bannerhead guitars in general, old L-00´s, old Super Jumbos [pre war 200s, yummy]), not speaking about jazz gutiars.

My old box outplays most other guitars I have ever played (including some interesting vintage ones). But hey, different strokes for different folks. I do generally not get the Bourgois or Collings thing (also on mandolin), even though they are highliy regarded.

That SJ --rosewood one --1936 is the one Gibson that most die hard Martin players really love if they ever get to play one. Good luck getting to play one 'cause they are really rare. It had a Martin scale fretboard that is why! Retro Fret had one a few years back that I got to play but at $40k it was a bit out of reach!

[barney 59]

I have a friend involved with the historic preservation people here and I have not heard anything since the last thread I posted in on the smokestack last winter.
She was of the understanding that it was just waiting for paperwork and surveys to determine when and where to start. It's "in the works" as the saying goes.
So, Joyce, fretboard festival was fun?
As to the guitar quality, I have played some pretty darned fine Gibson guitars, there's a friend of mine has a spectacular J-200, I know several blues guys with J-185s that are incredible. So, while you may not have played one that you are impressed with, everyone hears things differently.
Seems to me that WSMwas pleased enough with one to own one, right.

Having gone the preservation route a couple of times and paid attention to a whole lot more that were being worked on they go along and go along but often they fail seeming at the last minute. Owners of historic properties often say that they want to preserve the structure and maybe they actually do but what they really mean is they would love to preserve the structure if someone else is willing to pay for it. There isn't much public funding for these things. Usually the projected costs of the restoration is much,much higher then anyone imagined going in! If the structure is inside a designated historic area then funding might be found and any buildings at risk inside an area like that will always take priority for any funding that is available. Hopefully after the surveys they determine that the cost of preservation of the smokestack is something attainable and some rock and roll stars pony up 'cause it would be nice to see it saved.

[travellerbytrade]

So, Joyce, fretboard festival was fun?

Yes, it was! Several of the event staff were kids from some of my old classes at Western. They were happy to see that I wrote a book and lead me through the crowd with my stuff like a VIP.

I got three offers for lectures and the life-size Orville poster was a hit. And of course, the music was great. It's outgrowing the venue, I think. They're going to have to get a bigger hall.

[f5loar]

Gibson made in their past some pretty incredible guitars. Many prewar models like the J30, SJ, SJ200 and many post war models like the J45/J50/SJ/SJN and SJ185 and SJ200. I've even played some nice Hummingbirds and Doves. While they may not play nor sound like a Martin, they do stand on their own merit as great acoustic guitars. The first bluegrass boy with Monroe started out with a Gibson guitar. The reason the majority of them played a Martin D28 is Monroe bought one and kept it for them to use up until 1965 when it "went missing".

[Bernie Daniel]

That SJ --rosewood one --1936 is the one Gibson that most die hard Martin players really love if they ever get to play one. Good luck getting to play one 'cause they are really rare. It had a Martin scale fretboard that is why! Retro Fret had one a few years back that I got to play but at $40k it was a bit out of reach!

The same is true of the Gibson Advanced Jumbo (1935 - 40) -- rosewood b & s (it was Indian), red spruce top, scalloped braces with the 25.5" scale. The reissued (1990 to present) AJ is the same specs and they are the equal of most Martins IMO.

The SJ-200 also has the longer scale.

[MikeEdgerton]

I owned one of the newer AJ's. It had nothing on my D-28 Marquis. It was pretty and that was about it. I've owned several Gibson guitars including a 70's Gospel (real dog). I'm not a real fan of Gibson guitars. The only one I can say I really liked was a 69 Hummingbird that belonged to a friend of mine. There's a reason Martin has become the standard in bluegrass and there's a reason Gibson mandolins (and banjos) became the standards as well.

[barney 59]

The same is true of the Gibson Advanced Jumbo (1935 - 40) -- rosewood b & s (it was Indian), red spruce top, scalloped braces with the 25.5" scale. The reissued (1990 to present) AJ is the same specs and they are the equal of most Martins IMO.

The SJ-200 also has the longer scale.

oops sorry I meant Advanced Jumbo

[Timbofood]

Where have all the "Grammers" gone?
Long time picking...

But, seriously, I used to see a few of those at festivals but, not so much anymore.

[Hendrik Ahrend]

I owned one of the newer AJ's. It had nothing on my D-28 Marquis. It was pretty and that was about it. I've owned several Gibson guitars including a 70's Gospel (real dog). I'm not a real fan of Gibson guitars. The only one I can say I really liked was a 69 Hummingbird that belonged to a friend of mine. There's a reason Martin has become the standard in bluegrass and there's a reason Gibson mandolins (and banjos) became the standards as well.

Mike, ever played a recent/reissue "1935 Advanced Jumbo"? These guitars are outstanding and absolutely fine - well, at least the one I compared to 4 ordinary AJs and several recent Martins. They cost twice as much as regular AJs, but in my book rightfully so.
As soon as you gang around one microphone, a boomy scalloped-bracing rosewood Martin may be fine. For all other purposes, I'd prefer a more balanced sound, a non-scalloped Martin or a Gibson AJ. I wonder how an original vintage AJ compares to a 1945 non-scalloped D-28.

[Russ Jordan]

I wish Steve Carlson could buy back the Flatiron brand...........

[MikeEdgerton]

...I wonder how an original vintage AJ compares to a 1945 non-scalloped D-28.

My AJ was built around 2005. As far as comparing the originals that probably won't happen for me unless I get invited to somebody's house that owns them

[Hendrik Ahrend]

My AJ was built around 2005. As far as comparing the originals that probably won't happen for me unless I get invited to somebody's house that owns them

I can relate to that; much less of a chance over here in Europe. Although, my little brother does own the Martin half of such an encounter.

[DataNick]

I wish Steve Carlson could buy back the Flatiron brand...........

Word on the street from a third party source is that Steve Carlson was "royally screwed" by Henry when he left Gibson. I doubt Gibson(Henry) would do business with Steve again....

[almeriastrings]

We have an interesting AJ. Unusual purfling around the top. This was one of the '100th Anniversary' series they issued in 1994. Definitely more 'mid-rangy' than a typical Martin.



Nothing is standard with Gibson...