The Gibson Jumbos: A Short History, featuring Eric Treleaven
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
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Links to the references used:
"Gibson's Fabulous Flattops" : amzn.to/33xkryX
This topic came to me from one of the member of the friends of five watt group on Patreon. He even leant me a copy of the definitive work on the subject! As is usually the case, I learned a LOT doing the research on this one and honestly the size of the script scared me just a little. But at just under 37 minutes its still shorter than the Les Paul SH and that's over a million views. So chalk one up for pure curiosity. :)
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The day I was finally able to walk into Guitar Center, point to the brand new Southern Jumbo on the top shelf and say “I’ll take it” was one of the best days of my life.
That’s awesome
Living every kids dream, I’ll be there with you shortly
My dad gave me his ‘63 j-45 when I turned 16. It’s been my main cannon for my last 30 years. It sounds better every time it gets played. I’m giving it to my son.
You are lucky. It took me a long time to even try a j45. I Never even considered one. Never even liked Gibby acoustics. Now, 20 something yrs later I realized it's the most magical guitar ever created. I've got some great Martin's. A great Guild. Larrivee, Taylor, etc. I bought my first J45 last April and barely touch any of my other acoustics now. Actually ended up buying a second j45 in October. For strumming and singing. Nothing else comes close
Just bought my dream guitar tonight, a J-45 TV. Ive been wanting one for 10 years now, and finally felt the time was right as far as money and where I’m at in life. Truly a milestone for me as I never thought I’d see the day I could do this. A lot of hard work.
I inherited a Southern Jumbo from my Dad. It was one step above firewood when I got it. Missing and broken braces, broken tuning knobs, a homemade whittled out bridge in the wrong place. it was poorly refinished in Natural polyurethane around 1970. Cowboy frets worn down nearly to the fretboard, and you could have driven a truck under the strings. Best I can tell it's a 1946 model, based on the script logo, no banner, no neck binding, no serial number or FON of any sort.
I had it restored by a highly regarded luthier about three years ago, retaining the original tuners, pick guard, and silk screen logo, new braces, new bone nut and saddle, new rosewood bridge, neck reset, and a new nitrocellulose sunburst finish. He also managed to clean the stains off of the parallelogram inlays to make them bright and shiny again instead the color of nicotine.
I know you're not supposed to refinish old guitars, but in this case, the damage was already done. Now I have an heirloom quality instrument with a new life. I could've bought a new one for less than the luthier bill, I felt responsible for making sure this piece of history was done right.
Now don't forget to play it 😉
That’s really cool!! I had a Advanced Jumbo but I lost it in a house fire 🔥. A new one is 5k now so I bought another Martin D28 instead. I’ve had it a couple weeks now but I still have the itch for a Gibson. It seems I just can’t be happy unless I have both 🤦♂️
@@JohnnyRebKy That is why they have credit unions. I'vE purchased several pricey guitars via credit union (automatic payment )(painless)
@@Gitfidlpickr I’m not in the habit of buying things I can’t afford. It leads to trouble. If I don’t have the money I don’t buy it
@@JohnnyRebKy Good for you Johnny.
I am an amateur hobbyist guitar builder. I have studied for years. Sir, this is probably the best video I have seen for Gibson history. Great job.
What a "Jumbo" SH. You captured the storied history and the sonic essence of Gibson flattops perfectly with superb playing examples of guitars most of us will never play, great pictures of vintage guitars and a story that keeps us engaged. Home run!
Whoops! Didn't expect that simple, elegant, superbly beautiful performance by the Duke! Had to rewind and turn up the volume; a couple a times... Marvelous surprise! 😊
Duke Levine's piece was gorgeous!
Also, Rick's C&W is beauty.
Duke Levine is beyond description as a player (and a hell of a nice guy as well!)...I saw him live in a bar in NYC years ago...He did a solo electric instrumental version of Strawberry Fields Forever that had my head spinning for weeks afterwards...Glad he's getting some well-deserved attention and appreciation...
Wow, you've outdone yourself this time Keith, which is saying something!...This is amazing!!!
I have 3 Gibson acoustics - an mid 50s L50, a '46 LG2 (both bequeathed to me via family ALL of whom played Gibson acoustics beginning the late '30s/early '40s) and a 2004 Songwriter (one of Ren Ferguson's last designs for Gibson) which I got last February for $1700...They are ALL absolutely amazing guitars (though none of them are true Jumbos and the L50 is an archtop)...
I can go on forever about all of this but I'll just say THANK YOU SO MUCH for making this video...It might sound crazy to say but I believe that despite their long, storied and highly influential history, Gibson acoustic guitars somehow get the short shrift in some strange way...hopefully this video goes a long way to correcting that...
All the players in this vid sounded exceptional (Molly Tuttle on that J-200 - WHOA!) but thanks in particular for giving Duke Levine some exposure - he deserves to be much wider appreciated, his playing in this vid actually got me a little teary-eyed...(Not criticizing but did your namesake Mr. Richards not get a mention along with his famed Hummingbird?...Maybe he did, I'll keep an eye out when I re-watch)
And finally remember the old adage -
Good ol' boys play Martins
Bad boys play Gibsons
Choirboys play Taylors
Thanks again Keith, this salvaged what has been up till now a thoroughly crappy week!
Those songwriter models are consistently excellent
@@ChaddSullivan Thanks, yeah...seems to be a Gibson model that flies under the radar somewhat... based on the experience I've had with mine over the past year I'd say they well worth checking out if you're in the market...
Molly Tuttle!!
IMHO, Gibson went to crap with Norlin and ever since. You have some of what I consider "Real Gibsons".
The missing fact is that "Jumbo" was the name of an elephant that was part of P.T. Barnum's circus. I know this is Five Watt World, not Name Explain, but if we know Dreadnaught is the name of the first battleship, we should know where this name came from as well. Great work.
I never knew the origin of the word. That's pretty cool.
It's called Jumbo because of its size, not because of a circus animal that died 50 years prior.
@@michaelgallagher3640 the word "Jumbo" exists because an elephant is big, and only existed as Swahili for "Hello" before then.
True, but the Martin Dreadnaught was specifically named after the battleship of the same name. The Gibson's were not named after the elephant.
@@eljison then where did the word come from?
Wonderful short history. Can't believe the tones coming from those Gibsons.
I just bought a Takamine Jumbo a month ago. Been waiting for it for 2 years. I always wanted a Jumbo just because it was BIG. I never knew the history of it, so this is very interesting. Thank you 5 Watt World!
God I loved this!
What a superbly produced video.
Keith, I'm a 50 year player and always tune in to listen and learn. I enjoy the detail. You always do your homework. Thanks, 5 Watt World.
This one was so engaging! I didn't realize how much I love those Gibson flat tops until now. Thanks again for having me. You're a great human and you tell fantastic stories.
Thanks for making the video with me Eric. You did great stuff for this one. I really appreciate it.
Great HUMAN? As opposed to WHAT? But seriously, Keith Williams has indeed become an EXTREMELY good host for these Five Watt World videos. I have enjoyed every one of them, especially those made about guitar brands that I own! If someone from Network TV actually were to grow a few brain cells (and don’t hold your breath waiting for THAT to happen!), our Mr. Williams just may find himself doing some high-dollar gig, being the face and voice of some informational weekly Network TV show. Hey, it could happen! After all, I wound up Directing network television!
In my modest collection of guitars, the Gibson J-185s are my favorites. I have matching 6 & 12 strings in natural built in the Bozeman shop. It helps that the shop is only 150 miles away & I know some of the staff from my college days!
When I lived in Bozeman and was actively gigging, it wasn’t uncommon (at all) to run into Gibson employees. The rhythm guitar player in one of my bands had worked there for decades. Oh, the stories...
I've finally signed up for TrueFire
Great personal documentary on the history of Gibson jumbo flat tops. I am blessed with inheriting my father's 1939 AJ Gibson, and an uncle's 1942 D28 Martin. Both are exceptional guitars with very different voices. Thanks for the entertaining information.
This video helped me identify and learn about a Gibson acoustic guitar that was left to me by my recently deceased Uncle. Based on this video, and other research I’ve done, it’s a beautiful example of a 1969 J50 with the round shoulders. I’m a big fan of the channel, but this video was of particular interest for me, on a personal level.
Bitten by the J45 in a shop in Germany. I finally got mine only last year. Thanks for your video. I can confirm Gibson Acoustic Guitars are life changers 😎
which shop ?
@@ohrofax the acoustic guitar one 😎
After about 25 years of playing guitar I finally bought my ‘forever’ guitar a few years ago - a Gibson J-45. It was worth the wait. A year or two ago I left a comment on another 5 Watt video, asking if a J-45 short history might be in the works. “It’s on the list” was Keith’s reply. This was also worth the wait. Another great video. Thank you - you made my Friday night.
Some beautiful guitars and beautiful playing. I'll be returning to this video many times, I think! Thanks, Keith.
Keith once again thank you, you have indeed the best podcasts on all things musically. Not enuff emphasis on acoustic guitar playing, for that is where most of us start playing. Although I don't own one, one of my favorite acoustic guitars is a Gibson J-200, from the aforementioned George Harrison's Here comes the sun(which was conceived in Eric Clapton's garden to Jimmy Page's Black Mountain Side (played on Big Jim Sullivan's J-200) to alot of early Stills and Young and Dylan on Nashville Skyline to everyone else in-between. These Jumbos especially the J-200 has that very special color depth sound, not to mention easy on the eyes. Again thanks for this special acoustic five watt world.....🕶️
I just subscribed to your channel and it’s very good. I was given as a gift from my uncle who taught me everything about how to play guitars. He went to Gruen and picked up a jumbo 200 that was made in Montana when they closed that factory down they made 32 of these of which I have number 28. It’s an amazing and beautiful guitar, spruce top rosewood sides, mahogany I love what you’re doing here showing all these very cool guitars. Thanks from a new subscriber.
always a good day when theres a new short history video :)
Took me a few days, but I've been looking forward to this one. Great job, Keith! And the playing is great!
Great. thank you!
Best episode yet.
The amount of work that go into these is incredible, thank you for doing what you do.
Best "A Short History" video yet. The live clips add sooooo much more to the story!
Excellent as always Keith. 2013/1936 AJ Reissue here. In a room full of Martins, Larriveés and Taylors that were exceptional, the Gibson spoke to me. Glad you got your custom dream guitar.
Great work once again!
Thanks for doing what you do
“A rectangular bridge, floating in a sea of sunburst” ….. come on, now that is just pure poetry!!!
Keith? You touched the heart of this Gibson guy today. Your work is a treat, nay, treasure to absorb. Your history in education counseling shows in complete robust detail. I play regularly and publicly my Gibson J 45 Red Sunburst. It is studio quality, albeit modified to bring the voice of the woods and over glued processes of the mid 60's. My family is Gibson. And we are realists. So stay in the saddle a long time, I will eventually support. My own channel will grow as well. You are the best soil to nuture all who seek to make the most music from the least gear! Awesome!... Sammy, playing now 64 years.
Thanks Sammy!
Just what I was looking for, thanks!
Great video Keith. Back in 2012 I'd been looking for a good acoustic for some years and tried out several Martin D-28s and Gibson J-45s, unable to choose between the two models. On a trip to Bilbao in northern Spain I went out for a stroll and stumbled on a guitar shop which had a J-45 in the middle of the shop window. I went into the shop to try it and it really spoke to me. It had a beautiful rich but well balanced sound, perfect for all styles, and I loved its simple unfussy looks. Needless to say, I bought it on the spot and have enjoyed it immensely ever since. I totally agree with you about the quality of the instruments made in Bozeman. Definitely a smart move to shift production of their acoustics to that part of the world.
This video is so incredible I love this.
Excellent work, as always, buddy. And thanks for the visual "shout-out" - I happened to be watching this one with my teenage daughter, and we both got the biggest laugh out of it. It will be a moment we will always share - thank you for that.
:)
I have a '93 J-30 that I have had since brand new and it is awesome! It is very special to me and my sons!
Thank you Keith. Integrity is hard to find online these days. Love Gibson through their ups and downs.
Very well done, Keith! Gibson's flat top history is very complicated, and you did an excellent job describing it all.
I've been a guitar player for 56 years; A Gibson was the first good guitar I ever pla'yed, but I only came to appreciate their quality gradually. For many years, I played Martins. My first truly exceptional guitar was a Gibson 1939 Advanced Jumbo, purchase from a friend.
This guitar actually landed me a job at their Montana factory 10 years later, as I was only one of 2 employees who knew that model. (Ren Ferguson was the other guy.) Their power doesn't come from only the long-scale neck; the AJ only has 19 frets. Losing the last fret allowed the bridge to move upward just a bit, placing it in the body's sweet spot.
The AJ was Gibson's first authentic recreation of one of their historic vintage guitars, and the Montana factory''s first attempt at building these re-issues. A lot was riding on them for the company. I was lucky , as I was able to buy one of the first 100 or so made, and it has been my go-to acoustic flat top ever since. These days, I own more Gibsons than any others. One is especially rare, an early plectrum 4-string guitar.
What was especially interesting to me was we both agreed on a Gibson neither of us own. A friend's wife's 1957 Country & Western is still my favorite all-round Gibson for it's playability, volume and tone. I'll never own it, but I still love to play it when I can.
Great job Keith. These videos are so fun. And I can only imagine the amount of work involved. Well done! Whenever you show that b/w photo of the old Gibson plant I think how amazing it would be to go back in time and tour that facility. Imagine not just the cool guitars but the characters making them. The old tools, jigs, stacks of old growth wood, the “power”equipment. Even the cool old cars in the lot! American craftsmanship at work!
Brilliant overview as always. Once again improved my knowledge of the subject no end.
We were starting from a low base admittedly...
Thanks and blessings KW.
Thank you Keith for another amazing "Short History" episode, on Gibson guitars.
Brought back memories of my dad and his Gibson guitar.
I have a 1944 SJ that my dad left me. What a big crisp sound it belts out.
It really can growl, when you use a thick gauge pick.
Wow, nice guitar!
Thank you Keith!
Excited to give this a watch, the best acoustic I've ever played was a Gibson Custom Shop SJ-200 at Bernunzio's in Rochester. Wish I could have afforded it but it was a dream to play and sounded amazing. I'll be honest that I never really gave Gibson their due respect when it came to acoustics until I played that one
I’m a dyed in the wool Martin guy. I’m 64. For my 60th I bought a 000-28h Martin. The “Gibson” scale length was a revelation! I don’t currently own a single Gibson - acoustic or electric (I’m a Fender & Gretsch guy) I’ve owned a Martin CEO4R for years - it looks like a Southern Jumbo, but plays and sounds like a Martin - it’s that scale length, again! This vid has made me determined to get some sort of Gibson Jumbo!
Dam it, Five Watt World! You are supposed to help me shed instruments! Not give me “GAS”!
Peace -(another superb vid!) thanks!
Very interesting! I bought a 1968 Hummingbird that had sat hanging a lonely existence for a few years in Osborns' music store in Hudson NY I paid $375. It was not that great sonically as it had heavy finish and pick guard as well as a big heavy adjustable bridge and heavy strings. I stripped the face and removed the bridge and put a martin bridge on. Also had the struts shaved a bit. It really opened up big time! There is something about the slight buzzy sound of the b and top e strings of a gibson that I always can hear. I have remained faithful to my Gibson and it has traveled with me and played all over the US and even went to Europe in 1972. I put some money into a neck reset awhile back and some other work and it now sounds and plays better than ever.
Another great video Keith.
Fantastic video and thank you for all of your work to bring this history to life. You are the Ken Burns of the guitar world. So much of UA-cam is just chatting and product soft selling, your channel is loaded with great content.
Wow! Duke Levine plays with so much soul.
Sweet story about "Elderly Instruments". They're pretty close to me. And I've always wondered why Gibson left Kalamazoo. Thanks Keith as always super entertaining and educational. And Rick sounded identical to JP in that video, to me at least.
Excellent history, Keith. Thanks!
Amazing videos!!! Best on UA-cam for guitar history!!!
"What a long strange trip it's been." Thanks for confirming so much of my own experiences with Gibson acoustics.
Awesome, as usual! Thanks Keith.
thank you for posting. i enjoyed every minute and I kept going back to the clip of Freddy Fender song. Nice playing
Excellence wrapped in denim. I just love your channel
I love Gibson’s acoustic guitars’ chaos. Its the opposite of Martin slightly condescending precision. I have a modest guitar collection and two of my favourites are a 32 Gibson L00 and a 55 small guard Southern Jumbo. The warm woody tone is just exceptional. They are so much more than cowboy chord strummers.
I have been AWOL in the hospital for the last 18 days. Those sweet Gibson acoustic tones are the best sounds I have heard since breaking out!! Thanks Keith, appreciate you much!! 8) --gary (Roc-ish 8)
Hope you’re in the mend man.
Yet another excellent show Keith. Even though I don't play the 6 string, the histories are so interesting and informative. Bravo.
Kudos for doing another informative and thorough guitar history video. Gibson acoustics have been used on more iconic songs we know and love than people realize.
What a rich story! Thank you!
We need a video about Guild acoustics now. :)
Thx you for this comprehensive gibby dive 😎
Went on a vacation last year to Bozeman MT. Best vacation I have ever been on. Scenery was breathtaking and also got a chance to stop by the Gibson factory located there. And the Villa Music shop in town directly works with the Gibson factory so you get to try out fresh built guitars there. Just an amazing experience and recommend if you're in the area stop by Villa Music at least and check out their guitar vault.
another great short history - nice to see acoustics - thanks Keith!
After years of half hearted attempts to get decent on electric guitars (because I'm a rocker you know), on a whim I pick up a used, inexpensive Yamaha dreadnaught just to have displayed in the music room and, for the life of me, I can't stop playing it. And then this gem of a video comes along validating that acoustics are the bedrock of all guitar work. Well done Keith. Thank you.
Yes, a video like this on the red label Yamahas would be amazing.
My first acoustic was a 1977 Yamaha dreadnaught and that guitar lasted me until one of the Airlines I took wrecked it. Had it for 30 years and it never disappointed me. It was 150 bucks back in the day. These were made to last and it would be great to do a series on these old Yamahas.
I have a SJ-200 made by Ren Ferguson. I've played dozens of Gibson guitars, and there none other that come close.. It's a real pleasure to play. I also have a 1936 Gibson L4 that my dad bought off a hippy at the world fair in Seattle. I will keep them both until I die.
Hey this was really excellent thanks 🙏
Amazing video, as always, thank You soooo much 🙏🏻 👌🏻
That was awesome mate ! thanks so much. I recently fond my forever a guitar.
A 1967 Gibson J50 and man I love it... talk about mojo !!
Love this episode. I am blessed to own a 2009 True Vintage Southerner Jumbo, which is the beyond beautiful and the one guitar I would never, ever sell.
I bought a Hummingbird knockoff at Ellman's, remember them, back in the 1970s here in Atlanta for $100. I must have lucked out and gotten a really good copy, because it played like a dream. I was jamming with some friends one night when one of the guys there thought it was a real Gibson, and swapped guitars with me, letting me play his Martin D-28 for the rest of the night. I later sold it after I bought an Ovation 1621 Custom Balladeer at a used guitar shop on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, it was either Music Exchange or Atlanta Music Exchange, it was a long time ago. Really miss it now, wish I could have it back. Great video, brought back an old memory.
I have a couple of acoustics. If I ever decide they aren’t enough, I know where to go. Martin. But then Five Watt World f***s with my preconceived… and now I want a Gibson. Listen. You have to fix what you’ve messed up. Now I want you to make a video on Martins. Anyway, another stellar video. You’re fast becoming my favourite UA-cam channel. Never mind that, I think you already are.
I made the Martin dreadnaught video last summer. :) check it out
@@fivewattworld I believe I did watch it back then. Probably a part of the reason I want one. You’re good at that, the least gear possible, then post a history of something I instantly get a desire for. Thankfully a combination of self discipline and wallet keeps me from buying everything I want. Will check out the Martin video again. Oh, and I just remembered something. I watched a video made by Martin themselves where the CEO (Chris?) takes us through the history of the company. And I’m thinking, I’d love to see you do factory tours and interviews with custom shop workers, master builders, independent luthiers creating magic, CEOs or whatever.
Once again, you've made a priceless video. TX
Great work !!
Have a Lyle (FIL name sake) Dove. From '70 or so....Loves a Snark.
saw a 160 style at a shop years ago. Shop guy scared. All good.
Great job Keith!
Thanks Jason
Fun Facts to Know and Share! I bought a J 160 E back in 74 at Masaminos on the east side of Detroit, a square shoulder early 70s Kalamazoo guitar. It sounded great acoustically, and the pickup just got used to bolster a second feed on a track, plugged through an amp or with a transformer into the board. In the quest for better sound I mounted a humbucker in place of the P 90. When backing out the screws on the P 90 I found the top of the guitar was tapped to accept the screws, the wood itself. Wow, did that make it hard to mount the humbucker having to start 6 screws all at the same time!
Two years ago I finally found a luthier who would put a piezo under the bridge and change the existing tone knob to a volume knob for the passive piezo, and give me a stereo output jack, Dave Collins at Ann Arbor Guitar. Now I can plug the thing into a big amp and it thunders a great acoustic guitar sound without big feedback trouble by blending the two pickups for a sweet spot. It is a great guitar, just acoustically it sounds great too.
Great work Keith, you must know you create a lot of shopping! The least gear my foot!
I love this channel, some of the best content on UA-cam
This is your best show yet.
As a fan and owner of Gibson guitars, I truly enjoyed this historical account of their flattops through the decades. My sole bone of contention is with the dismissal of the Norlin era guitars as substandard. I understand the problems inherent in having ownership by a parent company from outside the guitar industry. That said, I don't think you can paint all of the Gibsons from that era with the same brush of lesser quality. My '73 Hummingbird continues to be amongst my favorite instruments. While I tend to think of Gibson as a short scale manufacturer the Hummingbirds of that period had 25.5-inch scales lengths which make those Hummingbirds somewhat unique. Gibson's neck profiles were always to my preference, e.g., compared to comparable Martins of the same day. and this Hummingbird plays quite nicely with nearly 50 years of aged tone to match. For me, it's the guitar that I do not intend to trade.
I agree. The biggest thing about the Norlin reputation, I think, it it's lasted so long. Norlin made some very serious mistakes that damaged Gibson's reputation very early in their ownership, and the mistakes were all directed at saving Norlin money.
A very stupid reason for a product that was never popular because it was very affordable.
Norlin soon realized their mistake, though, once the Gibson sales collapsed on them. The management tried very hard afterward to remedy their beginner's errors.
I think, however, even their best efforts were never good enough to actually result in guitars as good throughout the entire line as the older ones that were made just before the Norlin take-over. The Gibson guitar had developed such a consistent distinctiveness as a brand that every customer expected they would get some special qualities of sound and appearance that only Gibson could deliver.
Once those expectations failed, so did those special expectations.
That's the basic flaw in allowing money to overcome craft. It takes a guitar guy who understands the craft to make a guitar business succeed. And that only comes when someone at the top has worked at the bottom, getting sawdust up the nose from hands on the tools. The business part can be learned pretty easily, but understanding the product is a lot harder.
Great episode. Just about to pull the trigger on an SJ. And great to see hometown hero and friend Duke Levine.
Nobody makes videos like you do. Players will be coming back to them forever.
Outstanding video Keith ! The incredible playing, history and design info throughout make this one of your best yet. I'm lucky enough to have a 64 J45 that I bought as a kid for $190 and the tone of that guitar is just magical. Listening to Duke Levine makes me want a 50's Southern Jumbo man that was beautiful. Thx
Thanx again for another mini masterwork :-) It made my day.
Thanks Paul
I bought a brand new J-45 in my early 20s. I was so excited that I finally had a Gibson! It was a good guitar, and was a strummer's dream, it didn't project as loudly or respond to fingerpicking as well as my Martin 000-16 did. I had to part with it when I started a post-grad program, but I remember it fondly. Just a damn good guitar.
Amazing to see a guitarist from my home featured on the intro- awesome tune! Currently -35 degrees c here in good old north bay Ontario!
Eric hit it out of the park!
I’m a simple man - see 5wattworld releases new video, click like automatically!
Really interesting video. You've nicely steered us through the complex history of an iconic group of instruments. I have a Custom SJ200, bought about 10 years ago, in the style of the early SJ200s - rosewood back and sides - and it plays a dream. Can barely believe the sound when I pick it up. I love Martins (I also have a D35) but this is unbeatable.
Really great video Keith!!! I learned a lot on this one. I love that Elderly Instruments was mentioned. I purchased my first Norlin era Les Paul from them in the early 2000s.
A great vid again! I'm a bass player, a fan of electric guitars, and I'm not particularly interested in acoustics, so me watching the whole 37 minutes says enough! Thanks, I learned a lot again, and of course there are a lot of parallels between the Gibson electrics and acoustics.
I'm digging this, Keith! I found a great SJ-200 in 2010 and it's been my only steel-string ever since. By the way, lovely playing AND recording by your intro guy on this!
Yes, I knew Eric would do us proud and he did.
Another player that was famous for using the J 200 other than Elvis Presley was Greg Lake he was said to have had about a dozen different J 200 and I heard in an interview of him Saying how he loved that you could play the most quiet part on that guitar and then play the most powerful piece on it as well . A Gibson acoustic is one instrument I dream of owning if only....
Awesome vid, as always!
The difference between your deep voice here and your casual voice when talking to Beato on the New Year stream is crazy, I do prefer this tone :D.
BTW, after hearing in that live all the effort you make for one of this Short history videos, I respect them even more, please keep doing them!
I’m a fairly small person at a whopping 5’4 and jumbo guitars look so big on me but they sound so good that I just have to play one.
A good one!
Thanks Keith, love your work, my dream acoustic is a natural, Montana built, SJ200 with a crazy flamed back & neck .
maybe when i retire....
Peace!
An excellent video which captures the essence of the history of Gibson guitars, namely:
Famous for being consistently inconsistent and corporate ownership with no Gibson family member involved since the very early 1900s.
I have owned a few Gibsons, the first a 1946 J-45 Banner purchased in 1965 for the princely sum of $100. It was stolen in 1967. I spent 4 decades looking for another 45 that sounded and played like that one. Nothing found until I bought a used, mint, Gibson WM-45.. the Workingman's version of the J-45. Montana built and every bit the guitar of my long gone 1946. Sadly I sold my guitar collection in 1998 to buy my property in Oregon, the Gibson is gone and I am once again on the hunt. My two Martins (of 15 I have owned since 1961) are very good but do not have the "bounce" and magic of those elusive one in 10s of thousands of Gibson guitars and nothing else will do.
My observation after owning many, many acoustic guitars; when you find a good Gibson, there is nothing like it as is illustrated by Rick Beato's 1957 Country Western.
Great video, as always informative and inspirational. Thanks.
Love the video! Thanks so much for the research - its a lot of work!
My favorite guitar in my modest collection is my 1966 Southern Jumbo. A guitar that I bought used in 1970 to take to college since at that time I couldn't take my electric rig with me. At some point before I bought it, the tuners were replace with Grovers. It is just an awesome sounding and playing guitar.