J185 all the way. The reverberations in the j200 seem overwhelming, as if the sound is coming from a tunnel. Also, the body is hard to handle in the j200. The j185 is quite comfortable.
2:42 I didnt really see those marks Paul is talking about, but isn't that whats called "bear claw"? Some builders claims it makes the guitar sound better.
Wow I recently requested this!!! I’m going to become intoxicated by my own power! I got a j-200 about ten years ago, after a couple decades of wanting one. But my first good guitar was almost a j-185. Wish it had been, because I’d still have it! Both great guitars, very different due to differences in size, bracing, neck, and the 185 is a 24.75” scale; 200 is 25.5”. Both fantastic singer/songwriter guitars. The 200 actually records pretty well: deep, full and diffuse sound but not boomy; think Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, or some of George Harrison’s demos for the latter Beatles and his solo album, all things must pass. Of course the 185 responds so evenly that even mic’d up live it’s pretty versatile and resistant to feeding back. Neither will work in a bluegrass jam, but that’s not what they’re made for.
@@Channel-io1di You could use it for bluegrass if you really wanted to. :) But it does not project like a bluegrass guitar, really. It projects sort of a wide, diffuse wall of sound. Usually people want something punchy for bluegrass.
Great voicing of the guitars, Quinton. Is Paul ever "not excited" about a J200 or Gibson acoustic guitars in general? Those maple backs really sound great. Thanks, Paul and Quinton.
@@jjmuni : In the USA maybe. I live in Europe and I never saw one. And yes, I could find one for a fair price on Reverb, but I wouldn’t dare to spend such a huge amount of money on a guitar that I never played and that has to travel far. My heart wouldn’t hold it. 😊
@@christthernikow274 : I find that so hard to believe… Not because that Gretsch couldn’t sound good, but because they’re two completely different guitars. Polar opposites I would say. 😳
IMO the mahogany necks bring maple bodies alive. The j185 is about twice as loud as the j200 and i feel its the neck.. ive owned a few of each and even though maples more dense then mahog, it slows the sonic vibrations down as maples sonic chart is much slower then hog!
Hi. Ty for the videos. I’ve learned so much. One thought. I think Quinton is using his thumb pic to strum Makes more of a shrill I think a regular pic would reflect the desired tone to reflect on the instrument. I think a thumb pic is too rough. Hard. To reveal the best tone when strumming. Ty. Mike the strummer
Quinton, as always: Great Playing! Paul, I have an idea for a J185 custom Id love to have built, or commissioned.. and although I live in the Mtns an hour from Wildwood (Colo) I consider Music Villa my own guitar Mecca, and want to make the pilgrimage! You guys are too much fun w/ acoustic letter vids! (Plus my kiddo is in Missoula!)
I really wanted to love the J185 because of the smaller size, but I when I had one, I felt it was too boxy and lacked the power I needed. I have a J200 that has become my only acoustic guitar. Although the size can be a bit unwieldy, its tone is truly unmatched and I went on a journey playing everything from everyone and nothing beats out the J200. I consider it the Les Paul of the acoustic world. The J185 might be the SG. One clearly has power and the other covets it.
I dig watching your video, I look down realizing I am wearing MV J-200 everyone should own one T shirt. 0400 hours. Guess it’s a sign that I need to pull her out and play. Every time I open the J-200’s case it’s Xmas morning! Semper Fi
For some reason every single j-180 I've ever played sounded significantly worse than any j-185 to my ears. Which it wasn't the case because the j-180 has some different aesthetic options that I like better.
I can readily see the different uses for each body type - J-185 is less boomy, easier to keep control of in a recording studio/ the J-200 produces more sound than its smaller companion. I tend to prefer the J-200.
The 185 as it stands, too bright and boxy for my tastes. Need to experiment with saddles, pins, strings etc to mellow it out. After that the heavens may open.
😂 have you never played a Gibson? They’re normally laid back, thumpy, deep guitars, great for vocal accompaniment. These aren’t meant to overwhelm a banjo or project like a Martin OM.
J185 all the way. The reverberations in the j200 seem overwhelming, as if the sound is coming from a tunnel. Also, the body is hard to handle in the j200. The j185 is quite comfortable.
I have both and they are different that's why
@@roberteccles3896I also have both and mine sound even more different than those on this video.
2:42 I didnt really see those marks Paul is talking about, but isn't that whats called "bear claw"? Some builders claims it makes the guitar sound better.
Wow I recently requested this!!! I’m going to become intoxicated by my own power! I got a j-200 about ten years ago, after a couple decades of wanting one. But my first good guitar was almost a j-185. Wish it had been, because I’d still have it! Both great guitars, very different due to differences in size, bracing, neck, and the 185 is a 24.75” scale; 200 is 25.5”. Both fantastic singer/songwriter guitars. The 200 actually records pretty well: deep, full and diffuse sound but not boomy; think Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, or some of George Harrison’s demos for the latter Beatles and his solo album, all things must pass. Of course the 185 responds so evenly that even mic’d up live it’s pretty versatile and resistant to feeding back. Neither will work in a bluegrass jam, but that’s not what they’re made for.
What makes it not good for bluegrass?
@@Channel-io1di You could use it for bluegrass if you really wanted to. :) But it does not project like a bluegrass guitar, really. It projects sort of a wide, diffuse wall of sound. Usually people want something punchy for bluegrass.
@@JesseDylanMusic thank you
@JesseDylanMusic there's a video of me playing mine on my channel, covering don't think twice it's alright if you're interested.
@@Channel-io1di Thanks, I'll check it out! Good choice of song.
Great voicing of the guitars, Quinton. Is Paul ever "not excited" about a J200 or Gibson acoustic guitars in general? Those maple backs really sound great. Thanks, Paul and Quinton.
Two great Modells. Love the sound of both of them.
I wish Gibson would make the J-100 again. Simple and elegant and ‘only’ 60% of the price of an SJ-200. I bet they would sell really well.
You may find a used one for a fair price.
@@jjmuni : In the USA maybe. I live in Europe and I never saw one. And yes, I could find one for a fair price on Reverb, but I wouldn’t dare to spend such a huge amount of money on a guitar that I never played and that has to travel far. My heart wouldn’t hold it. 😊
I have played a j100 my gretsch jim dandy sounds even better and much cheaper.
@@christthernikow274 : I find that so hard to believe… Not because that Gretsch couldn’t sound good, but because they’re two completely different guitars. Polar opposites I would say. 😳
What’s the price difference?
I own a 1990 j-200...wouldn't trade it for anything!
I like the way you give your talking space and don'i pack too much in. Relaxed reviews, just right.
Great video, guys!
I have a 1950 Gibson SJ-200N. Boom-time!
I just ordered a J-185 with the Vintage Sunburst! I already have a 1991 Martin M-36 and two Taylors the 414ce and 412ce!
IMO the mahogany necks bring maple bodies alive. The j185 is about twice as loud as the j200 and i feel its the neck.. ive owned a few of each and even though maples more dense then mahog, it slows the sonic vibrations down as maples sonic chart is much slower then hog!
Oh delusion.
Hi. Ty for the videos. I’ve learned so much. One thought. I think Quinton is using his thumb pic to strum Makes more of a shrill I think a regular pic would reflect the desired tone to reflect on the instrument. I think a thumb pic is too rough. Hard. To reveal the best tone when strumming. Ty. Mike the strummer
Superb comparison and now I know I want both! LOL
Quinton, as always: Great Playing! Paul, I have an idea for a J185 custom Id love to have built, or commissioned.. and although I live in the Mtns an hour from Wildwood (Colo) I consider Music Villa my own guitar Mecca, and want to make the pilgrimage! You guys are too much fun w/ acoustic letter vids! (Plus my kiddo is in Missoula!)
Can you get the j200 natural finished nut size 1575. With artist taper ..... thank you.... 🎼
You folks must be running out of guitars to review!
I really wanted to love the J185 because of the smaller size, but I when I had one, I felt it was too boxy and lacked the power I needed. I have a J200 that has become my only acoustic guitar. Although the size can be a bit unwieldy, its tone is truly unmatched and I went on a journey playing everything from everyone and nothing beats out the J200. I consider it the Les Paul of the acoustic world. The J185 might be the SG. One clearly has power and the other covets it.
I dig watching your video, I look down realizing I am wearing MV J-200 everyone should own one T shirt. 0400 hours. Guess it’s a sign that I need to pull her out and play. Every time I open the J-200’s case it’s Xmas morning!
Semper Fi
What happened to the J-180? Why are they not making that black beauty?
It’s back.
For some reason every single j-180 I've ever played sounded significantly worse than any j-185 to my ears. Which it wasn't the case because the j-180 has some different aesthetic options that I like better.
I can readily see the different uses for each body type - J-185 is less boomy, easier to keep control of in a recording studio/ the J-200 produces more sound than its smaller companion. I tend to prefer the J-200.
Great Video. I’ll probably choose the J-185 :)
Worth mentioning the differences in scale length
I’ll take both; J-200 for Busking around the country & J-185 for travel out of country.
I expected to like the J-200 more, but the J-185 is the guitar I would rather own
The 185 as it stands, too bright and boxy for my tastes. Need to experiment with saddles, pins, strings etc to mellow it out. After that the heavens may open.
Just use 4 day old or older 80/20 strings on it like I do on my J185. Not too bright, just right…perfect tone
@@rtmca1 Cool advice!
Класс!
Я всегда думал, что j185 имеет меньше отделки.., а это , оказывается, совсем другой инструмент
J200 more ‘open’ sounding. The J185 guitar is slightly ‘nasal’.
J-200; no contest.
The j200 wasn't a standard a bit unfair
They both sound awful, the mic situation surely has something to do with it, but they sound like they need 20 years of playing-in each.
😂 have you never played a Gibson? They’re normally laid back, thumpy, deep guitars, great for vocal accompaniment. These aren’t meant to overwhelm a banjo or project like a Martin OM.
@@JesseDylanMusic That makes sense.
There are cheaper guitars that sounds better than these overprized gibsons!
I like the J-185. Would love to hear one in mahogany instead of maple but they don’t make those.
@@christthernikow274 , a good demo; but I was a little underwhelmed by both guitars as well.