I played one of these just yesterday, I was thoroughly impressed with it, it was easy to play, it sounded big and full like a jumbo bodied guitar should. The finish had a nice, satin look to, it wasn't all over the top gloss and shiny, which was a nice change from so many budget guitars and I really liked that. My only nitpick were the strings, I believe they were coated strings and I didn't like how they felt. Other than that, I was very impressed by this guitar from Epiphone.
just so you know, coated strings will greatly extend the life of strings, especially on acoustics. with uncoated acoustic strings, one hour of playing per day with kill those strings in two weeks. coated strings could last over two months, easily.
@KellerFkinRyan learning from Taylor, it's wiser to ship guitars to store with coated strings on them. One of the worst things l, marketing-wise, is for someone to try your guitars with dead, rusty strings on them.
@@hoangnguyennguyen1032 well, not to boast, but i work at Taylor, and i agree on that wholeheartedly. i personally prefer elixirs when it comes to bass strings over daddario, however for acoustics i use daddario coated strings at a discount because they’re an official partner. it’s pretty sick, honestly.
I got one-1957 SJ 200 IBG custom shop. And also have the IBG J200 Indonesia factory made one. I weighed them. The IBG J200 weighs almost twice as much as the 1957 custom shop SJ200. The Sj200 hums like a dream and playability is superb even though the neck is fatter and nut width wider just like the Gibson nut width. I think weightier neck contribute to resonance, and also the thermolly aged top. The Sj 200 sound different but stil awesome on its own-tighter. They are both keepers. I've got 4 Gibson acoustics and love my Gibsons every bit as much as I love my Epiphone acoustics. 😊 Keep on trucking Gibson.
Thanx 4 the review ~ there's a lot of value there. Expensive as it may be, you have to compare it too the Gibson model. It sounds great from here. It should stand the test of time/value, especially with the collaboration of the Gibson custom division
@steelhead197 then you need to invest in a true gibson and not be here looking at epiphones. Evem though epiphone has nearly surpassed gibson in quality when it comes to true value and not name recognition. Quit trying to find ways to trash everything.
The only real difference that I can tell is the LR Baggs pickup in this newest version, rather than the Fishman Sonicore. They both have Sitka spruce tops, but this new one thermally aged Sitka spruce. There are other cosmetic differences, (Gibson open book headstock) but otherwise quite the same as the IBG J200 from a couple of years ago. Oh and this new one includes a hard-shell case, so you don't have to buy the case separately like we did with the IBG J200 a couple of years ago.
Hey guys I feel like I have to let you guys know that the new epiphone inspired by the Gibson custom shop acoustic guitars are being completely misrepresented in the literature. I went on a rabbit hole after buying the J200 when I saw a piece of paper that said the pickup was the LR Baggs VTC "BRONZE ". I wasn't sure what that meant since it's supposed to be the exact same pickup as the ones shipped with Gibson guitars. Long story short, it isn't. The bronze is basically a knockoff made overseas, I reached out to LR baggs directly and they confirmed that they are different pick-ups, compared to an actual element they not remotely close. It has also some major mechanical differences as well like the tone knob not having a center position like the actual VTC. It's a low quality pickup that is basically licencing the LR Baggs name. I know it's unrelated to this post but I didn't know how else to warn you guys. I have the full exchange with LR baggs on my email and can provide you guys with screenshots if you need it. I figured this is something you might want to know when reviewing this guitar, it also applies to the J45 banner and the J180. Big fan of the channel.
I had the IBG version of this guitar with Kalamazoo head stock, the guitar was dead and had no projection. This guitar has the same construction, the only difference is the head stock shape and MoP inlays.
Actually you're wrong, they intentionally deadened the low end on the j200 to compensate for feedback on the Fishman pickup. The switched to lr bags electronics on this one so it has a fuller tone.
@@wilsheets7284 Dont believe it, most people who wanted to use the Kalamazoo heastock version live or record upgraded to bags PU anyway, no way would a manufacture change the sound and construction of a relatively expensive guitar based on a cheap pick up!
Wow, what a sound! Just the way a J200 should sound ...BUT... is that microphone through a speaker making it sound so full? Would it be really tinny without it? 🤔
As a gigging musician chic I find the massive increase in prices by Epiphone to be disgusting you're obviously going after the collector,high credit limit people and for getting us working musician and entry level musician ughhhhh
$1499.00 Not even going to take this as real. Keep it! Gretsch G5022CE Rancher, G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon, G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon priced between $549.00-$749.00 can get the job done well. and don't get me started on Alvarez or Guild.
Gretsch are awful acoustics, lower class instruments. Guild and Alvarez are the real competitors. You can't find a better J-200 copy at that price. All-solid budget jumbos are are almost non-existent as well.
Certainly looks good but sounds very thin with little sustain and very little bass...probably overbuilt braces with a thick finish if I had to guess...pass...
unfortunally thats why i wont buy one although i wanted one. everything´s great but the satin/matte looks cheap. hopefully they will change that for their new range in 2025.
Hello! Is the body of this new Epiphone inspired by Gibson 1957 SJ-200 Custom Shop, the same depth as the original Gibson J200 or is it thinner, like is the J-200 Epiphone inspired by Gibson that was released around 3 years ago?, that has not the same body depth than the original Gibson J200, is thinner.
It's an exact replica of the original 1957 model - they brought one to our office and it plays/sounds great! Let us know if you have any additional questions! - Zach H.
@@AmericanMusicalSupply thanks for your kind reply. It is possible to you to check the body depth between the Epiphone 1957 SJ-200 and the inspired by Gibson J-200?, to make sure that the new 1957 actually has greater body depth. Thanks!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
This is going on the want list.
Love the spirit and the voice of this girl
I played one of these just yesterday, I was thoroughly impressed with it, it was easy to play, it sounded big and full like a jumbo bodied guitar should. The finish had a nice, satin look to, it wasn't all over the top gloss and shiny, which was a nice change from so many budget guitars and I really liked that. My only nitpick were the strings, I believe they were coated strings and I didn't like how they felt. Other than that, I was very impressed by this guitar from Epiphone.
just so you know, coated strings will greatly extend the life of strings, especially on acoustics. with uncoated acoustic strings, one hour of playing per day with kill those strings in two weeks. coated strings could last over two months, easily.
@KellerFkinRyan learning from Taylor, it's wiser to ship guitars to store with coated strings on them. One of the worst things l, marketing-wise, is for someone to try your guitars with dead, rusty strings on them.
@@hoangnguyennguyen1032 well, not to boast, but i work at Taylor, and i agree on that wholeheartedly. i personally prefer elixirs when it comes to bass strings over daddario, however for acoustics i use daddario coated strings at a discount because they’re an official partner. it’s pretty sick, honestly.
Beautiful and very nice sounding. Already has ordered one. 😊❤
I got one-1957 SJ 200 IBG custom shop. And also have the IBG J200 Indonesia factory made one.
I weighed them. The IBG J200 weighs almost twice as much as the 1957 custom shop SJ200.
The Sj200 hums like a dream and playability is superb even though the neck is fatter and nut width wider just like the Gibson nut width. I think weightier neck contribute to resonance, and also the thermolly aged top. The Sj 200 sound different but stil awesome on its own-tighter.
They are both keepers.
I've got 4 Gibson acoustics and love my Gibsons every bit as much as I love my Epiphone acoustics.
😊
Keep on trucking Gibson.
So cool that you played 'Mexico' by the Staves. Brava!!!
Thanx 4 the review ~ there's a lot of value there. Expensive as it may be, you have to compare it too the Gibson model. It sounds great from here. It should stand the test of time/value, especially with the collaboration of the Gibson custom division
No resale value. It's the Alfa Romeo of guitars. You'll pay heaps for a new one and get nothing in return. Epiphone are milking you.
@@ClintsGuitarStuffOh hush, not everyone is concerned of resale value. If your biggest concern is resale value you’re a scrub
@@ferminharris3826
I am! 🤔
@steelhead197 then you need to invest in a true gibson and not be here looking at epiphones. Evem though epiphone has nearly surpassed gibson in quality when it comes to true value and not name recognition. Quit trying to find ways to trash everything.
Nice! I like it!
In mi opinion, the best epiphone J-200.
Sounds fantastic
Hmmmm…I’ve bought 5 guitars from American Musical…annnd looks like I’ll be adding this one to my collection…AMS Rocks!
Kelly where is your AMS T-SHIRT !
Looks a beautiful bit of kit. Does anyone know if this is better than the IBG J200 from a couple of years ago?
The only real difference that I can tell is the LR Baggs pickup in this newest version, rather than the Fishman Sonicore. They both have Sitka spruce tops, but this new one thermally aged Sitka spruce. There are other cosmetic differences, (Gibson open book headstock) but otherwise quite the same as the IBG J200 from a couple of years ago. Oh and this new one includes a hard-shell case, so you don't have to buy the case separately like we did with the IBG J200 a couple of years ago.
Hey thanks for reviewing
What did you prefer the sunburst or natural?
Thanks from Scotland 🏴
That finish looks almost matte or satin.
It's the only problem on my own 😑
Hey guys I feel like I have to let you guys know that the new epiphone inspired by the Gibson custom shop acoustic guitars are being completely misrepresented in the literature. I went on a rabbit hole after buying the J200 when I saw a piece of paper that said the pickup was the LR Baggs VTC "BRONZE ". I wasn't sure what that meant since it's supposed to be the exact same pickup as the ones shipped with Gibson guitars. Long story short, it isn't. The bronze is basically a knockoff made overseas, I reached out to LR baggs directly and they confirmed that they are different pick-ups, compared to an actual element they not remotely close. It has also some major mechanical differences as well like the tone knob not having a center position like the actual VTC. It's a low quality pickup that is basically licencing the LR Baggs name. I know it's unrelated to this post but I didn't know how else to warn you guys. I have the full exchange with LR baggs on my email and can provide you guys with screenshots if you need it. I figured this is something you might want to know when reviewing this guitar, it also applies to the J45 banner and the J180. Big fan of the channel.
Laurel fingerboard? Says it all. Give me rosewood or ebony any day.
Laurel has the same exact properties as rosewood. Don't be a snob if you don't know the science.
@@rockhazeplays the same, looks cheaper
anything to sell more guitars
I had the IBG version of this guitar with Kalamazoo head stock, the guitar was dead and had no projection. This guitar has the same construction, the only difference is the head stock shape and MoP inlays.
Actually you're wrong, they intentionally deadened the low end on the j200 to compensate for feedback on the Fishman pickup. The switched to lr bags electronics on this one so it has a fuller tone.
@@wilsheets7284 Dont believe it, most people who wanted to use the Kalamazoo heastock version live or record upgraded to bags PU anyway, no way would a manufacture change the sound and construction of a relatively expensive guitar based on a cheap pick up!
The only problem is its Matte Satin finish. It's just because of that that I don't buy it. I'm really angry with this choice of finish
A guy did a video showing his after buffing. It looked amazing
@@donchristianmusic9353 Guitar Gear Connection ?
Wow, what a sound! Just the way a J200 should sound ...BUT... is that microphone through a speaker making it sound so full?
Would it be really tinny without it? 🤔
That matte finish sucks tho. Gibson could have buffed it some more for the price…
Agry, it's the only problem for me to buy it 😑
As a gigging musician chic I find the massive increase in prices by Epiphone to be disgusting you're obviously going after the collector,high credit limit people and for getting us working musician and entry level musician ughhhhh
$1499.00 Not even going to take this as real. Keep it! Gretsch G5022CE Rancher, G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon, G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon priced between $549.00-$749.00 can get the job done well. and don't get me started on Alvarez or Guild.
Gretsch are awful acoustics, lower class instruments.
Guild and Alvarez are the real competitors.
You can't find a better J-200 copy at that price.
All-solid budget jumbos are are almost non-existent as well.
Old geezer snob. You won't find any guitar all solid wood, thermally aged top, beautiful hard case, LR Baggs pickup, and in a jumbo?? Get out of here
You would be paying 3-4x this price or more.. and this time epiphone got damn close. Cheers to Epiphone and Gibson Custom Shop.
It's a $799 guitar. Epiphone are hilarious lately. Inspired by Gibson prices.
@@ClintsGuitarStuff Where can you buy an all-solid J-200 clone for 800$? Please let us know.
Certainly looks good but sounds very thin with little sustain and very little bass...probably overbuilt braces with a thick finish if I had to guess...pass...
Completely ruined the whole line with that cheap looking matte finish on all models. Makes instruments look not authentic
unfortunally thats why i wont buy one although i wanted one. everything´s great but the satin/matte looks cheap. hopefully they will change that for their new range in 2025.
@@atomic7731 I think the LP Custom ones have a gloss finish
The Gibson SJ200 ‘57 series has the matte finish too. It’s an easy fix polishing it out
@@cargueone1971 may actually look into that! That sounds like a great idea
The thinner the finish, the more the guitar sound resonates. Quit your bitching...
I would sooo marry her ❤
Don't you have a child on your profile pic?
Caught bro lacking in 4k😂
@@LegsON so because you have a picture with a child you can’t get married???
@@DejaVoodeuxBro is down badly. 😂
Hello! Is the body of this new Epiphone inspired by Gibson 1957 SJ-200 Custom Shop, the same depth as the original Gibson J200 or is it thinner, like is the J-200 Epiphone inspired by Gibson that was released around 3 years ago?, that has not the same body depth than the original Gibson J200, is thinner.
It's an exact replica of the original 1957 model - they brought one to our office and it plays/sounds great!
Let us know if you have any additional questions!
- Zach H.
@@AmericanMusicalSupply thanks for your kind reply. It is possible to you to check the body depth between the Epiphone 1957 SJ-200 and the inspired by Gibson J-200?, to make sure that the new 1957 actually has greater body depth. Thanks!