Even if I could afford the Gibson, I would NEVER play out with it. Seriously, a $4k guitar with nitro lacquer at a bar gig? In the winter or humid summer? No way! Love the J-200, but bought the Sigma GJA, & I love it! The sound is negligible to the laymans ear & the appointments are spot on. You should have mentioned it has genuine mother of pearl inlays & bone nut & saddle as well. I paid $1k for mine, but that was with a hard shell case & shipping from Germany & for me it was totally worth it. Thanx for the comparison guys! Great job
Thinking about getting one myself, even if I get my local luthier to do some work on the neck profile, action and pick up system it will still be a lot cheaper than the Gibson! I reckon just rolling the fretboard edges of the neck will make a world of difference to the sigma!
I really get you. Being gigging musicians we can't always choose the stages we play on so our guitars are not safe from the grimy oily hands of wannabes.(even or mics too sigh) It's a bummer when you have your hard earned dream instrument but can't perform with it all the time. :(
This video really showcases how much a guitars tone is in the player. When I first heard the opening jam I wasn’t impressed at all with the Sigma. Pete must have a firmer pick attack because his playing opened up the guitar a lot more. And plugged in the Anthem sounds the best of anything on the market. I’d swap the Fishman right outta that Guitar if it were mine.
Yes. Sigma is certainly inferior to Gibson in terms of the quality of materials and sound, but not by 5 times!!! When I save up for a Gibson Montana 2018 SJ-200, I'll buy a car instead of a guitar! And for 700 pounds I can only buy a scooter with a basket to ride the supermarket for beer. So Sigma GJA-SG200 is the guitar that will be enough for me for a happy life! Thanks guys for the super review!
Micarta is a lamination of natural cloth fibers like cotton or linen. It's super tough and durable and won't react to heat at all. Micarta is used in a lot of industrial applications and as knife handles
Pete is onto another level. Frankly he should open coachella with an acoustic ballad. Said that, my brain would choose the sigma, but my heart goes for the Gibson. You really can put it as you like, but the sound you are looking for is the Gibson one.
Nice video guys! I think both guitars sounded great, but i would actually get the Sigma. I prefer the neck of the Sigma (44.5mm nut width) it's more similar to Martin. The Gibson SJ200 neck (43mm nut width) feels awkward to me. Of course that's just my personal preference. The L.R. Baggs on the Gibson sounds way better that the Sonitone, but unplugged both guitars sounded big and beautiful. Im pretty sure if you comapared a few different Gibson SJ-200's they would not sound exacly the same.
They wouldn't let that happen. Gibson are so sly and control what is aloud and what isn't. If it makes there guitar look far superior they allow the vid to happen. I am waiting for my Sigma Sg-ja-sg200 to arrive 🤠🤠😊👌
Thanks Pete and Joss for this essay. I suggest you do two more tests. 1) Sigma GJA-SG200 VS Epiphone EJ-200ce (prices are similar). 2) Gibson Montana 2018 SJ-200 VS Gibson SJ-200 STUDIO WALNUT BURST 2018 (prices are similar) or Gibson 2016 SJ-100 Walnut Super Jumbo Acoustic-Electric (which for me is superior to the SJ-200, and costs cheaper). Hello from Normandy.
thank you! i´ve waited for this comparison from andertons since months but to me, the sigma gets too less cheering from you guys. actually i don´t know any acoustic guitar for only 699 pounds that sounds and looks as good as the sigma these days. the guitar definitely sounds and looks 2 times the price. in this case you should hype that guitar much more. it would had been deserved.
TheSGJA sounds amacing. It needs a littletime to ipen up, but after one year ... YEAH! It ist this magic in the sound what maple guitar players are looking for.
i have the sigma gja200 but the earlier version with the rosewood fretboard and moustache and old logo.. i love it ..all my guitar friends love it and its a little closer to the gibson sound ... best £695 ive spent .. amazing guitar .. its certainly not 4 times less of a guitar than the gibson ... one day ill get the gibson ...maybe haha.. and its a lot nicer than the epiphone version. .. ive played it.
Micarta is a material made from soaking paper, canvas or fiberglass (though fiberglass actually makes G10) and soaking them in epoxy and compressing it until you have a thick block. It's a common material for knife handles.
I have a guitar with this material for the fretboard and bridge. Laminate b/s with solid top. All together, it sounds pretty good for a cheap guitar. Add a Transacoustic system, and it makes anything sound amazing!😂
There's a sort of low frequency hum in the Sigma that really makes it feel more 'budget', than the extremely crisp Gibson sound. Having that said, it's by no means a bad guitar on it's own, with a PA or pedal that can EQ a small low-cut on the Sigma, it should easily excel just fine as a live/gigging guitar for the local guitar guy. P.S - Du er for sej Pete(r?), men for sawtan var din danske accent tydelig her ;)
Very nice review of both guitars side by side. A'm so happy to own a beautiful Sigma GJA-SG200. :-) The guitar is just amazing. Of course the SJ-200 is superior for so many reasons, but for me with the GJA-SG200 I have all I need from this kind of guitar and with the spare 3K I could also have so many other guitars and equipment's. 🙂
My Sigma was about $1400 AUD and it comes in a fantastic gig bag for want of a better description because it's much much more than just a gig bag. It's heavily padded with neck support and heavy duty zipper a big side pocket containing a truss rod adjusting tool..It's big enough to fit my Gibson SG in its own case I have a Hummingbird with a tweed case but prefer the Sigma carry bag. My days of loading the van and playing out are over but for my purposes the gig bag is just fine.
The Sigma (AMI) fingerboard is made of Micarta. This is the same material that is used to make laminate Formica countertops. In fact the name Formica means "Formally Micarta".
No one builds Super Jumbos like Gibson...Over the years I've purchased 5 SJ-200's, 3 from the Custom Shop.. Just stellar guitars you can play till ya drop...dead, then your kid can enjoy them...
Actually the Sigma comes in a really great heavily padded soft case that's almost as good as a hard case. AND ! what's wrong with wearing glasses John Lennon was as blind as a bat and he wore glasses so what's wrong with that.? I've just got my Sigma out of the bag and she's so sweet, The difference between the two guitars is minimal so we're only paying for the Gibson logo on the head-stock.
I got the Epi SJ-200 and the Epi SJ-200 artist - Two amazing guitars. The artist is cheaper and, to me, slightly better tonally and plays sweeter. Could not justify this kind of money for an acoustic!
I own both a Sigma (the CF100 copy...I can't remember the model number, but an LG sized guitar with a Venetian cutaway) and several Gibsons (SJ200, Dove, Maple AJ, Hummingbird 12 string), and can say with absolute conviction that, having played several beyond the one I own, Sigma are making fantastic working instruments and represent superb value within their price bracket. Don't expect them to be a Gibson, though... they are very close in character and tone (especially the Sigma Hummingbird, which I found totally indistinguishable from the Gibson HB Standard I used to own) but ultimately the Gibson represents the 5% improvement that you get right at the top end of the market when you spend 5x as much money. The real issue is that Gibson have priced themselves out of the reach of the working musician. I'm lucky to have bought my Gibsons either secondhand or some years ago when they were more affordable. I don't know many guys out there on the road 200 nights a year (Covid aside) who have £4k to drop on a new SJ200. What Sigma are excelling at (and Gibson are finally tapping into brilliantly with their new Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" range) is offering up instruments that are affordable for the working player, can be used professionally and look great. It's arguable that the Sigma copies are so visually uncanny that no audience member (outside the realm of guitar geeks!) would clock the difference between a Sigma SJ200 and a Gibson, either visually or sonically, from ten feet away. You could bung it in a Hiscox and check it in as hold luggage without too much trepidation...when I fly with my SJ200 it goes into a huge SKB peli case and I spend the whole flight worrying about it. That's £800 Vs £4000 for you. I bought my little Sigma CF100 copy for some playing rehabilitation, as I'm recovering from a lengthy illness that has affected my joints and grip strength, so as a short scale and small bodied guitar it's perfect for me to build myself back up with. Once I'm healthy and touring again, I'll put a Sunrise in it and it will be my flyaway guitar for overseas shows. So much fun and so useful, all for under £500.
If you are in the market for something in between these two, I strongly suggest the Yamaha LJ-16. Slightly smaller, but all solid wood construction and stunning tone! Oh and it costs around a third og the Gibson :-)
Pete you used my 5 year old daughters current favourite word at 7.20 ish - “it’s ouchie” That’s a lot of cash. I got a J185 some time ago and preferred it to the J200
The biggest difference i noticed is the twirling of the strings whe nstrumming... the expensive guitars the strings barely twirl to make the note..... it actually makes the guitar sound like it's on a compressor... then you look at the cheaper guitar and the strings are dancing like mad when strummed... I never noticed that before... Also the cheaper guitar was clearly louder.
£1800 I bought my J200 for and sold it 7 years later because for gigging it was a worry. Take your cheaper Sigma to a great wizard and it will play fine. It will never have that magic dust a J200 has but if it gets damaged or nicked the hurt will be a duller pain! I do have two Sigma 00028 and a D45 and they are only 5% off the Martin versions although it took two years for me to like the D45. I did have the EC 000-28 bought for £1700 from Trevor at 'Unplugged' in Ealing (now gone) but never got on with it...I was young and EC's Unplugged album was an inspiration! I wish I had them back now but just as investments, however that's not a musical statement, it's greed and everything creating music is not about. J200 was similar to my Guild F412 maple but in 6 strings, sold that too but I wish I hadn't now.
I just don't understand why they have put composite material on the fingerboard. This is such a low blow, the lower class Sigma GJM has rosewood fingerboard and is costs three times less than this one.
Yes these are a lot of money but not unobtainable, I got a job when I was 16 saved everything for 12 months and bought one for £3000 on my 17th birthday in Denmark street
Jacob Warren Spot on that...I think the message here is..get a job...save hard...get your dream guitar fast as you can...and then (and only then) get a girlfriend.
i know there is a lot of good guitars for under £700 but aesthetics wise the Sigma is the dogs spuds........... is it worth £700.? anything better out there for the price together with something so pleasing on the eye.....?!
I would love for you to compare Sigma DM-SG7+, Epiphone Dove Pro, and Gibson Dove. I stand by to say that the Sigma is head and shoulders better than the Epiphone and holds up to the Gibson.
I have the solid maple sigma, and I think I better had bought the laminated one. The solid maple makes the guitar quietly. Plugged in makes the Fishman Unisono a verry good job. But I bought it to have powerful guitar without an amp. My Sigma Jumbo is a SGJA SG200 and a Limited edition. It has a beatyfol red sunburst, and this makes it unique in all the J200rds. So I keep it, and I´m shure that I find a way to give it more power. Thanks. So, one year later, I am verry happy with my Sigma. It opened up, and now it´s powerful and resonating. I don´t understand, but one day, it was making a big "knack". I think it was from the bridge inlay. May be it was setting down, and now it has a better kontakt. How ever. I think just right now, this beauty is on the same level like the Gibson. Gibson j 200 vs the full solid Sigma SGJA SG 200 is may be more fair. Full solid vs full solid. May be once a time.
9:28 For a long time these old Gibson (coincidence) picks were my favorite, because of a similar shape. You couldn't buy them anymore, because, I learned later, of fire hazard (being made a celluloid, yes, they kept catching fire, you got a free fire extinguisher with a wholesale, that should have been a clou). They had a nice rigidity, especially the 'heavy' ones, of which I used the tiny jazz version. Gave some nice harmonics.
That's about right. Micarta is a brand name for composites of linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber or other fabric in a thermosetting plastic.
Great video and good comparison! Does anybody know if there is a comparison video of the Sigma GJA-SG200 and the all solid Sigma SGJA-SG200 ? If i listen to the sound of these guitars played in different video's, there does not seem to be much difference in sound between the GJA-SG200 and the SGJA-SG200. But it's not a good comparison, because the video's are played by different people under different circumstances.
Micarta is a composite. Similar to richlite. Commonly used for knife handles. I threw a broken guitar on a fire pit not knowing how toxic micarta is when you burn it. I don't recommend it.
£3753!! i bought mine in 2013 and the RRP was £2700!!!are they more than £1000 better now? from what you guys are saying,it sounds like j200s of the past few years were not so good!would 2013 be considered a bad year?
Pete Townsend played a Gibson Montana on Letterman back in 1993 and totally destroys it for charity, I believe they auctioned the remnants and received $164,000. Twas a spirited performance, there were splinters flying in every direction.
So I know not to go get a Sigma. It should be known that I bought a Gibson J200 STUDIO in guitarguitar which is without the bling: flower scratchplate and some binding. But it sounds immense and is a whole lot less expensive. It was - to my ears - the best sounding acoustic in the store with only the Gibson Hummingbird competing with it. Its the real thing minus bling so if available it is very much worth your cash.
If you use Wegen picks (from Holland) you will get the best volume and tone from both of these guitars. Expensive (around £6 each) but they make a £500 guitar or mandolin sound like a £1000 instrument. Honestly they do. I have no financial interest. I've used them for 12 years and would never use anything else. I use 2.00 guage.
I doubt there's much of anything like "copyright" on a fairly standard shaped guitar with its own design on it, so that's why they get away with it. But that's such a 1:1 kind of copy. They could just give it their own spin... And I don't mind that they do like a cheaper version of something that exists, as long as it's still good quality. I will be the customer of those companies (both by choice out of principle and lack of choice out of lack of finances). Because, for example, I have a great Rhoads-style V by a company called Samick. That guitar was originally probably under 500 Dollars, and it's one of the best guitars I've had. A better design than Jackson does them, too.
I have the Sigma, and I've read about the manufacturing materials. Making reference to the fretboard material: Micarta is an synthetic material, like a polymer. Martin began to make guitars without rosewood and replaced by this polymer since the CITES conference for the environment health protected the Dalbergia species (all kind of rosewood) wolrdwide in 2017. That means that you cannot travel with your instrument, sell/buy dalbergia wood unless you have an official certification that the rosewood pieces in your instrument were harvested previous the prohibition.
They sound different.....so you would be getting a Gibson 200 look-a-like with a good sound....if that is what you want Sigma is what you might want (check out epiphone first to see your options). For the money of the Sigma i would get an equivalent Martin....better tone....but that is all so so subjective.
It's laminated, if you want full solid, then the Epiphone J200 aged natural inspired by Gibson is a better choice I guess for almost an identical price tag.
Just a general question about acoustic guitars to anyone who feels like giving input: I've been looking for a good enough (nice sounding, well-playing, reliable) acoustic guitar alongside my regular electrics, but can't put a lot of money into it. - So I've been wondering; I have no problem with cheaper electrics, but because sound is affected a lot more in acoustics, what is the minimum price-range I should be looking at? - I know that I should stay away from the supermarket-type guitar up to say 150... I'll just use Euros. But can you go wrong with say something by Ibanez between 250 and 500 Euros? I know there are many different models and brands, and also a bigger brand like Gibson will make something very similar for a lot more money. But speaking of more affordable stuff, is there anything that's just as bad an investment on the lower-end to mid-range as it is for me investing near a thousand Euros or even over into an acoustic that's not really my main thing?
The Sigma sounds decent enough....I would be afraid to drag a $5k guitar around in public...... for that reason the Sigma wins..... almost impossible to find in the U.S. the Sigma would sound better if it were in tune😁
Very good review! That Sigma is not bad. But really... I still don't get it... why do all companies build in those ungly piezo pickups? And especially like an expensive Gibson, they should know better. Those pickups doesn't sound like an acoustic guitar and you missing the sound of the wood. Use K&K Pure Mini pickups which sounds way better, more organic and no batteries needed.
i never really wanted anything other than a j45, but i have to say that the few j200's i've played have been a disappointment. £5000 guitars that didn't cut it. i have a 66 J45 and a 69 epi texan that are fantastic, but my little martin OOOX1 is rally tasty, and it blows my mind every time i put new strings on it. i've said this a zillion times, it's all very subjective, play as many guitars as you can get your hands on, one will jump out at you sooner or later. the price, or the logo, don't really mean that much.
Sigma GJM-SGE Electro Acoustic is a better guitar slimmer neck. and sounds better also cheaper and easier to play... the gja has a really thick neck which is tough to get your hand around . also very heavy big bulky feel to it.after trying both these guitars out the 299 one is easy better -
Not necessarily, especially not with the new Epiphone J-200 aged natural inspired by Gibson series. The Sigma isn't a full solid guitar unlike the new Epiphone.
Even if I could afford the Gibson, I would NEVER play out with it. Seriously, a $4k guitar with nitro lacquer at a bar gig? In the winter or humid summer? No way! Love the J-200, but bought the Sigma GJA, & I love it! The sound is negligible to the laymans ear & the appointments are spot on. You should have mentioned it has genuine mother of pearl inlays & bone nut & saddle as well. I paid $1k for mine, but that was with a hard shell case & shipping from Germany & for me it was totally worth it. Thanx for the comparison guys! Great job
Thinking about getting one myself, even if I get my local luthier to do some work on the neck profile, action and pick up system it will still be a lot cheaper than the Gibson! I reckon just rolling the fretboard edges of the neck will make a world of difference to the sigma!
I really get you. Being gigging musicians we can't always choose the stages we play on so our guitars are not safe from the grimy oily hands of wannabes.(even or mics too sigh) It's a bummer when you have your hard earned dream instrument but can't perform with it all the time. :(
I own a Gibson J185 and play open mics with it and travel with it etc and never had an issue. Gibsons are built to be played!
This video really showcases how much a guitars tone is in the player. When I first heard the opening jam I wasn’t impressed at all with the Sigma. Pete must have a firmer pick attack because his playing opened up the guitar a lot more. And plugged in the Anthem sounds the best of anything on the market. I’d swap the Fishman right outta that Guitar if it were mine.
Yes. Sigma is certainly inferior to Gibson in terms of the quality of materials and sound, but not by 5 times!!! When I save up for a Gibson Montana 2018 SJ-200, I'll buy a car instead of a guitar! And for 700 pounds I can only buy a scooter with a basket to ride the supermarket for beer. So Sigma GJA-SG200 is the guitar that will be enough for me for a happy life! Thanks guys for the super review!
Micarta is a lamination of natural cloth fibers like cotton or linen. It's super tough and durable and won't react to heat at all. Micarta is used in a lot of industrial applications and as knife handles
Pete is onto another level. Frankly he should open coachella with an acoustic ballad. Said that, my brain would choose the sigma, but my heart goes for the Gibson. You really can put it as you like, but the sound you are looking for is the Gibson one.
If I had the extra cash I would obviously go for the Gibson, but the sigma sounds really good.
Nice video guys! I think both guitars sounded great, but i would actually get the Sigma. I prefer the neck of the Sigma (44.5mm nut width) it's more similar to Martin. The Gibson SJ200 neck (43mm nut width) feels awkward to me. Of course that's just my personal preference. The L.R. Baggs on the Gibson sounds way better that the Sonitone, but unplugged both guitars sounded big and beautiful. Im pretty sure if you comapared a few different Gibson SJ-200's they would not sound exacly the same.
I think the SGJA would be a better comparison to the J200. All soild woods. We would love to see it.
They wouldn't let that happen. Gibson are so sly and control what is aloud and what isn't. If it makes there guitar look far superior they allow the vid to happen. I am waiting for my Sigma Sg-ja-sg200 to arrive 🤠🤠😊👌
Thanks Pete and Joss for this essay. I suggest you do two more tests.
1) Sigma GJA-SG200 VS Epiphone EJ-200ce (prices are similar).
2) Gibson Montana 2018 SJ-200 VS Gibson SJ-200 STUDIO WALNUT BURST 2018 (prices are similar) or Gibson 2016 SJ-100 Walnut Super Jumbo Acoustic-Electric (which for me is superior to the SJ-200, and costs cheaper).
Hello from Normandy.
ruclips.net/video/svLY45kiluE/видео.html they already tested the ej-200 by epiphone. i think the sigma sounds much better compared to it.
I agree on your anayse, but what's the comparison between maple, and walnut ??? Always happy to follow the site Andertons and Pete the Danish.
thank you! i´ve waited for this comparison from andertons since months but to me, the sigma gets too less cheering from you guys. actually i don´t know any acoustic guitar for only 699 pounds that sounds and looks as good as the sigma these days. the guitar definitely sounds and looks 2 times the price. in this case you should hype that guitar much more. it would had been deserved.
the yamaha LL16 is all solid pro guitar for 900 USD.
The Gibson sounds sweeter, more polished.
The sigma is a little out of tune, but in general I like the sound better on the sigma than the gibson. That's nuts!
I'd love to see updated version with new SGJA (all solid wood).
TheSGJA sounds amacing. It needs a littletime to ipen up, but after one year ... YEAH! It ist this magic in the sound what maple guitar players are looking for.
Anderton’s could use a fingerstyle player to round out the squad
I thought they did with Ben.
i have the sigma gja200 but the earlier version with the rosewood fretboard and moustache and old logo.. i love it ..all my guitar friends love it and its a little closer to the gibson sound ... best £695 ive spent .. amazing guitar .. its certainly not 4 times less of a guitar than the gibson ... one day ill get the gibson ...maybe haha.. and its a lot nicer than the epiphone version. .. ive played it.
i am the walrus Goo goo g'joob! finally someone who noticed it as well how good this sigma guitar is for the price.
Im glad you do these Acoustic guitar videos.
Beyond the rolled fretboard on the Gibson, there is actually a nut width difference too. Sigma is 1.75 inch. Gibson is 1.72.
Micarta is a material made from soaking paper, canvas or fiberglass (though fiberglass actually makes G10) and soaking them in epoxy and compressing it until you have a thick block. It's a common material for knife handles.
I have a guitar with this material for the fretboard and bridge. Laminate b/s with solid top. All together, it sounds pretty good for a cheap guitar. Add a Transacoustic system, and it makes anything sound amazing!😂
There's a sort of low frequency hum in the Sigma that really makes it feel more 'budget', than the extremely crisp Gibson sound. Having that said, it's by no means a bad guitar on it's own, with a PA or pedal that can EQ a small low-cut on the Sigma, it should easily excel just fine as a live/gigging guitar for the local guitar guy.
P.S - Du er for sej Pete(r?), men for sawtan var din danske accent tydelig her ;)
Very nice review of both guitars side by side. A'm so happy to own a beautiful Sigma GJA-SG200. :-) The guitar is just amazing. Of course the SJ-200 is superior for so many reasons, but for me with the GJA-SG200 I have all I need from this kind of guitar and with the spare 3K I could also have so many other guitars and equipment's. 🙂
My Sigma was about $1400 AUD and it comes in a fantastic gig bag for want of a better description because it's much much more than just a gig bag. It's heavily padded with neck support and heavy duty zipper a big side pocket containing a truss rod adjusting tool..It's big enough to fit my Gibson SG in its own case I have a Hummingbird with a tweed case but prefer the Sigma carry bag. My days of loading the van and playing out are over but for my purposes the gig bag is just fine.
The Sigma (AMI) fingerboard is made of Micarta. This is the same material that is used to make laminate Formica countertops. In fact the name Formica means "Formally Micarta".
Tellin you, i`d die a happy man if could play guitar anything like these two, brilliant playing guys!
The Sigma is slightly oiut of tune which makes the comparison a bit difficult
.
It sounds fine to me, or am I crazy or deaf?
William Campbell Certainly not crazy, but i m not the only one who could hear it, there is another post on this issue
See third reply to Neil Aspinall's comment, below.
Henk Westerik I picked up on that as well. They prolly did it on purpose
I've got the sigma. Sadly it's just poorly intonated.
Micarta is a synthetic bond of paper/wood, similar to the Richlite that Martin makes. So it is similar to ebony, but a much cheaper alternative.
No one builds Super Jumbos like Gibson...Over the years I've purchased 5 SJ-200's, 3 from the Custom Shop.. Just stellar guitars you can play till ya drop...dead, then your kid can enjoy them...
Gibson: 10:17
Sigma: 10:41
Sigma sounds better right here😲
@@jeuby3695 I think not, Gibson more in tune, more notes definition, more balanced. Creamyer sound.
I don’t care just buy cheap one
The jam at the end is so amazing
How about comparing the Sigma with the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J200. Both guitars are priced the same and it would make a fairer comparison.
Watch this space 🤘🏻
@@andertons That will make choosing my Christmas Guitar a lot easier!! - Look forward to the clip - Thanks
@@andertons I'm looking forward to that myself. It's a guitar I've always really wanted in sunburst.
@@Bardigiano me to paul tony/
@@andertons come on guys it's nearly Christmas!! My money is on the Sigma being the better guitar!!
The sound of that Gibson 👌 love Danish Petes playing on the intro also 👏👏👏
Actually the Sigma comes in a really great heavily padded soft case that's almost as good as a hard case. AND ! what's wrong with wearing glasses John Lennon was as blind as a bat and he wore glasses so what's wrong with that.? I've just got my Sigma out of the bag and she's so sweet, The difference between the two guitars is minimal so we're only paying for the Gibson logo on the head-stock.
Also, if you’re playing out, or in a country with heat and humidity, laminate b/s is actually better as it stays in tune longer, and is more sturdy.👍
I got the Epi SJ-200 and the Epi SJ-200 artist - Two amazing guitars. The artist is cheaper and, to me, slightly better tonally and plays sweeter. Could not justify this kind of money for an acoustic!
I own both a Sigma (the CF100 copy...I can't remember the model number, but an LG sized guitar with a Venetian cutaway) and several Gibsons (SJ200, Dove, Maple AJ, Hummingbird 12 string), and can say with absolute conviction that, having played several beyond the one I own, Sigma are making fantastic working instruments and represent superb value within their price bracket.
Don't expect them to be a Gibson, though... they are very close in character and tone (especially the Sigma Hummingbird, which I found totally indistinguishable from the Gibson HB Standard I used to own) but ultimately the Gibson represents the 5% improvement that you get right at the top end of the market when you spend 5x as much money.
The real issue is that Gibson have priced themselves out of the reach of the working musician. I'm lucky to have bought my Gibsons either secondhand or some years ago when they were more affordable. I don't know many guys out there on the road 200 nights a year (Covid aside) who have £4k to drop on a new SJ200. What Sigma are excelling at (and Gibson are finally tapping into brilliantly with their new Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" range) is offering up instruments that are affordable for the working player, can be used professionally and look great.
It's arguable that the Sigma copies are so visually uncanny that no audience member (outside the realm of guitar geeks!) would clock the difference between a Sigma SJ200 and a Gibson, either visually or sonically, from ten feet away. You could bung it in a Hiscox and check it in as hold luggage without too much trepidation...when I fly with my SJ200 it goes into a huge SKB peli case and I spend the whole flight worrying about it. That's £800 Vs £4000 for you.
I bought my little Sigma CF100 copy for some playing rehabilitation, as I'm recovering from a lengthy illness that has affected my joints and grip strength, so as a short scale and small bodied guitar it's perfect for me to build myself back up with. Once I'm healthy and touring again, I'll put a Sunrise in it and it will be my flyaway guitar for overseas shows. So much fun and so useful, all for under £500.
If you are in the market for something in between these two, I strongly suggest the Yamaha LJ-16. Slightly smaller, but all solid wood construction and stunning tone! Oh and it costs around a third og the Gibson :-)
I play since 35 years and the best acoustic i ever played is the yamaha LL16. Period. Can be beat only by high end martins or taylors.
@@1972Georges Totally! They're the best value acoustics out there. Astonishing guitars!
the loop at the end sounded killer!! must learn the chords
Pete you used my 5 year old daughters current favourite word at 7.20 ish - “it’s ouchie”
That’s a lot of cash. I got a J185 some time ago and preferred it to the J200
The biggest difference i noticed is the twirling of the strings whe nstrumming... the expensive guitars the strings barely twirl to make the note..... it actually makes the guitar sound like it's on a compressor... then you look at the cheaper guitar and the strings are dancing like mad when strummed...
I never noticed that before... Also the cheaper guitar was clearly louder.
£1800 I bought my J200 for and sold it 7 years later because for gigging it was a worry. Take your cheaper Sigma to a great wizard and it will play fine. It will never have that magic dust a J200 has but if it gets damaged or nicked the hurt will be a duller pain! I do have two Sigma 00028 and a D45 and they are only 5% off the Martin versions although it took two years for me to like the D45. I did have the EC 000-28 bought for £1700 from Trevor at 'Unplugged' in Ealing (now gone) but never got on with it...I was young and EC's Unplugged album was an inspiration! I wish I had them back now but just as investments, however that's not a musical statement, it's greed and everything creating music is not about. J200 was similar to my Guild F412 maple but in 6 strings, sold that too but I wish I hadn't now.
Sigma 200 vs. Epiphone 200
that would be a very interesting comparison as well.
ruclips.net/video/svLY45kiluE/видео.html they already tested the ej-200 by epiphone. i think the sigma sounds much better compared to it.
I have both of them. I am selling the epi, sigma sounds 3 times better. Not the same league at all...
I just don't understand why they have put composite material on the fingerboard. This is such a low blow, the lower class Sigma GJM has rosewood fingerboard and is costs three times less than this one.
Yes these are a lot of money but not unobtainable, I got a job when I was 16 saved everything for 12 months and bought one for £3000 on my 17th birthday in Denmark street
Jacob Warren Spot on that...I think the message here is..get a job...save hard...get your dream guitar fast as you can...and then (and only then) get a girlfriend.
i know there is a lot of good guitars for under £700 but aesthetics wise the Sigma is the dogs spuds........... is it worth £700.? anything better out there for the price together with something so pleasing on the eye.....?!
Its different style, but look at Ovation. They definitely stand out when it comes to look.
Gibson do it again. Perfect balance, mids are defined, done!
I would love for you to compare Sigma DM-SG7+, Epiphone Dove Pro, and Gibson Dove.
I stand by to say that the Sigma is head and shoulders better than the Epiphone and holds up to the Gibson.
I have the solid maple sigma, and I think I better had bought the laminated one. The solid maple makes the guitar quietly.
Plugged in makes the Fishman Unisono a verry good job. But I bought it to have powerful guitar without an amp.
My Sigma Jumbo is a SGJA SG200 and a Limited edition. It has a beatyfol red sunburst, and this makes it unique in all the J200rds. So I keep it, and I´m shure that I find a way to give it more power.
Thanks.
So, one year later, I am verry happy with my Sigma. It opened up, and now it´s powerful and resonating. I don´t understand, but one day, it was making a big "knack". I think it was from the bridge inlay. May be it was setting down, and now it has a better kontakt. How ever. I think just right now, this beauty is on the same level like the Gibson.
Gibson j 200 vs the full solid Sigma SGJA SG 200 is may be more fair. Full solid vs full solid. May be once a time.
So, now I kicked out the piezo and removed the tall and thick pickguard, and now I am happy with it. Verry happy.
One year later: My Sigma opend up! And now it is a Goddess 🙂
9:28 For a long time these old Gibson (coincidence) picks were my favorite, because of a similar shape. You couldn't buy them anymore, because, I learned later, of fire hazard (being made a celluloid, yes, they kept catching fire, you got a free fire extinguisher with a wholesale, that should have been a clou). They had a nice rigidity, especially the 'heavy' ones, of which I used the tiny jazz version. Gave some nice harmonics.
I think micarta is resin. They layer it with fabric in handles for knives... I think, that is. please set me straight, if not.
That's about right. Micarta is a brand name for composites of linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber or other fabric in a thermosetting plastic.
Jon Oz -Gotcha, like manmade fretboard, then. thanks
Tsnafu - Thanks for the clarification, well done. Cheers =]
I really need an acoustic.
DragonRiderW16 me too bro, me too
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Simon-Patrick-Luthier-6-String-Acoustic-Guitar-Great-Condition/132565621257
Yes you do
Great video and good comparison! Does anybody know if there is a comparison video of the Sigma GJA-SG200 and the all solid Sigma SGJA-SG200 ? If i listen to the sound of these guitars played in different video's, there does not seem to be much difference in sound between the GJA-SG200 and the SGJA-SG200. But it's not a good comparison, because the video's are played by different people under different circumstances.
Would love for you guys to do a review on affordable acoustic guitar amps and what the difference is between a elect guitar amp and an acoustic amp.
You guys should do a video of the 2 most expensive acoustics in the store, and compare them to their very cheap clones
Micarta is a composite. Similar to richlite. Commonly used for knife handles. I threw a broken guitar on a fire pit not knowing how toxic micarta is when you burn it. I don't recommend it.
Nice to see the old Sigma logo back ;-)
£3753!! i bought mine in 2013 and the RRP was £2700!!!are they more than £1000 better now? from what you guys are saying,it sounds like j200s of the past few years were not so good!would 2013 be considered a bad year?
Pete Townsend played a Gibson Montana on Letterman back in 1993 and totally destroys it for charity, I believe they auctioned the remnants and received $164,000. Twas a spirited performance, there were splinters flying in every direction.
So I know not to go get a Sigma. It should be known that I bought a Gibson J200 STUDIO in guitarguitar which is without the bling: flower scratchplate and some binding. But it sounds immense and is a whole lot less expensive. It was - to my ears - the best sounding acoustic in the store with only the Gibson Hummingbird competing with it. Its the real thing minus bling so if available it is very much worth your cash.
I was thinking about geting a sigma but then I came across g-45 studio plays/sounds 100% better than sigma... now I’m saving up for SJ-200
Micarta is canva textiles with fiberglass resin
Are you guys doing the same strings on both guitars? If not, that would be helpful for a real comparison on acoustics :)
Hey guys nice video. I'm wondering if you can made a video for the Starshine J200 Vs. Sigma GJA-SG200. Thanks!
Like acoustic guitars? Try a 2.0 mm TUSQ pick 😉 Your guitar will come alive.
If you use Wegen picks (from Holland) you will get the best volume and tone from both of these guitars. Expensive (around £6 each) but they make a £500 guitar or mandolin sound like a £1000 instrument. Honestly they do. I have no financial interest. I've used them for 12 years and would never use anything else. I use 2.00 guage.
Blue Chip picks will do it even more.
Pete seems to have a somewhat better feel for major key noodling than Joss (and me : p).
Why has Joss left? Amazing Player and interesting Guy...
Dude!! Where can I find an AMI gja sg200?
No offense to Lee, but Joss and Pete have become my favorite Anderton's personalities and players. Put them together more!
Pete is just on a whole other level
I doubt there's much of anything like "copyright" on a fairly standard shaped guitar with its own design on it, so that's why they get away with it. But that's such a 1:1 kind of copy. They could just give it their own spin...
And I don't mind that they do like a cheaper version of something that exists, as long as it's still good quality. I will be the customer of those companies (both by choice out of principle and lack of choice out of lack of finances).
Because, for example, I have a great Rhoads-style V by a company called Samick. That guitar was originally probably under 500 Dollars, and it's one of the best guitars I've had. A better design than Jackson does them, too.
I have the sigma but with ROSEWOOD fingerboard and sounds a lot much better than the one with miicarta THATS THE DIFFERENCE
I have the Sigma, and I've read about the manufacturing materials.
Making reference to the fretboard material:
Micarta is an synthetic material, like a polymer. Martin began to make guitars without rosewood and replaced by this polymer since the CITES conference for the environment health protected the Dalbergia species (all kind of rosewood) wolrdwide in 2017.
That means that you cannot travel with your instrument, sell/buy dalbergia wood unless you have an official certification that the rosewood pieces in your instrument were harvested previous the prohibition.
Holy crap I didn't expect to like the Sigma better than the Gibson... 😅
What??? Unbelievable..
They sound different.....so you would be getting a Gibson 200 look-a-like with a good sound....if that is what you want Sigma is what you might want (check out epiphone first to see your options). For the money of the Sigma i would get an equivalent Martin....better tone....but that is all so so subjective.
Wha are those hollowbody guitars behind them?
I'll take the Gibson please, wrap it up and thank you for my birthday present. :D
Andertons TV its not a joke anymore
yes i take back what i am saying, i love them tunes
Gibson guitars and their copies need the g string tunes 20 cents or so to sound in tune. Especially the electric guitars.
Sigma vs new epiphone j200 would be great!
Is the Sigma laminate maple back and sides or solid?
It's laminated, if you want full solid, then the Epiphone J200 aged natural inspired by Gibson is a better choice I guess for almost an identical price tag.
@@freddysnip6257 Thanks
@@WysteriaGuitar you're most welcome. I just ordered one, hope to get it soon.
@@freddysnip6257 Oh cool, did you get the natural or sunburst?
@@WysteriaGuitar I opted for the Epiphone J200 aged natural
Just a general question about acoustic guitars to anyone who feels like giving input: I've been looking for a good enough (nice sounding, well-playing, reliable) acoustic guitar alongside my regular electrics, but can't put a lot of money into it. - So I've been wondering; I have no problem with cheaper electrics, but because sound is affected a lot more in acoustics, what is the minimum price-range I should be looking at? - I know that I should stay away from the supermarket-type guitar up to say 150... I'll just use Euros. But can you go wrong with say something by Ibanez between 250 and 500 Euros?
I know there are many different models and brands, and also a bigger brand like Gibson will make something very similar for a lot more money. But speaking of more affordable stuff, is there anything that's just as bad an investment on the lower-end to mid-range as it is for me investing near a thousand Euros or even over into an acoustic that's not really my main thing?
Watch Pete's face at 13:22. If there was a doubt, his expresion says it alle.
Joss looks like Gadafi
the Colonel
The Sigma sounds decent enough....I would be afraid to drag a $5k guitar around in public...... for that reason the Sigma wins..... almost impossible to find in the U.S. the Sigma would sound better if it were in tune😁
The difference in tone is bigger in person. I own the Sigma. It's ok, but it suffers from poor intonation.
15 million videos. Dammit Pete I've told you a billion times not to exaggerate !
"every country player I've ever liked, Justin timberlake, Taylor swift, and sheryl crowe!" not one country player actually mentioned!
The logo is actually the logo from their inception in the early 1970s. So its an aniversary thing not a new logo
great video both guitars sound good
Can you ship these to the States?
Very good review! That Sigma is not bad. But really... I still don't get it... why do all companies build in those ungly piezo pickups? And especially like an expensive Gibson, they should know better. Those pickups doesn't sound like an acoustic guitar and you missing the sound of the wood. Use K&K Pure Mini pickups which sounds way better, more organic and no batteries needed.
Agreed. K and K sound way more natural then the tinny Fishman. Can never understand why some one would add that crap to a good guitar.
Sigma GJA200 or inspired by Gibson’ epiphone sj 200?
Sigma GJA200 - much better!
Please do a video on the Epiphone DR500MCE, all solid woods ! 🙏😇
i never really wanted anything other than a j45, but i have to say that the few j200's i've played have been a disappointment. £5000 guitars that didn't cut it. i have a 66 J45 and a 69 epi texan that are fantastic, but my little martin OOOX1 is rally tasty, and it blows my mind every time i put new strings on it.
i've said this a zillion times, it's all very subjective, play as many guitars as you can get your hands on, one will jump out at you sooner or later. the price, or the logo, don't really mean that much.
Sigma GJM-SGE Electro Acoustic is a better guitar slimmer neck. and sounds better also cheaper and easier to play... the gja has a really thick neck which is tough to get your hand around . also very heavy big bulky feel to it.after trying both these guitars out the 299 one is easy better
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Is sigma more quality than epiphone !??
yes.
Not necessarily, especially not with the new Epiphone J-200 aged natural inspired by Gibson series. The Sigma isn't a full solid guitar unlike the new Epiphone.
sigma more volume, good enough to buy it instead of the pricey gibo
If money were no object, I would buy a Lamborghini.
I love Pete and Joss, but they need Mick to phone in the tech stuff; he's the only one who has this stuff down cold.
I really miss Mick as well. Just not the same.
I'd rather listen to Pete than any guitar player on earth.
3:25 I thought sigma was martin’s budget line though?
Not anymore... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Guitars
Can you do a comparison between the sigma j160e and the Gibson j160e??
Great example of the law of diminishing returns.