Gibson SJ 200 vs Taylor 618e - It's A Jumbo Shootout! - Acoustic Guitar Comparison - New For 2019
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- Опубликовано: 11 окт 2024
- Is everything bigger in Texas? Possibly. But one thing is certain, both guitars featured in this video are pretty dang large! Gibson's SJ 200 and Taylor's 618e are both large in size, volume, and timbre; however, they're distinctly different guitars that stand on their own. Take a look and listen, and let us know what you think in the comments below. Play A Note, Change Your Life!
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Thank you Alamo. I have been waiting for this comparison between the SJ200 and the current spec Taylor 618e and here it is! I think you have done a great job in highlighting these guitars in both description and sound. As a player who has spent a lot of time with both, I'm in a position to add a few more comments which may helps folks looking to buy one of these fabulous jumbo flat tops.
Firstly as the guy says, these are both similar in size and shape, but very different in sound and feel, despite the maple back and sides on each. Any comparison requires the potential buyer to try them for him or herself, but if that's not possible you will be more than happy with either for sure. So here are my thoughts.
Gibson SJ200.
On first impressions, it fitted the bill and sounded amazing, just what I was hoping to discover from a big guitar like this. A full depth with headroom to breath lacking in most other guitars by comparison, even dreads. It has a warm, big open sustain for those country songs, but lends itself well to modern folk strumming also. The best strings I've tried so far have been Elixir Nanoweb PB 12's, but 13's might work too. This instrument feels heavier, more solid than the Taylor, and certainly not as loud.
This guitar is good for picking, but I prefer to do this on a smaller guitar. The sound is very balanced and even across all six strings so very good for driving vocal accompaniment, good for flat picking but not so good for bluegrass flat picking where you need clearer note separation. And come on, there's no shame in choosing a guitar for it's looks, I mean you're gonna be waking up to it every morning except his baby needs no make up, always was drop dead gorgeous whatever the time of day. I prefer blondes, but that's personal choice Alamo!
My only criticism was finding the neck a little chunky at first compared to other Gibson acoustics. At least on my model (they probably vary), but you quickly get used to it and from then on it plays absolutely fine, and you'll want to play it more and more. Also this guitar does lose a little tone, (sustain particularly) when capo'd, which I have noticed with some maple guitars. So if you can, learn your fav songs in keys without the need of a capo.
Taylor 618e.
First impressions, it didn't feel like a typical Taylor to me, and I have owned several. It took me a little while to get used to the feel, so much so I very nearly returned it, saying, no, this just doesn't work for me. If you feel similar, allow a few days, be patient, spend time with it. I liked the sound straight away, and when the new string brightness evened out, it kept getting better and better, in fact I was blown away. Currently it has Elixir Nano PB 12's, but could go 13's easily and might be better for it. Also, a good set up is essential for this particular guitar.
Once in the driving seat of this guitar, the player will find it hard to put down. This thing does everything from polite/quiet, to full/loud with effortless ease, but here's the big difference over rosewood or mahogany, there's no foggy boom muting the sound. Each note is clear and defined, so for flat picking bluegrass it's hard to imagine anything doing it better. Great for picking, great for strumming, has all the big depth of the SJ200 but with a richness that will astonish, especially in the deep bass register. Any songs needing a pronounced low E, hit this string hard, and you'll be playing a a grand piano in an orchestra, bend it, you'll sound like Eddie Cochran. The looks of the Taylor are, of course more restrained, but you will find yourself admiring the dark coffee stain flame maple back and sides over and over, because it looks incredible.
For me the Taylor is currently the number one go-to, it wins over the Gibson on most features and could easily be the only guitar you'll ever need. But there is a reason the SJ200 is still called the King, and despite the competition, I never expect to see that changing.
maxwellfan55: Thanks for that great review. I currently have a few Taylors and Martins and I love them all but I'm looking for a guitar I can use ANYWHERE. Sounds like this could bit it hopefully!
Owned a J-40 for some 35 yrs until a fire took it. Loved the way it played, not so much the sound. Identical in most every way to a Martin D-18. Feels like Gibson is resting on its' laurels. Across the line, acoustic & electric, prices go up, innovations are rare, quality is ??. Taylor is a much more modern company, constantly improving everything from the land the trees are on to the ongoing open customer relationships. I replaced that Gibson with a Taylor 210e DLX and quite frankly, got a better instrument.
Taylor has brought more clarity of notes, and better tones. Yes, there will always be a spot for the J-200. Traditions die hard.
That is an excellent description maxwellfan55, and the video does bear out your description. A friend of mine here in our church band in Auckland has the Gibson SJ200. It is a beauty. I've had the chance to play it and I enjoy the evenness of tone, but was a bit surprised that it was not louder (but then I am a fingerpicker and lighter strummer). I have a Taylor 416ce which is also a slightly larger body, being a GS. It's loud when strummed but also responsive when picked, which is essential for me. Just a bit more affordable here in NZ than the 600 series.
Good Ol’ Boys play Martins. Bad Boys play Gibsons. Choir Boys play Taylors
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard
In rock n roll, guitar strummers don't come heavier than Pete Townshend. From what I read about him, he's not married to any particular brand, but he's been playing a J200 almost exclusively for years now during live acoustic performances. Obviously there's more than just the guitar that's responsible for the overall sound, but when he rips into those strings, what a great sound it is. For what it's worth, I finally got around to trying one at a guitar shop here in Vancouver...loved it! Sounds amazing and was great to play (price tag meant that is was not leaving the store. Not with me anyway). Also, my perception before playing it was that it was larger than it is. I'm 5'11" with slightly long(ish) arms so I didn't necessarily think the J200 would be too big to play, but it was a bit surprising how comfortable it actually felt.
Haven’t owned a six string in decades, but watching many comps of these two guitars, judging by sound only, I’m hands down team Taylor. Of course I’ll try them both, but man, that tone is pure love...
Great review Chris. Both guitars sound awesome. The Taylor is more versatile and would suit my style of mixing chords and single notes. Balanced with piano like clarity. The J200 fits perfectly in Texas, but it's ornate bridge and pickgaurd is too much for me.
I got a 2018 J45 cut away vintage burst. It sounds wonderful. I would advise anyone to buy a Gibson. They are the best.
Great reveiw! The Taylor sounds really nice with the aged top.it is a bit brighter than the j200.more of a piano sound. But it's really hard to go up against a guitar that's been out since 1937 and been proven to the world.ill just say they both sound fantastic.
The Gibson SJ-200 is just a winning horse.
j200 all the way tone is exceptional on it
Both of these two guitars are beautiful acoustically and aesthetically in their own right. Got to have both. Too many guitars too little time.
SJ,s always blow me away.
I like the Gibson, but it’s one of my all time favorite guitar sounds!
Tbh the best Taylor ever made imo. Such deep beautiful clarity
Another great comparison and as always loved your playing and the guitars.
I preferred the Gibson. BTW - everything is smaller in New Jersey, so I have a Seagull Mini-Jumbo - Cedar top/wild cherry back and sides. Heck - The women are smaller. The net pay is smaller (taxed to death), & we don’t even have BBQ.
3 Card Monty LOL, one of the best comments ever! Come to Texas. We’d have some smoke brisket! ;) - Chris McKee
3 Card Monty lol
I love my SJ-200...got it new in 2005. Thousands of hours playing on it and it sounds even sweeter every year. I just added a Gibson Dove to the livery and the Dove is another great player with strong sound. I'm partial to the maple top Gibsons. I have been using the D'Addario XT13's and previously EXP13s...lately, I've changed to the LaBella Silk/Steel Mediums and really like the warm sound. I'm a heavy strummer...think Mick Jones doing George Strait or Clay Blaker.
Yeah when you get into these price ranges it aint much of point of discussion but i think in this case it does. To me the gibson sounds better but the taylor for the price plus its sound and playability make the gibson´s glitter fade a little.
If I wanted to spend that kind of money on a jumbo I would buy a Guild F-55 maple.
Love your reviews Chris, great job. thank you
The Taylor has a bass that rings out,has better string separation,the Gibson lacks the bass response that fingerpicking needs but still sounds nice for heavier strumming
Thanks Chris. Really nice comparison!
The Taylor has a very sweet sound...
Unfortunately the Gibby Jumbo has the best acoustic tone I've ever heard hands down.
I own the Taylor 618e (2015), so I am biased but Taylor wins for playability.
My Gibson is easier to play than my Taylor......
The Gibson blows away the Taylor! The Taylor has that Taylor tinny sound. What you did mention that I agree with is, that the Taylor does respond better to a light touch. I have an R. Taylor Style 3 and a Gibson SJ200 Montana Gold Koa.
Bobby G's Channel totally disagree with you Taylor the better sounding better listen again
Both are great sounding guitars.
Gibson for recording, Taylor for live setting for singing. As good as the Gibson sounds, there's something incredibly sweet sounding about the Taylor that's drawing me in
I think the Taylor sounded better overall. I would have liked you to attack that Gibson a little harder on the strumming. And, actually I thought the Gibson sounded just a little better on the Finger Picking? Great guitars. Thanks Chris!
IMO, the Gibson has a brighter sound as well as a bigger bass... the Taylor sounds very midrangy. Gibson wins for me!
Strings have a lot to do with this demo too. I can guarantee the Gibson Isn’t strung up with Elixir strings like the Taylor. To me the Gibson sounds more like a traditional sounding guitar.As where the Taylor has a more modern day sound very perfect and Precise sounding.
That is precisely why the Gibson sounds better.
"Modern", like 'Rap", or "Disco'?
4 minutes in and you are still talking about a guitar, lol.
Love ya.
They both sound great, but the Gibson sounds like a SJ-200. The Taylor sounds like a Taylor. I would opt for the Gibson.
To my ears the Gibby creates a “wall of sound” with not so much individual note definition. The Taylor is “cleaner” and each note of chords can be heard clearly defined. The Taylor also seems to be more balanced across the strings. I am not a jumbo player (too big and unwieldy for me, but I like hearing others play the big dogs. Despite the storied history of Gibson, and despite the fact that in general I am a traditionalist loving Martins in particular, I really like this Taylor. I see it as a jack of all trades, and I would have one if it weren’t so huge.😁
Nice job Chris 🎸
Less talk-more PLAY!!!
Love both guitars but that pick guard on the Taylor looks miserable.
that's just like your opinion man
The Taylor pick guard is Rosewood. I think it's tasteful and elegant. What's not to like about real wood?
Sorry, not Rosewood, it's West African Crelicam Ebony apparently.
@@CalmedByNature 😂 I’ve got a beverage here man!
Nice!! You should do a Gibson dove vs Taylor 610 2 dreadnoughts with maple back and sides.
Gibson hands down !!
Miking must be an important factor. They say the acoustics of the store is a factor in purchasing a guitar, that it may sound better "than they may appear".
Makes sense 're strummin,Nick Lowe plays a Gibson jumbo.
J200 much better sound and voicing, Taylor sounds quiet but also has a nice tone
Just an fyi, the Taylor website doesn’t mention the 618e having a torrefied too.
I like the way they both sound. But the Gibson always sounds stronger. Even in my personal experience. But I'd like to ask a question and maybe you can answer it for me. Why do some Gibson J200 Jumbo's have 4 Pearl inlays and some have 2? Like the one you have there?
The Taylor 618e has a torrefied top, while the SJ 200 doesn't. That's gotta come into play.
If the Taylor he used was a K28e instead of a 618e, maybe the Taylor would have been on par with the Gibson.
Michael Balance I checked Taylor’s website and it seems like the 618e doesn’t have a torrefied top.
@@aaronkim1074 They used to. They probably took it out due to them revamping and revoicing the entire lineup
Chris does the Taylor have the southport how like the 816 CE has?
I like the Taylor better I want this guitar
try the 614 v class ;)
@@cannabiskreations I have seven Taylor guitars 2015 614ce,and also the 2019 614ce builders edition.also 816ce,914ce, K-24ce,814ceDLX,Baby Taylor plus 1980 Martin D-28 and Epiphone guitars, Previously owned Twelve different Martins guitars including the D-45, Several D28S including twelve string and HD-28 and three D-35S sold all Martin guitars except my 1980 D-28 and bought brand new every Taylor guitars,I love Taylor guitars outta all other brands and I've had dang near every brand you can name.
To paraphrase the reviewer the SJ200 was called a super jumbo because the J45 occupied the jumbo slot.In 1937?.Gibson had come out in the depression -ravaged thirties with the jumbo,the J35(cost $35),and the Advanced Jumbo.I'll stand correcting but the J45 wasn''t around at the time(introduced in '42)the SJ200 was first made('37).I've owned the guitar from different eras(still got 3)and some were beyond awful.Thought he might have mentioned Taylor's very different neck attachment system My friend and, hopefully,lead guitarist was a clinician for them
You did not give those 2 guitars anywhere close to a comparison. I could tell you liked the Gibson from the beginning. I actually prefer Taylor. Better construction and a better price.
In my opinion the Gibson absolutely no doubt
Chris what is your impression of the grand orchestra versus the new grand pacific? Does the GP also respond as well to a lighter touch like the Grand orchestra?
Leo Maneke I’ve played a lot of Taylor’s and they are all bright and sensitive, especially with the v class bracing
Leo Maneke yeah the bright and articulate ones sound great in the mix too. I prefer warm and full sounds playing alone, but a lot of that gets lost or muddy in a mix. Taylor’s are very well made and play great, and I like the company a lot.
Great to have found this comparison. Never too late. I’ve been considering these. While I don’t have a favorite here, my ears seem to perk up when I hear the ringing harmonies on the Taylor. My general thought is that big bass sounds are still meant to be the bottom. And full harmony needs a sparkling yet delicate top end. Everyone’s ears hear differently, sometimes there is even a change from left to right. As a person ages, the top end is cut off gradually. So maybe age has something to do with my preference for Taylor here, because the full Gibson strumming sound is powerful, but the top strings seem a bit duller to me.
A Jumbo guitar can follow an artist for singing songwriting? Maybe street singing/playing?
In the first comparison piece, the Gibson sounded a bit lifeless. In the second piece, at 8:55, Chris dug into it, and it sounded great... with a lighter attack, not so much. The Taylor is better than the Gibson when played lightly.
Good observation. I completely agree. The Taylor sounds much better with a light touch but the Gibson blows it it away with hard strumming or picking.
Just my preference but the Gibson has a tone I like more
The Taylor sounds muddy sometimes. You seem biased. That’s ok. I am too, but I’m not biased toward Taylor.
May you please make a test about AMT Stonehead 50-4? Greetings from Argentina
When it came to playing it was very evident you were hitting the gibson harder
want to own it
Which one ?I SENT FOR BOTH AND KEPT THE 200 !
The j-200 projects like a shoebox.
EVERYBODY looks and sounds better with a GIBSON!
Go Texas
Both are amazing guitars ... but hands down the Gibson for me in this case . Gibson also looks like a piece of expensive furniture !!!!
Taylor Win
taylor has a great sound but not louder as gibson
I'm sure I you can overdrive them, just use a 1.6mm pick and accelerate smoothly :D
Sounds just like my $200 Yamaha LOL
Gibson far superior
taylor almost does not sound like a jumbo
Jumbo shootout without a Guild, the king of the Jumbos? Come on man! ;)
Gibson
The timbre of the Gibson by a mile, even though I find the moustache style bridge plate disgusting....
talylor to bright no soul j 200 canbe delicate and the sound compact
The Taylor wins easily.
Taylor great quality but......Gibson is Gibson sorry!!!!
Gibson is better))
Taylor is so overrated. I don't get their hype. Brittle and trebly. It just doesn't have a good balance to the sound. If you like a super bright sound, then Taylor is for you. At the end of the day, buy a Guild.
The Taylor won every time.
No, it wins zero of the time.
Gibson by a mile
The Gibson is a body, the Taylor is a skeleton.
Gibson SJ 200 is better
Too much talk - play the darn things!
The Gibson bridge and that pick guard look cheap and as ugly as Las Vegas; totally kitsch, you would need a shirt with fringes to play it.
Plus these thick trashy Gibson pick guards ultimately lift off the guitar- the one on my slope shoulder model does anyway - Gibson guitars are way overrated and over priced for what they are - they can’t touch Taylor in terms of quality, construction, sound or playability.
Also a pickguard that huge and thick has to compromise the sound of the guitar - probably why the sj 200 sounds so muddy and muted
El sonido de la gibson j200 es legendario.