My new J200

My latest acquisition is a Gibson J200, with maple back, sides and neck, spruce top and rosewood fingerboard. It is possibly the finest sounding acoustic guitar I have ever played. It would even give a couple of Hank's 1970s Martins a shove.

I never really discovered J200s before the last tour. They don't seem to be that popular here. I played a couple of Yusuf's on tour and fell in love with them. They have a big blustery sound, with a lot of bottom end that has to be controlled. But if these guitars' harmonics are perfect they are astounding. Incorrect harmonics on guitars with great bass sounds (such as these) can produce a mess that sound engineers find difficult to rein in.

I experimented with Yusuf's black J200 in Sydney and was impressed with the results. If anyone saw it, Yusuf played it on Stewart and Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.

Cliff used one on the last Shadows' tour, which he had bought new in 1958. I think you can see a photo of his one and of Yusuf's somewhere in my photo collection. When I got back to Perth I just had to have one. Thanks Kosmic.

This particular one has a rich warm sound and when played lightly has amazing definition. When I play chords I can hear the individual notes quite clearly. Anyone looking to buy a guitar should listen for this quality. I haven't even had time to AAA service it yet. I can't wait for the results.

Comment for the week…." I can see you there in front of the stove, but I can't see the stove" Groucho