Gibson CJ165 EC Maple Compact Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

Feature:
Another thing about maple--it looks great! The one I'm "visiting" often is natural finish--just gorgeous! Block parallelogram inlays. Electronics built-in--Fishman, I'm told. I don'tt see controls on the guitar, and that's fine. I'd rrather just have the box mic'ed for its own sound. Feels substantial, solid and well-made.

Quality:
I just feel that this is one solid tank of a guitar--another thing about maple. Heavy for an acoustic. The finish looks and feels solid, sturdy and profesional

Value:
Price is what's keeping me from getting this. It's just beyond the top-end of the range I've set myself.

Desirability:
Dang, it looks good!

Sound:
I am an acoustic blues player. In the past, I've had a Guild F-30 (or was it 35?) which I traded for elctric equipment--BIG mistake!--and now have a Gibson LGO--a sweet machine, but I'm looking for more bass response and volume. Have seen the maple 165 at the local GC. First, the scaled-down jumbo works for my style (see above--the Guild). Secondly, maple gives me enough snap while finger-picking without losing the resonance in the middle and bottom when strumming. Any Gibson will be loaded with midrange. I'm surprised how balanced this one is across the sonic spectrum. Could use just a touch more bottom--hence the 9. I'm talking here abut playing acoustic. Plugged in it sounds fine, too, but I'm not experienced enough with that to know exactly what I'm hearing: how much is the guitar, how much the pickups, how much the system. But it's the guitar I'm going to buy, right? So I'm most concerned about how it works, and this one's a beaut!

Ease of Use:
It's just "right there" for me: the sound, the set up, etc.

Support:
? Not applicable--yet!

Overall:
Am looking for "guitar for life" that will work for me with fingerpicking & flatpicking, solo & with (acoustic) band. This woould be it, if I can afford it.

Feature:
I like that you can plug it into an amp, but I seldom do. The volume control in the sound hole is a first for me in this location and I like that too. It appears to be a flat top without electronics. When I first saw one, I had no idea you could plug it up. What a nice surprise as I investigated further.

Quality:
The finish is absolutely beautiful and the only problem I am having is deciding whether to put the pick guard on or leave it off. I am sure this guitar will be around forever.

Value:
Yes, I got a very good guitar for the money.

Desirability:
I am never one to make hurried decisions when it comes to buying anything. I looked at and played many guitars before I bought. I just kept coming back to this one. I own several instruments and I guess you can never get enough. Luckily I found the guitar for sale by an individual and it is in new condition.

Sound:
I love the sound of every string and you get plenty volume.

Ease of Use:
I love the size of this guitar. I made some adjustments to suit myself as far as the action. The neck is so perfectly straight I can say, without hesitation, that this is the easiest set-up I've ever done.

Support:
Made and bought in Nashville at the mall where they make them. I can easily have any problem, and I don't expect any, addressed there as I live very close.

Overall:
I will probably buy more guitars as I go. This one is a keeper. I sold four other guitars to raise the money for this one and another I wanted. I am trying to better my collection and I went a long way toward doing that when I got the CJ 165.