Gibson SJ150 Modern Classic Acoustic User Reviews at zZounds

"An excellent looking, and sounding guitar..." submitted November 23, 2003

By a customer from aol.com

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Features

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Music Style: Rock, alternative

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Sound: Fantastic tone..!!! Good clean highs, rich full bass, and incredible volume, even when it's not plugged in... For a while it was the only acoustic I played, even though I have a couple of Martins and a Guild 12-string. Feature: Stunning bookmatched maple back, highly figured sides, and even the neck is beautiful. I've seen J-200s that did not compare to this guitar. The crown inlays on the fingerboard are flawless, the tuners are a nice match for this guitar, and although they're not Grovers, they do keep the guitar in tune.. Quality: I hate to say this, but out of 6 Gibson guitars that I've bought brand new, including this one, and 2-Les Paul Customs, I have had cosmetic or mechanical problems on 4-of them. On the J-150, the pick-guard is constantly peeling up, and is even starting to curl. A friend at the store where I bought it, said he is having the same problem, and he bought his 2-years after I did. Also, there is an indentation in the lacquer, at the front edge of the top, right where it meets the pick-guard, as if "someone had tried to pry the pick-guard off for some reason..?" The folks at the music store said they would never consider doing such a thing, and of course Gibson says they wpuld never let a guitar out of the factory, with such a flaw, but all I know is that it's there, and it was there when I bought it. One other note, I rarely buy a guitar that has been out on dislay, I will usually ask for one from stock, preferably one that was still in the factory box, as this one was... Value: Gibson guitars are notoriously expensive, even when compared with other high end guitars. That said, you have to decide if the extra money is worth the Gibson name, because the guitars as a rule are generally very well made, and sound great, and best of all, tend to hold they're value, primarily because of that name... I love this guitar, and would recommend it to anyone who wants a jumbo, with great looks and sound to match... Manufacturer Support: We'll see, the dealer has the guitar, and time will tell how it's dealt with. The Wow Factor: Beautiful instrument, in all it's detail. Unfortunately, (depending on how you look at it) it appears to be a guitar that is seen more in the "Country" scene, than anywhere else, and that hardly qualifies as "sexy' to many of us. Still, it is a great guitar, and it was my "1st" Gibson, and I had "lusted" after it for a long time before I was finally able to afford it... Overall: I hope to have this guitar forever, and will certainly not trade for anything else. The only guitar of this type made by Gibson, outside of Custom Shop guitars, that you could upgrade to, is the J-200, also referred to as "The King of the Flat-tops". The J-150 is truly the more affordable version of "The King of the Flat-tops", and I have not seen or played a J-200 could looked or sounded any better,

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"I'm very happy with this instrument . . . and so is my wife!" submitted August 8, 2007

By a customer from hotmail.com

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The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Active muscian

Music Style: A little bit of everything and my own

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Sound: My Gibson has plenty of volume and is very well balanced throughout the lowend to the highend. I have used both Martin SPs and Elixir strings, (Medium Gauge), with great success. I played quite a few J150s and J200s in attempting to decide on one . . . this one stood out and I bought it on the spot. There are differences in the different Gibsons even though they are the same model. This is truly the best acoustic guitar I have ever played. Feature: What can I say . . . it works as it is supposed to and keeps its tune. Ease of Use: The guitar can be used to play anything. I am a flat picker and it suits me fine. I can play blues, folk, country, or rock . . . no issues. I do find it better to 'mic it' instead of the internal electrics while recording or playing through an amplifier. Quality: The 'only' reason I don't give it a '10' is due to agreeing with another reviewer . . . my pickguard is coming up as well. Value: Relative to other guitars in this price range 'and above' I feel that I got a good deal. This guitar compares 'easily' with any J200 I have played both in tone and in playability. Further, I have found that Gibson is in it's own league with respect to tone. I can play this guitar in the dark in front of the fireplace with my girlfriend and have a very pleasent evening. The Gibsons have a very very 'real' and full tone that you would have to pay at least double to achieve with a Martin and you just can't get with a Taylor. Manufacturer Support: I have had conversations with Gibson representatives on the phone and they were helpful. Seeing the other reviewer mentioning the pick guard makes me feel that Gibson could be supporting this 'more' than they are/have, therefore, the '7'. The Wow Factor: I think the Maple wood is extremely nicely done and it looks great! The pick guard is probably the only thing that I would consider changing at all . . . and even if I could, I'm not sure that I would! It's a great looking guitar! Overall: This is a lifetime purchase and 'personal relationship'. This guitar is going to be with me along with my wife for the rest of my life.

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"This is a true player's guitar." submitted January 3, 2007

By a customer from linuxmail.org

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: "Alternative", "Country",

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Sound: Fabulos full sound. Lots of bottom end. The 'Jumbo' really pays off. Feature: Simply great. If I had a wish it would be that the neck be bound, but then I suppose I'd have to pay for that! Ease of Use: Plays like butter. Almost as easy as some archtop electrics. Quality: It's a Gibson. Value: I'd definitely buy another one, but they sure aren't cheap. Manufacturer Support: Haven't needed any, that's the best part. The Wow Factor: As far as acoustics go it's top notch. I've had several musician friends drool over it. Overall: This is one guitar that is staying with me. Can't beat the sound and playability.

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"Super Guitar." submitted June 14, 2006

By a customer from comcast.net

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Musical Background: active musician

Music Style: folk, country

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: The J150 rumbles. The sound is pure. The sustain rings on and on. There is no muddy sound like you get on some Martin Dreads (and I love my Martins too). In the sound department, the J150 is a real ass-kicker. It's superb. Unplugged, it is louder than anything else. Don't believe all the Gibson bashing that goes on. Gibson is making some great guitars. Feature: Everything is top-rate. I love the inlays. Very well done. I can't say enough about this guitar. Ease of Use: The neck is very comfortable for me. Not much different from my Martin HD28. Maybe just a bit thicker, but like the Martin, very comfortable. I've been doing a lot of fingerpicking with it. Fast neck. The notes ring very clear and loud. I've had the J150 about 4 months now and I am loving it. Quality: This might be the sweetest guitar I have ever owned, and I've owned a bunch. It's right up there with the Hummingbird and D18 I had years ago. This guitar is stunning. No excess glue. No sloppy work on the inside. Everything fits perfectly. Value: I think it's definitly worth the money. Superb instrument. Manufacturer Support: No problems as of yet. I called them when the guitar was being made and asked for a pretty low set-up because I fingerpick alot. It came in great. The Wow Factor: I'm glad I bought it. Sex appeal? Look at those pics of Emmy Lou Harris when she was playing a super jumbo Gibson. Don't get any sexier than that. Overall: It's simply a great guitar. The first Gibson I've bought in about 15 years. I'm glad I did it.

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"Can't believe it." submitted June 15, 2006

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: playing for 2 years

Music Style: alternative, folk, rock, anything

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Sound: I think it really sounds cool. Much louder than other guitars I've played. Feature: This is really a fancy geetar. It looks great and sounds great too. Ease of Use: I guess it pretty easy compared to the Fender I own. I like the Fender, but this guitar seems made for making noise. Feels real smooth on my finger tips too. Played over two hours last night and not sore at all. This guitar has low action. I like that. No string buzzing when I strum real hard. Quality: Never owned a Gibson before but this one seems incredible to me. Beautiful guitar. Smells good too. It's rosewood and spruce. Reallty looks good. Value: My parents bought this for me as a birthday gift. I think they paid over 2000 for it. My dad plays too, has for years. He picked it out. Manufacturer Support: Only had it a couple weeks. Haven't had to call anyone yet. The Wow Factor: Really cool guitar. It's almost bigger than I am, but is easy to hold when I play. This is the kind of guitar that makes you want to play better and better. Overall: I think I'll have this a long time. My dad said if I ever get rid of it, he wants it first. I guess I'm kind of overwhelmed with it. It is really cool.

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Gibson SJ150 Modern Customer Review

By a customer from yahoo.com

Overall

Sound

Quality

Value

The Wow Factor

Music Style: rock

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Sound: possibly the best sounding guitar i have ever owned. this is my baby and the tone is amazing. my son who is just learning how to play picks this up and sounds like a pro Quality: one of the best put together guitars. i usually laugh at gibsons thinking they are over priced but this is a gem Value: this is a good deal The Wow Factor: my wife thinks its a sexy guitar Overall: i plan on using this guitar for the rest of my life

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"Gibson SJ-150: The ultimate jumbo acoustic barely under $2K !" submitted January 19, 2008

By a customer from aol.com

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Sound

Features

Ease of Use

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: performer, songwriter, 1 record, guitarist and play regularly on stage.

Music Style: Crossover country, vintage rock and roll and country, mostly my own songs (blues, romantic, country, southern blues/rock)

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VERIFIED BUYER

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

Sound: I have a Taylor jumbo, a Guild GAD jumbo, and one fine luthier jumbo dread from Brian Galloup ('Norther Light') that is a professional caliber instrument by any measure. The Taylor is second rate by comparison and the Galloup an Gibson are on a par. The Galloups are about $5k with an 18 month wait. Mine is a 1999 and in great shape and probably the best sounding acoustic I ever played (maybe 400 guitars over the years). The Gibson SJ150 is right there with ist. Excellent sustain, volume, definition, intonation, and that 'shimmer' in the trebles. A strong mid range ('punchy') and a really good bass (Gibsons tend to be dull in the bass). A lovely sound and wasted on strumming: this is a fingerstyle guitar! I'm no fan of Gibsons and have owned a 1960's J45 and a recent smaller body model that was nice at $1700. At $2K, the SJ150 is worth it, definitely. A '10' is so beautiful it makes you get teary. This guitar is approachng that level and it is brand new. In a year it will be a '10' for sound. Feature: The SJ150 is the SJ200 with lesser appointments, but the plain pickguard with stripe surround is nice. The tuners could be replaced later with Gotohs. The finishing and workmanship on this guitar is first rate. Excellent maple with an open grain pattern and the top is a very good one cosmetically. No fault in the workmanship and the setup is fine. Nice case; I wish they'd abandon the bright blue interior and go to a dark violet or something luxurious for the top line guitars. Ease of Use: I'm a picky player and want the action almost perfect: 3/32" and 1/16" at fret 12 on the bass and treble E's, respectively and just a hint of relief (I play with nails from classical study). This guitar only needs a light touch on the nut slots to pass the '3rd fret test'. But right now it is almost perfect with regular lights. Mediums may add just enough relief and boost the tone quality into a '10'. No one would complain about this guitar's action and it plays the entire neck great! Quality: Gibson quality is not impressive in most of their line to me. At their prices, they should have no flaws and be set up dead on. They are Gibson, after all! But this particular guitar appears to be very well made and only the tuners are lacking in quality. I can live with that. and replace them in a year or whenever they become sloppy. Value: For a Gibson upper line guitar, it's worth the under-$2K price. The sound and the build, cosmetics and action meet that level of quality to my ear and hands. Most of the Gibsons and Martins and Taylors just don't sound all that great (maybe 15% sound fine). But this individual guitar is a very excellent example of what a Gibson can and should be. They are hard to find even in a medium sized town like Richmond, VA. Manufacturer Support: This I cannot answer, so will rate it '8' arbitrarily. The Wow Factor: It's a handsome guitar, clean, crisp, and cosmetically appealing in every way. No one would say this is a mediocre looking guitar. I'd like to see it with ebony fretboard and bridge, but that's a dream wish. As is, it looks fine and the back is lovely. Overall: I seldom rate any guitar a '10', but OVER-ALL, for just under $2K, this is a '10'. It's not chep to buy but it's not 2500-3300 like a Bourgeois or expensive Taylor. I have never found a Taylor on a rack that equals this SJ150 Gibson for sound. I have played one or 2 vintage Martins in this league. But Gibson has the jumbo 'thing' under control!

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Gibson SJ150 Modern Classic Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Deluxe Case)

User Ratings

"An excellent looking, and sounding guitar..." submitted November 23, 2003

"I'm very happy with this instrument . . . and so is my wife!" submitted August 8, 2007

"This is a true player's guitar." submitted January 3, 2007

"Super Guitar." submitted June 14, 2006

"Can't believe it." submitted June 15, 2006

Gibson SJ150 Modern Customer Review

"Gibson SJ-150: The ultimate jumbo acoustic barely under $2K !" submitted January 19, 2008