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!

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.

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

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

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

? Not applicable--yet!

Dang, it looks good!

active musician

acoustic blues

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Hobbyist

country, rock

The sound is a nice and full. The mids are incredible with excellent separation between notes. The bass is nice and full and the highs are bell like. I have the maple so it has a glassier sound the than the rosewood model counter part. For a small bodied jumbo this is loud! Very Nice.

Itcam with some paperwork, A nice blue fur lined hardshell deluxe case with 5 locking clasps. It also came with a pickguard, as an option if you want to put it on. I made a few adjustments and added bone saddle, nut, greven pickguard and open back butterbean tuners. The electronis are simple and clean. Easy to use.

Very easy to get the sound you want from this box.

Superb set up and and fit and finsh . Not a blemis to be found. I'v owned Martin and Taylor this things is one step above them. I do gig with this. Very dependable. I love it...Simple

You can not get a comparable Martin or Taylorw with this sound for the same price....

I have never delt with Gibson for issues. Neve rhad to..Good gitars should last..It will I am sure.

semi-professional

blues, jazz, rock and folk

I already possess 15 acoustic guitars, a.o. Martin 0001C, Guild F20, Taylor 314 CE Koa and recently I archieved a Gibson CJ-165 in the rosewood version and it proved the best off all. The sound is a ideal mixture between clear and warm and the sensativity / dynamic is superb.

I always had some reservation against guitars with a rosewood-body because off the overwhelming 'booming' basses, but on this guitar the low-mid-upper ranges are perfectly in balance.

The compact-jumbo model is great, more comfortable to play then the famous jumbo J200, without losing much volume.

My only critic is the "ES-175" shape off the position markers, I'd rather had them a bit smaller.

No opinion.

Hobbyist

Blues, jazz, folk