Jumbo Acoustic Guitar Showdown | Gibson J-200 vs Guild F-55 vs Taylor 618

LOOKING FOR A JUMBO ACOUSTIC GUITAR?

If you find yourself wanting an acoustic guitar that has a bigger sound than a dreadnought, with plenty of volume to fill a room, then a Jumbo may be just what you need. With a bigger body than a tradition dreadnought, Jumbo Acoustics are notorious for producing a ton of sound with defined tonal characteristics.

With that in mind, we thought it would be fun to compare three of our most popular Jumbo Acoustics which all have Spruce tops and Maple back and sides, to help you decide which one is right for you. Let's take a look at the Gibson SJ-200, Guild F-55 and Taylor 618. 

GIBSON SJ-200 JUMBO ACOUSTIC GUITAR

The legacy of Gibson’s “King of the Flat-tops” lives on in the 2019 SJ-200 Standard. From its inaugural appearance in 1937, Gibson’s SJ-200 set an unmatched standard. The 2019 SJ-200 continues a legacy of the world’s most famous acoustic guitar, and certainly one of the most popular. Equipped with an L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system, the SJ-200 is ready for stage or studio.

GUILD F-55 JUMBO ACOUSTIC GUITAR

The ultimate Guild Jumbo, the F-55 Maple, features a tight grained solid Sitka spruce top with arched flamed maple back and maple sides. Created on the same arch press that’s been a part of Guild manufacturing since 1985, the F-55 Maple provides sharply focused trebles and an articulate mid-range, perfect for a full, centralized, harp-like sound. Performers have long revered maple for its ability to sing over a crowded room and resist the feedback problems of boomier, bassier tonewoods, and the F-55 Maple does not disappoint.

Elegant cosmetic appointments include classic Guild “V-block” inlays, gold Gotoh hardware, and a beautiful Nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Exceptional build quality and premium specifications make it a worthy heir to the historic Guild jumbo legacy.

TAYLOR 618 JUMBO ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Taylor’s Grand Orchestra is the guitar equivalent of a grand piano, boasting a big, complex voice with a wonderfully dynamic response. Our maple/spruce edition features a back bracing profile that’s optimized for maple and a torrefied top, which produces an aged tonal character with greater acoustic resonance. Protein glues and an ultra-thin gloss finish minimize dampening. A new, hand-rubbed “Brown Sugar” stain on the back and sides gives maple’s striking figure a beautiful violin-hued appearance without adding extra thickness to the finish. Featured appointments include grained ivoroid Wings fretboard inlays, an inlaid ebony backstrap, ebony binding with ivoroid purfling, an ebony/ivoroid rosette, and a striped ebony pickguard, along with Taylor’s Expression System® 2 acoustic electronics. The guitar comes with a deluxe hardshell case.

WHICH JUMBO IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

There is no doubt that all three of the Acoustic Jumbo guitars are fantastic instruments. But a few differences may help you decide which is best for you. First off, while all the guitars have a huge tone, each one has a slightly different range it highlights. The Gibson SJ-200 tends to accentuate the Bass, while the Guild F-55 has distinct mids, and the Taylor 618 brings out the treble. 

In addition to the tonal variations, the aesthetics may play a role in your decision. Each of these guitars has a unique look and there may be one that just jumps out at you. 

The Taylor 618 also has a slightly smaller body, so if you are looking for a Jumbo that isn't quite as "jumbo" the Taylor may be calling your name. 

The Bottom line is that all of the guitars are guitars are pro level instruments that will sound great for years to come. Listed to the demo in the video, come on down to Music Villa, and find a Jumbo that you will treasure for a lifetime!

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