Gibson vs Guild

[gatsby]

Hello everybody, I've been looking at the Gibson j-185 historic, I've played a few, and I'm seriously thinking of going for it. but before I do so would like to know which Guild I should compare before coming to the final decision. thanks


http://images.guitarsale.com/products/f ... 229816.jpg

 

[coastie99]

Hello Gatsby.

Looks like a maple-body guitar, so I should think that you'd want to compare it with a Guild F-50. Note that there is also a Guild F-50R........ rosewood body.

Lots of F-50 owners here, some of whom I'm certain will have made the comparison.

 

[West R Lee]

Just played one....a new J185 that is, no comparison to an F50R in my humble opinion.

West

 

[dreadnut]

What is the difference in price between the Gibson and an F-50?

 

[fungusyoung]

What is the difference in price between the Gibson and an F-50?

Basically no difference. Here's some specs. to do a comparison:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...-Guitar-With-DTar-Pickup-And-Case-?sku=512067
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-J185-Historic-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=517100&src=3SOSWXXA

IMO, they're both very very nice guitars, though I've never compared them at the same time.

 

[sitka_spruce]

What is the difference in price between the Gibson and an F-50?

Basically no difference. Here's some specs. to do a comparison:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...-Guitar-With-DTar-Pickup-And-Case-?sku=512067
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-J185-Historic-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=517100&src=3SOSWXXA

IMO, they're both very very nice guitars, though I've never compared them at the same time.

The diff is about 1" of the lower bout. The J-180 series is 16", the F50 I believe is 17".

With the exception of the depth of body the J-185 closest Guild counterpart is the maple bodied F40 series: The Modern classic compares to the F47M (except for the species of the top), the True Vintage compares to the Willy Porter (with the exception of the neck-joint).

Between the Gibby SJ-200 (that Guild excelled with the F50) and the J-185 that's 80% of the air volume. Don't know how the F50 to the F40 so I better not say but I rather recently went from the J-100 to the Willy Porter so I can compare the 17" Gibby to the 16" Guild for you should that be of any help.

 

[Frosty]

The J-185 sports the short scale so common on Gibson guitars. The Guilds mention here, F-50 and F-47, are long scale guitars. Another component that contributes to the player's experience and the sound of the guitar.

 

[dayuhan]

What is the difference in price between the Gibson and an F-50?

Based on a quick Internet scan, the Gibson is pushing up toward $2800, F50s are being advertised for under $2000. Better deals can probably be had on both... but I'd be inclined to take the F50 and pocket the difference. I haven't played one, but if they are up to the F50R they'd be a fine instrument and excellent value.

 

[LarryL]

Both the F-50 and the J200 were and are played by great musicians. Dave Van Ronk and Utah Phillips both played F-50's. Rev. Gary Davis played a J200 as does Danny Kalb. As with all great instruments, the differences are personal. I can't think of any well known picker offhand who plays a J185.

All four of the guys I mentioned are or were pretty special.

 

[sitka_spruce]

The J-185 sports the short scale so common on Gibson guitars. The Guilds mention here, F-50 and F-47, are long scale guitars. Another component that contributes to the player's experience and the sound of the guitar.

Yes, you're right about this. The Dwight Yokum 180 size w. moustasch bridge I believe is the only 180 with the longer scale.

This makes me curious whether the Guild Valencias always been long-scale. I know for a fact the F30 originally was short-scale then turned long-scale.

 

[sitka_spruce]

Both the F-50 and the J200 were and are played by great musicians. Dave Van Ronk and Utah Phillips both played F-50's. Rev. Gary Davis played a J200 as does Danny Kalb. As with all great instruments, the differences are personal. I can't think of any well known picker offhand who plays a J185.

All four of the guys I mentioned are or were pretty special.

Just as an adendum but if I never said it the F-50/ JF-65 I believe in most of its incarnations had a mahogany neck whereas the J-200 invariably was maple.

The 180 designation I'm using here goes for any 16" Gibson Jumbo with-a-waist, which includes the 185. The difference between the two is that where the 180 (the Everly Brothers model often in black finish and w. star inlays) has a maple neck, the 185 has a mahogany one.

 

[Frosty]

I can't think of any well known picker offhand who plays a J185.

Just quickly off the top of my head: Roy Bookbinder and Woody Mann each recorded with a J-185 for a while. There were not many made the first time around, which may account for something.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Nothing personal against Gibson and their products, but their tuning machines.....let's just say they are not my cup of tea!

 

[fungusyoung]

What is the difference in price between the Gibson and an F-50?

Basically no difference. Here's some specs. to do a comparison:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...-Guitar-With-DTar-Pickup-And-Case-?sku=512067
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-J185-Historic-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=517100&src=3SOSWXXA

IMO, they're both very very nice guitars, though I've never compared them at the same time.

The diff is about 1" of the lower bout. The J-180 series is 16", the F50 I believe is 17".

FYI: Just to clarify, I was not suggesting the specs. were the same... but the prices for these guitars new, and as linked above, are $20 different.

 

[6L6]

I've never played any Gibson acoustic that could hold it's own against a Guild acoustic.

While I LOVE my Gibson ES-335DT electric, for acoustic guitars you WANT one built by Guild.

6

'06 D-40BJ
'06 D-55
'06 F-412
'74 D-40
'98 Martin D-45V
'98 Collings D-1
'03 Taylor 214