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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Epiphone IBG J200 vs others at price point

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JJ72JJ72 Frets: 41
edited December 2022 in Acoustics
I've been seriously looking at the IBG J200 but it seems to be getting very mixed reviews.
I've seen some comparison videos against the Gibson version and seems to disappoint against the big brother but wondering how it stands in it's own right and has anybody compared with guitars at a similar price point?

I've been looking at Yamaha Fgs and in particular the FG3 ( I know they're not jumbos so not exactly an equal comparison) and these are also in the the running for me.

I don't know why but although the IBG Hummingbirds seem to get the better reviews in the IBG line,  that particular model doesn't really interest me.

I want a guitar to gig with as a solo singer/ guitarist playing covers and I'm predominantly a strummer. I will install a K&k mini in whatever I get
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Comments

  • chrisj1602chrisj1602 Frets: 3543
    I’ve not played the J200 but I’ve got the J45 and it’s a really great quality guitar. I’m tempted by the J200 myself as I’m really liking the J45.
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  • DavidRDavidR Frets: 595
    edited December 2022
    As you've said the FG3 is an out-and-out dreadnought. I have an FG5 and its very good.

    Ferreting about over the last few years since I bought it, I suspect the FG5 starts life in China and, in the early stages of fabrication, is on the same line as the FG3. Then at some point it's plucked off the FG3 line, shipped to Japan and finished off at Hamamatsu and marketed from there as the FG5. Meanwhile the FG3 stays in China and is finished off by the Chinese. The difference in price reflects the greater total production costs of the FG5 and a better overall finishing off and setup. But the FG3 and the FG5 look identical.

    As you probably know, the modern 'Red Label' Yamahas (F, G or S, X or not, 3 or 5) seek to replicate some of the features of the well regarded earlier FG's with Red Labels which carry some premium on the second hand market. FG's from the 1960's and 70's which are 'Nippon Gakki' (implying Japanese manufacture) basically. The modern Red Labels have a good rep. My FG5 would be my every time go to guitar were it not for the fact that, at 67, I now also like to play something a bit smaller. Better on the old posture, especially the old shoulder! I can sit and play for longer in comfort with an OM or OO.

    The FG3 is an excellent instrument. I played one when I bought my FG5 from Yamaha London in 2019. A new one will need a setup but then so did the FG5 initially. They're both nice light dynamic instruments with a good mid range which is where some cheaper dreadnoughts can disappoint. The trebles on both were lovely. Not sure I went for the FG5 tbh. Marketing probably!
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