The Guitar Diaries Part 12: Epiphone J-200 (November 2011 – Present)

For a very long time I’d wanted to get an Epiphone J-200. A genuine Gibson would be too expensive, but my previous experience with Epiphones had been very positive, so I didn’t really have a problem getting the cheaper version. Also, I didn’t have serious designs on being an acoustic guitarist.

Late 2011 I’d decided to do some proper recordings of the songs I demoed back in the 2005-06 period, which needed an acoustic guitar. Having got rid of the awful Manhattan the previous year, I took the plunge on the Epiphone. Although electro versions are available, I find piezo pickups to be a bit plasticky in sound, so I got the regular version and miked it up instead.

I’m pleased with the guitar I guess, it does all I ask. However, it doesn’t feel as good as the Korean J-200s did around 2003. I do get a nice sound of it when I record it and I’ll be keeping it unless I suddenly decide to get something more expensive to replace it. I don’t write songs on acoustic and I don’t really play it much for pleasure, so it just does what I want it to.

2022 Update: This guitar was DESTROYED in 2015!