Not Again !

Kevin PeatKevin Peat Posts: 3,232Member
edited February 2017 in Guitar Chat
Not again. NOT AGAIN !

I've just finished a week of nights and found myself wandering bleary eyed into Manson, as you do. I had a go on several Yamaha acoustics. They are very competent and sure footed guitars but how can I put this delicately ?

BORING ! (They make darn good classicals though)

Then I tried out several different versions of the Gibson J45 to confirm to myself what a good buy I'd got with the Sigma J45. I was satisfied with the result but the True Vintage J45 is a league above, as it ought to be at three and a half K.

Then I spied something in the corner... a Sigma version of the Gibson J200.

It plays and sounds nothing like a Gibson J200.

It plays and sounds ... just like a Gibson J45 True Vintage - at £475 with pickup ! This is a stunning guitar if - IF you can get over the moustache bridge and the huge size of the lower bout.

(I assure you. I do not work for Sigma.)

Comments

  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,207Member
    There's always another guitar! Whether you work for them or not (and you really should :D ) you've persuaded me that if I ever wanted a new acoustic, Sigma would be a brand I'd have to look at - I do wonder what their version of a Martin D45 would be like, if they do one.

    That Sigma J200-style must be a great thing, from what you say. Nothing wrong with the moustache bridge, and the perfect look for a bit of country if you ever fancy that kind of thing. Go on, treat yourself, you know you want to...
  • Kevin PeatKevin Peat Posts: 3,232Member
    edited February 2017
    I'd get killed if I got another guitar, Megi. I had a go on one of their Sigma OOOs this morning and it was a sweet little thing. I was underwhelmed by the real Martin OOO15m I played in Project Music on the way there.

    I don't think they've got worse, just that cheaper alternatives are now a lot better.

    BTW - You may recall that I'd traded my Vintage V300, Epiphone DR 100 and Amalio Burguet M3.

    The DR 100 had gone. And I'm not at all surprised. I was sorry to let that one go. If truth be known, if that were the only guitar they made in the world we should be very happy with it.
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,207Member
    I've still got my Burguet M3, but it has sat unplayed in it's Hiscox case far too much. I used to stagger my way through the odd bit of Bach and a few other classical things, and enjoyed doing that - I really must get that guitar out again, think I'll have a look this evening in fact. Hope it's still OK and the top hasn't warped or anything!

    Hard to let a good guitar go I know, but sometimes it's for the best in the end. Someone was wise enough to recognize a fine guitar in that DR100, and you now have a new lease of life with the Sigma, so all is well.

    The Sigma DR-45 would appear to be my Martin D-45 killer - £745, so I shouldn't really entertain such an idea! Judging by the Youtube demos, it does have that classic sound I'd be after, and abalone inlay including hexagon fingerboard markers all present and correct. I guess I'd also have to look at some others though - Faith for one, and perhaps I'd be better with something with a cutaway and good built in pickup system. But don't start me on acoustic guitar GAS - really can't afford it just at the mo!



  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,207Member
    Faith Jupiter looks a nice one... aaagh, acoustic GAS strikes, but I have to resist. :)
  • Mark PMark P Posts: 2,314Member
    Kevin - 'The cheaper alternatives are now better'. Dead right!

    Huge size lower bout can work - I'm sure it makes for a lot of the character in the sound of my Vintage GG.

    Graham - ... to use the oft said phrase ... "resistance is useless"! :smiley:
  • Kevin PeatKevin Peat Posts: 3,232Member
    edited February 2017
    "Hard to let a good guitar go I know, but sometimes it's for the best in the end. Someone was wise enough to recognize a fine guitar in that DR100, and you now have a new lease of life with the Sigma, so all is well."

    You sound like someone consoling a person who called the vet out with his pistol.

    Best to let an old friend go a day too early than a day too late, I say. :( *sobs*
  • Kevin PeatKevin Peat Posts: 3,232Member
    edited February 2017
    As regards the Martin 00015M not being as good as I recall it. Well I've been playing a lovely 00016 for several years so I think the memory of it is diminished. I restrung the '16 today and adjusted the saddle with a sliver of ebony and it's luurvly.
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    The Sigma 000s are lovely to play. I wish I'd kept mine.
  • Derek_RDerek_R Posts: 1,721Member
    I've been hankering after a parlour guitar. I really liked the Vintage Paul Brett one I played a while back. The Sigma parlour version of Kevin's latest Sigma does look lovely. Then last week I played a Faith (Mercury?) and it was gorgeous. I doubt I'll buy one - would need to sell an existing guitar first and I can't see me doing that - but it's nice to dream.
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    Derek, I had a Faith High Gloss parlour for a while and it was stunning. If I'd kept it long enough to really open up I doubt I'd ever have let it go.

    I'm planning on grabbing one of the Harley Benton all hog parlours - 45mm nut and open headstock for £150!
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