The 185 looks and sounds like maple while the 200 sounds more like rosewood. Would be good to hear how these two guitars respond to fingerpicking play. The smaller 185 is supposed to be more responsive than the 200 for fingerpicking. However once you go with sj200, it’s not easy to go to something else.
Hard to say if there is a ‘better’ of the two, although they are unique to one another. By the slimmest of margins, I’d go with the 200. But having both is the best option. Great demo!
Both are great sounding guitars but the J-200 is definitely the winner here. The sound is really powerful with a sweeter, more rounded tone also. Nice highs along with plenty of openness too. The 185 doesn't sound terrible but it's a harder, colder tone, with less depth. I bought a new J-200 ten years ago and I'm glad I did. I still love it. Beautiful guitar!
Both sound good. On some things the 185 sounded more appropriate, some the 200 did. 185 has more meat to the tone in the midrange, the 200 sounds like someone turned down the mids on every string/note. That seems to make the 200 more suited for vocal backing. 185 definitely sounded better suited for Wildwood flower; the 200 for Black Crowes. Both sound good though. If you have to only keep one though, I see.plenty on the wall behind you that could fill the shoes of a 185 easier than a 200.
I like the 185 better, they both sound great, the 200 is a little bit brighter. I think the 185 has a little more mid range in it. It’s just a little more pleasant to my ear.
Hey brother man, I have to agree with your final thoughts. The 185 sits in more of that “all round” section of playing. As you say, both are great. I had the J-200 Parlor a year or so back. They only made 50 of them and I’m still kicking myself for selling it. I tell you that in hopes that you keep both 😂. Great picking and strumming, brother man 👍🏻
@@acousticmusicnthings awesome!!!! I’m looking at 10 okay guitars in front of me, considering selling them and getting an SJ-200 too. Lol 😂. Just to have it. Mine was an exclusive for a local music shop (wildwood guitars). They called it “vintage new”. So it has a dulled nitro paint job, slim taper neck but older looking appointments. The label says Gibson Custom Shop- Vintage. It’s a 2018. It’s pretty nearly the exact same thing as the new 1952 vintage J-185 and the Murphy Lab models that appear aged.
The 200 is more resonant. It's bigger and pushes more air. That said, the 185 has plenty of bass and may be more projective. I suspect the 200 is more satisfying to play because of the bass. But, if you were recording primarily, I would think the 185 would be a better choice. I''m your size and would probably chose the 185 depending on the neck.
I'm curious about the neck profile between the two. If I've read the specs correctly, the J-185 has a "V" shaped neck while the 200 has what is described as a rounded neck profile with the nut width being identical (1.72"). Thanks for the comparison video!
There is almost no difference at all with the neck shape. That must be some weird typo all around because I avoided this historic J-185 because I thought it was a large V profile. It feels just like the SJ-200, some slim tapers, and just like the Original line of the J-185.
@@mikewilkins2030 it is the standard. Sometimes they put that extra truss rod cover in the case when you order a new one. Otherwise it’s an add-on that you can get.
J185 for me, it has a cheerier disposition to it, the J200 sounds a little woofy, for lack of a better word. I am biased however, as I also own a J185 Historic 52.
I have a 1982 gibson 185 , and it's got perfect highs and lows , idea for studio work , just to mention I've got 9 other various well known made guitars , total worth 45k ,
Well, I find the sound of the sj200 soft as silk. In your place, it is he who joins the other marvels on the wall. hello from France and congratulations for the videos !
Great video, the Pete Townsend lick was not expected and perfectly executed. No choice here, both are great in their own way. That is why we all have GAS.
I didn’t have them at the same time, but I think the historic sounds better overall, but if I were to use one to play shows, it would be the original. The vintage through saddle makes it very hard to use a UST pickup. I prefer the Baggs Anthem dual source for live playing.
The 185 looks and sounds like maple while the 200 sounds more like rosewood. Would be good to hear how these two guitars respond to fingerpicking play. The smaller 185 is supposed to be more responsive than the 200 for fingerpicking. However once you go with sj200, it’s not easy to go to something else.
Hard to say if there is a ‘better’ of the two, although they are unique to one another. By the slimmest of margins, I’d go with the 200. But having both is the best option. Great demo!
The 185 sounds more focused- very nice...
Sj 200 in this vid all day! Tone so warm and nice!
Both are great sounding guitars but the J-200 is definitely the winner here. The sound is really powerful with a sweeter, more rounded tone also. Nice highs along with plenty of openness too. The 185 doesn't sound terrible but it's a harder, colder tone, with less depth. I bought a new J-200 ten years ago and I'm glad I did. I still love it. Beautiful guitar!
Both sound good. On some things the 185 sounded more appropriate, some the 200 did.
185 has more meat to the tone in the midrange, the 200 sounds like someone turned down the mids on every string/note. That seems to make the 200 more suited for vocal backing.
185 definitely sounded better suited for Wildwood flower; the 200 for Black Crowes. Both sound good though.
If you have to only keep one though, I see.plenty on the wall behind you that could fill the shoes of a 185 easier than a 200.
Both sound amazing. My choice is the 185. In the riff at 4:04, the 185 shines
I like the 185 better, they both sound great, the 200 is a little bit brighter. I think the 185 has a little more mid range in it. It’s just a little more pleasant to my ear.
I've always wanted a J185, but your SJ sounded way better than I thought it would sound.
Hey brother man, I have to agree with your final thoughts. The 185 sits in more of that “all round” section of playing. As you say, both are great. I had the J-200 Parlor a year or so back. They only made 50 of them and I’m still kicking myself for selling it. I tell you that in hopes that you keep both 😂. Great picking and strumming, brother man 👍🏻
Damn those Historics are great
hey could you do a VS between the J185 and a J45?
I’m sorry man, I don’t have a J-185 any longer. If I get one back, I will do that for sure.
@@acousticmusicnthings no worries man. love the videos and the passion!
I went back and forth on these two for years. Ended up with a custom shop vintage J185.
Funny you say that. I have a different 200 now and a custom shop rosewood j185 on the way. What’s your custom 185?
@@acousticmusicnthings awesome!!!! I’m looking at 10 okay guitars in front of me, considering selling them and getting an SJ-200 too. Lol 😂. Just to have it.
Mine was an exclusive for a local music shop (wildwood guitars). They called it “vintage new”. So it has a dulled nitro paint job, slim taper neck but older looking appointments. The label says Gibson Custom Shop- Vintage. It’s a 2018. It’s pretty nearly the exact same thing as the new 1952 vintage J-185 and the Murphy Lab models that appear aged.
The 200 is more resonant. It's bigger and pushes more air. That said, the 185 has plenty of bass and may be more projective. I suspect the 200 is more satisfying to play because of the bass. But, if you were recording primarily, I would think the 185 would be a better choice. I''m your size and would probably chose the 185 depending on the neck.
I'm curious about the neck profile between the two. If I've read the specs correctly, the J-185 has a "V" shaped neck while the 200 has what is described as a rounded neck profile with the nut width being identical (1.72").
Thanks for the comparison video!
There is almost no difference at all with the neck shape. That must be some weird typo all around because I avoided this historic J-185 because I thought it was a large V profile. It feels just like the SJ-200, some slim tapers, and just like the Original line of the J-185.
I have a question, what model of sj200 is that? Why does your say standard on the headstock? I’m looking for new ones and they don’t have it written
@@mikewilkins2030 it is the standard. Sometimes they put that extra truss rod cover in the case when you order a new one. Otherwise it’s an add-on that you can get.
@@acousticmusicnthings thanks
Is the projection of the J-185 from the Maple?
185 all the way. The shorter scale would be nice for longer gigs and the midrange is also nicer
Nice Demo Mate
J185 for me, it has a cheerier disposition to it, the J200 sounds a little woofy, for lack of a better word. I am biased however, as I also own a J185 Historic 52.
I have a 1982 gibson 185 , and it's got perfect highs and lows , idea for studio work , just to mention I've got 9 other various well known made guitars , total worth 45k ,
Well, I find the sound of the sj200 soft as silk. In your place, it is he who joins the other marvels on the wall.
hello from France and congratulations for the videos !
Thank you! Yes, the sj200 is what ended up staying.
They both sound fantastic a hard choice for sure I couldn't pick. 👍
Both great! what's the colour of your J200?
It is the Wine red model
@@acousticmusicnthings Lovely colour!
If you play mostly alone,go the 185,if playing in a band,the 200.
Distinctly different; but both sound great.
Great video, the Pete Townsend lick was not expected and perfectly executed. No choice here, both are great in their own way. That is why we all have GAS.
I noticed you had both J185 Original and J185 Historic 1952. Which do you prefer? How do they sound different?
Cheers!
I didn’t have them at the same time, but I think the historic sounds better overall, but if I were to use one to play shows, it would be the original. The vintage through saddle makes it very hard to use a UST pickup. I prefer the Baggs Anthem dual source for live playing.
J-185 sounds better to me.
Looks like it's to a J-200 is what slope shoulders dread is to a square shoulder one.
Keep Both.
You should keep the J185 and give me the S J. 200.
J185 all the way
One way or the other, you gonna wind up with both down the road😊❤. I would 😂
This J185 , except for strumming