h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I started playing guitar in the 60's and quickly learned that some guitars are "user hostile", meaning they are hard to play - just holding a string down to the fretboard is a challenge. After a few cheapies, I ended up with a Gibson LG1, a flat top acoustic guitar, and could actually enjoy playing it. Still do, in fact, its hanging here on the wall.

The same quality led me to buy a friend's Fender Mustang, a small two pickup solid body electric. Even easier to play, its hanging next to the LG1.

You've got two fine guitars there. I've got a Gibson J160E bought by my dad in 1967. It was my 'inheritance' and I persuaded him to give it to me before he kicked the bucket. He's still very much alive and well and making noises about getting it back. Not a chance in hell, I told him.

Thanks, I do like both my guitars, altho I can't take credit for picking them - somebody else guided me in both cases. I googled the J160E, found a lot of sites including this one:

http://www.thebackwards.com/english/jumbo.php

MP3 sound sample included. BTW, it looks like the going price is around $2500.

My LG1 is definitely not a "Jumbo", in fact one guitar store owner who worked on it told me it was a "nice, little guitar", but he said he liked the sound. For my typical "venue" (my living room), I think its more than adequate. The Mustang is little, too, but of course it has KNOBS (which my LG1 does not, unlike the J160E).

Maybe you could let your dad borrow the Jumbo? Or maybe not a good idea ... just let him play it at YOUR place only, while you're there. Between him and the door. Or:




P.S. A true story ... a friend of mine who is an excellent singer/guitar player, always plays Martins (as do many other guitar playing friends). We went to see Willis Alan Ramsay and on the way I was bragging about how Ramsay always played Gibsons (which I thought I heard him say at an earlier concert). So Ramsay comes walking on stage ... with a Martin. Traitor.

Thanks for the link I've also got a Lowden acoustic. They're quite wide-necked and play beautifully; a big sound, warm tones. They're hand-made in Northern Ireland. I was very lucky and picked one up second-hand from a someone looking to make a quick sale (so he could get the funds together quickly to buy another more expensive Lowden).

I liked the story - traitor indeed. One day when I've got the cash though, I'd be tempted to get a Martin. Neil Young has always played a Martin and if it's good enough for Neil Young it'll be good enough for me.