Gibson Advanced Jumbo Acoustic

This is my first Gibson, and this review will be somewhat slanted by my lifelong lust for Gibson flat-tops; that being said.....What a head-turner: old-style narrow headstock with MOP script, chrome Gotoh open-gear tuners, tiger stripe pickguard, long, narrow bridge, arrowpoint fret markers, and stunning Indian rosewood back and sides. It came in a first-rate luggage style hard case with blue plush lining and a big ol' gold "Gibson" medallion on it. I tote the guitar in a pretty anonymous SKB hard case, though, just to stay under the radar. No strap button at the heel, but I will add one pretty soon. The finish is nitro, I believe, and not laid on so thick that it fills in the grain structure of the wood. The neck is just what I need, size wise; your mileage may vary, but most folks love it, and few think it's either too chunky or not chunky enough. I added some bronze bridge pins when I changed out the first set of "store" strings, but even with those rusty, corroded things and the nickel-a-dozen plastic pins, the tone was just Biblical. I may replace the nut some time, as it seems to be plastic. The Sunburst finish, sloped shoulders, and a product of the Bozeman factory. I'm not sure exactly when it was made, but if I'm reading the serial number correctly, it's a 2007. The AJ no longer appears on Gibson's website, so think I got this one just in the nick of time. I like basic-looking guitars, and this one is just flashy enough to make me re-think that. This box has everything I like and nothing I don't need.

I play bluegrass, C&W, folk, Irish, and this one holds the high ground wherever I pull it out of the case. I like a deep bass and a lot of projection, and the AJ has a ton of both, but I can play it softly or hammer on it and all it does it get louder- nothing is lost tonally. I can flat pick it or fingerpick it and still get bright highs, a strong mid and a driving low end. I love Martins, but any 'grasser who buys a Martin D-28 or D-35 without trying an AJ or a J-45 is missing out on a bet. I can hit the bluegrass jams now without fear of being run over roughshod by the banjos. The sustain is excellent and promises to only get better. I live in an arid location so I keep a humidifier in the case with it.

No issues at all with fit and finish. I'm one of those who believes that for Gibson, there ARE the good old days. Like I wrote above, the nitro finish lets the grain be seen; it doesn't look like a plastic sheet with a wood paneling paint job. The sunburst is balanced nicely, even around the edges and not too dark. No glaring breaks or start/stops in the binding. I seem to pick up a number of new guitars that have shavings still rattling around inside; none of that here. The action might be a bit high, but I'm not an accomplished player for that to be much of a hindrance. Actually, I dig in pretty hard and if the action was much lower it might buzz.

All the AJ has done so far is practice at home and fight it out onstage and in the jams. I protect it like a mama wolf guards her cubs, but this is one solid piece of work and I see no reason why it shouldn't outlast me. I carry a spare guitar, and most places I play someone will loan me a "crutch" if I need one, but there has been no need so far. This IS a brand-new guitar, so time will tell. For as solid and loud as they are, every AJ I've fondled seems exceptionally lightweight. My godfather's J-45 has been all over the world with him since he bought it new in 1949, and he finally sent it back to Gibson in '89 for new frets, to get the seams re-glued and the bridge re-set....yep, the darn thing just started fallin' apart after four decades of pickup trucks, troop ships, aircraft holds, campfires and honky-tonks.

I've contacted Gibson about other issues and they have always been responsive, but I hope to never have to call them about my AJ. I'm gonna rate this section a "No Opinion" because they seem to do their job well, but I have never had a real issue to drop in their laps. If I have to pull the trigger on the Guarantee I don't think it's going to be due to faulty workmanship or materials. No 10 until and unless they earn it, though I'm sure they would.

I have played for 30 years, ever since I found out that girls like pickers. I'm not Doc Watson by any means, but I know a good guitar when I hear one. There are better dreadnoughts out there, but for that kind of money I can put a down payment on more house than I need. For what an AJ costs, I'll gladly settle for more guitar than I need. I have lusted over AJs and J-45s forever, and My Lady knew this when she bought it for me. She picked the best example to be had at any of the Guitar Centers in the Phoenix area, and they listed them at around $1900. If it were lost I would replace it in a heartbeat. If I caught the jerk who stole it, I would make a strap from his hide, a bridge from his bridgework, and send the rest of him home to Momma in a Mason jar, then replace the guitar in a heartbeat if he'd already disposed of it.

Round-shoulder dreadnaught. Solid Indian rosewood back and sides (lloks hand selected - very nice), solid Sitka spruce top. Came with a molded plastic nut (shame on you Gibson) and a bone saddle. Action was pretty high. I had an Ivory saddle and bone nut installed and now it it right on par with a custom shop model without the fancy woods.

Holy cow this is an incredible sounder. It is rich, full, bright, warm, every good sound you can come up with and tons of volume. It sounds like a $4k guitar that I have less than half of that in it. I play Americana alt-country, country rock, acoustic rock and fingerstyle blues. It will go from Jimmy Page on Led Zepplin 1 to Jorma Kaukonen with a side trip through Nashville. The only dislike I have about this guitar is that I didn't discover it years ago.

No real flaws per se other than the bozos in Bozeman put a molded plastic nut on this super fine ax. The action was too high from the factory and I thought it was a little too bright so I had an ivory saddle put in when I had the bone nut installed. What a difference that made. Now it it superb in all respects, Gibson is not known for good setups from the factory so once you get that dialed in, they are generally great guitars. The wood selection is excellent and the fit and finish on the rest of the guitar is also excellent. I am docking them 2 whole points because of that plastic nut, There is no excuse for that.

I'm sure with the right TLC this guitar will be around a long time. I would not hesitate to gig with this and not have a backup. The Gotoh tuners are Waverly style and seem just as good. My luthier tells me they are actually less likely to break than Waverlys.

I have had good luck with Gibson in the past but none of the work I had done on this ax was really warranty but instead personal preference. I had it done by Woodsongs in Boulder, a certified Gibson repair place. They are a fantastic repair shop. They have resurrected guitars of mine that I thought were for sure dead.

Been playing 40 years and have had a lot of guitars. This and my 1970 Martin D-28 are tied for the best acoustics. This one is a little brighter and louder but the Martin is just a really fine instrument. I like the Martin neck better because it is a tad deeper. This neck is sort of a wide thin to medium neck and I prefer a wide fat neck. I have played older AJ's with wider necks but this one is on the thinner side.

If it were stolen, I would get another. My favorite feature is the incredible sound and the fact that it is loud which makes it fun for jamming with friends and taking solos.

2002 Gibson Advanced Jumbo; nitro-cellulose finish, slope-shouldered dreadnaught. Gotoh tuners; medium neck, mother of pearl inlays, vintage
Gibson logo, forward X-bracing, sunburst finish, spruce top, rosewood back/sides. Rosewood neck(even looks like Brazilian, but not). From the Bozeman, MT. factory. White binding on neck and body
One interesting feature is that the bridge is slightly thicker on the bass side as opposed to the treble side, which is supposed to help the tone. No electronics.

Love the sound and the longer neck(it's supposed to add to the tone). Sounds much better than a J-45 or J-160E(they have a shorter neck by a little bit). The forward X-bracing is key to the awesome tone. Very loud guitar--it is a cannon! Sparkling highs, defined but resonant bass, not muddy or 'thuddy'. Great fingerpicking instrument that rivals the best Taylor or Martin. You feel like you are playing a piece of history, as this model is patterned after the limited run of 300 in the 1930's that are now worth over $30,000+.

Guitar well setup--unusual for Gibsons; sunburst finish---Gibson does it best, Martin does it the worst! Just had the nut slots filed a bit and it plays great--no buzzing even when strumming hard. The nitro-finish on the neck is a bit of a hassle; I have to rub down the neck after playing as my hand oil or whatever produces a stickyness on the back of the neck. Small sacrifice for such a wonderful sounding instrument. The nitro finish seems fragile and very susceptible to dings; that's still OK. Beautifully bookmatched top. Wish the tuning pegs were Waverlys like the original models; these are Gotohs. A visually beautiful guitar!

Live playing? Absolutely! I would always have a backup if a string broke; guitar is built solid and with care--this one Gibson did it right. The guitar is very lightweight for the large sound it produces.
Strap buttons solid.

Not yet; the only question Gibson did not answer was if the Nitro finish would be marred on a guitar stand with surgical tubing(I have heard that it can). I will not put it on that kind of stand. Other questions have been answered promptly.

Been playing 25+ years; have many Taylors, Martins; other Gibsons, Breedloves, Yamahas.
I would get another if lost or stolen; always wanted a beautiful sunburst guitar, and this is it! My favorite feature is the loud distinctive tone for such a lightweight guitar coupled with the immaculate sunburst finish. Just the nitro-stickyness on the neck during playing is a distraction. Bought this at cost, so the deal was a great one(someone had it on layaway for 9 months and never paid on it or claimed it; the dealer wanted it out.)

I think acoustics need to be rated slightly different here, so here it goes. This is a 2006 Advanced Jumbo, made in Bozeman, Montana. Compared to other Gibsons, it has a different set of features going with a 25.5 scale length, round-shouldered dreadnought bodystyle, Waverly-style tuners, old fashioned script MOP logo and art deco inlays unique to the model, rosewood back and sides with a Sitka top and "pre-war" style light bracing. The neck is a good compromise between a modernish "electric" style with still enough material and shape to grab on to. No electronic on-board nothin'...this model is made in the tradition of the originals from the late 1930s.

Compared to other Gibsons (and other dreads in general), this model stands out in looks and tone. It's constructed very differently from a lot of Gibsons as well, to its benefit. So for that it gets a 10.

The main characteristics of this guitar are it's strong volume and tonal clarity. The overall tone is very woody and balanced, with crisp, "sustain-y" lows, bright ringing mids and assertive, straightforward trebles. Digging in only gives you more volume...it doesn't compress or get buzzy or crunchy in anyway....and it has a lot of volume to go around. Single note lines pop with nice authority, and the clarity behind them (combined with the feel of the neck) invites you to play punchy doublestops and runs all over the neck. Tonally, it's a very vintage, organic flavor great for just about everything. It doesn't really have the modern high-end shimmer of a Taylor or the round, warm lows of a Martin but it absolutely holds it's own with both and has it's own signature tone.

This guitar is extremely well-built, as it should be. The fretwork and inlaywork is stunning. The sunburst and finish are expertly applied and the woods used are clearly high quality. There are a few minor examples of orange peel here and there, but the thing looks so good I really don't care. The neck, which I believe is partially hand-shaped and partially CNC shaped, is sumptious and glassy. Everything feels extremely solid.

Acoustics are obviously tempermental and sensitive to environmental changes, but I think overall this guitar was built for the longhaul. Many of the originals, while rare, are still out there and going strong.

Haven't needed it yet, but Gibson is supposed to be pretty good in general.

I think my above ratings pretty much speak for themselves. In terms of the price, it's really hard to find a better deal. This guitar really performs on a different level, and it's actually one of the most affordable Gibsons out there. It's got a lot of personality, both in the way it sounds and the way it looks.

This Advanced Jumbo has sunburst finish.rosewood back and sides and open gear tuners... I don't have to troll pawn shops or e-bay to get a classic guitar sound/look NOW! I might go for some fancy inlays on the fret board ie Lefty Frizzel or Merle's guitars..what can I say? I'm aredneck at heart.

I bought my AJ in Austin. Was looking to replace a D-16 Martin (rosewood) that was stole. Had my eye on a D-28. The Aj had the warm tone and VOLUME I need. I went back to the shop for over a month playing it...Wow! The guitar is very loud,but the mids do not get muddled up as the volume increases. I finger pick and this guitar is the cat's meow!

Action was fine, with my D-16, I had to have the action set down,right outta the box. No set up needed here...yet. There were no globs of glue inside and the fit and finish overall is/was great!

Only time wil tell once I start to gig seriously if she'll hold up. Out door playing and the road eat up acoustics for breakfast,with the humidity changes and all. I believe she'll do good...

Ray Hennings Heart of Texas, Austin...need I say more?

I've been playing for over 15 years. If this guitar were lost/stolen I'd kill myself. My guitars are my babies,I worry about them when I'm not home!
I also play A Gibson 335 and a National Steel Type o.

Mine is a 2003 Luthier's Choice Advanced Jumbo, made with brazilian roswood for the fretboard, sides and back. the top is red spruce. Nice lacquer finish and a mis of white glue and hide glue holding it together.

Has a beautiful and flawless sunburst. the guitar is a real looker.

Loud... very, very loud. At first, it was a bit muffled and the tone was hard. But it has really opened up, with terrific resonance. The note separation is phenomenal. I've had a ton of guitars, but this is the loudest wood box I've ever played.

Perfect. I could do without the wide body binding, and the back struts are on the heavy side, compared to the originals, but it works...

Ought to be around longer than me...

Great people in Bozeman...

I bought and sold this guitar once... long and very stupid story. Got it back at a great price.

I'll never sell it, period. All AJs are stupid great, but the Brazilians are just nuts...

Tq

2005 Gibson standard AJ dreadnought made in Bozeman, MT. Purchased in Mar. 2006 for $1535 at a local shop. Solid spruce top (tight-grain) and E.I. rosewood back and sides (tight and very straight-grained). Mahogany neck, Rosewood bridge and fingerboard. The bridge is shaped (higher on low-E string tapering to lower on high-E) and the bone saddle is clearly customized to accomodate this. Tusq nut and nickel Gotoh tuners. Beautiful vintage sunburst finish with no flaws. Top and sides are cleanly bookmatched and look excellent. Mother-of-pearly inlays at headstock and up fingerboard. It's retro all the way and a clear eye-catcher. It came with a solid, locking TKL hardshell case, as well as detailed care instructions and a humidifier.

Living in the heart of bluegrass country, I was looking for something with powerful bass that did not diminish the mids and highs. No knock on Martins, but they are like bellybuttons around here and I was looking for something different. This is THE guitar for anyone looking for a clear ringing tone with tons of sustain and subtle overtones, in addition to deep driving bass and articulated mids/highs. The high's are clear and not too brash, even when driven hard. I play country/rock/fingerstyle primarily and it suits those styles well, in addition to being a killer Grasser/Carter-style tone. It will easily keep up with, if not overpower, Martin d-28's and d-35's. The sound is incredible, undoubtedly one of the finest acoustic tones I have heard in a new guitar. Takes some practice to play quietly, it is built for volume.

Factory set-up was low, but did not buzz under hard strumming or flatpicking. Factory finish was flawless and inlays are fitted well. Fret work is spot-on. The AJ takes some getting used to (former short-scale neck player), in that it is a longer-scale (25.5") and the bridge is that extra .75" back from what I was used to. It requires different hand and arm positions. However, that scale and the forward-shifted bracing are critical to driving the top of this one and providing that tone and volume.

Unsure of reliability, but initial view is that it is built like a tank and should last the test of time. The original issues are still around (if you can afford the $30,000+ pricetag)and this is an exact replica. I do not think they cut any corners on these and they are hand-built. The poly finish has been durable thus far, but requires some serious polishing to get off the skin-oils. I have played a show or two without a back-up. Stays in tune and is solid as a rock. Reports are that Gibson is now making them better than ever and I can believe it when looking at this guitar.

Unsure, have not had to use them yet. Hope I never have to.

I have played on-and-off for around 15 years, recently started playing in a little band doing rock/country/fiddle tunes. I am not the most skilled, but I know what makes a good acoustic work and what sounds right. I went to about a dozen shops before making my purchase and the only comparable guitar that I found was another AJ in a different store. Played one d-28 that was close, but not quite there soundwise. I only played good-great AJ's, they appear to be pretty consistent. I spent roughly eight months looking for this one and am highly-pleased with it. I don't think I will buy another dreadnought, this one has got everything I want. I would first cry and then start hunting another one, if mine was lost/stolen/broken. I cannot imagine what it is going to sound like when it opens up in a few years.......because it is spectacular now. No dislikes, it has been everything I searched for to this point. I firmly believe that this is one of the finest deals on a world-class level acoustic out there.

I have waited a full year to write this review to make sure my opinion would not change about this being the best acoustic guitar I have ever played or owned. This "Bonecrusher" just smokes everything else at this price point. The sound has opened and warmed up. I give it a 9 for features because it lacks the extra frills and adornments Gibson lavishes on it's other high-end products, like Waverly tuners, multi-ply bindings, gold hardware, etc. But the important stuff that makes the guitar play and sound fantastic is all here and in spades. The long scale at 25.5", the renowned 102 degree X bracing, mahogany neck, unique bridge shape, scalloped bracing and tone bars, 11/8" maple bridge plate, Indian rosewood back/sides and the spruce top all contribute to the stunning volume and quality of sound this guitar produces. Keep in mind too that the Indian rosewood on this guitar is old-growth quartersawn and the Brazilian used on the much more expensive custom offering is slab sawn. This makes the regular AJ closer to the original spec. The neck shape and width is not the slim taper stuff that can make some Gibson acoustics hard to play by squeezing your fingers together. My nut measures a full 1 3/4" in width and the comfortable neck is a thicker more oval shaped with a wider flattened profile. And there's no way you can find a straighter neck. Mine is a 2005 model labeled "historic collection" that I got brand new from Guitar Center for $1,575.

I had a 1957 D-28 Martin in the late sixties and I hated that thing because while it had great note separation between the strings and good volume, there was no warmth or chordal balance to the guitar. It's intonation was also seriously flawed and it was difficult to play. Think flat pick arpeggios only. The Gibson AJ, by comparison, still delivers the string separation but the strings and frequencies all work together to deliver an almost perfect range from high to low. You can hear the treble strings just fine, the midrange is not nasal or overpowering and the bass notes are to die for. If you're tired of acoustics that deliver bass only from the sixth string, check this guitar out. The chords sounded on this guitar have an almost magical quality the way they vibrate and sound out. Every note (and mistake) is clear to hear and you can strum, thumb pick, flatpick and do fingerstyle all with the best results. The sustain, tone and interplay of notes on this guitar is truly remarkable.

Gibson is building their best guitars ever IMHO and there is no 'slop' on this guitar. The set-up and action was perfect from the manufacturer. Slightly high on the bass side to allow for aggressive playing with no shorted notes. The binding on the neck serves to widen the frets by dovetailing with the frets themselves, you'll never find your pinky slipping over the edge when you hit the 1st string while doing chord changes or runs. The old growth rosewood was carefully chosen, it's tight grained with no swirls and the finish has no flaws at the typical places, next to the bridge and neck. Frets are medium wide jumbos, not the skinny variety like on some other models by Gibson. All of the details come together to make a product that will far exceed any vintage instrument you can find.

When you pick up the guitar you can feel that it is fairly light. This translates to the build and thence to the sustain and tone of the instrument. The Gibsons of 60's and 70's with their extra heavy tone killing bracing and tops were meant to stop the flow of warranty claims. It stopped the tone instead. These new Montana guitars harken back to the golden era when materials were cut as close to the bone as possible to produce tone and volume. At the price paid you can definitely take this one out with you but, if you retrofit with a pickup/transducer the tonal superiority might not come through. If you have a great mic set-up you will use it because after playing it awhile, you come to depend on it's sound. There's no other like it; it covers all the bases and has the most amazing tone. It's up to you whether you want to risk a boo-boo or two from live use.

No reason to contact them on this one but my favorite story is Gibson's replacement of my custom shop 1994 ES-335 that had a small top delamination with a brand new ES-345. Now that's service.

Started with a uke in 1958. Basically an electric player of blues for years I started playing acoustics again about 4 years ago. Have all Gibsons, a 1998 EC-30 BKE, 2003 LC-1 cascade, 1994 Centennial 1934 Jumbo, a 1993 L-20 and a host of electrics. This guitar is a bargain at $1,575 new and it would definitely be replaced if need be. I've compared this guitar with Collings, Taylors and Martins, there's no comparison except the 4 grand Collings.

The Advanced jumbo may be Gibsons flagship since Ive seen the high prices these fetch used. I love this model as a flatpickers delight. The action on mine,factory set up, was not as high as some of the maple jumbos and mahogony models Ive seen. A little lower then my Super 200 Custom and XT 100 jumbos. Solid wood and Gibson tone.

This sound is incredible!! Truly an acoustic delight with nice lows and great high end sparkle. All Gibsons seem to work well with percushion filled playing and emphasizes pick noise beautifully unlike other brands. Perfect 10 for tone in my opinion.

A little lower then some Gibsons but still high enough to enjoy hard playing.Easy access all the way up the fretboard and great intonation full scale.

Plenty of old Gibsons out there to tell you that these will last if not abused. Expect no difference with this one.

I like Gibsons. This is a fairly recent phenomena for me since i judge Gibson in the past on some horrible guitars at a nearby Guitar Center. I guess Gibsons fit my flatpicking and strumming mix with lotsa pick shuffle perfectly. Ive owned dozens of other brands and feel that only Collings is as good or better then Gibsons when it comes to flatpicking. Martin fans may disagree. Taylors really seem geared for fingerstyle. Same with Larrivee, Lowden and Goodall. The resale on these advanced jumbos are insane. I bought new because used one on ebay were going for only a few hundred less. Alot of risk with ebay buying so I will always buy new unless I can save alot. I compared three of these advanced jumbos and had a very hard time picking one that sounded any better then the next. Boy is that fun though!!Due to this experience I would say this model is very consistant.

This is my first flattop steel-string. I believe this is a 2002-3 Model. Bozeman, Montana. Anyway, looked long and hard, and p*ssed-off many a music store clerk to find what I wanted. I tried all makes, and decided on Gibson because of tone and feel. Then I scoured the boards to decide what to get. My first choice was a J-160E; cool guitar. I played a '52 that, though a little dull, had nice tone. Then I found the CF-100E and fell in love. I tried eBay, but got outbid by collectors every time. So, I decided to look for something new. That's when I found the AJ. I bought it sight unseen on eBay, mint with HSC. Everything is better than I expected. This finish is spectacular. It even smells good.

Does perfect go too far? It's warm (which suits my style), bright (which doesn't suck), and louder than everything else. Very balanced tone with Martin PB strings. Since I play electric, classical, and bass most of the time, it took me about three days to get used to playing is, but now... wow. Sick, sick, RICH TONE. Very expressive and delicate, and strong and brash. It's got all the tones. It's hard for me to believe I actually OWN this beauty. It sounds THAT GOOD.

After I got used to playing acoustic, it rocked. I love the neck. It reminds me of my electrics. Very easy to play, with no buzz. Like I said, the finish is perfect. I love the way the binding meets the frets. Nice touch. Inlays are perfect. Beautiful wood. The back and sides match perfectly. There's some silking in the top that shimmers nicely.

It's actually a little heavier and more solid feeling than I expected. The finish looks like it will age and craze like any Gibson. Cool. We'll see over the years if it holds up. I tend to beat my guitars pretty hard. The case looks like it'll take alot of abuse too. Solid.

I dunno. I emailed with some questions about the CF-100 and they got right back to me with exactly what I needed to know. We'll see; if there is a problem with this AJ.

I've been playing for about 24 years; live and studio. Right now I have a Yamaha classical (had it forever), and Epiphone SG with a JB and a 59, a '69 Gibson ES-335 (loaner), Old Peavy bass (strangly woody tone), an ESP Bass, PodXT Live, Matchless Chieftan, keys, studio, cables, a mess.... I compared this guitar to a friends Martin and Guild Jumbo. Also every Gibson and Martin acoustic on 48th street in Manhattan. My only wish...nicer bridge pins, a slightly softer shoulder on the nut... that's it. Otherwise, it's the PERFECT GUITAR.