GIBSON G-200

We like big bouts and we cannot lie

Is there anything more satisfying when it comes to an acoustic than ringing out huge chords on a jumbo? The G-200 argues not, and it does so convincingly. That 25.5” scale length effect is heightened when it’s attached to this big beast, with maximum percussion from our thin gauge plectrum allowing us to hammer out heavy chords and fill the room with the beautiful sparkling top end, and a lot of bass. As such, we’d describe the G-200’s sound as the most ‘hi-fi’, basically creating a scooped/smiley face curve that’s extremely friendly on the ears without fatigue.

The whole thing is magnified by the Player Port that we’ve avoided mentioning until now. While it certainly does the trick with the other models - perhaps least-so on the G-00 - delivering additional clarity to our lugs, of the three review guitars it really comes to life on the G-200. Oddly, perhaps owing to the 200’s massive forward projection and resonance, it creates an almost chorusing effect at times, presumably with the more direct Player Port sound hitting our ears before the waves from the soundhole follow. It’s one of those ‘hear it for yourself’ things, and we did find it to change depending on the room we played it in.

Annoyingly, the G-200 is our favourite model, while also being the most expensive. It’s not the most versatile of the four either, and while it’ll carry you through massive acoustic-based singalongs, we could see the huge 100Hz bump and sheer dynamic range needing to be tamed with some EQ and compression if you want to play it plugged-in in a full band context. But if like us you’re into the sound and power of a jumbo, this won’t disappoint.