Gibson J-200 vs Guild F-55 vs Taylor 618 - What's the Best Jumbo Guitar?

We're very excited about this Maple Jumbo Acoustic Battle between the popular Gibson J-200, Guild F-55, and the Taylor 618 (Grand Orchestra). The comparison might surprise you!!! Let us know in the comments which one you think sounds best, and why!?
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[@keithweyuker3136]

I think that the Guild has a fuller sound, almost dwarfing the Gibson. The Taylor had a nice high end shimmer. But the Guild certainly stands out as the richest sounding of the three.

[@stephensmith799]

That's how I hear it too. Taylor has amazing precision in sound but the Guild (and to be fair the Gibson) has more colour and character. Perhaps it is because I heard them as a kid but not the Taylor whose sound is much more modern and even clinical.

[@kfm908]

Ive got an 83 guild jumbo maple .I'd keep it last if i could only keep one and I have some high end guitars

[@geoffbradley1236]

Wow..The Guild

[@shred5]

Agreed. I own a F50 and have played several J-200s, they've VERY different sounding guitars. The sustain on the F-50 is short and extremely clear, the J-200 isn't as clear but has more but less defined sustain and more low mids and less highs.

[@samgray49]

My dad has a older Guild from 1988 and it plays like a dream (minus the fact that he can't tune the damn thing well) I can't personally play, but I have gone and done some strumming on it, and its got some good bass and a really fat rich tone.

[@matheusgomes3605]

Guild sounds better. Gibson looks amazing. Taylor has over treble.

[@AnAmericanComposer]

The Guild is a massive, booming guitar with a ton of low and mid. I feel like it's best suited as a solo instrument

[@tfrost33elkhunter]

Always been a Gibson guy, but dang, that Guild is the sound! So yeah, Guild for me here!

[@SGBass]

The Taylor is the most detailed, but due to the treble projection it can be too harsh for long sessions. The Gibson is balanced, but really lacks the solid low end that is expected from a jumbo. The Guild was mellow, but delivered the low end detail and precision that a top tier jumbo should. For this body size, the Guild is the winner to me.

[@johngallacher]

I own a 2013 guild F50 and a 2007 Gibson j200 custom elite. Both great guitars. I prefer the guild.

[@peezysmith5245]

Can you give me the gibson then If you dont want it

[@shred5]

Me too. I've played some J-200s that were really, really nice guitars but the F50 is my #1. It's also very unique sounding overall.

[@st3lnik]

Having played all three models myself I'd recommend the Guild.

[@alevazquez9869]

Why?

[@phlipbs]

That Guild fills my soul, especially with Quinton playing it! But the Taylor seems to be more articulate and versatile. All great guitars!

[@Digitaliziation]

That Guild though, damn

[@goldenincometrading6927]

GUILD all the way!

[@stephentyndall159]

Wow. The Guild.

[@DrCowinabox]

So I think the main thing we learned today is: if you want a gibson, buy a guild instead. This one took me by surprise. Great demo.

[@rollinover]

Gibson ---> Guild---> Taylor. Gibson sounds the most musical to me. Guild beautiful too, but a bit more boomy. The Taylor sounds the loudest, and the clarity is there, but sounds harsher than the other two.

[@BLKBETE11]

Wonderful comparison!! Thanks guys

[@jvejar]

The 200 did it for me 🔥🔥🔥 But the other two are nice

[@luffyhegalong7915]

Guild is the king of the jumbo. I have the F40 and fell in love with the first strum compared to j200 where it could not justify the cost vs sound.

[@mikeneff922]

The Gibson sounded more focused in the midrange, The Guild lots of deep bass and treble, and last the Taylor again good bass and treble with more midrange than the Guild. Very good video

[@andrewhumphrey1047]

I can say from experience with the J200, it needs a few years to reach its full potential and really open up.

[@BLKBETE11]

Surprised at the depth and warmth of the Guild. Such a perfect comparison of the 3. Thanks fellers!!

[@jtarman70]

WOW! I think you'd be lucky to own any of these. What sound out of all 3! I really don't think one sounded better than the other, they just sounded different, and personally I loved the way all 3 sounded! Those are some serious guitars right there! At first I thought I preferred the Guild and Taylor over the Gibson, but as I was scrolling through and reading comments I heard one and said, wow that must be the Guild, scrolled up to look and it was the Gibson J200. All 3 are wonderful Jumbo guitars!

[@KateLynnBeatty]

Each guitar has its own unique tone (all are similar) but in the detail they are unique. None is better than the other its just a preference. My preference is the J-200 which is influenced by the familiarity of the tone that i have heard in so many past recordings. Great job guys.

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

The way Gibsons play is what made me a fanboy. The bounce of the strings, and the feel of the guitar do it for me. That's a gorgeous guild.

[@richbutcher4466]

All great guitars but that Guild just has something extra!

[@ericcross7863]

Wow! The Guild did it for me.......but I'd have to break out the forearm stretcher to play it...lol great job guys!

[@vimmerman]

Guild guy here. Still in love with my F-50R .

[@richardbrehm8094]

In 1974 I went to a guitar store with the intention of buying a Martin. Ended up buying a Guild F50 for 750$ I liked the Guild and Gibson the most

[@hughnguyen1772]

The Guild’s arch back is probably the reason for its higher volume than the Gibson and Taylor. Each of these three sound differently than the others. Even the same make and model guitars of the same year sound differently from one another. No two guitars sound the same. These 3 guitars all sound heavenly beautiful. It is personal preference if you like one more than the others. You would be fortunate to own any of these guitars.

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Love the Guild but the Gibson J 200 is my preference by a long shot.

[@jimiguitar100]

If you close your eyes and listen from 5:56 on, you can`t escape noticing how beautifuly balanced Gibson is in that direct comparison. The healtier tone od the 3. And charming, like a gentleman if you will :)

[@bobaldo2339]

Nice comparison. It would help to know what gauge and type (non-coated or coated) strings are on each.

[@ferminharris3826]

I always wanted a J-200 but the Guild really blows it out of thee water. Such an underrated brand.

[@williamvanjura5695]

Very nice comparison at the end and exactly what I have been looking for someone to do in a review of quality 'Jumbos'. With good headphones on you can appreciate an APPROXIMATE comparison of three very good large guitars. Thanks. To my ears the Guild stands out in a strumming comparison. You didn't really fingerpick but I would predict that the Guild would shine in that area as well. It just rings out like a very clear bell.

[@clane4485]

This video is responsible for my purchase of a Guild D-240e. Obviously not in the same price range, but it shows that Guild is back from the dead. Plus, you can't go wrong when Ren Ferguson is on your team.

[@modern.day.meditations]

I don't know if I've been programmed by the music I've listened over the years but that Gibson it's in its own class. The other two are just decent guitars. The sound of the Gibson is iconic. Not the name, not the aspect, the SOUND.

[@bigdaddy8886]

The Guild sound fuller and crisper tones and it seems to carry out longer I love it

[@jacobrstout]

My ear has always been bent towards a Guild jumbo. I love my Guild jumbo and it gets great reactions when I play it in a band.

[@anthonymorales842]

they all sound fantastic

[@snuffyballparks6501]

I have a 1996 Guild JF-55 (now called a F-55) 6 string jumbo with a rare 1 3/4 nut width. Great guitar and very easy to play. Wonderful tone when finger picked or strummed. LOUD! Bigtime base but the trebles are bright and clear. I put in a K&K Pure Mini with a sound wheel & run it through a Zoom A3 pre-amp... excellent acoustic sound, just amplified. Stunning looking work of art. R.I. Westerly built Guilds are excellent guitars. No knock on either the Taylor or Gibson, they sound very good here.

[@remyr5749]

Sound in this comparison thru the KM184: Gibson>Taylor>Guild. Looks: Gibson>Guild>Taylor. I'm not sure why they chose the Taylor 618 over their 818 for this comparison. I went and played all 3 in person and I liked: Guild>Taylor>Gibson. The Gibson sounded plastic/least resonant and you could drive a truck under the 12th fret. The Taylors had the best action of the 3. One of the F-55's had great action but also had fret buzz. Since sound characteristics vary from guitar to guitar; even between the same make & model, you have to do your own test with whats available in your area. I was able to play 2-3 different guitars from each MFG. 2 x SJ-200's, 2 x 818's and 3 x F-55's. I ended up with a Guild F-55.

[@martinkleinman2522]

wow, these are great! I love the airiness of the J. The Guild sounds so nice and solid. And I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Taylor. Hard to choose. If price was no object, it would be the Gibson hands-down. But price is always an issue, for me. Which is why it would be cool to add the $2K Eastman maple jumbo in there, just to see how it stacks up against these big buck titans.

[@scottstambaugh8473]

I'm kinda surprised about all the votes for Guild in the comments. I saw those before watching, and figured I'd probably feel the same, but the Gibson seemed to sit nicely between the Guild and Taylor in tone and was my favorite.

[@dalehamon4295]

I walked into Guitar Center West Covina Ca 2014 with my credit card and my wife’s permission to get any guitar I wanted... I bought a Gibson J-15 walnut, I’m still blown away with my guitar

[@JonnyBoss83]

Gibson SJ200 10/10 (perfect) Guild F55 9/10 (tad boomy) Taylor 618e 9/10 (tad jingling) Just my opinion.

[@BUCKAROO6STRINGFEVER]

I have to go with the Guilds even though I own a jumbo Gibson, I have numerous Guilds and Guilds do it for me!

[@malachi9898]

I think the sound preference also depends on your voice for singing. Personally I think the j200 works best for any voice. The others have too much bass and treble.

[@MonsoonOzzy]

Agreed, the J200 sounded great.

[@steverok67]

All three sounded good, but it takes alot more than just a couple minutes of strumming to decide one versus another. It did seem the Gibson sounded best in the short moments when he flat-picked the short lead. Great sound and playing. Thanks !

[@TheGeniuschrist]

There is not enough jumbo guitar content on youtube. I can't go back to the little dread.

[@sonofprovence]

This is a great video, because too often, the comparisons are Martin vs. Taylor. For me, the Guild steals the best out of the Gibson and Taylor. It is the best compromise among all 3 guitars. And I'm sure its price kills that of the other two. Someone below reminded us that Roger Hodgson has played and continues to play a 12-string Guild. Roger picked the best. I am a high end Martin owner (standard D-45 and custom style 42 triple 0 with Adirondack and Madagascar), and have owned 3 high end Taylors in the past, but really think that U.S.A. made Guild guitars deserve more and in fact utmost appreciation. I'd love to own the highest end Guild dreadnought and think it will be my next purchase if I can save hard enough.

[@lucasleal1770]

Having a Gibson j200 has being my dream for so long, however the guild sounds better

[@DENIEL381]

A VERY ROUGH CALL...AGAIN THEY ALL SOUND GOOD.

[@AJAJ-iy4uv]

That SJ-200 sounds so wonderful......the best of all jumbos with that sweet tone

[@thorsteinheinz4719]

the Taylor is the loudest of them all the bass of Guild and Taylor is fantastic, but the signature sound of Gibson is also unforgetable 😊

[@fastjazz]

Taylor here is strident...no other word for it. Have lusted after (real) Guild F55 and JS-200 for decades. Gibson finally won out - in cherry red no less. Perfect tonal balance, but then maybe I just got lucky!

[@aljoyner4101]

Guilds tend to fill the room and long sustain. I have two models.

[@WalterBranky]

I like how the J-200 is the less "jumbo" of the three, more sparkling trebles and no overwhelming bass.

[@kennikuhlmann-clark9860]

But then I would get the Dove, a dreadnaught

[@STRUMMERBOY1975]

For me it's the Guild ..Hands Down.. Warmer more depth to it...

[@grizzle7935]

I stepped over a lot of Gibsons, Martins, and Taylors to get to my Guild J55.

[@Kayam_OShealoh]

I have the same exact case !

[@Fat_Masterson]

Larrivee makes a GREAT jumbo. One of the best to my ears. J-03, J-05, even a jumbo version of the L body the LJ (pretty rare find though).

[@jeffro7p202]

All sound amazing j 200 looks the best but that guild is my favorite for sure.

[@martinspreiter8240]

The J 200 is here a little bit behind. I can call a solid J 200 copy from Sigma my own, and I am verry happy with it. A maple/spruce Jumbo is awsome. I am sorry to find it so late. I have been playing my livetime Dreadnoughts, and now they are hanging on the Wall.

[@hangallcabal]

snap, i got the sigma also, lovely guitar for us Non jet setters:)

[@ikravchik]

I used to own the 618, but sold it because I bought a Koa Goodall jumbo that just outperformed it in every aspect. All the J-200 I've ever tried sounded dead.

[@majorwheelock974]

Thanks for doing this, I have a Guild JF55 rosewood from Westerly RI, I am thinking of getting a Gibson J200 in Maple. It sounds like the J200 has a nice mid punch. I was also looking at a hummingbird. I do not have a mahogony guitar. What would you do?

[@2011Noud]

Nice comparison! For me the Gibson J200 is the one to go for. But I already have one. The Taylor sounds a bit nasale to me. The Gibson has a kind of refinement in tone I particularly like which the Guild lacks a bit. I had a Guild F40 (also a maple body) and I recognize their sound immdiately. Fine guitars. Tons of volume and lows but that is not everything you want in a guitar. But in the end it remains personal and I don't have to sell either one of them!

[@domagojoinky8262]

If I had to choose between Dread and Jumbo, I will go with Jumbo. It looks like a more comfortable guitar and I am a heavy handed strummer. I love playing open chords all day long

[@DJWRailroad]

Another outstanding demo! Just don't remember that 618 having that kind of fullness, projection.

[@joycesampsonmusic9553]

For my ear the Gibson sounds the best hands down. Full bodied, balanced. Good warm low end. Good separation between strings. The Taylor sounds like a Taylor and the Guild is round and has a big bottom but not enough clarity and separation between the strings across the EQ spectrum.

[@sammyrothrock6981]

Guild has more mids and bottom punch which suites me better... Gibsons a close second... Taylor totally different modern over bright... Not enough bottom lacks punch.. Mids a bit thin..... Guild wins! 👍

[@jimmys3853]

Nice comparison, Gents. I'm a big fan of Guild and Taylor but I've never owned a Gibson acoustic. I suspect this is largely due to Gibson's ridiculous pricing and the fact one can rarely be found in a store (J-200). Every time I set out to get the Gibby I wind up with one of the others. Not a bad thing but I'm still searching.......

[@richclayton5785]

Agree! The Taylor is brighter, the Guild to my ears is the most balanced of the three.

[@seanriley9045]

This Gibson has a very clear sound with almost no low mid range. My j-200 has that quality too and it seems to record very will with strings accompanying it. But it’s not very dynamic and it’s not all that fun to play on its own. I’d assume after 10-15 years it might change a little though and have a bit more to it. The guild in this video sounds really cool.

[@CalJennings]

If someone was giving me a guitar, I wouldn't complain about receiving either of these but if I'm spending MY money, it's clearly the Guild.

[@jaydavis7258]

Guild is so full. The Taylor is surprisingly similar to the Guild but with more treble . The Gibson is not close as far as depth and fullness. I know the Martin J 40 is not maple but would be interesting to hear mixed in that group.

[@tcoudi]

well smaller stature is one issue. big beer belly is another sport entirely and i must tell you i love my OM .

[@PageMarker1]

Gibson takes, Guild 2nd, Taylor 3rd. BUT, unless you play each of them, buyer's choice as all 3 are excellent in their own way.

[@JR-lx8nn]

My Vote based on Sound: 1) Taylor, 2) Guild, and 4) Gibson ...(yep, I skipped 3) on purpose) - I like the fuller, more overall balanced sound of the Taylor, but the Guild is a very close competitor and I would just as well own it. The Guild wins my vote for best looking. The Gibson sounds boomy and boxy with heavy mid range and weak high end. If the Guild costs less, it surely wins the value war. Otherwise, sound wise, either Taylor or Guild - I would like either one. And that is my vote - even though I am Martin and Guild owner... JR

[@theo9952]

Μy 1996 Guild F-55 (Marked JF-55 at the time, which stands for ''Jumbo Folk'' as I have read), has Indian rosewood back and sides. Great sounding jumbo guitar, but I never had the chance to compare it side by side with a Gibson Jumbo.

[@uvp5000]

I've been fortunate enough to play very nice Gibson J-200s and more than a few dull, dead ones over the last 25 years. Taylors almost always sound the same as the next Taylor. That Guild - very nice - great tone, great dynamic range, nicely voiced, and rich sound. Of the three in the video, I find the Guild most compelling. The Gibson is no better than any other Gibson. The Taylor sounds like any other Taylor - nice and bright and playable. Preference? 1) Guild F-55 - easily the best overall guitar of the three. 2) Taylor 618e - typical Taylor sound, and they're very playable. 3) Gibson J-200 - I've played other J-200s that put this one to shame for pop, attack, dynamic range, tone, sustain, moving substantial air with a minimum of effort, and overall sound. When you find a special sounding Gibson, they're inspirational. This Gibson? This is not a good example of a nice-sounding Gibson J-200 - if you want a J-200 and are intent of purchasing one, find one that sounds better than this one. They exist and they are out there.

[@Kayam_OShealoh]

great points, tnx

[@rtgray7]

Good job guys. Wow I never seen 3 guitars that are so closely matched. Like'em all but to my ear in a very close contest:, Gibson, Guild.

[@todddammit4628]

Its shocking just how different all three of them sound from each other.

[@jimyioon877]

I love gibsun and guild. I dont like taylor. Because I like vintage sound. I play american country song that perfect for my style

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

A more fuller comparison of these guitars is needed instead of a couple strums! A small flat pick/Finger style/Finger pick’s -example would help to highlight each instrument. I picked up a 90s Guild JF30 Maple/jumbo for $600 while back. -It sounded decent-but being a Luthier for many years. Knowing that some guilds were often overbuilt-I took a look inside the Box. I ended up carving down the X braces and the three huge face braces a bit on the JF30. Huge difference. It’s not an easy task and I don’t recommend it unless your skilled.

[@majorwheelock974]

Love my jumbos, everyone should own at least one . .

[@steel6322]

The Guild had a big sound, but I liked the overall frequencies of the Gibson the most. It had a nice low end without the boominess, and the mids and highs were pleasing as well. The Taylor sounded nasally to me.

[@doubledimes4140]

I agree. The Guild is booming bottom end but not that great on the high end. Guilds always sounded muddy to me. Taylor's, I just don't care for any of them. The Gibson is well balanced and is my favorite here.

[@Derek-rv3ee]

The Guild and the Gibson are excellent, different sound but both good. I prefer the rosewood jumbo from Guild, but overall I actually consider Guild king of the jumbos, certainly king of the 12 string anyway.

[@UKHeadstrong]

Gibson J200 has the soul. The Taylor like all taylors Tinny, and guild kind of inbetween guitar, never stands up above others just good.

[@meanmistermustard1041]

I've owned an early 618 before, it was outstanding.

[@maxwellfan55]

Wow, thank you, I've been looking forward to this review. If I can begin by stating the mic may have been a little too close, you nearly blew it off the stand into the screen Quinton!!? These bad boys are loud. Well, that's open for comment, but you did a grand job of comparing, so much appreciated. I've played the Gibson and the Taylor, not the Guild but thoroughly agree with your descriptions of all three. Another which I hope you will demo and compare is a similar spec maple jumbo by Eastman which is also receiving rave reviews. For those guitarists into country, with big open chords these guitars are the one's to have, you'll probably not need to look further because they are such outstanding quality and just so beautiful in appearance. The Taylor in my opinion does offer more by way of note separation across all strings, thus making it more versatile, it also has a deep, rich bass articulation that is none other than jaw dropping. As well as country and folk styles, this thing's also a bluegrass monster on top. Yet the SJ 200 remains the heartbreaker whenever anything comes up for comparison, for decades it's been there, done that, still the ultimate must-have. But the completion is hot. Overall it's down to personal choice (and budget) because as the guys above have said, all offer something uniquely different. Have one or more of these in your collection and you'll never let em go.

[@alangunn9288]

Guild !

[@andrewmasto716]

Interesting comments. Just goes to show that tastes vary. For me, the J200 was best, then the Taylor, and the Guild lacking a bit of sparkle and definition. Not what I expected, because I really like Guild dreadnaughts.

[@billkilbourne6409]

I have had a Taylor 615, which is a true jumbo they no longer produce. It is a cannon! It cuts thru a band mix unlike any other guitar I have had, The interesting thing not mentioned, is that "maple" is feed-back resistant and in the jumbo size, that is critical!!

[@seamusbrowne4909]

I'll take ALL Three thanks.😊😋🤗

[@bulentertas]

What are the gauges of the strings? Are they all the same and also the brand of the strings? Thank you!

[@steviev2504]

I picked out the J-200 as my fav sound. And that mustache bridge... mmm

[@muhammadaliakbarsanjani9472]

F55 J200 Both is my dream

[@songwriterjj6022]

The Taylor sounds ice-picky next to the other two. Dang! It's like the F-55 and the J-200 are vinyl mixes and the 618 is a CD mix.

[@afmartin2734]

That's a Taylor. They're always too high and brittle sounding. I don't get it.

[@bobaldo2339]

Guild all the way!

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

The Gibson J-200, also widely called the "Whispering Giant" has its' name for a good reason. IMO it is the better recording guitar in this challenge. You can always grab your Martin for the loud stuff.

[@richardfroggatt2652]

Badge snobs eh? I wanted a Gibson acoustic for years even though I have friends who went to buy a Gibson and came back with a different make (usually Martin). Over the last two years, I've tried them all in a quest to find my 'forever acoustic'. I did a very similar comparison to these guys and I came away with...........................the Taylor 618e! This video confirms I made the best choice. Better depth, warmth, tone, clarity throughout the range, response...oh, and appearance. Notice how the player holds on to the Taylor just a bit longer than the other marques? He knows! If you're in the market, don't be a badge junky but whatever you decide, have great fun with your choice :o)

[@maxwellfan55]

Richard F That's a really good comment. These videos are fantastic but can only offer a mic driven recorded sound for our ears. The choice is totally subjective but what's not clear from this demo is the 618e sounding so dimensionally responsive. Yea, I have one too, love it, and as you cleverly put it, "he knows"(Quinton) too! I thought the same when watching first time. This is the guitar that always excites me when opening the box, every time, it just has something most guitars don't. Congrats on finding your forever acoustic, you made a great choice.Taylor put a lot of work into producing the 618, that flame brown sugar back and side so addictive.

[@shred5]

The Gibson and Guild are both very well balanced but the Gibson doesn't have the lows of the Guild. The J-200s are not good for individual notes and they really fade out up the neck. Owning an older F50, there are no weak notes on the guitar and it's solid for leads as well - although if you're just strumming chords it's hard to beat the J-200. The Taylor has great lows and a ton of highs, but is fairly scooped would probably be more inline with the tone of a rosewood or walnut J-200 and a F50R, even though it is maple guitar.

[@michaelmcinerney1290]

J200 followed by the guild and the taylor.The j200 had a great sound.

[@RCROSSH]

Roger Hodgson plays a 12 Jumbo Guild... And I've never heard a sound like that.

[@rickcar94]

I like the Guild the best, the Taylor sounds thin like all Taylors and the Gibson sounds okay, but not enough bass.

[@markstaggs1246]

I like the Taylor better then the other two I love the sound of this guitar

[@maxwellfan55]

@@markstaggs1246 The Taylor 618e is truly a remarkable guitar, and why I bought one myself. But as always, subject to anti-Taylor bias by many who probably haven't tried it. It's one that needs to be played to really appreciate it, the mic here does it no justice at all.

[@Jadar...]

Might as well like more.., any of those three, depending on what chord or other elements : I do have a favorite and that's the Gibson, but it may be quite subjective...It would take a much longer listening to make up my mind : I think the price would be an important factor if i had to choose one of the three...I'd pick up the Guild if it was $3000 vs a $5000 Gibson, and the electronics would likely turn me on to the Taylor if it was $3000 and bit....!? So any guitar would do me good...Anybody owning one of them should consider her/himself as very lucky....