Jumbo Acoustic Tonewood Battle - Maple vs Rosewood vs Mahogany

Today we compare four different jumbo acoustic guitars… and it ultimately comes down to a tone wood battle between maple, rosewood, and mahogany. Which guitar sounds best to your ears??
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[@CaptainOfMyBurden82]

Did anyone else have the video cut off without seeing the side by side comparison? Amazing sounding guitars! One of the best sounding jumbos I’ve played was walnut back and sides. It was an SJ-200 studio

[@jacqueslapidieux3182]

The episode Paul waits all year for!!

[@anthonyb2334]

The Jumbo rosewood sounds amazing. I’ve only played the maple Gibson and loved it. I WISH I could afford to own both Gibsons . Unfortunately, they are a bit too big for me unless I’m standing and playing, which is not my usual style. Thank you for your videos

[@bradgriffith4231]

I have Guild jumbos & I prefer the maple over the rosewood. 5 different wood combos in Guild dreadnaughts & maple is the favorite there too. All mahogany is pretty cool too.

[@gair1944]

This was a super cool comparison. I think I preferred the Maple SJ200 at first, then later, I preferred the Western SJ200 with Rosewood. LOL I recently played a 1957 SJ-200 Thin nitro lacquer, Thermal aged top model and it was incredible. (Maple) Then I played a Pre-war SJ200 with Rosewood and Red Spruce. Mind blown. Could not decide. Couldn't afford both ..and trying to justify funds for one to start with. Still not sure which one I preferred.

[@LegsON]

The rosewood!

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

I like the Taylor. It is full but balanced. It's a good even, neutral tone.

[@colakeith1]

I would suggest adding a Martin J-40 into the fray. That jumbo also has a great sound!

[@jacqueslapidieux3182]

My faves in order of preference: Guild (untouchable here - real classic sound I want one!) Taylor (modern but delicious - more mids than I was expecting) Gibson Maple (bit dry sounding) Gibson Rosewood (way too much high end)

[@CenterThePendulum]

Agree, Guilds tend to sound a bit more Hi-Fi and forward for this body type.

[@jonlieberman997]

One could fall in love with any of these guitars. I lean toward big bodied guitars. I have played them all except the Taylor. Guilds tend to be underloved and agree are hifiish in sound. Great for recording. I have a western classic rosewood, and when I play it with a delicate touch the high end shines. BUT when I play it hard there is nothing that beats the thumb of the low end and the high end drops back and adds shimmer to the dominant thump. Playing style is a huge variable with these big boys.

[@BillNelson-OU812]

I use the maple SJ-200 but that rosewood sounds amazing.

[@mickymillersson4376]

The rosewood looks beautiful, the maple sounds awesome

[@texhaines9957]

Great comparison Quinton and Paul. I liked the Western best. That said, I think I will like a Kevin Kopp Trail Boss better.

[@jonlieberman997]

A couple of weeks ago lowered my SJ200 2 half steps on all 6 strings. Totally amazing. It is about half way between standard guitar tuning and baritone tuning. With a Martin Parlor tuned up 3 half steps I can explore an incredible tonal pallet. So much for trying to downsize the herd!

[@BUY_YOUTUBE_VIEWS_m004]

Your authenticity shines through in every video. It's what sets you apart. Keep being real!

[@lhvent]

I love my Yamaha LL6M ARE. A nice jumbo with a Mohogany back and sides.

[@lebe220]

And I love my rosewood Takamine

[@miroswe]

I love my ibanez

[@CenterThePendulum]

My only gripe with the J200 is you have to play a LOT to find one with a special ring. Most of the time they disappoint, especially from the player’s angle.

[@jonlieberman997]

It is my understanding that the original 200s were rosewood and then transitioned to Maple. A person would be blessed to have any of these guitars and you have very successfully demonstrated how tonally different they are. I picked up the SJ200 Gibson Western Classic with rosewood and it is certainly a guitar with which I can easily bond. I have experimented with many different strings and discovered that my least favorite were the 12-54 that came on it- a bit crispy for my taste.. I also didn’t like the D’Addario medium flat tops- too dull. Generally, I discovered that medium strings worked better for me than light gauge. When I put a set of Stringjoy, Naturals, medium 13-56 I had the awe ha experience and they worked for me. I can strum the Western Classic all day long and am just taken with the tone. I personally find that if I am playing bluegrass or finger picking that my dreadnaught gets more attention. I have never played a guitar that has the tonal richness of my rosewood SJ200. Kudos to you guys for implying that we should look locally and if we can’t find what we are looking for to look to you. I couldn’t agree more but unfortunately, the cost of having the inventory for the occasional sale in most locations imposes limitations. You guys aren’t like some of the other big box music stores that are driven toward moving inventory. I am optimistic that your business model, ethics, and creativity will keep you healthy in our rapidly changing economy and markets.

[@uvp5000]

I am partial to maple back and sides. I find that there is a cleaner articulation over Rosewood. I am also partial to Rosewood. Mahogany? It depends on the instrument. The Taylor seemed to have a midrange "honk" over the other guitars (perhaps the supplied strings?). If I could choose, I'd pick the J-200 Rosewood.

[@bosse641]

So nice that sunburst Gibson would love to own one.

[@tonedwithtj6847]

I own that same 618e taylor and it's the best guitar I've ever owned tonally. The one in the video here though sounded very sub par compared to the others. Was surprised to me that it didn't translate well ( in my opinion) in this video. That Sunburst thing sounded amazing

[@maxwellfan55]

The 618e is a great jumbo. These demo's are VERY subjective. The guys to their utmost to reproduce the best qualities in each, but being there is still key.

[@richardm9550]

I’m really surprised to say this but I hands down love tone of the maple SJ 200 over the others. Seems to be slightly scooped (less middle) tones and that top end has a real presence that really made me stop and listen.

[@maxwellfan55]

My money's on the SJ200. Maple still the best tone wood for jumbos, at least on this comparison. Would like to hear Walnut, also Koa, out of interest? The Western sounds great, but just too boomy. The mahogany a tad brittle. Surprisingly. Best I tried is the Eastman (maple) jumbo, hidden gem not featured here.

[@steveniannuccilli3147]

The J200 Western Classic is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard

[@mikethomson4290]

I sold mine last year and regret it.but I did manage to score a J200 northern edition . Rosewood b/s Made exclusively for the Canadian market.

[@smandez2023]

There is a reason maple is used on jumbo guitars ❤

[@CenterThePendulum]

I’ve played maybe 15 j200s in my travels, which is a lot given the scarcity of the model. I’ve only come across one I almost bought, when you get them in your hands they tend to disappoint.

[@batman48195]

I think you need the jumbo size to get enough low end out of maple.

[@terrymattingly6843]

Guild, nowhere near the top. I'm not a Taylor guy, so I end up cheering for the J-220M. But I agree that there needed to be a Martin J in the mix. The Rosewood 40 is so underrated.

[@oobie3049]

I have always disliked mahogany on acoustic guitars. This just confirms it. The brightness of the maple Gibson is lovely and the rosewood Gibson just sounds amazingly full. Probably not ideal in a mix, but it sounds amazing by itself. I strongly disliked the Guild. I guess mahogany works well in a smaller guitar, but this one just sounds dreadful. The Taylor is okay, but far behind the Gibson. Still, they all have their purpose!

[@dalesearcy5734]

What happened to the ending that we always expect to have with the side by side playing? I see that you chose to NOT include the BEST Jumbo of them all, The Guild F50R! LOL

[@johnwashburn3793]

It was a very quick strum. Oops

[@WScott-gd2mj]

Western is off the chain...Surprised how well the Taylor held up. And based on others I've owned/played, I'm guessing its neck is the best of the bunch (at least for my hand).

[@GabrielGarcia-vx9ug]

Guild sounds like heaven

[@ryanbloom1738]

I actually liked the Taylor weird?

[@johnwashburn3793]

Yes indeed, very weird. 😂

[@edwinsulabo5081]

Gibson. First one and the last one.❤

[@randallstevenson1973]

Recording I would choose the maple. why, not having to cut the boominess. In a band, if you have a bass player, maple.

[@olarrist4273]

Damn that rosewood sounded good.

[@DCV321]

Everyone has their favorite sound woods. For me rosewood can't be beat. Years ago I bought a Taylor 5 series made with mahogany back and sides. Several years later played a rosewood version of the same guitar... night and day!

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

Maple

[@CoryJohnsonTJB]

The Rosewood has the most rich sound and sustain. Next on my list. I have two maples that sound completely different but both have the rich j200 sound. Now do I get the Western or the Pre War! Hmm…

[@shred5]

I really like the Guild F-40 a lot, it doesn't have a huge bass or like spike but it's very full and balanced. However you skipped the best jumbos of them all, the Guild F-55, F-55-R and the Alvarez-Yairi JYM80.

[@Jim_Cox]

Great video! Now do OMs. 😁

[@edhedin7856]

I'd be curious to hear about the playability of these guitars.

[@texhaines9957]

MUSIC VILLA can probably tell you more. The Taylor 816 has a regular Taylor neck: very playable.

[@texhaines9957]

To my ear, I liked the Rosewood backed Western. The overtones went well with my solo singing. The last time I played one, it had a "round" neck, easy to play. The SJ-200 with maple back is a great sound. Gibson has had several neck profiles over the years. I didn't like the one I picked up, more of a "D". I am picky about neck profile and scale in because my fretting hand has been wounded. I know my likes differ from folks who haven't had surgeries.

[@jjmuni]

The maple Gibson has the typical higher frequencies than the rosewood. The Guild certainly has the mellowest voice of them. The Taylor headstock makes it even impossible for me to listen to them.

[@jed1166]

Re: Taylor… Huh?

[@joepayne7843]

The maple sounds the best.

[@joesegretto6689]

Where does black walnut fit in between these woods thanks

[@OregonBreault]

They’re all beauties….

[@stephensmith799]

Rosewood SJ 200 walks it👍

[@khoahoanh930]

Jumbo taylor sounds not bad but It can not compare to gibson

[@martinkleinman2522]

doesn't eastman have a maple jumbo too? how's that one?

[@yelgerramirez]

Next Godin metropolis

[@user-lz1ri2dw9f]

扫弦还得是枫木

[@user-qd9nu2zl7s]

You always hurry to go somewhere every video.

[@Louis_Cypher]

Taylor is, as always, "castrated" at the ends of the spectrum. There is nothing in it except the middle. I will NEVER buy myself a Taylor.