{Originally posted in the NGD thread, "How Many NGD's Did We Have in 2022?"}
#23
Got bit by the Catfish Blues
My local (and favorite) Guitar Center (Boston, behind Fenway Park) built a Taylor Room a short time ago. I very recently went there to generally check it out, and specifically in the hope of finding some Grand Theatres that I could play. Hadn't played one yet. They only had a used urban ash model that I played for over an hour. Sounded much better that I expected, but I was hoping to play an 811 spruce over rosewood model or maybe an exotic cedar top.
Anyway I was pleased with the one I played. It was strung with light gauge strings (I have an analog caliper to check string gauges). Nut was definitely not 1+3/4" wide. But it was very playable, even if I tended to pull the treble E a bit. (I usually string my six string guitars with a .013 treble using the Elixir HD gauge.) I was mentally comparing it to my 412e-R spruce over rosewood Grand Concert. The lower bout is the same 15" width, but the GT is shorter in length and scale than my short scale GC. Overall my GC is a superior guitar in the smaller size group. Again, I was unable to compare to an 811 GT; maybe another time.
Conclusion was that it was a nice instrument, but in no way did it out-perform my GC. No sale. I would re-visit the model for a different version, but the cost of the 811 is a bit too much for this retired, but not too retiring, soul. So I doubt I would ever be able to justify getting one.
Now, about the 'catfish' comment. Since I retired I no longer have the wherewithall to be buying expensive instruments, and have been mostly looking at budget offerings. Hence the bottom-feeding catfish reference. But the funny part is that I enjoy shopping these instruments.
So after chatting with the salesperson, I was about to head out when I spotted another guitar in a side office. A 'brand' new Epiphone Inspired-by-Gibson sunburst J-200 12 String model. I just had to play it, so I inquired about it and got to play it. Tuned it to D# (I also had a chromatic tuner with me; part of my guitar shop 'go-bag') so my ears and fingers would feel at home, and put it through its paces. Really liked it. So much so that I now own it. Thing is that I can't find any information about it on-line. Don't care. (Doesn't appear to be the 'Studio' model version.) Plays easy and sounds great even though a 'budget' guitar. And it's a Jumbo, my favorite guitar size and shape.
Considering I got an Epiphone IBG Gibson sunburst J-200 6 string a while back, I was more than willing to take a chance on this 12 string one. Haven't had it a week yet, but liking it more and more everytime I pick it up.
Be well and play well,
Don
