cockroach wrote:I presume also that you've got about 13-56 strings on the J-200? I think the very heavy gauges are needed to get the top moving and really get all that air moving and pumping out from the very large body...
These days, most acoustic players seem to have settled on the gauge 12-52 (or 12-54) for flat-top guitars, but back in 1960, it would have been hard to find strings as light as that in London. Most sets would have been more like 13-56. Today, I prefer 13-56 on the J50 (24.75" scale), but use 12-54 on the J200 because of the increased tension on the longer scale.
Incidentally, I've just bought a Martin D12X1AE 12 string jumbo (my only classic-shape dreadnought guitar):
http://www.guitarvillage.co.uk/productdetail.aspx?pid=10325
Because of the longer scale-length (25.4"), coupled with the potential strain of twelve strings, I'm using a set of 11-52 Rotosound Jumbo Kings with the second set custom-gauged accordingly: 11 / 15 / 008 / 12 / 16 / 28w.
Very cheap here at £609, but the price is brought about by the use of novel materials, including a multi-ply neck and laminate sides and back. The solid spruce top, though, makes this instrument sound magnificent. The fitted Fishman system has both tone and volume controls and is not at all physically obtrusive despite its very transparent sound over a PA.
I've already used the Martin at a couple of local jams for Walk Right In (what else?), but look out, local Shadows clubs... My Grandfather's Clock is on its way!
JN