Epiphone EJ-200 CE

Part 1 of some quick notes from what I'll probably look back on as the Great Gear Change of '13.

I already posted about my mandolin upgrade. I still couldn't be happier with how that's gone. I now have a legitimate instrument, not a starter mando. I'm playing it every day, and I love it. More about that very soon.

I've had the urge for some different guitars, so I followed the same pattern of selling a piece of gear on Craigslist, then using that cash to buy something else. I'm sure I've written here how happy I was with my gear - and that was 100% true. I simply got the desire to change things up, and I was able to do that for a very small cash outlay.

I've wanted an acoustic/electric guitar for a while - an acoustic that you can plug into an amp or PA system. I've been playing much more acoustic guitar than electric, so I thought one of the electrics could make way for an A/E. As much as I loved my Casino (and I really really did), it's the only one that would bring in enough money to get the A/E I wanted. And it worked out perfectly - CL found me a buyer who handed me a fistful of cash.

He was no sooner out of my driveway than I was online at Musician's Friend ordering an Epiphone EJ-200 CE. It arrived a few days later, and has exceeded every expectation. Unplugged, it sounds every bit as good as my Seagull, and the built-in pickups and electronics sounds fantastic.

I was curious to play a jumbo-sized acoustic (and that's what it's called, it's not my terminology). It's supposed to have a bigger sound - and I guess I can't say for sure whether it does or not. With various people's work schedules, someone is almost always sleeping, no matter what time of day - so I'm usually trying to play somewhat quietly. But the jumbo does have a very different feel on my lap, and I'm not sure it could be played standing up (I guess it could, but it would take some getting used to.)

Part 2 of the Great Gear Change of '13 coming soon.