Even if I could afford the Gibson, I would NEVER play out with it. Seriously, a $4k guitar with nitro lacquer at a bar gig? In the winter or humid summer? No way! Love the J-200, but bought the Sigma GJA, & I love it! The sound is negligible to the laymans ear & the appointments are spot on. You should have mentioned it has genuine mother of pearl inlays & bone nut & saddle as well. I paid $1k for mine, but that was with a hard shell case & shipping from Germany & for me it was totally worth it. Thanx for the comparison guys! Great job

Yes. Sigma is certainly inferior to Gibson in terms of the quality of materials and sound, but not by 5 times!!! When I save up for a Gibson Montana 2018 SJ-200, I'll buy a car instead of a guitar! And for 700 pounds I can only buy a scooter with a basket to ride the supermarket for beer. So Sigma GJA-SG200 is the guitar that will be enough for me for a happy life! Thanks guys for the super review!

Pete is onto another level. Frankly he should open coachella with an acoustic ballad. Said that, my brain would choose the sigma, but my heart goes for the Gibson. You really can put it as you like, but the sound you are looking for is the Gibson one.

This video really showcases how much a guitars tone is in the player. When I first heard the opening jam I wasn’t impressed at all with the Sigma. Pete must have a firmer pick attack because his playing opened up the guitar a lot more. And plugged in the Anthem sounds the best of anything on the market. I’d swap the Fishman right outta that Guitar if it were mine.

Im glad you do these Acoustic guitar videos.

Tellin you, i`d die a happy man if could play guitar anything like these two, brilliant playing guys!

If I had the extra cash I would obviously go for the Gibson, but the sigma sounds really good.

9:28 For a long time these old Gibson (coincidence) picks were my favorite, because of a similar shape. You couldn't buy them anymore, because, I learned later, of fire hazard (being made a celluloid, yes, they kept catching fire, you got a free fire extinguisher with a wholesale, that should have been a clou). They had a nice rigidity, especially the 'heavy' ones, of which I used the tiny jazz version. Gave some nice harmonics.

The sound of that Gibson 👌 love Danish Petes playing on the intro also 👏👏👏

Would love for you guys to do a review on affordable acoustic guitar amps and what the difference is between a elect guitar amp and an acoustic amp.

I think the SGJA would be a better comparison to the J200. All soild woods. We would love to see it.

Nice video guys! I think both guitars sounded great, but i would actually get the Sigma. I prefer the neck of the Sigma (44.5mm nut width) it's more similar to Martin. The Gibson SJ200 neck (43mm nut width) feels awkward to me. Of course that's just my personal preference. The L.R. Baggs on the Gibson sounds way better that the Sonitone, but unplugged both guitars sounded big and beautiful. Im pretty sure if you comapared a few different Gibson SJ-200's they would not sound exacly the same.

Micarta is a lamination of natural cloth fibers like cotton or linen. It's super tough and durable and won't react to heat at all. Micarta is used in a lot of industrial applications and as knife handles

My Sigma was about $1400 AUD and it comes in a fantastic gig bag for want of a better description because it's much much more than just a gig bag. It's heavily padded with neck support and heavy duty zipper a big side pocket containing a truss rod adjusting tool..It's big enough to fit my Gibson SG in its own case I have a Hummingbird with a tweed case but prefer the Sigma carry bag. My days of loading the van and playing out are over but for my purposes the gig bag is just fine.

the loop at the end sounded killer!! must learn the chords

The jam at the end is so amazing

Very nice review of both guitars side by side. A'm so happy to own a beautiful Sigma GJA-SG200. :-) The guitar is just amazing. Of course the SJ-200 is superior for so many reasons, but for me with the GJA-SG200 I have all I need from this kind of guitar and with the spare 3K I could also have so many other guitars and equipment's. 🙂

You guys should do a video of the 2 most expensive acoustics in the store, and compare them to their very cheap clones

The Gibson sounds sweeter, more polished.

Pete you used my 5 year old daughters current favourite word at 7.20 ish - “it’s ouchie” That’s a lot of cash. I got a J185 some time ago and preferred it to the J200

Thanks Pete and Joss for this essay. I suggest you do two more tests. 1) Sigma GJA-SG200 VS Epiphone EJ-200ce (prices are similar). 2) Gibson Montana 2018 SJ-200 VS Gibson SJ-200 STUDIO WALNUT BURST 2018 (prices are similar) or Gibson 2016 SJ-100 Walnut Super Jumbo Acoustic-Electric (which for me is superior to the SJ-200, and costs cheaper). Hello from Normandy.

Nice to see the old Sigma logo back ;-)

The Sigma (AMI) fingerboard is made of Micarta. This is the same material that is used to make laminate Formica countertops. In fact the name Formica means "Formally Micarta".

I'd love to see updated version with new SGJA (all solid wood).

Beyond the rolled fretboard on the Gibson, there is actually a nut width difference too. Sigma is 1.75 inch. Gibson is 1.72.

Micarta is a synthetic bond of paper/wood, similar to the Richlite that Martin makes. So it is similar to ebony, but a much cheaper alternative.

Micarta is a material made from soaking paper, canvas or fiberglass (though fiberglass actually makes G10) and soaking them in epoxy and compressing it until you have a thick block. It's a common material for knife handles.

I own both a Sigma (the CF100 copy...I can't remember the model number, but an LG sized guitar with a Venetian cutaway) and several Gibsons (SJ200, Dove, Maple AJ, Hummingbird 12 string), and can say with absolute conviction that, having played several beyond the one I own, Sigma are making fantastic working instruments and represent superb value within their price bracket. Don't expect them to be a Gibson, though... they are very close in character and tone (especially the Sigma Hummingbird, which I found totally indistinguishable from the Gibson HB Standard I used to own) but ultimately the Gibson represents the 5% improvement that you get right at the top end of the market when you spend 5x as much money. The real issue is that Gibson have priced themselves out of the reach of the working musician. I'm lucky to have bought my Gibsons either secondhand or some years ago when they were more affordable. I don't know many guys out there on the road 200 nights a year (Covid aside) who have £4k to drop on a new SJ200. What Sigma are excelling at (and Gibson are finally tapping into brilliantly with their new Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" range) is offering up instruments that are affordable for the working player, can be used professionally and look great. It's arguable that the Sigma copies are so visually uncanny that no audience member (outside the realm of guitar geeks!) would clock the difference between a Sigma SJ200 and a Gibson, either visually or sonically, from ten feet away. You could bung it in a Hiscox and check it in as hold luggage without too much trepidation...when I fly with my SJ200 it goes into a huge SKB peli case and I spend the whole flight worrying about it. That's £800 Vs £4000 for you. I bought my little Sigma CF100 copy for some playing rehabilitation, as I'm recovering from a lengthy illness that has affected my joints and grip strength, so as a short scale and small bodied guitar it's perfect for me to build myself back up with. Once I'm healthy and touring again, I'll put a Sunrise in it and it will be my flyaway guitar for overseas shows. So much fun and so useful, all for under £500.

Micarta is canva textiles with fiberglass resin

Hey guys nice video. I'm wondering if you can made a video for the Starshine J200 Vs. Sigma GJA-SG200. Thanks!

thank you! i´ve waited for this comparison from andertons since months but to me, the sigma gets too less cheering from you guys. actually i don´t know any acoustic guitar for only 699 pounds that sounds and looks as good as the sigma these days. the guitar definitely sounds and looks 2 times the price. in this case you should hype that guitar much more. it would had been deserved.

There's a sort of low frequency hum in the Sigma that really makes it feel more 'budget', than the extremely crisp Gibson sound. Having that said, it's by no means a bad guitar on it's own, with a PA or pedal that can EQ a small low-cut on the Sigma, it should easily excel just fine as a live/gigging guitar for the local guitar guy. P.S - Du er for sej Pete(r?), men for sawtan var din danske accent tydelig her ;)

great video both guitars sound good

I got the Epi SJ-200 and the Epi SJ-200 artist - Two amazing guitars. The artist is cheaper and, to me, slightly better tonally and plays sweeter. Could not justify this kind of money for an acoustic!

i have the sigma gja200 but the earlier version with the rosewood fretboard and moustache and old logo.. i love it ..all my guitar friends love it and its a little closer to the gibson sound ... best £695 ive spent .. amazing guitar .. its certainly not 4 times less of a guitar than the gibson ... one day ill get the gibson ...maybe haha.. and its a lot nicer than the epiphone version. .. ive played it.

The sigma is a little out of tune, but in general I like the sound better on the sigma than the gibson. That's nuts!

Are you guys doing the same strings on both guitars? If not, that would be helpful for a real comparison on acoustics :)

The biggest difference i noticed is the twirling of the strings whe nstrumming... the expensive guitars the strings barely twirl to make the note..... it actually makes the guitar sound like it's on a compressor... then you look at the cheaper guitar and the strings are dancing like mad when strummed... I never noticed that before... Also the cheaper guitar was clearly louder.

No offense to Lee, but Joss and Pete have become my favorite Anderton's personalities and players. Put them together more!

I would love for you to compare Sigma DM-SG7+, Epiphone Dove Pro, and Gibson Dove. I stand by to say that the Sigma is head and shoulders better than the Epiphone and holds up to the Gibson.

Why has Joss left? Amazing Player and interesting Guy...

£3753!! i bought mine in 2013 and the RRP was £2700!!!are they more than £1000 better now? from what you guys are saying,it sounds like j200s of the past few years were not so good!would 2013 be considered a bad year?

I was thinking about geting a sigma but then I came across g-45 studio plays/sounds 100% better than sigma... now I’m saving up for SJ-200

£1800 I bought my J200 for and sold it 7 years later because for gigging it was a worry. Take your cheaper Sigma to a great wizard and it will play fine. It will never have that magic dust a J200 has but if it gets damaged or nicked the hurt will be a duller pain! I do have two Sigma 00028 and a D45 and they are only 5% off the Martin versions although it took two years for me to like the D45. I did have the EC 000-28 bought for £1700 from Trevor at 'Unplugged' in Ealing (now gone) but never got on with it...I was young and EC's Unplugged album was an inspiration! I wish I had them back now but just as investments, however that's not a musical statement, it's greed and everything creating music is not about. J200 was similar to my Guild F412 maple but in 6 strings, sold that too but I wish I hadn't now.

Just a general question about acoustic guitars to anyone who feels like giving input: I've been looking for a good enough (nice sounding, well-playing, reliable) acoustic guitar alongside my regular electrics, but can't put a lot of money into it. - So I've been wondering; I have no problem with cheaper electrics, but because sound is affected a lot more in acoustics, what is the minimum price-range I should be looking at? - I know that I should stay away from the supermarket-type guitar up to say 150... I'll just use Euros. But can you go wrong with say something by Ibanez between 250 and 500 Euros? I know there are many different models and brands, and also a bigger brand like Gibson will make something very similar for a lot more money. But speaking of more affordable stuff, is there anything that's just as bad an investment on the lower-end to mid-range as it is for me investing near a thousand Euros or even over into an acoustic that's not really my main thing?

Anderton’s could use a fingerstyle player to round out the squad

Pete seems to have a somewhat better feel for major key noodling than Joss (and me : p).

Pete is just on a whole other level

Would help if the B string was in tune.

No one builds Super Jumbos like Gibson...Over the years I've purchased 5 SJ-200's, 3 from the Custom Shop.. Just stellar guitars you can play till ya drop...dead, then your kid can enjoy them...

I have the solid maple sigma, and I think I better had bought the laminated one. The solid maple makes the guitar quietly. Plugged in makes the Fishman Unisono a verry good job. But I bought it to have powerful guitar without an amp. My Sigma Jumbo is a SGJA SG200 and a Limited edition. It has a beatyfol red sunburst, and this makes it unique in all the J200rds. So I keep it, and I´m shure that I find a way to give it more power. Thanks. So, one year later, I am verry happy with my Sigma. It opened up, and now it´s powerful and resonating. I don´t understand, but one day, it was making a big "knack". I think it was from the bridge inlay. May be it was setting down, and now it has a better kontakt. How ever. I think just right now, this beauty is on the same level like the Gibson. Gibson j 200 vs the full solid Sigma SGJA SG 200 is may be more fair. Full solid vs full solid. May be once a time.

If you are in the market for something in between these two, I strongly suggest the Yamaha LJ-16. Slightly smaller, but all solid wood construction and stunning tone! Oh and it costs around a third og the Gibson :-)

More acoustic paradiso!!!!!! And do the tonewoodamp

The Sigma is slightly oiut of tune which makes the comparison a bit difficult .

Gibson do it again. Perfect balance, mids are defined, done!

Yes these are a lot of money but not unobtainable, I got a job when I was 16 saved everything for 12 months and bought one for £3000 on my 17th birthday in Denmark street

I doubt there's much of anything like "copyright" on a fairly standard shaped guitar with its own design on it, so that's why they get away with it. But that's such a 1:1 kind of copy. They could just give it their own spin... And I don't mind that they do like a cheaper version of something that exists, as long as it's still good quality. I will be the customer of those companies (both by choice out of principle and lack of choice out of lack of finances). Because, for example, I have a great Rhoads-style V by a company called Samick. That guitar was originally probably under 500 Dollars, and it's one of the best guitars I've had. A better design than Jackson does them, too.

i know there is a lot of good guitars for under £700 but aesthetics wise the Sigma is the dogs spuds........... is it worth £700.? anything better out there for the price together with something so pleasing on the eye.....?!

How about comparing the Sigma with the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J200. Both guitars are priced the same and it would make a fairer comparison.

Like acoustic guitars? Try a 2.0 mm TUSQ pick 😉 Your guitar will come alive.

Wha are those hollowbody guitars behind them?

Actually the Sigma comes in a really great heavily padded soft case that's almost as good as a hard case. AND ! what's wrong with wearing glasses John Lennon was as blind as a bat and he wore glasses so what's wrong with that.? I've just got my Sigma out of the bag and she's so sweet, The difference between the two guitars is minimal so we're only paying for the Gibson logo on the head-stock.

They've been made in Montana for ages have they not?

Can you ship these to the States?

'Crazy Flame' is that an Ozzy song?

Sigma vs new epiphone j200 would be great!

IDC im calling it that was the best jam that they did

The only problem with the LR anthems is that they are not loud enough in a band setting

Please do a video on the Epiphone DR500MCE, all solid woods ! 🙏😇

Micarta is a composite. Similar to richlite. Commonly used for knife handles. I threw a broken guitar on a fire pit not knowing how toxic micarta is when you burn it. I don't recommend it.

I'll take the Gibson please, wrap it up and thank you for my birthday present. :D

I think micarta is resin. They layer it with fabric in handles for knives... I think, that is. please set me straight, if not.

You should do Mahogany guitars across all price points.

Pete Townsend played a Gibson Montana on Letterman back in 1993 and totally destroys it for charity, I believe they auctioned the remnants and received $164,000. Twas a spirited performance, there were splinters flying in every direction.

The logo is actually the logo from their inception in the early 1970s. So its an aniversary thing not a new logo

I really need an acoustic.

Can you do a comparison between the sigma j160e and the Gibson j160e??

3:25 I thought sigma was martin’s budget line though?

Dude!! Where can I find an AMI gja sg200?

6:32 😂 Joss, you’ve missed your true calling!

I want one.

Where is the NAMM video where you were actually there

Gibson: 10:17 Sigma: 10:41

Watch Pete's face at 13:22. If there was a doubt, his expresion says it alle.

I have the Sigma, and I've read about the manufacturing materials. Making reference to the fretboard material: Micarta is an synthetic material, like a polymer. Martin began to make guitars without rosewood and replaced by this polymer since the CITES conference for the environment health protected the Dalbergia species (all kind of rosewood) wolrdwide in 2017. That means that you cannot travel with your instrument, sell/buy dalbergia wood unless you have an official certification that the rosewood pieces in your instrument were harvested previous the prohibition.

13:24 - the nod to each other. Yes, it’s the Gibson.

Hugh’s and keener amp are beautiful amps

They sound different.....so you would be getting a Gibson 200 look-a-like with a good sound....if that is what you want Sigma is what you might want (check out epiphone first to see your options). For the money of the Sigma i would get an equivalent Martin....better tone....but that is all so so subjective.

That’s the original Sigma Martin logo from the 70’s FYI

the pointy plectrum really sounds super thin, not good imho

Very good review! That Sigma is not bad. But really... I still don't get it... why do all companies build in those ungly piezo pickups? And especially like an expensive Gibson, they should know better. Those pickups doesn't sound like an acoustic guitar and you missing the sound of the wood. Use K&K Pure Mini pickups which sounds way better, more organic and no batteries needed.

So I know not to go get a Sigma. It should be known that I bought a Gibson J200 STUDIO in guitarguitar which is without the bling: flower scratchplate and some binding. But it sounds immense and is a whole lot less expensive. It was - to my ears - the best sounding acoustic in the store with only the Gibson Hummingbird competing with it. Its the real thing minus bling so if available it is very much worth your cash.

Andertons TV its not a joke anymore

Great example of the law of diminishing returns.

Sigma GJA200 or inspired by Gibson’ epiphone sj 200?

THE FLAME ON THE SIGMA LMAO

Sigma 200 vs. Epiphone 200

I have the sigma but with ROSEWOOD fingerboard and sounds a lot much better than the one with miicarta THATS THE DIFFERENCE

Don't like the look of either as they are far too ornate for me. Both sound fine but as always you pay a lot more for small improvements.

Wouldn’t hurt to tune the Sigma.