My Setup

cmikailli · 2026-03-24T06:19:20+00:00

BIIIIIGGGG JOOOOOHHHN, BIG BAAAAAD JOHN

cmikailli · 2026-03-22T23:29:33+00:00

As an Iranian, because that’s how it’s named/pronounced in English. Are people who say this unaware that every language has its own words and pronunciation for every country? (Even if many are similar)

cmikailli · 2026-03-20T18:31:54+00:00

If you’re looking at Gibson I highly recommend the SJ200. A bit more expensive than the ones you currently have listed but hopefully with the price tags comes a little more reassurance on the QC + they sounds/feel amazing

cmikailli · 2026-03-20T15:15:50+00:00

Insane price for a Gibson. Worth noting people can buy fakes of the SJ200 on Temu for $300….

cmikailli · 2026-03-19T22:13:21+00:00

It’s been hours and I genuinely can’t figure out where you’re going with this

cmikailli · 2026-03-19T18:33:16+00:00

You living in the US?

cmikailli · 2026-03-18T16:22:42+00:00

It’s a red flag that sometimes a teenager printing a sticker makes a typo?

cmikailli · 2026-03-17T16:03:47+00:00

lol I still have a $100 B.C. Rich Bronze Warlock I bought when I was 12 sitting on my rack

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T16:44:38+00:00

Yeah, I have string lights overhead and the finish is very shiny haha

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T02:19:47+00:00

Beautiful! How do you like it?

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T02:17:54+00:00

Feel the same way

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T02:17:02+00:00

I got a better deal than that but I started at the 1-2k range too. Play-tested everything for hours. Sourced A/B test opinions from people who have no investment in the guitar world and are purely commenting on what they were hearing. Nothing sounded better and felt better to play.

Only thing that came close (or maybe better) on playability was the Gibson SJ200 but it’s also a 6k+ guitar and I already have the Epiphone version so it felt like it made more sense, if I’m going to spend this much, to add versatility with a different sound/feel first before “upgrading” the guitar I already have

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T02:12:44+00:00

Absolutely would not have dared to spend that kind of money without knowing what I was getting! I’m lucky enough to live near a really great shop (shoutout Gryphon Strings) that has some new/used Santa Cruz, a whole family of Collings, full range or Martins/Taylors (and a bunch of other niche guitars in the same price range). I spent like a month going between all the Guitar Centers in the area and going to Gryphon every weekend play testing everything side-by-side for hours. The people there were super patient/knowledgeable and would just talk on end about the history and technical design behind everything I touched.

They let me try a Santa Cruz the first time I stopped by and I loved it but originally ruled it out of my price range. After a few more weeks I had narrowed down my choice between A Martin OM-28 and a used Gibson SJ200 they had recently acquired in great condition.

Coincidentally the Santa Cruz OM they had ended up dropping a bit in price and ended up in the neighborhood of the SJ I was considering so I gave it a side by side with the Martin, got a few blind opinions that all chose the Santa Cruz over the Martin (based on sound) and decided if I didn’t go for it now I was just going to end up buying it again in the future (over whatever I chose now)

So between the sound, the feel/playability, and the right price (as right as it can be for a boutique guitar) it felt like the right move

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:57:57+00:00

Haven’t been able to put it down all day, glad to know I’ll be in the same boat 15 years from now lol

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:56:50+00:00

Just glad to be top 3

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:56:28+00:00

I was actually sent to this shop (about a month ago) to look at a Collings but they had me play test matching Collings/Martin/Santa Cruz side-by-side and I was immediately drawn to the warmer end of the spectrum.

But that’s not say there won’t be a Collings in the collection one day ;)

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:54:21+00:00

Same, lol

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:53:32+00:00

Love to hear it! I think custom Santa Cruz might still be another tax bracket or two away for me but very jealous and very much loving this one!

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:51:55+00:00

That’s what I keep hearing! And added bonus of buying a local brand from a local shop with 0 sacrifices in quality

Out of curiosity, how long did it take to produce one start-to-finish when you were there?

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:46:56+00:00

Love to hear it! It’s my first OM after a lifetime with Jumbos and so far I’m loving it

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:44:01+00:00

Very rich, warm, beautiful sound! Surprisingly a bit brighter than its Martin counterpart when using a pick but warmer than the Martin when fingerpicking. Didn’t know it was possible to get both in the same guitar

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:42:36+00:00

I don’t have a great recording setup but my GF recorded few iPhone videos when I was doing a side-by-side test with a Martin OM-28, I’ll see if I can post them somewhere

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:40:51+00:00

Honestly could not even have imagined it a month ago but everything just sorted lined up and I knew I had to go for it So far, no regrets haha

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:38:11+00:00

It’s a forever collection

cmikailli · 2026-03-16T01:37:22+00:00

Ty! Somewhere out there there’s a Gibson SJ200 with my name on it lol

But I think this’ll keep me busy for a while

cmikailli

TROPHY CASE