If the dreadnought shape is identified with Martin, then the jumbo shape is associated with Gibson. The jumbo is much more rounded, with a pronounced ‘waist’, and is an even more iconically American creation than the dreadnought, particularly in the ornate form typified by Gibson’s SJ-200 (pictured). While jumbos often have a sweet and balanced fingerpicking tone, the shape was really envisaged for maximum volume in the days before electro-acoustics, and is thus very popular with American folk and country singer-songwriters, and identified with such performers as Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow and late-era Elvis.
