SOLD - Gibson SJ-200 - USA 1999

SOLD

The 'King of the Flattops'! This is a stunning example of one of the most gorgeous guitars to ever roll out of the Gibson factory. Since the late 30s cowboy crooners, folk, country and rock and roll artists utilized the stunning features and big sound of the SJ-200 to make sure they’re both seen and heard and help propel their careers forward.  

The Gibson SJ-200 was originally known as the J-200 – J standing for Jumbo and 200 being more or less the price of the instrument. Later on, Gibson’s slope shouldered dreadnought was also named Jumbo, and so to avoid confusion the original ‘Jumbo’ J-200 became the ‘Super Jumbo’ SJ-200 with no direct changes to the design of the instrument. 

This guitar is in very good condition. The nitro has aged subtly, giving a nice, golden hue to the natural finish which helps to showcase the heavy figuring on the back and sides of this big 17” body. Traditional three-piece neck with single rosewood centre strip accentuate the traditional aesthetic of the instrument. The Indian rosewood fretboard with off-white binding and pearloid crown inlays pair well with the rosewood mustache bridge which also features pearloid inlay. Aside from slight checking at the heal and light pick strike marks the guitar is virtually blemish free.  

We have had a number of SJ-200s come through the store, and this one has the biggest low end bass response of the bunch. The relatively high action at 3mm can be easily reduced by taking material out of the saddle, however this setup provides tremendous volume when picking hard. The big, resonant low end emitting through the body is a joy for vocal accompaniment, with scooped mids and crystalline highs providing an uncluttered frequency response which many singers love. This is a fine example of one of the most iconic acoustic guitars in the world.  

Specs: 

Scale length: 25.5” 

Fretboard Radius: 12” 

Action at 1st fret: 0.3mm 

Action at 12th fret: 3mm 

Neck depth at 1st fret: 21.8mm  

Neck depth at 12th fret: 26.6mm (added thickness due to heel curve)  

Nut Width: 44.2mm 

12 fret width: 53.8mm 

Neck material: Figured maple with Indian rosewood fingerboard 

Fretboard inlays: Pearl 

Body: Maple back/sides solid spruce top 

Body size at lower bout: 17” 

Tuners: Gibson Deluxe double line tulip 

Pickguard: tortoise shell 

Bridge: Indian rosewood 

Hardware: Gold 

Case: OHSC