❌SOLD❌ Gibson SJ 200 Standard Sunburst, 2017

Here is a very nice Gibson SJ 200 Standard – the SJ standing for Super Jumbo – in Vintage Sunburst and built during 2015 in Bozeman, Montana. The name has varied over time, starting as the SJ-200 from 1938 to 1954, then abbreviated to J-200 until 1999 when it became the SJ-200 again. This model has been a favourite with a wide range of guitarists, from Gene Autry to Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend to Tex Ritter.

In 2017, the Gibson SJ 200 Standard was offered along with Vintage and Walnut models. The construction has been consistent, with a 17 inch (431.8mm) wide body of Sitka Spruce top, Flame Maple for back, sides and neck, a Rosewood fingerboard with Mother of Pearl Crown inlays, and a distinctive cut-out ‘Moustache’ bridge with Mother of Pearl inlays. And of course, it has a distinctive hand-painted pickguard.

This Gibson SJ 200 Standard, built in Bozeman, Montana and with a serial number that dates it to Monday, April 13, 2015. It follows the traditional J-200 pattern, with gold hardware, and as modern production is factory equipped with a Fishman Aura Ellipse pickup system. This example is in very good, clean condition with minor wear, and is a sonic cannon delivering a very full, rich sound.

Sold with the original Gibson hard shell case. 

Here’s what the builder says about the Gibson SJ-200 Standard and its history:

“If the Gibson J-45 is known as a workhorse acoustic, the SJ-200 is something else. This giant of a guitar is a thoroughbred, large of size and sound, stunning in looks, and is known by guitarists the world over as King of the Flat Tops…

All Hail King of the Flat Tops!

Although it first appeared in Gibson’s catalog in 1938, the first SJ-200s were crafted in ‘37. So let’s throw that 80th birthday right now. After all, the J-200 is probably the most famous acoustic guitar ever built. And much of the reason for that is, like it or not, visual.

With its 17-inch-wide body, the original Super Jumbo was bigger than the biggest. Louder than the loudest. Fancier than the fanciest! With its floral pickguard, mustache bridge, and “crest” fingerboard inlays, the SJ-200 made a more flamboyant aesthetic splash than any of its competitors. Then, and now.

It was initially offered by custom order only and built at Gibson’s Kalamazoo (Michigan) plant, and was a hit with the singing cowboys of the day. Ray Whitley had the first, and before long, Gibson catalogs featured photos of Whitley, Gene Autry, Ray “Crash” Corrigan, and Tex Ritter with their own personalized “Super Jumbos”, as they then were called. Before long, this showy peacock of a guitar had a standardized design and name — simple Gibson nomenclature reflecting its price — and was sold as the SJ-200. An additional $50, and you could have your name inlaid in the fingerboard. Even with that, $200 in 1938 was big bucks and the SJ-200 models remain reassuringly expensive today. After, all – it’s the finest of the finest.”