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2004 Gibson SJ-200

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Serial #: 03364092, orange oval label, Bozeman, MT

Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 23/32" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .83/.88

Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; solid bookmatched figured maple back and sides; maple neck with walnut centerstripe; solid rosewood fingerboard; mother of pearl fingerboard inlay, crown peghead inlay and pearl Gibson logo; 7-ply top binding, bound headstock, neck and back; bone nut.

Hardware: Original hardware includes gold Kluson Deluxe tuners, pearl-inlaid rosewood 'moustache' bridge, and floral engraved red tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Gibson's premier flat top guitar, the venerable SJ-200 had its origin with singing cowboy Ray Whitley, who received the first example late in 1937. A 12 fret rosewood guitar with an L-5 neck, inlays and pickguard, this prototype was designated as an 'L-5 Special'. By the following year a 14 fret model reached the market, and maple bodies made their debut in 1947. The first blonde examples appeared a year later, and by the early 50's the body depth had increased to a full 5" at the endpin. Notable J-200 players have included Gene Autry, Merle Travis, the Everly Brothers, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend, Bob Dylan, and Emmy Lou Harris, whose trademark super jumbo was a gift from Gram Parsons himself.

Blonde J-200s have always been the most desirable, and premium priced, examples of the model, as they highlight the spectacular curly maple to stunning advantage. The X-braced soundboard is quartersawn from exceptionally fine grained spruce, and the body and neck carved from solid figured maple, equally vivid in the back, sides, and neck.

At a scant 4lb 10oz, this Montana built Masterbuilt Reissue is by far the lightest example of this super jumbo model we have ever held, including vintage examples from as far back as the early 50's. And as one might expect, the voice is correspondingly full, open, and deeply resonant: a cowpoke could fill a canyon with the ring of this featherlight box.

The neck is carved with a sleek, elegant D profile, ideal for the player hesitant to wrestle some of the chunkier necks of earlier years, with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup. The generous nut is just shy of 1 3/4" in width, for optimal playing comfort as well. Immaculately maintained in 100% original condition, the instrument shows no pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and is supplied with its original deluxe black Gibson logo plush lined hardshell case, and factory paperwork. Apart from a small finish check and a tiny nick on the lower bout, the instrument looks much as it did when it left the workshop in scenic Bozeman, Montana some years ago.

The perfect companion, as you ride your vocal range smoothly into the sunset. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge saddle adjusted; string slots at nut inspected and recut as necessary; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. This instrument is strung with medium gauge .013 phosphor bronze strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

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