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2005 Gibson Historic Collection SJ-200
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Serial #: 00555049, orange oval label, Bozeman, MT
Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .80/.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 handsome curly maple to stunning advantage. The X-braced soundboard is quartersawn from exceptionally fine grained spruce, and the body and neck carved from solid curly maple, equally vivid in the back, sides, and neck.
At a scant 4lb 10oz, this Montana built Historic Collection Reissue is far lighter than most vintage examples, including guitars from as far back as the early 50's. And as one might expect, the voice is correspondingly full, open, and deeply resonant, with the appealing warmth and woodiness of the full depth jumbo body.
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. Carefully maintained in 100% original condition, the instrument shows no checking, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, with all original blonde finish, now aged to a warm amber glow.
Gibson's ultimate flat top box, re-created as never before One only: call now.
Case: Deluxe brown Gibson logo plush lined hardshell case.
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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