Gibson SJ 200 Review

When it comes to musical instruments that have been proven for decades, it’s expected that their value will be as fantastic as such guitars themselves. Yes, most of the time, it is. And today’s guest is no exception.

In this Gibson SJ 200 review, I will tell you about a model that saw the light of day in 1937. The Super Jumbo (hence the abbreviation SJ in the name) is an example of the combination of acoustic traditions appreciated by famous performers of all times. Elvis Presley, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, and Bob Dylan were among the owners of the J-200. And that’s just a shortlist.

It has incredible style, state-of-the-art electronics, and inimitable sound. But if you’re thinking about this baby, get your wallets ready. It costs over $5,000.

Body

The sound of any guitar depends on every detail, which is why both the shape of the Gibson SJ 200 (Super Jumbo) and the Flame Maple body (back and sidewall) and Sitka spruce (top) with multi-ply binding make the guitar sound so deep, ringing, with perfect resonance. Even the glossy nitrocellulose lacquer as a finish will last a long time and preserve all the qualities of the wood.

The body is reinforced with traditional hand-combed X-brushing, so the sound balance is precisely maintained. But what makes the guitar recognizable is the carved Four Bar Moustache bridge and the engraved tortoise pickguard with an amazing pattern.

The rest of the parts are top-notch, too: the bone saddle, Tusq bridge pickups, and Gotoh Keystone tuning machines will never need replacing. The guitar holds sustained sustain on even the most active parts without requiring your intervention for a long time.

Neck, fingerboard, headstock

The fingerboard, attached to the body by a complex dovetail system, has a rounded profile. The Polysandre fingerboard is decorated with mother-of-pearl graduated crowns, and the head of the fingerboard has a crown and the Gibson name on it. This is completely in keeping with the body style, and in the Vintage Sunburst coloring, it simply looks stunning.

The scale is 25.5 inches long, has 20 standard frets, and is incredibly comfortable to play. The guitar is large in size and would be comfortable for an adult musician. I can faintly imagine such an expensive instrument in the hands of a child, though.

Pickup system

It is logical that an acoustic-electric guitar presupposes the presence of acoustic-electric guitar pickups. Here, the system is represented by LR Baggs VTC. Such elements have a flexible transducer capable of reflecting the body’s natural movement, and you will not lose a single nuance. The pickups’ very bright, growling sound is very suitable for acoustic rock.

They produce very warm harmonics; the sound is rich, and the frequencies can be compressed or released into free flight whenever you like.

Sound quality

Actually, after my detailed description of every element of this amazing, expensive guitar, there’s not much left to say about the sound. Every guitar element, from the body material to the pickup system, is designed to extract the most precise notes, with or without rocky distortion. The Gibson SJ 200 sounds great in acoustics or when used with electronic equipment, holds terrific balance, and listens to the performer, whether you’re playing chords or fingerstyle. It’s lush, rich, gorgeous. I could list epithets until morning, and they would all be about her, the Gibson Super Jumbo. This is truly the tool of a lifetime’s dream!