SOLD - Vintage Gibson J-200 - USA 1954

SOLD

When this model was introduced in 1938, it was known as the Super Jumbo (SJ-200) and it featured rosewood back and sides (only approx 100 made). In 1939, this model was renamed the Super Jumbo 200. In 1947, it was renamed in the company catalogues to the J-200.

In 1948, natural finish became an option and in 1961, pearl block inlays became standard.

An amazing and powerful-sounding acoustic guitar, the J-200 was - and still is - the largest among Gibson's flat tops with its 17” of width measured across the lower bout. It is widely referred to as “The King Of The Flat Tops”.

The model has a long history but through the decades it has maintained intact its main features. The J-200 has always been easily identifiable by the wide maple body, the flashy western look, the rich pearl inlays, the moustache (or buffalo-horn) bridge, and the flower-trimmed plastic pickguard. It is a true classic in both look and sound - a powerful voice with clear highs and mids, with a particularly enhanced bottom end thanks to the huge rounded body.

All these features have made of the J-200 the instrument of choice for a wide range of performers, from finger-picking legend Rev Gary Davis to Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.

This beauty features a beautiful maple back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood bridge and fingerboard. The guitar is in great condition for an instrument over 68 years old.

This one definitely shows player wear, with a few dings, dents & scratches on the top and back. The neck is well worn and smooth, while the sides are reasonably clean. Some of the inlay around the 3rd fret has come away and the pickguard is slightly warped and displays several cracks across it. A section of the binding around the D machine head has been replaced after some sort of slight damage. The guitar has 5 of the original bridge pins and one replacement.

The original gold-plated Grover Roto-Matic tuners are reliably accurate, the truss rod works fine, and it plays with a lovely low medium action. Frets are in excellent condition with very minimal wear showing. The serial number 17xxx is stamped on the Gibson sticker below the soundhole.

This J-200 is very light for its size at 5.25lbs and it projects a big sound.

This is a fabulous true vintage classic which offers all the characteristic beauty and bold sonic performance you expect from a Gibson golden era J-200.

We here at the showroom seem to pick it up for a strum every time we walk past, it's just that type of guitar. You really must hear this baby sing!

Comes in its original hard case in fair condition.