Gibson Custom Shop 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst

The Gibson Custom Shop 1957 SJ-200 in Vintage Sunburst: the King of the Flat-tops, built as it rolled off the workbench in 1957

The SJ-200 is no ordinary acoustic guitar. Since its introduction in the 1930s, it has been the guitar of choice for artists who needed an instrument that could fill a room without amplification, with a tone as impressive as its size. The Gibson Custom Shop 1957 SJ-200 in Vintage Sunburst is the most faithful reconstruction of the model that found its definitive form in 1957: a jumbo-body with a character that sounds bigger than anything, executed with the materials and craftsmanship that only the Custom Shop can provide.

The sound of the SJ-200 is unmistakable. The jumbo body projects with a volume and presence that other acoustic guitars cannot match, while the tone remains surprisingly balanced. The bass strings are full and resonant, the treble strings clear and articulate, and the midrange has a warmth that perfectly supports both fingerpicking and chord playing. The Vintage Sunburst finish in nitrocellulose lacquer gives the instrument a timeless look that works just as well on stage as in the living room.

The body features a Sitka spruce top with maple back and sides, consistent with the original '57 specifications. The neck is mahogany with a rosewood fretboard and the distinctive mustache bridge that makes the SJ-200 so recognizable. The gold hardware and ornate bindings complete the picture of an instrument built to last for generations. The Custom Shop execution means that every detail, from wood selection to finish, has been hand-checked and approved.

The Gibson Custom Shop 1957 SJ-200 is an instrument you don't explain. You play the first chord, and the rest speaks for itself.