Model Overview
The "King of the Flat Tops" made its first appearance in 1937 initially called the Super Jumbo, changing early to the Super Jumbo 200. The retail price was $200 with very few examples shipped, the ledgers show that only 25 left the factory in 1938. Early pre-war examples in good, original condition will fetch the $100,000 mark. Production of the Super Jumbo 200 ceased during the Second World War as Gibson scaled down manufacture and upon its re-release in 1947 the specification had changed mainly to the back and sides changing from Indian Rosewood to figured Maple.
The 1948 SJ-200 is 17" wide with highly figured maple back & sides, a double-braced red spruce top finished in a stunning Cremona Brown Sunburst. Deluxe appointments include multiple binding throughout, a celluloid pickguard with engraved flower motif, pearl cloud inlays and a rosewood fingerboard & "moustache" bridge. The tone from this 1948 example is exceptional and has to be heard to be appreciated: big and full but with incredible detail. The SJ-200 is in fantastic condition and comes with its original Geib-made Gibson hard case.