1963 Gibson J-200, Sunburst
Wonderful early 60’s Gibson J-200 resplendent in its original Sunburst finish. A cherished instrument that has been played and feels perfectly broken in, it has been modified with a Stratocaster pickup much like a J-160e and a single volume control on the upper bout. The perfect players J-200!
The J-200 is Gibsons flagship, top of the range flat top acoustic guitar. It 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 featured rosewood back and sides. 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 Rosewood to figured Maple with Natural finish becoming an option in 1948. Constantly evolving the 1950’s would see the SJ-200 body depth increase to 4 7/8” in 1952 and in 1955 the model name was shortened to J-200. By 1961 the J-200 would receive a gold Tune-o-matic adjustable bridge with a newly designed ‘closed’ moustache bridge and 1963 would see the introduction of a five piece laminated neck.
This fantastic guitar dates to 1963 and is one of only 163 shipped that year. It features a straight grain Sitka spruce top, the Maple back and sides are highly figured as is the wood selected for the five piece maple neck. The bound ‘stinger’ headstock features a pearl inlayed Gibson Logo and Crown inlay. The bound Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard is inlayed with Pearl Crest position markers and the Pearl inlayed Rosewood bridge has had the ABR-1 replaced with a well made rosewood fillet with traditional saddle. Tuners are gold plated Kluson Wafflebacks. The original Sunburst finish looks great, there is wear throughout but nothing to detract from the guitars overall appearance and if anything adds to the guitars cool factor. There is one minor area of DIY touch up on the bass side of the neck by the first fret.
The guitar feels great in use, the neck has the perfect slim to medium early 60’s profile with a depth at the first fret of 20.77 increasing to 23.37 at the 7th fret. The nut has a width of 42.77. The guitar sounds excellent, a great singer- strummer but also sweet when fingerpicked or flat picked. This one has a bigger voice than some J-200 can especially in the low end. The Stratocaster pickup works surprisingly well offering an alternative to the standard Acoustic pickup options. We think the addition is cool, the guitar was adapted for use with no fear of affecting its value but if the future owner wanted the mod remedied its a cosmetic repair most luthiers would be able to fix and achieve a great result. The guitar plays well in the first position it is worth advising that the action does increase to just over 3.5mm at the 12th fret and depending on the next owners preference a neck re-set may want to be considered.
The guitar comes with a well fitted modern case.