Gibson - SJ-200 Standard Tri Burst

The Gibson SJ-200 Standard Tri Burst showcases its large Super Jumbo body under a glossy nitrocellulose lacquer, with the Tri Burst finish accentuating the curves with depth. The SJ-200 Cream Flower pickguard makes an instant impression, complemented by the binding and dots that accentuate the body. On the threaded headstock, the Gibson logo and mother-of-pearl crown echo the gold-plated Grover Rotomatic tuners, which are as elegant as they are comfortable to use.

Once you have the guitar in hand, it is above all the spaciousness of the body that makes an impression. The solid AAA Sitka spruce top is supported by a traditional hand-scalloped X-brace, which lends the guitar a supple response. Its 5-ply binding frames the wood, whilst the AAA flamed maple back and sides, accented with 3-ply binding, enhance this sense of spaciousness. Under the strings, the Moustache SJ-200 bridge with twin rosewood bars secures them in place, whilst TUSQ tuning pegs and a 43.82 mm TUSQ nut complement the instrument perfectly.

The two-piece maple neck, with its rounded profile, joins the body seamlessly via a dovetail joint made using heated hide glue. Its 25.5-inch / 647.7 mm scale length provides a distinct tension under the fingers, whilst the Indian rosewood fingerboard, shaped to a 12-inch / 304.8 mm, features 20 standard frets set between the graduated mother-of-pearl inlays that define the SJ-200’s identity. The adjustable truss rod then maintains the neck’s geometry to ensure precise playability over time.

Once plugged in, the L.R. Baggs Anthem system enhances this acoustic richness by combining an internal pickup with a piezo under the nut. Adjustments to volume, mix, phase and pickup level allow the signal to be fine-tuned to suit the amplification, with phase inversion to control the interactions between the two sources. The 6.35 mm jack output with strap button blends discreetly into the overall design. Strung with .012 to .053 strings, the SJ-200 remains true to its heritage right down to the last detail, with its strap buttons and gold hardware, before being returned to its Gibson hard case.