The Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic is a super jumbo guitar custom shop model built for Gibson’s luthiers in the pre-war era. With this powerful instrument, you’ll feel transported back to Gibson’s pre-war acoustics of yesteryear.
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Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic Review
This SJ-200 Western Classic from Gibson features Indian Rosewood back and sides for an iconic sound renowned from many country recordings over the last 80 years. It’s also one of Gibson’s most stylish acoustic guitars ever produced, boasting a four-bar Moustache(TM) bridge, ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays, gold Waverly tuning machines, and a Western Classic torch inlay on the headstock.
Body and Neck

Gibson Guitars has a proud heritage of creating some of the world’s most famous acoustic guitars. From singing cowboy stars in the 1930s to rock and country superstars today, artists have chosen Gibson’s acoustic instruments to symbolize musical excellence.
This is especially true of the Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic, or as it’s commonly known, the “King of Flat-Tops.” This guitar boasts a solid Sitka Spruce top and Rosewood back and sides; a Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and “Moustache” bridge; Mother of Pearl inlays and position markers; plus Gibson script style logo and torch on the headstock.
The SJ-200 is one of Gibson’s most prominent guitars, boasting an iconic look. This special edition Gibson Custom SJ-200 Western Classic model was produced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of their Bozeman Custom Shop.
This guitar is truly unique – we’ve never encountered another like it. Crafted from Indian Rosewood, its sound features crisp treble and powerful bass that’s evenly balanced across the fretboard, making it suitable for both traditional and folk genres of music.
You can find the SJ-200 in various exotic wood types, giving your guitar a distinctive flair. Whether you’re searching for an eye-catching vintage-inspired SJ-200 to show off at your next gathering or one with an exquisite Trans Cherry finish to add serious sexiness on stage, GearBest has something perfect for everyone’s tastes.
This Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic is an exquisite example of American craftsmanship ready to take on the world. Featuring a fixed bridge, no setup is needed, and you can quickly change strings without removing the bridge.
The SJ-200 guitar comes in various finishes, each with distinct tonal characteristics. The type of wood used will affect the overall tone, while body shape affects how it sounds.
Hardware
The Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic is an exquisite acoustic guitar handcrafted in the USA with all the top-quality appointments you would expect from a Gibson Custom Shop model. It boasts a premium Sitka spruce top, figured solid Indian rosewood back and sides, an eastern curly maple neck, an ebony fretboard, and multi-ply fingerboard binding for added comfort.
Consequently, the Gibson SJ-200 boasts an exceptional sound ideal for singer-songwriters seeking a complete and dynamic acoustic instrument. Additionally, guitarists seeking a vintage aesthetic will find that this instrument works well with many types of music due to its retro appearance and feel.
Most SJ-200s feature either maple or spruce tops, but some models of the SJ-200 can be found with exotic woods like Koa. One such guitar is the Gibson SJ-200 Limited Edition Koa Custom Acoustic Guitar, which boasts solid figured Koa back and sides along with stunning abalone inlay throughout its body.
Another way to tell if an SJ-200 is a bargain is by the materials used for its hardware. For instance, some models feature bone nuts, which may provide more sustain and tuning stability than synthetic nuts; however, remember that different bones have distinct tonal characteristics.
A Gibson SJ-200 is an iconic guitar from decades past, though its quality of construction and materials may vary considerably. Nevertheless, this instrument remains a popular choice among guitarists today due to its stunning sound and ease of playability.
In 1937, Gibson unveiled their Super Jumbo flat-top guitar at their Kalamazoo factory in Michigan. This guitar was intended to replace their top-of-the-line Advanced Jumbo model, which had been in production for several years. Despite being widely considered one of the finest flat-top guitars ever created, sales of this model skyrocketed immediately upon its introduction.
Sound
The Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic guitar evokes the pre-war acoustic models that inspired artists such as Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow to today’s rock stars. It makes an excellent choice for singers or leads looking to make a statement during their performance, sounding just as good as it looks!
This model is constructed with a premium Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, an eastern curly maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard. Additionally, it includes a four-bar Mustache bridge, Western Classic torch headstock inlay, and gold Waverly tuners for added functionality.
This guitar is one of the finest Gibson acoustic models, boasting exotic woods with classic appointments that will bring a smile to anyone who sees it. Detailed ornamentation includes 4-ply top and back binding, multi-ply fingerboard binding with bird beak design, mustache bridge, mother of pearl graduated block fretboard inlays, Grover tuners, 3-rope marquetry accents, and nostalgic torch headstock inlay.
This guitar’s solid Sitka spruce top provides its clear, crisp tone that will appeal to any guitarist looking to make a powerful statement with their music. It’s supported by an elegant Indian rosewood body, which provides plenty of volume without sacrificing tone, even when the bass E is dropped down to D.
Another notable feature of this guitar is its bone nut, which is of superior quality and provides exceptional sustain and tune stability. This detail should not be overlooked, as it can make or break a guitar’s tone.
The SJ-200 Western Classic is an impressive 6-string acoustic guitar that boasts impressive volume and remarkable tone. Crafted with a solid Indian rosewood body and AAA Sitka spruce top, this voice can be heard on many classic country recordings.
This guitar features a compound radius fingerboard, offering more range of motion than traditional flat-top guitars. This makes it an ideal option for players who want to play both single notes and chords without feeling their fingers get tired too quickly.
This acoustic guitar is made in the United States and is known for its high-quality instruments. It also features a fixed bridge, which makes changing strings much more straightforward than with a tremolo bridge.
Build quality
The Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic is one of Gibson’s iconic acoustic guitars, used by artists from Johnny Cash to Paul Weller and often showcased live.
This guitar is handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, using time-tested Gibson construction techniques such as hide-glued dovetail neck joints and domed top braces. Its slimmer body depth and J-45-inspired round-shouldered profile also provide a comfortable playing experience and a classic dreadnought look.
This guitar is crafted with premium Sitka spruce and Indian Rosewood, giving it a balanced yet powerful sound. The solid wood is finished with an intricate four-bar Mustache bridge, mother-of-pearl block inlays, Grover tuners, and the multi-layered SJ-200-shaped pickguard for added protection.
This model is part of Gibson’s G-45 guitars, designed for younger players at an accessible price point.
These models have been crafted with the same premium materials and construction techniques since Gibson’s initial catalog in 1903. They boast AAA-grade Sitka spruce and AAA-grade Indian rosewood tops, backs, and sides, as well as a hand-carved four-bar Moustache bridge, mother-of-pearl graduate block inlays and 3-rope marquetry headstock for added visual interest.
This guitar boasts an exquisite curly maple neck that feels substantial in your hand. The frets have been carved into a comfortable D shape for added comfort, and they feel smooth without any buzzing.
Another crucial point is that the SJ-200 comes equipped with a bone nut. Bone is an exquisite material, providing excellent sustain and tuning stability when cut precisely. Plus, it’s relatively straightforward to work with, too.
This Gibson acoustic guitar boasts all the traditional ornamentation, such as its multi-ply tortoise pickguard, four-bar Mustache bridge, and mother-of-pearl block inlays. With balanced treble and deep bass sound, it’s a joy to play.