Gibson Acoustic SJ-200 Elegant Koa Honey Burst Modern

A Precious Variation of the "King of the Flat Tops"

The SJ-200 holds a unique place in the history of the acoustic guitar. Introduced in 1937, it established itself as one of the great symbols of high-end folk guitars thanks to its imposing size, natural power, and instantly recognizable visual identity. Its nickname, the "King of the Flat Tops," is well deserved, as this model has left a mark on the stage, in the studio, and in the collective imagination.
This SJ-200 Elegant Koa Honey Burst version, developed by Gibson Custom within the Artisan Series, builds on this legendary base by pushing it into an even more refined register. The koa adds a spectacular visual dimension, while the lutherie details, carefully crafted purflings, and abalone inlays place this model in a premium category designed for discerning musicians.

An Exceptional Jumbo for Guitarists Seeking Nuance

This guitar is primarily aimed at intermediate advanced or professional musicians looking for a characterful acoustic capable of filling the space with authority without sacrificing playing finesse. Its large format will particularly suit guitarists who enjoy feeling the instrument respond under the right hand, with a broad and lively response.
It is especially well suited to country, modern folk, acoustic pop, rock in picking or strumming styles, as well as vocal-guitar performances where natural projection plays a central role. Thanks to its onboard pickup system, it also finds its place on stage and in the studio for artists who want to maintain a broad and natural acoustic sound.

A Full and Bright Sound Enriched by the Personality of Koa

The sonic character of this SJ-200 is primarily based on its AAA Sitka spruce top, a reference wood known for combining clear attack, generous dynamics, and good power reserve. On a jumbo of this caliber, Sitka promotes a direct projection with a response versatile enough to support both delicate fingerstyle playing and energetic strumming.
The koa used for the back and sides brings a very interesting tonal color. It recalls, in some aspects, the definition and brightness of selected maples, while developing a warmer and more complex texture in the midrange. The result is an articulated, clear, and open sound with a beautiful presence in the upper spectrum, without excessive harshness.
The SJ-200 format directly contributes to this signature. Its large body volume favors breadth, bass depth, and wide projection, particularly appreciated in accompaniment. However, the result remains controlled thanks to the koa and spruce combination, which avoids excessive roundness and preserves good note separation. It is a guitar that knows how to fill the space while maintaining detail.
The mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, rosewood "2-Bar Moustache" bridge, and TUSQ elements complete this balance with a stable feel and consistent response. In amplification, the L.R. Baggs system aims to preserve this acoustic personality, with a reproduction designed to remain natural and usable both live and in recording.

Technical specifications

Type	electro-acoustic guitar	Number of frets	20
Format	SJ-200	Fret type	Standard
Top	AAA Sitka spruce	Nut	TUSQ
Back	koa	Fingerboard binding	single ply
Sides	koa	Fingerboard inlays	graduated crowns
Body purflings	multi-ply on top and back	Inlay material	abalone
Center back decorative strip	three-strand "rope" marquetry	Headstock binding	single ply
Body finish	glossy nitrocellulose lacquer	Logo and crown on headstock	abalone
Color	Honey Burst	Bridge	SJ-200 "2-Bar Moustache"
Pickguard	SJ-200 tortoise shell pattern with abalone dots and silver marking	Bridge material	rosewood
Neck	mahogany	Bridge inlays	abalone bars
Profile	Round	Saddle	TUSQ
Neck/body joint	dovetail	Bridge pins	TUSQ
Fingerboard	rosewood	Tuners	Grover Rotomatic
Radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Hardware finish	gold
Scale length	25.5" / 647.7 mm