Gibson Acoustic’s
guitar workshop in Bozeman, Montana, is known for crafting some of the
finest instruments ever produced in the 120-plus-year history of this
storied company, and for fans of great vintage-spec flat-tops the True
Vintage series is the cream of the crop. Now Gibson is releasing an
extremely limited edition of just 167 pieces each of three selected
True Vintage models, the J-45, SJ-200, and Hummingbird, all of which
will receive deluxe upgrades worth as much as $1,500.
A Gibson
True Vintage acoustic is already the closest thing to hopping into a
time capsule and traveling back to the era when your favorite classic
flat-top was born, but add these limited deluxe treatments to the brew
and each model offers a rare opportunity for both players and
collectors. Each Limited Edition True Vintage SJ-200 and J-45 will be
built with a top made from solid Red Spruce, a rare and highly prized
tone wood, and will be constructed with hot hide glue, just like back
in the day. Their sibling the Hummingbird will wear a solid premium
Sitka Spruce top with special Cherry Burst finish that matches the
finish on the first run of Hummingbirds back in 1960. All will come
with a custom-made, period-correct case (recreated from meticulous
study of the original cases), and a Certificate of Authenticity. Each
will also be labeled inside the body as a limited run of 167.
Additionally, upon filing his or her warranty registration card, each
customer will be sent a specially designed jacket embroidered with the
model name of the guitar they have purchased and an embroidered
custom-run case cover. Of course, keep in mind that these Limited
Edition upgrades are being applied to guitars that are already the most
accurate vintage reproductions that Gibson’s Bozeman luthiers can
create. According to Mike Voltz, Production Manager of Gibson’s
Acoustic Division, all have period-correct details such as binding that
is applied over the fret ends, traditional tuners, genuine bone nut and
saddle, extra dark vintage-look amber toner, and a traditional orange
label. Mahogany graces the back and sides of the Hummingbird and J-45,
while the SJ-200 sports AAA-grade flame maple. The fingerboards and
bridges on all the models are made from solid AAA Madagascar rosewood,
and each employs historically accurate construction methods, such as
hand-scalloped top bracing, wide X-bracing on the J-45, thin back
braces on the SJ-200, and plenty more. “These are for the true
collector,” Voltz says of the standard True Vintage range. “They’ve got
that vibe.” The SJ-200, or Super Jumbo, was born in 1937
when “Singing Cowboy” star Ray Whitley commissioned Gibson to build a
grand, 17"-wide flat-top with a unique rounded profile and deluxe
appointments. Soon other stars placed custom orders for similar
guitars, and in the hands of Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers and Ray
“Crash” Corrigan this guitar—eventually made an official model as the
SJ-200 — became the ultimate badge of acceptance for Country &
Western artists. These early examples were generally constructed with
rosewood back and sides, but following WWII the SJ-200 was reintroduced
with solid maple back and sides, a move that gave the big-bodied guitar
more brightness and definition. Post-1947, the spruce-and-maple SJ-200
retained its status as “King of the Flat-Tops”, a claim justified by
its use by Porter Wagoner, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly,
Pete Townshend, Graham Nash, and Emmylou Harris, among many others.
This is the version of the guitar that is accurately presented in today’s SJ-200 True Vintage model.
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Gibson Limited Upgraded True Vintage SJ-200 VOS Natural Guitar
