Gibson SJ-200 Standard Rosewood

All Hail the King of the Flat-Tops

Ever since 1937, the SJ-200 has been the king of the flat-tops, and it has ruled over every genre from arena rock to old-time country. Its enduring popularity in a wide variety of musical styles is a testament to its timeless design and spectacular sound.

Originally, Gibson designed the SJ-200 for singing cowboys like Ray Whitley that needed to project over a full band. In the thirties, primitive public address systems offered little in the way of sound reinforcement beyond boosting the vocals. So, acoustic guitars had to be big and loud to be heard live! Thus, the king of the flat-tops was born.

Many of the same qualities that made the SJ-200 a favorite of singing cowboys have made it a desirable guitar for recording, live use, and general music-making merriment. Spruce and rosewood are a delightful pair of tonewoods, and they work wonders together as part of a jumbo body. Spruce is a balanced, bright, clear-sounding tonewood, and rosewood adds deep piano-like richness and glassy, sparkling trebles. The jumbo body size ensures that the SJ-200 Rosewood fills the room with rich, orchestral resonance while remaining articulate.

Players the world over fell in love with the SJ-200's spectacular tonality. It records like a dream (listen to "Pinball Wizard" by The Who, "Black Mountain Side" by Led Zeppelin, or "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles for proof), and its regal sound cuts through a mix like nobody's business while providing a solid foundation for other instruments to build upon. We're proud to showcase such an inspiring instrument for our exceptional customers!