Gibson Custom Shop Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood – Murphy Lab Light Aged

The Gibson SJ-200 was first introduced in 1937 and quickly earned the moniker “the King of the Flat-Tops” due to its size, high-quality sound, exceptional projection, and commanding stage presence.

Up until 1947, when the wood used for the sides and back changed to maple, it was constructed using rosewood for the back and sides. Because of the weak post-Depression economy, demand for the top-of-the-line SJ-200 was limited, and production numbers were relatively low. Today, those rare rosewood-bodied pre-war SJ-200 models are in high demand among collectors and command a premium on the vintage guitar marketplace. Now, Gibson Custom is proud to introduce the Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Light Aged, a faithful recreation of those exalted pre-war vintage Super Jumbo models.

The Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Light Aged features a rosewood back with a three-rope marquetry strip, rosewood sides, and a thermally aged red spruce top that is reinforced with traditional scalloped X-bracing that is also made from red spruce.

The Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Light Aged is highly ornate, just like the originals, and is adorned with multi-ply top, back, and headstock binding. The 25.5” scale length two-piece AAA maple neck has a walnut stringer, a D-shaped profile, and a stinger on the back of the peghead. The front of the headstock features a mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and Crown inlay and is equipped with gold Grover Imperial tuners. The bound ebony fretboard features mother-of-pearl graduated Crown inlays and 20 standard frets. The nut, saddle, and bridge pins are bone. The ebony SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache bridge also has mother-of-pearl inlays, and the tortoise SJ-200 pickguard features multi-colored dots and a double border.

As the name implies, the Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Light Aged features Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light playwear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era. It comes packed in a period-correct pre-war-style Red Line hardshell case to complete the authentic vintage experience that only Gibson Custom and the Murphy Lab can deliver.