NO RESERVE. The SJ-200 is Gibson’s equivalent of the Martin D-45—a top-of-the-line model with elegant, fancy appointments that is highly prized by players and collectors alike. Developed during the mid 1930s as Gibson’s competitor to the D-45, the Super Jumbo 200 (as it was initially called before the SJ-200 name was officially adopted), quickly found favor with professional guitarists, particularly cowboy and Western screen stars like Gene Autry, Ray “Crash” Corrigan, Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers, Jimmy Wakely, and Ray Whitley. Corrigan’s SJ-200, which has a 1936 factory order number and numerous distinctive 1936 features found only on his SJ-200, is thought to be the first ever made.


The most desirable SJ-200 guitars are the ones made prior to 1947 featuring rosewood backs and sides. Pre-war examples are particularly rare and desirable as only about 100 were made, and 10 of these were special orders with customized cosmetic options. The warm tones of rosewood make these guitars more versatile than the later version made of maple, but the maple SJ- and J-200s (Gibson shortened the model name in 1955) are fine rhythm instruments with brilliant, crisp tone and impressive volume projection that cuts through a dense mix of electric instruments. Elvis Presley famously played a blonde J-200 during his early years, removing the model from its cowboy roots and giving it an updated image as an iconic rock and roll instrument.


This 1950 SJ-200 is a visually stunning guitar, featuring the model’s distinctive engraved floral pattern pickguard, curvaceous rosewood moustache bridge with four semi-rectangular mother-of-pearl inserts, and “pineapple” or “rising sun” fretboard inlays, which mirror the crown headstock inlay that made its debut on this model. This example’s sunburst finish glows, and curly maple back is exquisitely figured. The top is surrounded by 7-ply binding, while the back features a decorative wood marquetry center strip. Anyone looking for the highly desirable 1950s era SJ/J-200 is well advised to consider this example.


The J-200 remains a favorite of countless players today. Guitarists who have regularly recorded and performed with a J-200 include Bob Dylan, the Edge, Emmylou Harris, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Tom Petty, Pete Townshend, and the man who made his J-200 sing and holler like nobody else—blues legend the Reverend Gary Davis.

Serial number: A6381
Top: Spruce, sunburst finish
Back and sides: Maple
Neck: Maple with rosewood center strip
Fretboard: Rosewood
Frets: 20
Bridge: Moustache-shaped rosewood pin with four pearl inserts
Tuners: Gold-plated Kluson Deluxe with plastic pearloid tulip-shaped buttons