Gibson 1940 SJ-200 Rosewood

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Product Details
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Gibson 1940 SJ-200 Rosewood

The ultimate historic heirloom.

Are you on an endless search for the pinnacle of the acoustic guitar - one that current production models and typical vintage instruments never quite satisfy? What you're really after isn't just refined tone, but overwhelming presence and a bottomless depth of resonance that shakes the player's soul.

A truly great vintage guitar isn't just an instrument, it's history itself. But finding a genuine pre-war original of a legendary flagship model is close to a miracle - collectors around the world are hunting for the very same thing, and instruments like this rarely surface even after years of searching. If you're not willing to compromise, this search has probably been a long, frustrating road.

Here's the answer that finally satisfies that hunger: a 1940 Gibson SJ-200 in Rosewood.

Born in 1937 out of requests from "singing cowboys" like Ray Whitley, the SJ-200 would go on to be known as the "King of the Flat-Tops." This particular example is one of the rare Rosewood-body models built in the brief window before wartime material shortages forced Gibson to switch the back and sides to maple.

This guitar is offered not just as a player's instrument, but as a genuine museum-grade piece of history.

- The Ultimate Sound

The combination of the 17-inch super jumbo body and Brazilian rosewood produces a low end with ground-shaking weight, paired with the aged yet still shimmering highs that only a pre-war Gibson develops after 80-plus years. It's a magic tone that today's tonewoods simply cannot reproduce.

- Artistic Detail

The intricate hand-applied floral pickguard, the iconic mustache bridge, and the lavish inlays all carry the richness and pride of 1940s America down to the smallest detail.

- Historic Value

Only a few years after this guitar was built, rosewood became unavailable and the SJ-200 shifted to a maple body - meaning a Rosewood SJ-200 stands as a crystallization of the most lavish moment at the dawn of Gibson's golden era.

Genuine pre-war Rosewood SJ-200s are exceptionally rare worldwide, with only a handful of surviving examples. There's no telling when - or if - another opportunity like this will come along. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Take hold of the King of the Flat-Tops and carry this historic voice forward to the next generation.

[Specs / Included Case]
TOP: Spruce
BACK/SIDES: Rosewood
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
BRIDGE: Ebony
NECK: Maple/Rosewood/Maple
NUT WIDTH: 42.8mm
SCALE: 642mm
WEIGHT: 2.54kg
CASE: Non-original Tweed Case

[Repairs / Replaced Parts / Cosmetic Condition]
As this is a used/vintage instrument, the following notes reflect what we could confirm during our own inspection. Thank you for your understanding.
- Playing wear and scuffs consistent with its age.
- Construction details suggest the top was refinished at the factory sometime in the 1950s.
- Evidence of a neck reset.
- Repaired bridge crack.
- Multiple repaired cracks on the body top.
- One repaired crack on the body back.

[Playing Condition]
- Action at the 12th fret: 2.4mm (low E side), 2.0mm (high E side)
- Independent ADJ truss rod allows the action to be raised or lowered.
- No buzzing or dead notes; plays well overall.
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Please note that all items are for sale in our Tokyo store.
There is a chance they might be sold out. All items are shipped tracked and insured. All import duties or customs fees are the buyers responsibility - please be aware of the requirements for your country. If you have any questions please ask.