1996 Gibson SJ-300 CUSTOM Excellent, Original Hard, $3,595.00

Ask a guitarist to name the ultimate Gibson acoustic, and many will reply that it’s the J-200. Elegant and flamboyant even by Gibson’s top-line standards, the J-200 has found fame in the hands of numerous legends: Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Neil Young, and The Edge, to name but a few. The J-200 is known as the “king of the flat-tops” for good reason: it is simply the world’s most famous acoustic guitar, and certainly one of the most popular.

It was 1947 when the tonewoods changed – the back and sides were now being made of maple. In 1955 the name was simplified again: from here on, it was mostly called the Gibson J-200. The J-200 Standard has generally been available in sunburst and natural finishes, featuring factory electronics, gold Gibson Deluxe (later, gold Grover) tuners, a solid Sitka Spruce top with scalloped X-bracing, figured maple back and sides, and a three-piece laminate neck (maple/rosewood/maple). It also has a bound rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl crown inlays, a rosewood “moustache” bridge with striking mother of pearl double inlays, and an engraved pickguard to add visual impact to its wonderful playability, with a 25.5” scale and a nut width of 1.725”. These features make it well worth its MSRP, which currently starts at $3799, and usually is hundreds more.

However, this 2006 Gibson Custom SJ-300 is way beyond even the revered J-200. Briefly, it's a jumbo East Indian Rosewood SJ-200, including scalloped X-bracing, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret ebony fretboard, an ebony open-moustache bridge with four abalone block inlays, 6-ply top binding and 4-ply back binding, plus the following upgrades: ebony for the bridge and fretboard instead of rosewood; abalone instead of mother of pearl for all inlay, including an abalone rosette; highest grade AAA Sitka Spruce top; bone nut and saddle; gold Imperial Grover tuners; and a Fishman Ellipse Aura pre-amp with sound-hole controls. All this is, of course, is reflected in its price, which can range several thousand dollars more than even the modern SJ-200.

This particular SJ-300 Custom was made in 2006 (serial number 00466020), and the high-quality tonewoods are just coming into their peak resonance. There is hardly a scratch or ding on it, with perhaps just a bit of buckle bruising on the back. The only possible modification I see is the rather cool-looking reinforcement at the back of the neck in contrasting wood, but I guess this could be part of the “Custom” package. The rather sophisticated electronics are controlled at the sound hole and accessed through the gold-colored end pin jack. On the whole, it's virtually spotless, the action is fast and comfortable at a hair under 3/32" at the 12th fret low E, and it's certainly the best-playing and sounding guitar I’ve ever played. I believe that you and anyone who sees and/or hears this masterpiece will be just as impressed as I am!

The case, of course, is Gibson’s premium arched-top hard shell case with a combination lock [you won't want anyone to touch this gem without your permission!] and the Gibson logo prominently displayed on the top. Like the guitar, it is in excellent condition, and includes case candy/instructions/etc. Since it is original, naturally it fits the guitar perfectly and provides great protection for this great guitar.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this unique instrument and its case, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it.

Thank you for your interest in this superb guitar.