The tuners are excellent and the guitar stays in tune. The fit and finish are as good as any "American" competitor at one tenth the cost. I bought the black one and my friends and I are overwhelmed with the look. The Epi has become my number one acoustic guitar. I was looking for an inexpensive guitar to haul around and not put my higher enf Alvarez and Martin at risk of travel injury. It currently retails for $899 and comes in two colors - Aged Vintage Sunburst and Aged Natural Antique.The EJ-2000CE has been a real surprise.
As of 2020, Epiphone released a new "Inspired by Gibson" model of the J-200, which brings the character and specifications of the Gibson model to a wider market. Gibson's brand, Epiphone, produces a more affordable version of the J-200. Gibson also does limited run models, such as the J-200 Koa, the J-200 Trophy, and Montana Gold. Two replicas of old models one the Prewar SJ-200 in Rosewood and the other a replica of a 1957 from Gibson's Historic Collection of guitars.Īlong with these three are two reissues, the True Vintage (based on the 1950s construction) and the Western Classic Prewar 200, which is similar in specifications to the original early models (rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard, block inlays). The SJ-200 Custom is a high-end model, featuring rosewood back and sides (like the original SJ-200s from the 1930s), a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, gold hardware, Grover Imperial tuners, LR Baggs electronics, an upgraded case, the same three-piece neck as the Standard and Studio, abalone inlays, an engraved pickguard, an older, script-style Gibson logo, and a 'four ribbon bridge' instead of the Standard's 'two ribbon' bridge.
It also has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, an engraved pickguard, and mother-of-pearl crown inlays. The SJ-200 Standard is available in sunburst and natural, featuring LR Baggs electronics, gold hardware, Grover tuners, figured maple back and sides and a three-piece laminate neck (maple/rosewood/maple). The SJ-200 Studio is the lowest model in the line, featuring walnut rather than maple back and sides, chrome hardware, a plain pickguard, natural finish and no fingerboard binding, but it retains the inlays and electronics of the SJ-200 Standard. Gibson currently makes many variations of the J-200. By the late 80s when the Bozeman shop opened up these instruments were reverted back to the original sought after designs of the 30s 40s and 50s. The models built from 47-57 are considered widely known as powerful, lush, and great sounding guitars for strumming and song writing. Adjustments to bridge design and bracing starting in the early 60s lead to dramatically changing tone and projection of the instrument. Early models made from rosewood are highly prized by collectors. Due to the weak post-depression economy and wartime austerity, demand for this high-end guitar was very limited and production quantities were small.
Gibson changed the name to the J-200 in 1955. In 1947 the materials used for the guitar changed to maple back and sides. The SJ-200 was named for its super-large 16 7/8" flat top body, with a double-braced red spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and sunburst finish. It was made at the Gibson Factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gibson entered into production of this model in 1937 as its top-of-the-line flat top guitar, initially called the Super Jumbo, changing the name in 1939 to the Super Jumbo 200.