Brucebubs

I'd like to know myself - can you show me the difference in pictures or drawings so I know what to look for?

Congrats - Beautiful guitar, love that pickguard - I've had my Historic 1957 SJ-200 for 6 days now! Still going through the 'honeymoon' period. I have a friend with many years of guitar experience and he likes to start with 80/20's on all his rosewood guitars then swap them if he thinks it needs it - I'm not usually a big fan of 80/20's myself but I'm considering trying them on my 1st SJ-200 string change.

Made me go look ... and you are absolutely correct - serial number is ink-stamped on the neck block. Thanks for that. I did note in my NGD thread that the internal label has the model as just 'J- 200' where the warranty and COA list it 'SJ-200".

Loving my new Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 but a couple of things caught my eye. 1. - The saddle is not compensated, just straight like my Guild F-412. Are all SJ-200's like this? 2.- There's nothing stamped on the back of the headstock - no serial number or 'Made In USA' - is that unusual? ( those Gotoh keystone tuners are superb too)

Reckon I've wanted a SJ-200 for about 50 years now - first 40 was always blonde - but I'm glad I changed my mind now -the Vintage Sunburst does look great. I'm really happy with it.

Thanks Fred, I read your reply on the AGF too - much appreciated.

Let me start by saying I really like my EJ-200 - swapped saddle and pins to bone and found round core DR Sunbeams lights just lifted way above it's pay grade! - narrow nut was as small as I could handle - needed a firm right hand to really bring out it's best. This SJ-200 is a completely different experience - a little lighter build with a slightly wider nut but it sits on your lap exactly the same as the EJ-200 - after that well, everything is different - more responsive so ease right back with the right hand - There's just no need to hit the strings as hard - huge depth of tone yet beautifully balanced - this is a jumbo guitar that really lets you know it's a jumbo - imagine you've only ever played upright pianos and now you're playing a grand piano for the 1st time ... with the lid open! -my EJ-200 was best as a strummer, the Gibson is way more versatile, finger-style, flat-pick & strumming, in some part that wider nut really helps make it too - fret board on the SJ feels a little flatter than the EJ too. My EJ-200 is a great guitar and I often find myself smiling at how good it is for the price - the Gibson was hugely expensive here in Australia but when you get over that it will make you smile for different reasons.

Actually I have the guitar in open E tuned down a 1/2 step!

Thank you for all the kind comments - I'm coming to grips with it and it just sounds better each time I play it - yes, the 'Honeymoon' period is just beginning! Here I am.

Took this shot yesterday of my 2012 Epiphone EJ-200 Natural and new 2020 Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst.

Sweetwater are taking orders for a new full body EJ-200 - No cutaway and no 'barn door' electronics. Looks great! https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EIA200HSGH--epiphone-ej-200-acoustic-electric-heritage-cherry-sweetwater-exclusive

I think your pre-war version is the best looking guitar in the whole new Historic series and this '57 in Vintage Sunburst is 2nd. First thing that hit me was the depth of the sound, amazing ... but still beautifully balanced.

Question for Gibson aficionados - on my Gibson Certificate of Authenticity the guitar is called a '1957 SJ-200' but on the label inside the guitar it is called '1957 J-200' ... they drop the 'S'?

I picked up a brand new 2020 Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst yesterday. I just checked inside my guitar with a mirror - there's nothing like the glue mess in the OP's pictures - very clean.

Hi BK - left home 6.45am got back 5.15pm. Roadworks and a (red) P-plater on it's roof outside Bega slowed us up a bit. Small shop, one at a time. Did a superb set up which is much appreciated. I've left my Huss & Dalton on consignment with them - beautiful guitar but neck width a fraction too wide for me - the Gibson is perfect.

I have a really nice clean Epiphone EJ-200 I bought used back in 2018. My new Gibson cost a little over 30 times more. Are they similar? Not even close - this is a whole new class.

New Gibson Guitar Day Ordered Feb 6 - picked up yesterday Oct28 - my first Gibson. 2020 Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst. Amazing depth and surprising versatility - it's magnificent!

Anyone notice the guitar Elvis used in the movie 'Jailhouse Rock'? An Aussie made Maton jumbo! I've never seen one here.

I think I prefer the lighter version - loses a touch of contrast but there's more detail visible which improves the foreground too.

Mark Knopfler moving tribute to the late Stirling Moss.

Thanks everyone for the wonderful replies - this is my first Gibson - reckon I've been wanting one for about ... um ,.. 50 years now so a few days more won't hurt.

Guitar was sent to Australia in a shipment straight from Gibson USA - no dealer. Might be the Australian distributor unpacked the guitar and checked it before forwarding it on to the dealer here?

I'm in Eden on the far South coast NSW and guitar is in Nowra - sure they could courier it down to me but I preferred to see it 1st hand before handing over the $ balance! Could have chosen a closer Canberra dealer but border closures might have left it stranded it it turned up earlier. They did knock a little off the price for picking it up at store when I ordered it. The courier itself isn't expensive but they weren't prepared to send it down without insurance - which I appreciate! The store owner described it as it was like finding a 60 year old guitar in mint condition.

Well, exactly 260 days from order to delivery to store. 2020 Gibson Custom Shop Historic Series 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst. Store is a 5 hour drive each way - planning on picking it up middle of next week.