Help needed - Difference between SJ200 Modern Classic and other models

[Chilly]

Hi and hello, been scanning the web also the Gibson site but cant find much info on it .

Anyone out there with any information would be appreciated.

[EuroAussie]

Youre not really giving us much to go with here, can you be more specific ?

[Chilly]

Youre not really giving us much to go with here, can you be more specific ?

 

Hi, sorry not too specific was I, well there is always a little story behind every question.

I have always wanted a J200 for a long time now. Been scanning the web and after a few attempts

I finally got one, my mistake (not a bad one I hope) was not researching enough.

I didn't realise there were so many versions of the model. I Google'd the SJ and the J, saw that it was the same thing (hope I'm right)

So I saw a gorgeous SJ200 2008 for sale and decided it was for me. Well it had the letters MC in the title, you see lots of abbreviations and rightly thought it ment modern classic, my mistake was to think of the SJ200 as a "modern classic" but not in the model sence, I assumed in the classic sence...

 

So I wrongly thought I was getting a Standard model, don't get me wrong it plays on its own and its a fine example, fantastic sound. So really I just want to find

out more about the Modern Classic model that I have. It is vintage sunburst, it has an lr baggs pick up. Where is the model in terms of quality in relation to the other many models, how long has this model been around, whats different to other models.

 

Here's hoping I choose wisely

[BigKahune]

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It's what Gibson called the STD for a couple years, more or less. I have one.

 

 

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[EuroAussie]

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It's what Gibson called the STD for a couple years, more or less. I have one.

 

 

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Exactly. In other words you've got yourself a top notch J-200.

[Chilly]

Exactly. In other words you've got yourself a top notch J-200.

I'm feeling good already, why so many names, marketing I guess

[BigKahune]

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BTW, here's a look into Gibson's thinking on the MC moniker - http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/productspotlight/gearandinstruments/True%20Vintage%20and%20Modern%20Classi/ .This was at the start of the start of the True Vintage and Modern Classic line ups. The best quote from the article: “The Modern Classics are designed for the contemporary player, and particularly for crossover players who go between fingerstyle and pick ... [with] finest electronics available...”. Also, with "Modern Classic" Gibson seemed to be looking for a way to separate the "standard" model name from the True Vintage models. A couple of years later they simply went with "Standard". The article also gets into the thinking on the True Vintage series.

 

 

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[Chilly]

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BTW, here's a look into Gibson's thinking on the MC moniker - http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/productspotlight/gearandinstruments/True%20Vintage%20and%20Modern%20Classi/ .This was at the start of the start of the True Vintage and Modern Classic line ups. The best quote from the article: “The Modern Classics are designed for the contemporary player, and particularly for crossover players who go between fingerstyle and pick ... [with] finest electronics available...”. Also, with "Modern Classic" Gibson seemed to be looking for a way to separate the "standard" model name from the True Vintage models. A couple of years later they simply went with "Standard". The article also gets into the thinking on the True Vintage series.

 

 

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Thanks for the info, any ideas on the cost compared to other models, I read somewhere it cost less than the standard and some said the wood used was not as good?

[Bob Isaac]

A 200 is possibly next on my list but I have noticed two designs of pickguards and no obvious reason why some have one and some have the other. Here are the two:

 

 

 

I thought it may be the TV or Custom has one and the Standard has the other, but have seen the Standard Natural with one design and the Standard Sunburst with the other.

 

Bob

[duluthdan]

Here is the PG on my 2002 Standard: Interesting that the first PG pictured above seems to have one of the Dandelions (that's what they look like to me) kind of smooshed into the soundhole.

[BigKahune]

Thanks for the info, any ideas on the cost compared to other models, I read somewhere it cost less than the standard and some said the wood used was not as good?

 

At the time there wasn't a "Standard", the MC was the "Standard" and it was one of the most expensive regular production models. It's the same guitar as the Standard far as the wood goes. The MC has the L.R. Baggs Element Active pickup and the current Standard has the Fishman Ellipse Aura. The pickguard is another story. Some folks don't like the thicker/softer "wear proof" pickguard. Then there's the 2 ribbon vs 4 ribbon bridge thing. The MC and the current Standard have then 2 ribbon bridge. The MC is a great guitar, here's mine -

 

 

[Chilly]

At the time there wasn't a "Standard", the MC was the "Standard" and it was one of the most expensive regular production models. It's the same guitar as the Standard far as the wood goes. The MC has the L.R. Baggs Element Active pickup and the current Standard has the Fishman Ellipse Aura. The pickguard is another story. Some folks don't like the thicker/softer "wear proof" pickguard. Then there's the 2 ribbon vs 4 ribbon bridge thing. The MC and the current Standard have then 2 ribbon bridge. The MC is a great guitar, here's mine -

 

 

That is a lovely looking guitar you have there and thanks for the info,

[greatwhite_10]

YUM! Killer J-200. Played a Custom Shop Model this weekend, Rosewood B/S, Sitka, and lotsa abalone. Played beautifully, sounded warm, rich ... wait ... am I talking myself into this? Could be trouble, here.