Gibson Acoustic Guitars
Volume 2, Number 2
Photo Credits
Photography: Rob Outlaw, Bozeman, MT, unless otherwise noted.
Cover photo: Music Villa, Bozeman, MT. Location courtesy of Fred and Paul Decker.
The experience of becoming a Gibson Acoustic Guitar owner is much like other landmark “firsts” in one’s life. It’s a big event. You will probably remember the circumstances surrounding your purchase exactly; how the guitar smells and the wood grain looks, how it feels in your hands, how it sounds as you experiment with different notes and chords. You may experience the thrill that comes when you realize you are among a class of acoustic players that dates back to the early 1900s—you are a Gibsonite.
We want to make sure your experience in purchasing and owning a Gibson Acoustic is the best it can possibly be; that you are as proud of your instrument as we are. Please let us know by contacting us at one of the addresses listed on the back cover (e-mail from our web page or US mail). We look forward to welcoming you to the Gibson family!
A Gibson Harp Guitar from the early 1900s.
All models in this catalog come with a lifetime warranty, owner’s manual, specially designed case, and added-value humidity care kit.
See your authorized Gibson Dealer for pricing information. Specifications subject to change without notice.
©2003 Gibson Guitar Corp., Nashville, TN. All rights reserved.
“Give me a Gibson, and I’ll give you the smile . . . and the cares of life will vanish through the heavenly strains of strings.” Naomi Shamper
Gibsonite from the 1920s
With the rebirth of acoustic music and the availability of countless brands of acoustic guitars, many
fundamental truths related to the art of fine instrument building have become obscured. Of these truths, the most significant is the meaning of the designation Handmade, and how this method of guitar building has a profound relationship with the instrument, its music, and the experience of its player.
The fact is, all guitars have at least some “hands-on” assembly. But, for an acoustic guitar, it is the extent of its hand construction that makes the difference between handmade, or just merely assembled by hand.
Many modern acoustic guitar makers find ways to build instruments more quickly, cheaper, and in greater numbers. They achieve this by substituting easy bolt-on necks, prefabricated parts, quick-cure finishes, and clone-like guitar designs that work best in an assembly line production.
But legendary builders and players have always known that the “handmade” quality and individual design of an instrument determine its ability to produce a truly beautiful sound. A fine guitar responds to every nuance of a player’s technique, much like a fine car “turns on a dime.”
Consequently, when an instrument can deliver this level of quality, a pleasurable experience occurs for both the player and the listener. And it is for this wonderful effect that music lovers have praised Gibson instruments since the early 1900s, when they gathered throughout society and proudly proclaimed themselves as “Gibsonites” and “Gibsonians.” It is no accident that Gibson instruments have been the “artist’s choice” throughout an entire century of music, art and culture.
Today, this passionate loyalty still reaches deep into society, from stockbrokers to working musicians, from Hollywood stars to young families in the heartland of America.
It is for all these truths and reasons that each Gibson Acoustic Guitar is still Master Built in the tradition handed down by a dynasty of Gibson builders, which began with Orville Gibson in 1894.
WHAT DOES MASTER BUILT MEAN?
Dovetail Neck-To-Body Joint
This time-honored technique of attaching a guitar neck to its body creates a cohesive bond between these two vibrating elements of an acoustic guitar, as if they were one solid piece of wood. And unlike other brands, which offer acoustics with “bolt-on” necks to keep their production costs down, the master builders at Gibson know that a superior dovetail neck-to-body joint assures each Gibson Acoustic truly transforms all of the string vibrations into the beautiful sound of vibrating wood!
“Violin-Like” Lacquer Finish
Today more than ever, guitar manufacturers find additional ways to “cut corners” in their building time and processes with inferior coatings that shine, but do not sing. Unlike these other companies, Gibson still uses the tried and true “lacquer finish” on all its acoustic guitars. This finish is more complex in nature and will continue to merge with the wood as the years go by. Much like the old master finishes of fine violins, this traditional finish will age like a fine wine and will continue to sweeten the tone of the instrument as time goes on.
Carved and Scalloped Bracing
For over 100 years, the Gibson artisans have known the truth that the top of an instrument is not just a “vibrating wall.” Gibson carefully scallops and arches each top brace to focus the sound to the center of the guitar top. This technique is one of the reasons why artists, sound engineers, and listeners have acclaimed the sound of a Gibson as the world’s finest. Close your eyes and listen to a Gibson Acoustic. The distinctive “Gibson
Tone” is like the sound from a fine audio speaker.
Artistic Craftsmanship and Quality
Each Gibson Acoustic model is full of expression, character, and exquisite beauty. None is ordinary, and no two are alike. A
Gibson Acoustic stands out among the thousands of “look-alike” acoustics flooding the market today.
A Gibson Acoustic sets you apart from the regular crowd with the finest sound, playability, and appearance, which only a Master Built instrument can offer.
Which Gibson Acoustic is Right for You?
Super Jumbo Body
Excellent for creating a giant chordal background for vocal accompaniment.
Capable of a rich, full sound with a deep bass and crystal clear highs.
Has been the “Artist’s Choice” for all styles of music, from rock to country.
The world’s ultimate acoustic in its appearance and tone.
Round Shoulder Body
Well known as the “Workhorse” acoustic that is ideal for group ensemble performances. Delivers a sound with incredible dynamic range, warm mids, and a tight and punchy bass. Great for blues, folk, and bluegrass.
A powerful, traditional body design with the cutting power needed for professional performance.
Square Shoulder Body
Afiner quality and beauty than other square shoulders on the market today.
Very wide range of sound, from gutsy and loud to soft and sweet. Famous warm wood tone. Superb for all contemporary styles, whether just for chording, or for intricate solo music. Gibson Square Shoulders are distinctive, artistic, finest in craftsmanship, and superior in sound.
J-180 Jumbo Body
A more compact Jumbo with all the beauty and style Gibson has to offer.
Unsurpassed balance of lows, mids, and highs, with equal response to every note on the fretboard.
Perfect for powerful rhythm guitar, studio recording, and live acoustic-electric performance (for those models with pickups).
Acclaimed as the most “perfect” body size and shape for large, small, male or female players.
Small Body
The most unique and artistic small-body acoustics of this century.
A very vibrant sound in the midrange, combined with finely balanced bass and highs.
A top choice for blues and fingerstyle guitar performance.
World class acoustic suitable for home, studio, live stage, or high level professional performance.
...A Gibson Acoustic is—Perfect in Every Way... |
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J-200 Super Jumbo
~King of the Flat-tops~
The Gibson Super Jumbo 200 is the world’s most famous acoustic guitar and has earned its designation as the “King of the Flat-tops.” Since its release in 1937, its wide use by American artists of this century has made the Super Jumbo 200 (SJ-200 for short) the most widely played
acoustic guitar of our time. So much so, that this magnificent acoustic has truly become an icon for players of all musical styles including blues, folk and country, as well as for the world’s most legendary rock and pop performers from Elvis to the Rolling Stones.
The most striking features of today’s SJ-200 Reissue (pictured at right) include its carved Moustache® bridge, with its double bar Mother-of-Pearl inlays; its engraved, multicolor SJ-200 pickguard; its Mother-of-Pearl crown fretboard and headstock inlays; and its exquisite
flamed maple back and sides.
Bearing nothing in common to all the ordinary, “look-alike” acoustics in today’s guitar market, the
Gibson SJ-200 remains superior in its unique look, quality craftsmanship, and powerful sound.
In the words of superstar Emmylou Harris: “It is simply a thing of beauty—an American original with its shape and appearance. Nothing else even comes close.”
Gibson is proud to offer this ultimate acoustic along with a full line-up of other fine Gibson Super Jumbos, each with their own specific design and features. These guitars are offered in a wide range of prices suitable for any walk of life.
The “King of The Flat-tops,”
The SJ-200 Reissue.
Ray Whitley– The Envy of His Peers
The first appearance of this original Gibson Super Jumbo was in 1937, when it was presented to Hollywood singing star Ray Whitley as the world’s biggest and fanciest acoustic guitar. Ray became the envy of his peers, and other Hollywood singing celebrities of the era soon obtained their very own Super Jumbos, including cowboy legends Roy Rogers and Gene Autrey.
The style and features of the 1937 Ray Whitley Model have been incorporated in Gibson’s Custom Shop Western Classic (see photo at left). Note its rosewood back and sides; classic L-5 fretboard and headstock inlay; multiple bindings on the body, fretboard, top, and rosette; and its bound celluloid pickguard borrowed from Gibson’s legendary Super 400.
In 1938, the Gibson SJ-200—with its classic crown inlays and multi-flowered pickguard—went into production, and it was promoted as the world’s premier flat-top acoustic guitar.
Over 60 years later, this guitar has made its mark on history with its rich, full tone, its powerful bottom end and crystal clear highs, and its highly distinctive and majestic
appearance.
The Custom Shop Western Classic SJ-200 was designed after Gibson’s original 1937 Ray
Whitley Super Jumbo model.
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....with unrivaled Sound and Playability.... |
J-200 Super Jumbo Line
The “King of the Flat-tops” is available in seven special model offerings, which include four Custom Shop Super Jumbos (two of which are pictured below). See the Custom Shop section on pages 17 and 18 for information on the Super 200 Cutaway Custom and the SJ-200 Custom Vine.
J-100Xtra |
J-150. |
No frills, just the essential |
More affordable J-200, for the |
elements— Moustache |
performer who desires a “King |
Bridge, crown fingerboard |
of the Flat-tops.” Equipped |
inlays, transducer |
with transducer pickup. |
Super Jumbo body and |
Antique Natural Finish. |
important, Super Jumbo |
|
SJ-200 Reissue. |
SJ-200 Elite Custom. |
Western Classic SJ-200. |
Best-seller! Historic |
Custom Shop SJ-200 with |
Custom Shop pre-war replica |
1950s details and the most |
upgraded woods and features. |
fashioned after the 1937 Ray |
popular jumbo, known as |
Antique Natural or Vintage |
Whitley Model. Classic |
the “King of the |
Sunburst Finish. |
Vintage Sunburst Finish. |
Flat-tops.” Antique |
|
|
Natural or Vintage |
|
|
Sunburst Finish. |
|
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J-45 Round Shoulder
~The American Workhorse~
When you listen to a Gibson Round ShoulderAcoustic, you will notice that it responds to the player’s style and technique—powerful one moment, and soft and mellow This characteristic of these guitars is certainly one of the main attractions that
famous J-45 model, which over the years has been affectionately called “The Workhorse.”
Like the Gibson Super Jumbos, the Gibson Round ShoulderAcoustic body design is an innovation, which first appeared in Gibson’s 1934 catalog, and was promoted for its incredible
It is interesting to note that if you review the evolving culture and music inAmerica since the Gibson Round ShoulderAcoustics seem to appear in the hands of the celebrities and artists have significantly represented the times. Imagine a historic photo archive, marching frame by in silent effigy to the last 60 years of music: young Woody Guthrie on the street corner singing America; Hank Williams Sr.’s music echoing in a large concert hall with ChetAtkins as his backup; a smoky blues honky tonk guitar in the hands of Lightnin’ Hopkins; the scream ing crowd as the Beatles perform at Candlestick Park in 1966, and later John and Yoko at their historic “Bed-Ins”; and today, all over the world, and way out in front with artists such as rock diva Sheryl Crow—all playing Gibson Acoustics.
The beloved Gibson Round ShoulderAcoustics, simple in nature, have continually lured semi-professionals and amateurs with their playing comfort, punchy bass and warm, rich tonality.
This user-friendly Gibson guitar design is widely seen in its traditional 1940’s Vintage Sunburst finish (another Gibson innovation), mahogany back and sides, ’40s-style tuners, teardrop tortoise pickguard, and rosewood reverse belly bridge. These features are represented today in
the J-45 model (pictured above right). This best-selling model originated in 1942, and has remained a cornerstone Gibson Acoustic for the past five decades.
New Rosewood Wonder
current Round Shoulder Line includes new variations in woods and features which reflected in models like the new J-45 Rosewood (pictured left). This model bears its title
its premium rosewood back and sides, made to please J-45 lovers who desire the tone and look of a rosewood guitar. This model is handmade with an ebony finger-
board and bridge, and gold tuners.
Be sure to play a Gibson Round Shoulder during your next visit to your nearest authorized Gibson Acoustic Dealer. When you do, listen to it carefully and you will experience a sound that not only reminds you of our most memorable musical moments
in history, but also reflects the music of countless players around the world today.
The New J-45 Rosewood.
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...acclaimed by countless musical legends throughout this century. |
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