Gibson J-200N Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1958), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-27247, natural lacquer finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case.
This beautiful natural-finish J-200 is easily the cleanest 1950s example we have had, a visual symphony of spruce and maple! It was built in late 1957 (according to the "U" coded Factory Order Number) and originally shipped out of Kalamazoo around early March 1958, one of only 51 of these big blonde beauties sent into the world that year.
The J-200 (formerly the SJ-200) was already the performing choice of many country stars, but by this time had become a favorite of many early rockers as well. Elvis Presley himself acquired a natural J-200 much like this guitar in October 1956, and it became his stage standard for much of his subsequent career. The Everly Brothers adopted twin sunburst models as accompaniment for their timeless duets, and the J-200 became forever enshrined as the #1 Rock & Roll rhythm guitar; just ask Pete Townshend! It also remained a top C&W singer's choice (alongside Martin's D-28) the best playing companion to a Nudie suit.
This one has typical features for the later 1950's-the "N" in the name specifies the "Natural" clear lacquer finish over the nicely if subtly flamed maple back and sides and close grained spruce top. The top is multi-bound and decorated with the unique floral-engraved tortoise celluloid pickguard and the redoubtable "moustache" bridge with multiple pearl inlays-both hallmarks of the model. The laminated maple neck has a bound rosewood fingerboard with "crown" inlay, topped with a bound pearl inlaid headstock.
This "King of the Flattops" was Gibson's top-priced non-carved acoustic guitar, gracing the cover of that year's acoustic instrument catalog and listing inside at $370 plus $52.50 for the case. It was designed to power an entire band and look great doing it. The ultimate front person's guitar, the J-200 is still unsurpassed in that role and a fantastic live or recording guitar when a powerful rhythm sound is the job to be done. This one is about as nice as they come 65+ years along.
Overall length is 42 1/4 in. (107.3 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This J-200 is extremely nicely preserved overall, showing only very light wear for its age and a few minor repairs. The all-original natural finish is very clean with only light scuffing and handling wear, with a few tiny dings and dents but virtually none of the typical pickwear often seen on these strummer's guitars. The back of the neck is extremely clean as are the back and sides of the body. Even the headstock edges have only minimal wear; there is an old small sticker (or possibly strap) mark on the headstock face between the truss rod cover and the crown inlay.
The spruce top has a few tight grain splits resealed, the longest along the center seam, with a small split off the lower edge of the fingerboard extension and another one running back from the front edge about 1 1/2" below the fingerboard extension. All are cleanly sealed with no cleats or touchup. Internally all bracing and the maple bridgeplate remain untouched original.
The action is currently at 4/32" bass and treble and the saddle is about as low as we would want to go. While this is not quite as low as we would set it on many smaller instruments this is appropriate for a J-200 contributing to the huge ringing sound. This is certainly the cleanest '50s J-200 we have had, in the original brown case which is far less worn than most, again one of the cleanest we have seen. This is a divinely cool package, a rhythm player's delight, and fine songwriter's tool and effortlessly sharp looking front person's guitar, even without the Nudie suit! Overall Excellent Condition.
