Latest news with #SJ-200
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gibson brings back its wild Les Paul acoustic hybrid for the first time in more than 20 years
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There's no doubt that the Gibson Les Paul is one of the most iconic electric guitars ever produced, but does it work as an acoustic guitar? That's a question Gibson is clearly keen to answer with the launch of the Les Paul Parlor. It's likely to divide fans (similar to how Fender's Acoustasonic range split opinion) but it's certainly an interesting concept. Gibson is approaching cautiously here. Unlike its previous Les Paul acoustic iterations – which came in 1969 and 2000 for three and four-year runs, respectively – the body shape is a lot smaller this time around. Featuring a parlor-sized body 'reminiscent of a scaled-down SJ-200', its compactness may just sway those on the fence about this hybrid aesthetic. Taking tonewood cues from the source material, its back and sides are crafted with solid mahogany, and there's a AAA flame maple top for 'a bit of bite and note definition to the warm tone from the mahogany body'. The bookmatched top also benefits from traditional scalloped X-bracing with single-ply cream binding found all over to ensure the Les Paul's legendary chic carries across. Mahogany is also employed for the neck, which has a notable Advanced Response profile. Expect a neck that's not 'too beefy nor too slim', while its 12"-radius, 19-fret fingerboard is made from rosewood. Pearloid trapezoid inlays harmonize with the guitar's cream binding (and continues the LP vibe, naturally) and the neck attaches to the body with a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint. Rosewood returns for the bridge, which is installed in a belly-down orientation. TUSQ is the material of choice for its nut and saddle, and its Grover Rotomatic tuners are nickel-plated. Another hint of the parlor's electric lineage comes via the mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and gold Les Paul Model decal on the headstock. And, seeing as it's part of the LP family, it would be remiss not to saddle this thing up with some pickups. An L.R. Baggs VTC +4 under-saddle piezo pickup and active preamp are the electronics of choice here. As the system's name implies, this model has an output 4dB hotter than the standard VTC system. Still, we can't imagine this guitar is going to be hooked up to a Marshall stack. There are two finish options available, Vintage Sunburst and Vintage Cherry Sunburst, and both are available as left-handed models too. The Gibson Les Paul Parlor is priced at $3,999 and comes with a hardshell case. Head to Gibson to oggle it some more. Gibson has been evolving its acoustic range in 2025, with top picks including a new Acoustic Specials series that brings its most beloved (and expensive) designs to lower price points, a downsized, single-cut take on the SJ-200 via the Parlor Rosewood EC, and a signature, twist-laden take on the J-45 for Margo Price.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brian May's first Gibson signature is here – and it's got nothing to do with the Red Special
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. After announcing their unexpected partnership early last year, Gibson and Brian May have unveiled their first collaborative signature guitar creation – and it's not a Murphy Lab Red Special. Instead, the legendary Queen guitarist has been honored with a 12-string SJ-200 acoustic guitar. When May and Gibson first confirmed they would be working together, many speculated that the partnership would lead to Custom Shop (and maybe even Epiphone) recreations of the iconic Red Special. Hype was further fanned when May himself revealed to Guitar World that reissues of the DIY guitar he made with his father were indeed on the cards, but it seems we'll have to wait a little longer for a Gibson Red Special. For their first drop, the pair have instead prioritized a 12-string SJ-200, which was designed specifically for May after he required one for tour. However, it's quite unlike your standard 12-string – not only are 12-string SJ-200s exceptionally uncommon, this particular example has also been altered to suit May's personal strumming style. As May explains in a press release, his signature SJ-200 flips the 12-string script on its head by reversing the order of the octave and regular acoustic guitar strings. 'The idea for this guitar came when I needed a 12-String on tour, and the one I was accustomed to wasn't performing right on stage,' May explains. 'The guys at Gibson very kindly said, 'We'll make you something special that you can use on the tours.' 'One of the things I asked for was for the octaves to be placed around the other way from where it is normally done, because I like to pick upwards and hear the top notes when I'm playing. I like to hear the high octave coming through as then I can play tunes on it.' A bevy of top-notch tonewoods form the foundation of May's first Gibson, with AAA rosewood back and sides lining up alongside an AAA Sitka spruce top that boasts an elegant Vintage Sunburst finish. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Elsewhere, there's a rosewood fingerboard with agoya shell eight-point star inlays, a planetary themed pickguard designed by May, and gold Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, as well as a solid rosewood moustache bridge, walnut stringer and Fishman Matrix electronics. All in all, it's a very pretty SJ-200 indeed, but as May is quick to point out, it's also a display of refined acoustic guitar engineering. The decision to reverse-mount the strings – so the thicker-gauge strings are on top of the thinner octaves – is a small but influential decision that will have a huge impact on its tone and playability. As Gibson puts it, it lends itself to 'a distinctive sound that's unlike other Gibson 12-String acoustic models'. May, unsurprisingly, is impressed: 'If you look at this guitar, the beauty of it, and the beauty of the sound, and look at the science in this guitar, look how much technology and craftsmanship has gone into this guitar. 'Gibson was able to put the universe on it in a figurative way and the planet Mercury is here, and that is a little nod to a friend of mine that is always with me.' Image 1 of 4 Image 2 of 4 Image 3 of 4 Image 4 of 4 'As a trailblazing sound pioneer, trendsetter, and one of the most influential musicians of all time, it's an absolute privilege to be collaborating with Sir Brian May,' says Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson, of the new release. 'Brian's impact on music and culture is second to none and was a transformational influence on my personal music journey. We are deeply honored that Brian has trusted Gibson with this SJ-200 12-string guitar, and we are excited to finally bring it to music lovers around the world.' Only 100 of these 12-string SJ-200s will be made, and they'll be available for $7,999 via the Gibson Garages in Nashville and London, and on the Gibson website. Head over to Gibson to find out more. Image 1 of 3 Image 2 of 3 Image 3 of 3
