"Brian May explains the influences behind his Gibson SJ-200 12-string: astronomy, the Everly Brothers, and a deep bond with Freddie Mercury, resulting in a personal touch on his instrument."
Rock on! Gibson, the legendary guitar manufacturer, missed out on a massive opportunity by not offering their big-bodied super-jumbo in a 12-string version. However, they left the door open for Guild to step in and fill the gap with their F-512 model, cherished by musicians like John Denver and David Gilmour.
This month, we're dreaming about the SJ-200 designed in partnership with Brian May, Queen's iconic guitarist. He used this beauty for his solo performances, including the spine-tingling "Love Of My Life."
Brian absolute adores this new guitar and has been flaunting it live on stage. He says, "I used the Guild for a long time, but this guitar is it!" The duo worked together on the guitar's specs, with Gibson choosing the wood types, and Brian specifying personal design elements. The result? A masterpiece made from AAA Indian rosewood for the back and sides, matching fingerboard and bridge, AAA Sitka spruce top, and a neck of AAA flamed maple.
It doesn't stop there! The SJ-200 features a walnut 'stinger' on the headstock's rear, 12 gold-plated mini Grover tuners, bone nut and bridge saddle, Fishman's Matrix preamp with undersaddle piezo pickup, and soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls.
When it comes to personal touches, look no further than the headstock, fingerboard inlays, and pickguard. Brian himself designed these unique elements, including an elongated headstock with an eight-pointed star logo, a pickguard showcasing an astronomy-themed design with Mercury taking center stage, and a floral pattern replaced by cosmic stars.
Ever wished for a custom guitar from the brand that made J-200s for Elvis, Bob Dylan, and Jimmy Page? Well, you're in luck! In Brian's own words, "It was beyond my wildest dreams... I hardly have to sing at all. I just play and they sing."
This gorgeous SJ-200 is currently available for a reasonable price of $7,999, making it a standout among artist signature models. Who knows, Gibson might even create a standard model down the line. Until then, enjoy the stardust vibes with the Gibson Custom Shop Brian May SJ-200 12-string!
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- The Gibson Custom Shop Brian May SJ-200 12-String is available now, priced at $7,999.
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- Brian May, the renowned guitarist from Queen, is enamored with his new custom SJ-200 12-string guitar from Gibson Custom Shop, describing it as a masterpiece.
- The SJ-200 features unique design elements, such as an elongated headstock with an eight-pointed star logo, an astronomy-themed pickguard, and a cosmic star-patterned pickguard.
- This distinctive guitar, currently available for $7,999, boasts premium materials including AAA Indian rosewood for the back and sides, AAA Sitka spruce top, and AAA flamed maple neck.
- The Gibson Custom Shop Brian May SJ-200 12-string also comes equipped with a Fishman Matrix preamp, 12 gold-plated mini Grover tuners, bone nut and bridge saddle, and a walnut 'stinger' on the headstock's rear.
