1968 Gibson J-200 Acoustic

The Gibson catalog describes their J-200 model as “King of the Flat Top Guitars” and the big 17″ jumbo acoustic makes an impression every time you open the case. With a long list of deluxe appointments, the J-200 draws attention for its big sound and unique looks. Maybe that’s why Bob Dylan played a 1968 J-200 just like this one at the Isle of Wight festival in 1969.

This vintage 1968 J-200 with sunburst finish is in excellent condition. The guitar is free of cracks, and the original lacquer finish is well-preserved with only light checking. Although this Gibson has very little wear, it has been professionally refretted, a very clean job indeed. The previous owner preferred a larger fretwire with a little more real estate over the binding, and the frets play smoothly with very low action up the neck. He also had a pickup jack installed through the endpin, so our luthier plugged that and restored the stock appearance with an original gold screw-in endpin out of the parts box.

Gold Grover tuners and Tune-O-Matic bridge complete the gold hardware look. The paper label inside the soundhole confirms the status of the J-200, as very few Gibson flat top models had one. The “extra large tone chamber” provides plenty of volume and a musical voice, so the J-200 is a great singer-songwriter instrument. Complete with Gibson hang tag, 1970’s era Gibson strings, and Gibson-badged hardshell case with yellow lining.