Gibson Custom Launches SJ-200 and Hummingbird Elegant Koa Guitars
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Editorial Dept.
Gibson Custom is giving two of its best-known acoustic guitars a new koa-focused treatment with the SJ-200 Elegant Koa and Hummingbird Elegant Koa. Both models come in a Honey Burst finish, pairing figured koa backs and sides with AAA Sitka spruce tops and detailed appointments. The new additions also bring built-in electronics aimed at players using the guitars onstage or in the studio.
In a press release, Gibson’s team announced that the SJ-200 Elegant Koa and Hummingbird Elegant Koa in Honey Burst are now available worldwide through authorized Gibson dealers, Gibson Garage locations in Nashville, London, and Miami, and Gibson.com.
Each guitar is handcrafted by the expert luthiers at Gibson Acoustic in Bozeman, Montana, and features richly figured koa back and sides paired with an AAA Sitka spruce top. Prized for its vibrant figuring and lively response, koa offers sparkling high-end clarity that develops greater warmth and complexity with regular play. A three-rope marquetry strip runs along the center of each koa back, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship and elevated aesthetic that unite the collection.
“The SJ-200 and Hummingbird represent defining chapters in Gibson acoustic history,” says Robi Johns, Gibson Acoustic Senior Product Development Manager. “With the Elegant Koa models, Gibson Custom honors the character that made these instruments legendary while introducing the beauty, clarity, and evolving warmth of koa. These are guitars designed to form an even deeper connection with players over a lifetime of music.”
First introduced in 1937, the SJ-200 earned its enduring reputation as “The King of the Flat-Tops” through its commanding projection, exceptional tonal depth, and unmistakable visual presence. The SJ-200 Elegant Koa builds on that legacy with koa back and sides, a AAA Sitka spruce top, and a rosewood SJ-200 two-bar moustache™ bridge featuring abalone bar inlays. Its tortoise-shell-colored pickguard is detailed with abalone dot inlays and a silver-foil stamp that creates vivid, shifting iridescence under changing light.
The SJ-200 Elegant Koa features a mahogany neck with a comfortable Round profile and a bound rosewood fretboard with 20 frets and abalone graduated crown inlays. Its single-ply bound headstock presents the Gibson logo and crown in abalone, complemented by a TUSQ® nut and gold-plated Grover® Rotomatic® tuners. A TUSQ saddle and TUSQ bridge pins complete the setup.
For live performance and recording, the SJ-200 Elegant Koa is equipped with L.R. Baggs™ Anthem electronics. The system combines an under-saddle Element pickup with an internal microphone and preamp to reproduce the guitar’s full, natural acoustic voice. Volume, mix, phase, and battery-check controls are positioned discreetly along the edge of the soundhole for convenient access.
Introduced in 1960 as Gibson’s first square-shoulder dreadnought, the Hummingbird quickly became one of the world’s most recognizable and versatile acoustic guitars. Celebrated for its powerful voice and ability to move effortlessly between expressive lead work and rich rhythm playing, it has remained a favorite among artists across generations and musical styles.
The Hummingbird Elegant Koa reimagines this iconic design with koa back and sides, a AAA Sitka spruce top, and a rosewood belly-up bridge accented with abalone dot inlays. Its distinctive tortoise-shell-colored pickguard builds on the traditional Hummingbird artwork of flowers, a butterfly, and a hummingbird, adding gold and silver-foil details that create a dynamic, iridescent appearance as the light changes.
A mahogany neck with a comfortable Round profile supports a bound rosewood fretboard with 20 frets and abalone split parallelogram inlays. The headstock is adorned with the Gibson logo and crown in abalone, along with a TUSQ nut and gold-plated Grover Rotomatic tuners. A TUSQ saddle and TUSQ bridge pins provide the finishing touches.
The Hummingbird Elegant Koa arrives ready for the stage and studio with L.R. Baggs VTC electronics. Its under-saddle Element pickup and internal preamp faithfully translate the guitar’s acoustic character. At the same time, discreet volume and tone controls at the soundhole provide quick adjustments without distracting from the instrument’s elegant appearance.
The launch adds to a run of recent Gibson guitar news, with LMB previously covering the company’s federal trademark victory involving its Flying V, Explorer and SG designs.
Together, the SJ-200 Elegant Koa and Hummingbird Elegant Koa reflect Gibson Custom’s dedication to player-focused design. Their comfortable neck profiles and familiar playing feel encourage effortless performance, while their premium materials and handcrafted appointments make each guitar a distinctive personal statement.
Each Elegant Koa model includes a Gibson Custom hardshell case for dependable protection during travel and storage. With their rich acoustic voices, exceptional visual detail, and professional electronics, the SJ-200 Elegant Koa and Hummingbird Elegant Koa offer a refined playing experience for performance, recording, songwriting, and musical exploration.
Read more about the Gibson SJ-200 Elegant Koa on the Gibson Gazette: HERE.
About Gibson:
Gibson, the iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for over 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies.
The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand; MESA/Boogie, the home of tone; KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by all Gibson brands.
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