The King of the Flat-Tops, Reborn
There are few guitars as iconic as the SJ-200. From dusty folk ballads to stadium rock anthems, its commanding presence and powerful voice are legendary. Epiphone, in a landmark collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop, has resurrected the 1957 model, bringing the thunder and the elegance of the “King of the Flat-Tops” to a new generation. This isn’t just a tribute—it’s an all-solid wood, period-correct recreation built for players who demand authentic vintage tone.
All-Solid Woods, Aged for Tone
The heart of the SJ-200’s legendary sound is its tonewood combination. This reissue features a thermally aged solid Sitka spruce top, which provides the warm, broken-in character of a guitar that’s been played for decades, right out of the case. Paired with solid figured maple back and sides, the result is a tone that’s massive and booming, but with a crisp, clear high-end and focused midrange that cuts through any mix. Scalloped X-bracing underneath enhances the resonance and sustain, allowing every note to bloom.
Authentic Feel & Iconic Look
The two-piece flame maple neck with a walnut stringer has a comfortable C-profile that feels substantial yet easy to play. Topped with a smooth Indian rosewood fingerboard and adorned with classic Mother-of-Pearl graduated crown inlays, it plays as good as it looks. And it *looks* incredible. From the Gibson-style “open book” headstock to the instantly recognizable rosewood “Moustache” bridge and engraved celluloid pickguard, every detail is a nod to its historic roots.
Ready for Stage and Studio
While it’s a faithful recreation of a vintage classic, the 1957 SJ-200 is built for the modern musician. It comes equipped with an L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC preamp and undersaddle pickup system, delivering a rich, natural-sounding amplified tone. The volume and tone controls are discreetly mounted in the soundhole, preserving the guitar’s vintage aesthetic while giving you complete control over your sound on stage. It’s the perfect blend of vintage soul and modern reliability.















