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Bob Dylan, Guitars

Bob Dylan’s Beautiful Guitar Is The Ultimate Artist Model

Bob Dylan’s beautiful SJ-200 Custom is “worth every penny.”

By Stephen Pate – When I heard Gibson was releasing a Bob Dylan Artists Model guitar, I had to get one. I’m a huge Dylan fan and admired the SJ-200 as the King of the Flattops for decades.

Thanks to commenter Merle who agrees with me the Bob Dylan Gibson SJ-200 Player’s Edition is “worth every penny” adding “Best J200 I’ve ever played.”

A Bob Dylan Gibson SJ-200 Player’s Edition with the best-looking appointments, best tonewoods and legacy construction – there was no question I had to get one.

I got my guitar last Friday.  Yes, I got one of these magnificent Gibson Bob Dylan SJ-200 Player’s Edition guitars and it’s everything I thought it would be and more.

It took me weeks to take the plunge and another 2 weeks to get my guitar.  I simply could not pass up owning a Bob Dylan official Gibson after I heard the sound.

OK, it’s the most expensive guitar I own, but not by a large amount. I have 3 excellent Martin guitars worth close to the Dylan SJ-200 plus a Gibson ES-335 of the same quality.

The Gibson Bob Dylan SJ-200 Player’s Edition plays like a dream. The sound is magnificent, full round and rich.

Do you know how the guy was awed in the video review Amazing Sound From Gibson Bob Dylan SJ-200 Player’s Edition? That’s the jaw-dropping feeling I got and still get playing the Dylan SJ-200.

I love the neck which is easy on my hands. The guitar responds to fingerpicking but really opens up with a pick and gets better the harder you play.

Gibson Bob Dylan SJ-200 Player's Edition

Gibson Bob Dylan SJ-200 Player’s Edition

My wife said “Gone Country have ya?” after the first song I played with the big SJ-200 guitar sound.

The guitar surprised me with a chorus effect playing it through a Fender Eric Clapton Vibro-Champ 5W with a slight tremolo effect. First, it should be the wrong amp but it isn’t. Second, the Dylan SJ-200 was competing with the amp for volume.

The fit and finish of the guitar are impeccable. There is not a mark, imperfection, or finish ripple on the neck or AAA flame maple body.

The Adirondack red spruce top appears to be a one-piece which is rare these days. It’s just gorgeous. The only quibble I have, and it’s a tiny one, is that the braces inside are not sanded super smooth.

Features

Body: Super Jumbo SJ-200
Top: Adirondack red spruce
Bracing: Vintage Style Cut with Hyde Glue
Back and sides: AAA Flamed Maple
Fingerboard and inlay: Rosewood with mother-of-pearl Bella Voce
Headstock and inlay: Mother-of-pearl Gibson and Dylan Eye logo decal
Hardware: Gold Keystone
Scale: 25- 1/2
Bridge: Rosewood 4-Bar inlay Moustache
Finish: Vintage Sunburst
Pickguard: Double guards with Dylan style J-200 laser-engraved design with mother-of-pearl dots
Pickup: L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system
Certificate of Authenticity

Specifications from Gibson

For another video review of Dylan, SJ-200 guitar see  Gibson Bob Dylan SJ-200 Player’s Edition Review Cool Times 1   

2 Comments

  1. Did you try it?

  2. Merle

    Just saw one at Renaissance Music in Kingston Ontario, Canada. Best J200 I’ve ever played. This guitar is worth every penny. I’m in love.

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