what DiD i Buy?
Gibson sJ-200
I’d finished a tour at the end of 2016 where two of the artists I was backing used blonde Gibson J-200s. I’ve never owned one but these instruments gave me the ‘gear worm’ so I began scouring the ads for a True Historic or some such. Then I spotted a used one on Ebay. It was a blonde 2003 Historic, in delightfully flamed maple with a beautifully aged golden hue. It was immaculate, except the pickguard flowers had been worn away from strumming. I went to see it and bought it on the spot. It was stage-ready with an LR Baggs Element fitted, and it played and sounded great. But that faded guard annoyed me, so I emailed my Gibson contact, sending a pic of the guitar, the worn flowers and of course the serial number. Literally days later, from America, a large envelope arrived containing a new one. Carefully prizing the old one off and cleaning the residue with T-Cut, I simply peeled off the protective backing and stuck the new one on. It looks amazing! I’m going to fit a Baggs Anthem when I get a moment, as it’s my favourite after-market pickup. But I’m well chuffed with my new acquisition.