One of the Best: Gibson Western Classic Prewar 200 Guitar
Written: Jun 22 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Top of the line, workmanship, materials, sound, warranty, hard shell case
Cons: This is too nice to have cons!
The Bottom Line: The Gibson Prewar 200 Western Classic Reissue is a top of the line instrument, both in performance and appearance. It don't get no better than this!
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| George_Chabot's Full Review: Gibson Western Classic Sj-200 |
Gibson Western Classic Prewar 200
For those of you who always pictured yourself as a singing cowboy, the Gibson is the Rolls Royce of guitars.
A product of the Gibson Custom Shop, of Bozeman, Montana, the Gibson Western Classic Prewar 200 is hand built out of the finest woods and lovingly fashioned by craftsmen who also play guitar themselves.
The Western Classic Prewar 200 is a member of the esteemed SJ 200 series of guitars, having a “Super Jumbo” curvy guitar body of the largest size. Unlike most SJ 200s, however, which are made of maple, the Prewar 200 has a back and sides made of premium Indian Rosewood for a deeper, smoky tone that is indescribably luscious to my ears. The top is premium Sitka Spruce for the best frequency response and the arched and scalloped internal bracing is calculated through Gibson’s long experience to drive the sound you make out through the sound hole to reach your audience. Folks, this is a loud, great sounding guitar!
The solid wooden pieces are beautifully matched with the two halves of the back joined by a beautiful piece of three rope marquetry. The neck is solid Eastern Curly Maple and has gorgeous figure, as do all the woods used in this premium instrument. The neck is joined to the body by the special Gibson dovetail joint which virtually makes the guitar one piece of wood for best transference of the string vibrations to the sound chamber.
The scale length is 25 ½” and width at nut is 1.725” like all the large Gibson acoustics. This means playability is assured for those who play a full sized guitar, like myself. I have found all the Gibson acoustics to be eminently playable, able to grab chords and positions with authority while plucking the strings without having to think about whether I’m going to hit the right note. When you can do this with assurance, your music becomes a connection between your mind and your audience. The guitar nearly plays itself!
As a product of the Custom Shop, the Gibson Western Classic Prewar 200 has super deluxe appointments that will make it a hit with you and your on-lookers. The body, neck, and headstock are fully bound in multiple layer contrasting celluloid for appearance and protection. Solid wood guitars need the corners protected from knocks that would otherwise split the wood. The fingerboard and tailpiece are solid African Ebony, among the hardest woods, and responsible for the brilliant sustain of the Prewar 200.
The guitar is generously decked out in mother of pearl accents including large block position markers along the fret board, a special “torch” inlay in the headstock, as well as the famous Gibson name logo, four large inlays in the pierced mustache bridge-tailpiece, and an abalone rosette around the sound hole. Gold Waverley tuners and a bound Ray Whitley-style tortoise pick guard complete the deluxe appurtenances. The guitar comes furnished with Gibson Masterbuilt round wound phosphor bronze strings.
The guitar is finished with a tri-burst sunburst, just like the 1937 Ray Whitley model it’s patterned after. The finish, which I presume is standard Gibson hand rubbed lacquer becomes part of the wood and ages to that glorious and highly coveted vintage Gibson appearance along with sounding better and better as the years go by.
This Prewar 200 is an exact replica of the 1937 original, made by expert luthiers whose love for their craft is evident in the flawless execution of their work. You cannot find a blemish on one of these guitars. At least I never have been able to.
The Gibson Western Classic Prewar 200, like all Gibson Acoustics comes with a premium fitted hard shell case, instructions, humidifier, and Gold Warranty good for the life of the original purchaser.
At present, Gibson is offering a promotion that gives a free Gibson logo bag, Gibson logo guitar strap, guitar polish, polishing cloth, and phosphor bronze strings to persons who register their new Gibson Acoustic at www.gibson.com or by mailing in the warranty card.
If you’re serious about your music, you owe it to yourself to try one of these Gibson hand built acoustic guitars. They have made my musicianship grow by leaps and bounds.
Thanks for stopping by!
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