Gibson Montana SJ-200 Overview • Wildwood Guitars

From its inaugural appearance in 1937, Gibson’s SJ-200 set a standard others have been trying to match ever since. Today, the legacy of Gibson’s “King of the Flat-tops” lives on in the new SJ-200 Standard. Upon its introduction in the late 1930s, the SJ-200 immediately filled a need for a deeper, more balanced and powerful sound. It gave purveyors of the new American music scene of the 1930s a reliable, well-built instrument, capable of projecting the sound of the guitar well beyond that of any other acoustic on the market-a fact that still holds true today. It is simply the world’s most famous acoustic guitar, and certainly one of the most popular.
Site: wildwoodguitar...
Facebook: on. 11aLDN5
Brand: Gibson
Model: SJ-200
Bracing: Hand-scalloped, radiused top bracing
Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides Wood: Maple
Neck Wood: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlays: Graduated Crown
Headstock: Crown Peghead Logo
Binding: 6 Ply on Top and 4 Ply on Back
Rosette: Double-ring
Electronics: Fishman Ellipse Aura
Tuners: Gold Grover Rotomatic Tuners
Pickguard: Tortoise Hand-engraved with the J-200’s traditional Floral and Vine Design
Case: Black Hardshell Case with Blue Interior

[@JordanRants]

My god you played Ramble On so well and it sounded FREAKING AMAZING on that Gibson

[@OkieSilverDude]

Greg has to be the most entertaining (in multiple ways) guitar demonstrator the world has ever seen. Unreal man.

[@gilesbrixton]

really nice guy if ya run into him

[@DavidJohnSaffell]

Holy shit this guitar sounds like perfection. Awesome playing too!

[@itsallhappeningtoday]

nearly fell over when you started playing Ramble On, AMAZING.

[@markattila9835]

Finally someone knows how to play the J200

[@rocksully]

That sounds like an orchestra. Incredible. A lot more dynamics it feels than my SJ200 Standard.

[@samvermeulen9740]

only Greg Koch can make a Super Jumbo look like an OM-model guitar.

[@spare7400]

i almost thought it was the Robert Johnson model when i saw him playing it lol

[@jditty9565]

Man, he's a great player and very entertaining. That guitar looks fantastic!

[@davidbeja]

This guy is a genius...and that J200 is the best sounding guitar I've ever heard. My favourite guitar in the world..Yeah!

[@alfonsopaz9530]

Thank you Greg! You are a real artist!. Best Guitar Brand starts with Gib and finish with Son!.

[@jordanwilliamson2683]

“Drinking makes me break out in handcuffs” haha pure gold

[@littleninpo]

That opening was pure class. Subscribed. Absolutely fantastic vid.

[@tipp55]

Great review as ever, Greg. Love the dry humour and the guitar-playing is delicious too.

[@TheThinker39]

Nice demo. Wonderful playing! Thanks.

[@donkykong9908]

You are the Jeremy Clarkson of the guitar world and should have your own TV programme !

[@shanemarcotte2062]

Resonated through MY body, and I'm only watching a video!!

[@jonathanmw4216]

Greg Koch is such a wonderful ambassador for the guitar. I hope he continues to make videos for long to come.

[@SoloParaTrollear]

I literally come back to this video just to check the sound of this guitar. I love the way he plays in this one. Some music to recommend that's similar to whatever he is playing? Specially that thing he does at 2:33

[@Southernguitar74]

It is Merle Travis style picking. Merle is legendary and has influenced many of the greats, such as Chet Atkins...And of course, Greg. Imagine being so insanely good you influenced Chet Atkins. Merle Travis did.

[@virgilrw]

Who is that... Killer Joe on Guitar? ☆☆☆☆☆ For the guitar and the excellent playing!

[@12Radius]

She been a thorn in Mr.Martin side for many long years .

[@williamcole9040]

Just had a Martin D35 reimagined sunburst, but i got 3 SJ200s . What does that tell you, although the D35 is very special, im hooked on the SJs.

[@paulcampbell6377]

One cool and entertaining guy, and awesome guitar player.

[@mchillin]

Nicely done Greg...… as usual

[@philhayhoe1]

Imagine how this will sound in ten years time, especially if some gifted player has poured hundreds of hours of passion and music into it!

[@roberteccles3896]

I've got a 2017 played for hundreds of hours on it didn't realise I had to give it to a gifted player to get to the sound the amateur cannot get

[@Ti-kg7vp]

Magnifique !

[@imaseeker100]

amazing tone

[@Cars-Guitars-Music]

Sweet guitar, great performance 👏👏👏👌

[@tyrantstomper]

"makes me break out in ̶h̶i̶v̶e̶s̶ handcuffs" had me rolling

[@danmclellan1088]

First of all holy crap I love watching you play! I have a 2008 ? or 2013 ? Gibson Montana SJ-200 Custom Shop LITE it is very similar to this guitar I love the sound.I love that Martin Thump I get when my thumb hits those low notes when finger picking + all the good stuff that you get with a Gibson. If any one knows what the LITE means please let me know I havnt noticed a difference on this guitar compared to all the other J200 I played but have always wondered about the LITE in the description I paid $3,400 for mine Used The only thing I've noticed is the finish doesn't have a shiny gloss like most new gibsons.So I wonder if the Lite designation has to do with a lighter finish less Nitrocellulose or what ever.It vibrates very well .and all the specs seem the same.

[@johnthompson9896]

Nice guitar and of course nice playing once again Mr Koch-a-ry. I would like to hear your opinion on the Cole Clark acoustic Guitars from Australia one day if you can get your hands on one!

[@GtrPknMama]

Love my Ronnie Wood SJ200 💕🎶😎👍

[@varminttank]

Makes it look so easy

[@bobhickman4976]

That may be the brightest SJ I have ever heard.

[@TimothyJBerry]

Wow!

[@bonniegallagher2131]

Drinking makes you break out in handcuffs. lol So true. Great playing and great Gibson.

[@SoundlabStudios63]

Pinball Wizard sounded so good I thought I was listening to Tommy for a second…. Then was disappointed when the electric didn’t come in

[@dizzle49er]

Pardon my French but, this is the baddest son of a bitch on the planet. He can play any style flawlessly. He is pound for pound the greatest guitar player of all time. There I said it. He's got it all. There's nothing he can't play perfectly. Nobody can match his musical vocabulary and sheer technical ability. Put him up against anybody, Paige, Clapton, Hendrix, Richards, Gatton, Knopfler, Allman, Buchanan, Trucks, Atkins, Segovia, and he'll school em all

[@stepitupandgo67]

Tommy Emmanuelle is pretty good too...as was lenny breau...and chet atkins....but greg is right up there....mad skillz!!...I just think there isn't any one best guitarist...he simply can't compare to Hendrix, or Segovia,as far as guitar history, and greg would be the first to admit that...although he could technically mow Hendrix over,..its just not possible no matter the technique and feel....even Hendrix isn't the best...or Segovia.....no one is....embrace what the different players bring...regardless of their skill level there are some dudes who kinda lucked onto super amazing riffs...I love it all...but, for technicality,..yes...greg is on the top tier..!!!...and for entertainment value,...even higher tier!!...he's the shit....

[@carlomazza731]

Here the queen.

[@antoniodalfonso]

you always leave me breathtaking.... there's a second guy-gal behind you?

[@blkcrowe999]

you sure can play the hell out of a guitar their fella

[@tiiagofonseca]

Não sei se presto atenção no violão ou no violonista, cara é fera!!! I don't know if I pay attention to the guitar or the guitarist, man is a beast !!!

[@axwhysad]

English rockers like Neil Young and Joe Walsh? ;-) Didn't play David Gilmour the intro solo of Wish you were here on a Gibson Jumbo? That was a big milestone in Music history.

[@fraidwoodcesco]

The most funny and entertaining guitar reviewer

[@kindnick58]

wow

[@gregdiprinzio9280]

Sold.

[@andresmejialujo2884]

Wow Wow👍👍👍

[@enlightenedchristian3183]

Mind if I ask what gauge strings are on this ? Great playing .

[@brandonbarnesmusic4810]

I want one so bad

[@The2Frank]

a dream comes true ;)

[@g.j.haycock1064]

“Guitar Sangria”.......! Haha! Love it Mr K,,

[@Phisker]

Again with the pinball wizard. :D

[@PGrizzy91]

I’ve never seen a man make a SJ200 look like a parlor guitar 😂

[@matzac97]

Greg is the Man 💪👌👍🤘

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Holy smokes! Who IS this kid? I sincerely hope his parents encourage him to continue with the guitar because he's definitely showing some promise. And stay in school, young man; a life as a profit-making rock star is reserved for only the very few Anointed Ones selected by The Great Magnet.

[@donkykong9908]

I used to be a tonewood snob - until I owned an Epiphone DR 100 all laminate (blonde) Great guitar. I now think it has more to do with bracing, *thinness of wood* and body shape than it does with the wood itself.

[@crostofor]

cool stuff:)

[@rogersimmons5410]

Can you get this guitar with a nut width 1.575.. artist taper.. Thank you.. or the Dove with nut with 1.575... 🎶

[@jakefit2013]

Great monologue.

[@kutterswindell5261]

Question, how tall are you? The SJ's seem smaller when you play them! :P

[@BrianTruesby]

Greg is a giant. He's around 6'7-ish

[@dukeofpearl]

Brian Truesby Stunning guitar player! Tall blokes are ALWAYS cooler! 🕶

[@mragunathan1627]

it looks like a lg-1 on him lol

[@sirwinston2368]

Hmmm... my SJ-200 doesn't sound like that. I wish it did.

[@NytronX]

Historic guitar model. This is the same guitar model and color that Jimmy Page borrowed to use on the first Led Zeppelin album.

[@stevestewart-sturges2159]

Beautiful guitars with a eye watering price tag.......

[@ethansxbox6000]

Just once I wish you would make something sound less than INCREDIBLE!!!! I can't afford this channel! Lol!

[@davevann2925]

Did'nt Little Jimmy Dickens play one?

[@kyleskidmore9381]

Hahahhaha face down in a puddle of his own saliva......lol good stuff and great playing I need a j200 bad.

[@JabezGill]

I wish I could figure out what he was playing at 1:36 - 1:45

[@Badonkadonker]

so it is an Emaj chord, followed by a 2-4 slid on g, backed with 4 on b and open e (so E major scale in open position), then you have 0-2-4 on high e (again the major scale) and then the occasional 5th ret on the g (which is a c note). It does nt make a ton of sense, but those are the notes. Look at him play and you will catch the thing completely. Hope it helps... rosk on! ;))))

[@pieter-basbeijer5781]

Better late than never, It's his rendition of "over the hills and far away" by Led Zeppelin intro

[@purpleheartscott8553]

Damn I wish I had the fluidity strumming Greg has, and wish I had a SJ200....someday. Can’t complain as I have a J45 which isn’t too shabby. Anybody know how these play fingerstyle? My J45 is pretty versatile and imagine this is as well. Thanks.

[@ferox965]

I actually preferred the j45 when I A/B'd them.

[@teodelnorte]

Great fingerpickers, so articulate

[@BV_Beve]

Terrific again Mr K.

[@macaius]

Amazing player, funny guy!

[@AmDsus2Fmaj7Am]

A rosewood J200, as it was originally intended, is much better. I took mine to the local music shop to compare. It's like a lion roar (rosewood) vs a cat meow (maple). Obviously the mic can compensate, so it has presence and sounds excellent on recording, but it's a huge difference. Rosewood is not too boomy; it's musical. However, it would not be bad to have both. :)

[@TheZeekgeek1]

Aww yeah

[@SuperEdge67]

Ramble on......pinball wizard

[@davidheid3210]

Damn, if that’s not inspiration I don’t know what is.

[@jesseman123]

Ok I kept hearing that the sj stood for studio. And that the j200 was the good one like Elvis had. But most of my searches lead to things like your video. Saying that sj it stands for super jumbo

[@nothing-b2n]

Oh goodness

[@guilhermebritogomes481]

Does anyone knows the name of the song he's playing in 01:05?

[@axwhysad]

Do you mean Pinball Wizard?

[@guilhermebritogomes481]

axwhysad nop. Pinball Wizard starts a 01:13. From 01:05 to 01:13 he plays a little bit of a song I know I've heard before but I don't remember which one it is. Thanks though

[@kevinkendall3122]

Guilherme Brito Gomes I believe it's Wildfire by Michael Martin Murphy

[@peetersmarc58]

Melissa. Allman Brothers Band

[@kevinkendall3122]

Marc Peeters you are correct sir,both awesome intros

[@bwoaah_owl]

How can you forget The Very Noel Gallagher. He's been plying for years now

[@jacobdavidson3350]

RAMBLE ONNNNN

[@KRHEE]

How tall is this guy? He makes that jumbo look tiny lol

[@leve1351]

Could someone tell me the name of the first song please?

[@1dleighton]

Sounds to me like Aunt Hagar's Blues by WC Handy

[@SamHollidayV]

I break out in handcuffs… lol😂

[@j1shot2]

3:20 chuckle outburst

[@adgg577]

Ah yes, that travis picking thing....that I'll never be able to do.

[@maxwellfan55]

A relief to see someone banging the shit out of a guitar that needs banging the shit out of and can take it. Get the tone see?

[@adotornado-e4o]

6:02 what is he playing?

[@elvisleeboy]

A Gibson SJ-200.

[@adammarshall80]

You make this guitar look tiny. How tall is Greg Koch?!

[@ACeonguitar]

Anyone knows those chords starting ar 41 seconds?

[@Benalan613]

Ramble on - led zeppelin

[@bigfurlan]

This guy could make a frying pan sound great. I think after seeing Greg play, I’m going to burn mine😜

[@patricklundquist9869]

You show a lot of promise. Don't give up Dude. Keep practicing and someday you'll be able to play an entire tune all the way through... But seriously, some guitars take years to break in but with the GK method, that Gibson only took a minute.

[@yaboory3928]

1:39 song name?

[@earthianfriendly5708]

not _ cash for sure.

[@martinspreiter8240]

Wy is this man play souch small guitars? Oh sorry, now I see: This man is sooo tall 🙂

[@JesseDylanMusic]

That's not the standard tho, is it? Appears to have a torrefied top.

[@Badonkadonker]

Hey, anyone owning an SJ-200 studio. I am thinking about buying one. Any difference (apart from looks) between the two? Thanks in advance. PS: You are not fueling mu GAS - it i already there for this guitar... :D

[@domwise5804]

I've just bought the J200 Studio With Walnut back and sides. I've wanted a Rosewood version of the J200 ever since I played a standard when I worked in a music shop. I tried a J200 custom with Rosewood (£5,000) and the Walnut Studio. The Walnut is sublime and for me has a warmth that I've always felt was missing from the Maple version. I fell in love with it immediately.

[@domwise5804]

Also, the studio versions have a, shallower body than the standard.

[@Badonkadonker]

@@domwise5804 The one I have my eye on is in maple back and sides, but thank you so very much on your feedback. Have a rocking day!

[@domwise5804]

Hi Peter. It may be of interest that I've noticed while sending a link to a friend tonight, that the 2020 SJ200 standards are installed with the LR Baggs Element VTC, whereas the 2019 models have the Anthem. Likewise, the 2020 SJ200 Studios are coming equipped with the Fishman Sonitone, but the 2019 has the LR Baggs VTC. I got my Studio on a good deal a couple of weeks ago (UK).

[@Badonkadonker]

@@domwise5804 Thank you, Dom. Well this might not do much for my decision as I dont like the plugged in sound of an acoustic guitar to begin with (my guess is that it is a process though and it will grow on me eventually). The one I have my eye on is a bit of an oldie (mid 2010) and has theFishman Ellipse Aura in it. I am sure it is a damn fine instrument.

[@vovagreen7414]

чудесно!!!

[@greghall7640]

I want to be Greg when I grow up!

[@asmit_plays]

Well, you are Greg😃

[@earthianfriendly5708]

open for view, nevertheless, whom you are talking to on a 4-5k piece of music.... only wonderin....

[@tdabele]

Top of the Line Martins are expensive also, It depends on your need, or just the love of wanting to feel and hear the vibrations and tones at your finger tips. I bought a J-45 and got it on sale. I'll never regret it. I'm getting older and probably only have ten to twenty years before I can't play a guitar at all, but I still could use an upgrade. I paid 600 under list for my J-45, added the pro warranty which brought it back up. 0% interest for three years. Just made the last payment last month.....

[@iganpparamarta8813]

Some guitarists simply breathe guitar. I know they worked hard to get to that level but there must be a mutant gene in them, something hardwork alone cannot achieve.

[@OscillationOverdrive]

Great playing Greg Koch !

[@rogersimmons5410]

Wow.. that is outstanding the way you're playing..🎵 can you get the guitar with the nut size 1.5 75..? This is my email.. thank U... 🎸🎼🎶

[@highhorseperthian]

PLEASE ! can somebody message me some great artists with western cowboy swing vibes!!

[@sjdj408]

Thank god they didn’t price it at 199.99 lol