Reach for the stars
Sir Brian May put aside his PhD studies to become the legendary lead guitarist of Queen. After decades of worldwide fame with his distinctive sound and celebrated guitar work, he finished his dissertation and received a doctorate in astrophysics in 2007. The Brian May SJ-200 12-String honors Sir Brian’s contribution to rock music and his deep passion for astronomy. The Gibson SJ-200 in 12-string form is a rare instrument, and this one is particularly special. It features an AAA rosewood back and sides, an AAA Sitka spruce top with a Vintage Sunburst finish, and a 2-piece AAA maple neck with a Rounded profile, walnut stringer, and a rosewood fretboard with agoya shell 8-point star inlays. The headstock also features an 8-point agoya shell star inlay, along with the Gibson logo in mother-of-pearl and gold Grover® Mini Rotomatic® tuning machines. The Moustache™ bridge is solid rosewood with four 60s-style agoya inlays. The planetary-themed pickguard was designed by Sir Brian May and further reinforces the astronomy motif. The strings are mounted in reverse order, with the thicker strings at the top, followed by the octave strings beneath, giving it a distinctive sound that’s unlike other Gibson 12-string acoustic models. Fishman® Matrix® electronics make this guitar stage and studio-ready from the moment you take it out of the included hardshell case. Only 100 of these exceptional instruments have been crafted by the expert luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana. It’s an instrument that is worthy of a guitarist who not only became a star but who continues to avidly study them.
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back AAA Indian Rosewood
Binding Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape SJ-200
Body Styles Jumbo
Bracing Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing
Side AAA Indian Rosewood
Top AAA Sitka Spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Standard
Inlays Agoya 8-point Star
Joint Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue
Neck Material 2-piece AAA Maple with Walnut Stringer
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 47.63mm / 1.88in
Profile Rounded
Scale Length 647.7mm / 25.5in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Controls Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone
Output Jack 1/4" Endpin
Preamp Fishman Matrix
Under Saddle Pickup Fishman Matrix
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge SJ-200 Moustache; Solid Rosewood with Four 60s Style Agoya Inlays
Bridge Pins TUSQ
finish Gold
Pickguard SJ-200 with Brian May Designed Planetary Artwork
Saddle Material Bone
Strap Buttons Endpin Jack and Gold
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 2-ply Black; Brian May Engraved Signature
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Grover Mini Rotomatic
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case 12-String Hardshell with Brian May Signature on Exterior
Model: AMJBBMVS
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl, Agoya Shell 8-point Star
Strings Gauge .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053, Octaves: .012, .016, .010, .014, .020, .030
Gibson Custom Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst
Gibson Custom Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst
Sorry, the Gibson Custom Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only.
Check out the great alternatives on this page or reach out to us directly with any questions!
Reach for the stars
Sir Brian May put aside his PhD studies to become the legendary lead guitarist of Queen. After decades of worldwide fame with his distinctive sound and celebrated guitar work, he finished his dissertation and received a doctorate in astrophysics in 2007. The Brian May SJ-200 12-String honors Sir Brian’s contribution to rock music and his deep passion for astronomy. The Gibson SJ-200 in 12-string form is a rare instrument, and this one is particularly special. It features an AAA rosewood back and sides, an AAA Sitka spruce top with a Vintage Sunburst finish, and a 2-piece AAA maple neck with a Rounded profile, walnut stringer, and a rosewood fretboard with agoya shell 8-point star inlays. The headstock also features an 8-point agoya shell star inlay, along with the Gibson logo in mother-of-pearl and gold Grover® Mini Rotomatic® tuning machines. The Moustache™ bridge is solid rosewood with four 60s-style agoya inlays. The planetary-themed pickguard was designed by Sir Brian May and further reinforces the astronomy motif. The strings are mounted in reverse order, with the thicker strings at the top, followed by the octave strings beneath, giving it a distinctive sound that’s unlike other Gibson 12-string acoustic models. Fishman® Matrix® electronics make this guitar stage and studio-ready from the moment you take it out of the included hardshell case. Only 100 of these exceptional instruments have been crafted by the expert luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana. It’s an instrument that is worthy of a guitarist who not only became a star but who continues to avidly study them.
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back AAA Indian Rosewood
Binding Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape SJ-200
Body Styles Jumbo
Bracing Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing
Side AAA Indian Rosewood
Top AAA Sitka Spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Standard
Inlays Agoya 8-point Star
Joint Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue
Neck Material 2-piece AAA Maple with Walnut Stringer
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 47.63mm / 1.88in
Profile Rounded
Scale Length 647.7mm / 25.5in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Controls Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone
Output Jack 1/4" Endpin
Preamp Fishman Matrix
Under Saddle Pickup Fishman Matrix
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge SJ-200 Moustache; Solid Rosewood with Four 60s Style Agoya Inlays
Bridge Pins TUSQ
finish Gold
Pickguard SJ-200 with Brian May Designed Planetary Artwork
Saddle Material Bone
Strap Buttons Endpin Jack and Gold
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 2-ply Black; Brian May Engraved Signature
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Grover Mini Rotomatic
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case 12-String Hardshell with Brian May Signature on Exterior
Model: AMJBBMVS
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl, Agoya Shell 8-point Star
Strings Gauge .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053, Octaves: .012, .016, .010, .014, .020, .030
