The centennial celebration continues: Two influential flat-top guitars get a classy makeover with figured koa, designed to open up tonally over time for acoustic warmth and clarity that only gets better with age
Gibson Custom has refined the classic SJ-200™ and Hummingbird™ acoustic models with an Elegant Koa look for its Artisan Series. Koa is widely admired among luthiers and players alike for its ornate figure and the naturally lively response it brings to a guitar’s overall sound, sharing some of maple’s high-end clarity while developing greater warmth and complexity as it opens up over time.
These elevated models continue the ongoing celebrations marking a whole century of Gibson flat-tops, following on from a range of new launches this year. The centennial has so far welcomed the 12-Fret Century Collection, the Anniversary Limited-Edition series, and the expansion of the Original Collection with the return of three classic models.
These Koa additions bring a new tonal option for both “The King of the Flat-Tops” and the original Gibson square-shoulder dreadnought design. Both come with a Gibson Custom hardshell case and have a sophisticated Honey Burst finish that complements the natural tones of koa. Find out more about each model below.
What are the key features of the SJ-200 Elegant Koa?
The SJ‑200 Elegant Koa pairs a koa back and sides with an AAA Sitka spruce top. A three-rope marquetry strip accents the center of the koa back, while a mahogany neck carved to a comfortable Round profile supports a bound rosewood fretboard fitted with 20 frets and abalone graduated crown inlays.
The single-ply bound headstock showcases the Gibson logo and crown rendered in abalone, accompanied by a TUSQ® nut and gold-plated Grover® Rotomatic® tuners. At the opposite end of the model is a rosewood SJ-200 two‑bar moustache™ bridge featuring abalone bar inlays, with a TUSQ saddle and TUSQ bridge pins completing the setup.
While SJ‑200 pickguards are known for intricate floral artwork, this version stands apart with a tortoise-shell-colored guard highlighted by abalone dot inlays and a silver-foil stamp that produces a vivid, shifting iridescence from different angles.
For stage and studio use, the SJ-200 Elegant Koa arrives equipped with Baggs™ Anthem electronics, combining an under-saddle Element pickup with an internal microphone and preamp to capture a full, natural acoustic sound. Volume, mix, phase, and battery-check controls are neatly positioned at the soundhole’s edge for quick access while remaining discreet from an audience’s viewpoint.
What are the key features of the Hummingbird Elegant Koa?
The Hummingbird Elegant Koa features the same wood combination as the SJ-200 Elegant Koa model, with a koa back and sides, a three-rope marquetry strip at the center of the koa back, and an AAA Sitka spruce top. It has a mahogany neck with a Round profile, fitted with a bound rosewood fretboard hosting 20 standard frets and abalone split parallelogram inlays. The headstock is home to the Gibson logo and crown, both rendered in abalone, along with a TUSQ nut and gold-plated Grover Rotomatic tuners.
A rosewood belly-up bridge with abalone dot inlays anchors the strings, complemented by a TUSQ saddle and bridge pins. The model’s distinctive pickguard builds upon the traditional Hummingbird artwork of flowers, a butterfly and a hummingbird, adding a tortoise-shell hue with gold and silver-foil accents. L.R. Baggs VTC electronics come installed from the craftory, featuring an under-saddle Element pickup and an internal preamp. Volume and tone controls sit at the soundhole edge.
Shop the Gibson Custom Elegant Koa acoustic guitars.
