Queen legend Brian May has teamed up with Gibson for the new limited-edition SJ-200 12-string acoustic guitar. A run of only 100 of the guitars has been produced.
The SJ-200 in 12-String form is rare, and this one is particularly special. Handcrafted by Gibson’s luthiers, the guitar features designs and specifications from May himself, including one distinct modification to make it sound unlike any other Gibson 12-String model: The strings are mounted in reverse order, with the thicker strings at the top, followed by the octave strings beneath.
Buy the Brian May SJ-200 12-String on Reverb
“The idea for this guitar came when I needed a 12-String on tour, and the one I was accustomed to wasn’t performing right on stage,” May recalled via a press release. “The guys at Gibson very kindly said, ‘We’ll make you something special that you can use on the tours.’ One of the things I asked for was for the octaves to be placed around the other way from where it is normally done, because I like to pick upwards and hear the top notes when I’m playing.”
He continued: “I like to hear the high octave coming through as then I can play tunes on it. If you look at this guitar, the beauty of it, and the beauty of the sound, and look at the science in this guitar, look how much technology and craftsmanship has gone into this guitar. Gibson was able to put the universe on it in a figurative way and the planet Mercury is here, and that is a little nod to a friend of mine that is always with me.”
May is referring to the guitar’s planetary-themed pickguard, a nod to his love of science.
Spec-wise, the guitar features premium woods, including a AAA rosewood back and sides, a 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 a 8-point agoya shell star inlay, along with a 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. Electronically, it’s equipped with a Fishman Matrix pickup for maximum stage/studio versatility.
The guitar retails for $7,999 and is available via Gibson’s website, the Gibson Garage in Nashville and London, and other authorized Gibson dealers. You can also buy the guitar via independent retailers on Reverb.
Check out an introductory video with May, as well as product photos, below.