Johnny’s J-200 was made in 1958 and had a cherry-burst finish. The guitar itself had two black batwing pickguards that went around the soundhole, but Cash went the extra mile having his name engraved on the fretboard, making for a remarkably unique instrument. Made out of flamed maple for its entire body, and Brazilian Rosewood Moustache bridge and fretboard made this guitar one of the most fashionable guitars at the time. Some extra features included the first inclusion of Grover tuners in Gibson designs.
Johnny Cash played this guitar from 1958 to 1962 and Gibson actually made two these J-200s for him, both with his name on the fingerboard.
“The Fabulous Johnny Cash”, “Hymns by Johnny Cash” or „Songs Of Our Soil“ are some albums where Johnny used this guitar on.
Our replica is made from the same materials and hardware, including CITES certified Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge and hand-cut and engraved portrait of Johnny Cash in mother of pearl on the headplate. This guitar, as well as the original, has an incredible bass response, so it is an ideal choice for everyone playing Cash’s picked basslines.
(Extracts from the article „Johnny Cash Guitars and Gear List“ from www.guitarlobby.com used)
Materials
Top: Alpine Spruce
B&S: Flamed Maple
Neck: Flamed Maple
Binding: White plastic
Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge: Moustache - Brazilian Rosewood
Headplate: Ebony
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Pins: Ivoroid with black dot
Dimensions
Body Shape: Gibson JUMBO
Scale: 644 mm 25 & 11/32"
Neck Profile: Gibson C-profile
Nut Width: 43 mm 1 & 11/16"
String Spacing: 57 mm 2 & 1/4”
Design
Finish: Nitrocellulose high gloss
Colour: Cherry-burst
Rosette: Multiple b/w
Position Marks: None
Inlays: Pearl Johnny portrait on peghead, pearl Johnny Cash inlaid on fingerboard, b/w top and back purfling, checker backstrip, pearl blocks on bridge
Tuners: Grover relic nickel die cast with keystone knobs
Pickguard: Black multiple-ply