Three reimagined classics – the SJ-200 60s Original, LG-2 50s Original, and J-160E Original – honour a century of craftsmanship from the Bozeman workshop.
A hundred years of crafting world-famous flat-top acoustics is a big deal, and Gibson is marking the anniversary by bringing back the Original Collection. Now revamped, the collection features three meticulously crafted instruments that capture the spirit of their respective golden eras with modern playability.
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Leading the charge is the SJ-200 60s Original, a tribute to the guitar that earned its “King of the Flat-Tops” nickname through sheer presence and power. First introduced in 1937 and wielded by everyone from Pete Townshend to George Harrison, this iteration honours the 1960s model with AAA figured maple back and sides, a solid AAA Sitka spruce top, and that iconic no-border pickguard. Period-correct details like graduated mother-of-pearl crown inlays and the rosewood Moustache bridge recreate the aesthetic magic of the era, finished in vintage-accurate nitrocellulose lacquer.
The LG-2 50s Original revives one of Gibson’s most cherished small-body designs, originally launched in 1942. It may be compact, but there’s no compromised tone here – the solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped X-bracing and mahogany back and sides delivers surprising projection and warmth. Its Rounded neck profile and vintage-inspired appointments recall the 1950s models that collectors still hunt down, whilst the L.R. Baggs VTC pickup ensures stage-ready performance. This is a songwriter’s companion that feels equally at home in the studio or the lounge room.
Completing the trio is the J-160E Original, forever linked to The Beatles’ early recordings and the seismic shift in youth culture during the 1960s. Originally introduced in 1954 as one of Gibson’s first acoustic-electric hybrids, this reimagined version upgrades the laminated top to solid Sitka spruce with scalloped bracing for improved acoustic resonance. The P90 DC pickup maintains that classic bite without the hum, whilst the SlimTaper neck, trapezoid inlays, and belly-up rosewood bridge preserve the model’s unmistakable character.
All three instruments are handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, where Gibson’s luthiers continue the meticulous tradition established a century ago. From tonewood selection to hand-applied finishes, each guitar carries forward the legacy that has defined generations of music.
The Original Collection is available now at authorised Gibson dealers, Gibson Garage locations, and Gibson.com.
