Elvis Presley’s strikingly customized 1956 Gibson J-200 was among the oldest guitars in permanent residence at Graceland and regularly acknowledged as one of the King’s extreme favorites. The guitar, (bought in Scotty Moore’s name in early October of 1956), was the one Elvis relied on for his legendary ’69 Comeback shows in Las Vegas.
Something extra
Elvis used his J-200 in many of his live shows throughout the fifties, then in 1960, after he returned from his two years stint in the army, he asked Scotty Moore to send it back to Gibson for some cosmetic repair work, (chiefly scratches on the rear, caused by Elvis’ giant belt buckles). A request was made to Gibson for their prestigious client’s name to be inlaid along the fretboard in mother-of-pearl, along with “something extra” on the front of the body, at Gibson’s discretion – some kind of design that they thought Elvis might like.
First onstage appearance
After first showing up onscreen late in 1960, in the seventh Elvis movie, Wild In The Country, the new-look J-200 made its first onstage appearance in early 1961, at shows in Memphis and Pearl Harbor, (February and March respectively). Elvis continued to use the guitar well into the seventies.
A dazzling recreation
In 1996, with the full cooperation of the Elvis Presley estate, Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Gibson produced a dazzling recreation of the J-200, in a very limited edition of just 250 instruments. (This is # 7 of the 250) Each instrument was painstakingly built from scratch, by only the top craftsmen at Gibson’s acoustic facility in Bozeman, Montana. Work on # 7 was completed on Thursday, February 22nd, 1996 – almost 35 years to the day after Elvis first used the original, onstage in Memphis.
Features
The guitar features a AAA-grade solid Sitka Spruce top; premium, figured/flame Eastern Curly Maple back, sides and neck; the Rosewood board slavishly recreates the genuine mother-of-pearl ELVIS PRESLEY inlay work, bookended with m-o-p stars. The Rosewood “moustache” bridge, includes the pre-war SJ-200 mother-of-pearl inlays; the body and neck are finished in ‘Antique Natural’ lacquer; gold Gibson tuners adorn the headstock; and, befitting the King of Rock’n’Roll, “Royal Purple” is used for the case interior and shroud.
Genuine heirloom instrument
Just Guitars is ridiculously pleased to present this Elvis Presley J-200, aware that it appears to be the only one currently for sale anywhere in the world. Shipping in its original Gibson custom hard shell case, complete with original paperwork, this is a true once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a genuine heirloom instrument – one with a highly desirable and super-low limited edition number. #7
SPECIAL NOTE: This guitar was used by Melbourne musician Fergus McAlpin, on his band’s 2006 self-titled Redfish Bluegrass album.
Free delivery
As with all Just Guitars instruments, this superb guitar comes with FREE DELIVERY to any address in Australia. ($100 shipping to New Zealand, $175 to the US, Canada, UK and mainstream European countries)
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