Head to head
Gibson Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
Acoustic$4,999
No ratings yet77Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst comes out ahead overall — 77 to 73 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (67 vs 62)
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $7,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 73 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 62 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | AAA Indian Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | 2-piece AAA Maple with Walnut Stringer | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 12 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Fishman Matrix | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,999 | $4,999 |
| Back | AAA Indian Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | SJ-200 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | — |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | SJ-200 Moustache; Solid Rosewood with Four 60s Style Agoya Inlays | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | 12-String Hardshell with Brian May Signature on Exterior | Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Finish | Gold | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Agoya 8-point Star | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl, Agoya Shell 8-point Star | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | AMJBBMVS | MCSSSWRARBL |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 47.63mm / 1.88in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | SJ-200 with Brian May Designed Planetary Artwork | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Preamp | Fishman Matrix | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Profile | Rounded | Round |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | AAA Indian Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strap Buttons | Endpin Jack and Gold | Endpin Jack |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053, Octaves: .012, .016, .010, .014, .020, .030 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | AAA Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black; Brian May Engraved Signature | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Mini Rotomatic | Grover Open Back |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Matrix | LR Baggs HiFi |
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