With the electro-acoustic Gibson Orianthi SJ-200 acoustic guitar, the U.S. manufacturer Gibson dedicates a modified version of its flat-top classic SJ-200 to the exceptional guitarist Orianthi Panagaris. In her stellar career, the Australian artist has already worked with style icons such as Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Carrie Underwood and Richie Sambora. Now the traditional manufacturer rewards her with an eye-catching signature edition, which features selected tonewoods, numerous individually designed appointments and a pickup system developed especially for Orianthi. A sturdy case is included in the scope of delivery.

Construction and woods

Thanks to its extensive super-jumbo size and fully solid woods, the acoustic guitar develops a rich, full-bodied sound that unfolds quickly and completely. The AAA Sitka spruce top enriches the sound with clear mid and treble frequencies, while the back and sides made of AAA curly maple complement it perfectly with rich basses. This makes the instrument excellent for fat rock sounds and vocal accompaniment. To create a direct response the top is equipped with a handmade Scalloped-X-Bracing, which in combination with the very thin nitrocellulose varnish allows a very free vibration behavior. At the same time, a two-piece maple neck with walnut insert and special Rounded-"C"-ES-345 profile ensures a very obliging playability in all 20 frets.

Hardware

To ensure that all frets intonate cleanly, the manufacturer equips the Orianthi SJ-200 with a compensated bridge inlay and a narrow 42.8 mm nut made of bone. In addition, gold Grover keystone tuners guarantee precise tuning of the 6 steel strings, which are fixed with bridge pins made of GraphTech TUSQ in the typical two-bar SJ-200 ebony moustache bridge.

Design

The characteristic headstock is decorated with the "Orianthi-O", which is also featured on the album of the same name released in 2020. In addition, the high-quality ebony fingerboard features filigree lotus inlays made of the finest mother-of-pearl, which perfectly match the large tortoise pickguard with engraved lotus flowers. The individual components of the body are bordered with fine multi-ply bindings, which contrast tastefully with the eye-catching cherry finish.

Electronics

In order to make the Gibson Orianthi SJ-200 acoustic guitar stage-ready, a complex L.R. Baggs pickup system is built into the instrument, designed specifically for the guitarist. The pickup is located in the sound hole and has, in addition to the usual functions such as a volume and tone pot, a mix control that mixes the signal between "Clean" and "Saturated". The adjustment of the two output signals can also be regulated via two pots on the underside of the sound hole.