Gibson hosted a very special event to launch the brand-new Gibson Custom Brian May SJ-200 12 String acoustic guitar. His first model with the iconic and leading global instrument brand, the launch kicked off Gibson Garage Fest—a week-long series of events celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Gibson Garage London (61-62 Eastcastle St, London, UK). The limited-edition Brian May SJ-200 12-String acoustic from Gibson Custom now available to purchase at the Gibson Garage London, the Gibson Garage Nashville, and online via www.gibson.com.
Alongside the unveiling at the Gibson Garage London, Sir Brian May wowed guests with a surprise performance on the12-String acoustic, including Queen’s “Love Of My Life” and a beautiful cover of “So Sad (to Watch Good Love Go Bad)” by The Everly Brothers. Next up, Sir Brian rocked the Garage with “Love Token,” from his 1992 album Back to the Light. Singer-songwriter Arielle was a special guest and performed her songs “Devil’s Disguise,” “Weakness For You” and “Magick Again” – before dueting with Sir Brian on “So Sad” and “Love Token.” The launch also featured an interview with Sir Brian May, moderated by Absolute Radio host Leona Graham. Sir Brian spoke in depth about creation of the signature guitar, Queen songs he’s written on the acoustic guitar, links to his love of astronomy and more.
On collaborating with Gibson and the creation of the SJ-200 12-String guitar, Sir Brian May says:
“It’s a dream come true, as soon as I held the guitar, I thought this is what I need. It has such presence and such a beautiful breadth of sound. Gibson has done the most beautiful job, it has the lovely solar system on it, including Mercury, but the most important thing is it sounds massive.
“It’s very traditional old school technology, not made with AI or mechanised in any way. I take fantastic pride in it and I’m very honored to have worked with Gibson. From the days when I used to gaze enviously at the guitar catalogues, sitting there with my dad, I wish he was here to see this amazing fusion of the collaboration we’ve made.”
Talking about the Gibson Garage London–marking its one-year anniversary this week–Sir Brian May adds:
“It harks back to the days when I used to go to music shops and drool over the guitars and wish that I could touch one, but you couldn’t in those days. Gibson has done a wonderful thing by making it a place that people can come to, even if you are a kid and you’re not rich or famous and you’re not that great a guitarist, you can still come in here and you will be welcome, and you can get into the world of guitars.”
“When Queen was starting out it felt like there was no way in… There wasn’t a place like this to get accustomed to people. There wasn’t a place that you could play because you couldn’t play anywhere unless you had a record deal and you had a record out, and you couldn’t get a record deal unless you were playing, so it was a complete catch-22 situation. It’s still hard, but a place like this can really help.”
–SIR BRIAN MAY
The Brian May SJ-200 12-String from Gibson Custom honours Sir Brian’s contribution to rock music, and his deep passion for astronomy. After decades of worldwide fame with his distinctive sound and celebrated guitar work, he finished his dissertation and received a doctorate in astrophysics in 2007. A rare instrument, the Gibson SJ-200 12-String features an AAA rosewood back and sides, an AAA Sitka spruce top with a Vintage Sunburst finish, and a 2-piece AAA mapleneck with a Rounded profile, walnut stringer, and a rosewood fretboard with agoya shell 8-point star inlays. The headstock also features an 8-point agoya shell star inlay, along with the Gibson logo in mother-of-pearl and gold Grover® Mini Rotomatic® tuning machines. The Moustache bridge is solid rosewood with four 60s-style agoya inlays. The planetary-themed pickguard was designed by Sir Brian May and further reinforces the astronomy motif. The strings are mounted in reverse order, with the thicker strings at the top, followed by the octave strings beneath, giving it a distinctive sound that’s unlike other Gibson 12-string acoustic models. Fishman® Matrix® electronics make this guitar stage and studio-ready from the moment it’s taken out the included hardshell case. Only 100 of these exceptional instruments have been handcrafted by the expert luthiers of Gibson Custom in Bozeman, Montana. It’s an instrument that is worthy of a guitarist who not only became a star, but who continues to avidly study them.
With a rich history of craftsmanship and innovation, Gibson has become synonymous with music culture. A vibrant and immersive music destination, the Gibson Garage London marks the first Gibson flagship store outside of the U.S. and follows the successful opening of the Gibson Garage Nashville. Opened one year ago by rock royalty Jimmy Page, Sir Brian May, and Tony Iommi, the Gibson Garage London is in the heart of historic London and is the ultimate guitar experience and destination for music lovers across the globe and the place to explore Gibson’s music history which spans over 130 years.
At the Gibson Garage London, music lovers are encouraged to plug in and play more than 300 electric and acoustic guitars. The Gibson Garage London features a special, dedicated Acoustic guitar room with one of the largest displays of Gibson Acoustic guitars in the entire UK, as well as areas for Epiphone electric, acoustic and bass guitars, and the biggest display of Kramer guitars in the UK. At the Garage, fans are welcome to pick up and play all things Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, MESA/Boogie, Gibson Amplifiers, Maestro pedals, and enjoy a massive display of exclusive Gibson apparel, gifts, and lifestyle items, as well as gear and accessories.
Buying a guitar is a personal experience, with the most discerning customers appreciating a personalized guitar tailored to their specific needs and preferences. Step into the world of Gibson’s Made-to-Measure program, available only at the Gibson Garage London and the Gibson Garage Nashville. Make an appointment with one of our Garage Pro’s to build your dream guitar, using one of our iconic Gibson models as a starting point. The journey continues by selecting your top from our Wood Library, identifying your ideal neck shape and size and ends with picking your color, pick-ups, hardware and Gibson Custom Murphy Lab aging. Let the artisans of the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee – who create the world’s most desirable electric guitars – handcraft your dream guitar. Book a private appointment at the Gibson Garage London, call +44 20 4570 5400, or visit HERE, and the Gibson Garage Nashville, call +1 (615) 933-6000, or visit HERE.
Whether you are a seasoned professional musician, a casual guitar player, a beginner, or simply a music fan, the Gibson Garage London is the must-see music destination in London.
The Gibson Garage London is located at 61-62 Eastcastle St, London, UK (one block from Oxford Street) and is open daily Monday – Friday from 11:00-7:00 pm, Saturday 10:00-7.00 pm and from 12:00-6:00 pm on Sunday. For the latest news and updates on the Gibson Garage London, follow @GibsonGuitarUK on Instagram.
