Just how many Gibson SJ-300s were actually made?

Ever wonder how many Gibson SJ-300 Super Jumbo acoustic guitars were made? I dove deep into their serial numbers, forum posts, and dealer lore to find out.

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Here’s a fun way to start a conversation the next time you see your guitar nerd friend: mention the Gibson SJ-300 and watch them divide into one of three camps. Those who own one (unicorns, basically). There are those who desperately want one. And then there’s the third group—people who will look at you skeptically and ask, “Wait… does that guitar even exist?” I heard this last comment shortly before writing this post.

Yes, it exists. I’ve found 18 with identifiable serial numbers. And after scouring Reverb listings, crawling through dusty forum threads, decoding serial numbers, and chasing down dealer descriptions from Germany to California, I’m ready to take my best shot at answering the question that has stumped Gibson acoustic enthusiasts for nearly two decades:

Just how many Gibson SJ-300s were made?

First, Let’s Talk About What Makes This Guitar So Special

The SJ-300 is Gibson’s rosewood-backed answer to the legendary SJ-200, the “King of the Flat-Tops.” While the SJ-200 has been in continuous production since 1937 and has graced the hands of everyone from Elvis to Emmylou Harris, the SJ-300 was something different—a boutique whisper in a world of rock-and-roll shouts.

Produced primarily between 2006 and 2008 at Gibson’s Bozeman, Montana facility, the SJ-300 swapped the SJ-200’s traditional maple back and sides for premium Indian rosewood. The result? A deeper, warmer, more intimate voice—what one forum member memorably described as “intergalactically delicious.”

Typical build specs:

• Top: AAA-grade Sitka Spruce
• Back & Sides: Premium Indian Rosewood
• Fingerboard: Bound Ebony with Abalone Crown Inlays
• Bridge: Ebony “Moustache” with Abalone Inlays
• Tuners: Gold Grover Imperials
• Nut Width: 1.75″
• Scale Length: 25.5″

This was Gibson’s flagship Super Jumbo for the modern era—a guitar that commanded serious premium pricing and required the kind of materials and craftsmanship that naturally limited production. And then, around 2008, it quietly disappeared from the catalog, folded back into the SJ-200 line as the “SJ-200 Custom.”

Gone, but not forgotten.

The Ren Ferguson Era: Built Under a Master’s Watch

Here’s something that makes every SJ-300 even more significant: every single one was built during the legendary Ren Ferguson era at Gibson Montana.

Ferguson joined Gibson in 1986 when the company acquired Flatiron Mandolin, where he served as head luthier. For the next 25 years, he spearheaded the design and construction of Gibson Acoustic in Bozeman, earning recognition as one of the finest Master Luthiers in the world. When Gibson announced his retirement in 2012, then-CEO Henry Juszkiewicz stated that Ferguson had been “an integral part of arguably one of the best periods of acoustic guitar building for Gibson.”

That’s not corporate hyperbole. Gibson dealer Mike Fuller of Fuller’s Vintage Guitar in Houston put it more directly: “He is simply one of the greatest luthiers of all time.”

Ferguson was responsible for some of the most elaborate and celebrated flattops ever to emerge from the Bozeman plant. Some of his museum-quality masterpieces have commanded upwards of $50,000 at auction. His philosophy was simple but uncompromising: “My first priority has always been to make a guitar sound as good as the wood will allow.”

The SJ-300’s entire production window—^~2006* to 2008—fell squarely within Ferguson’s tenure. Every one of these guitars benefited from his oversight, his standards, and the culture of craftsmanship he cultivated at the Montana facility.

_{* I have found one mention of a 2005 SJ-300, but I’m yet to see one with a 2005 serial number; it’s unclear if the guitar mentioned is actually dated 2005.}

Why Special Editions Get That Extra Touch

Now, I should note that Gibson’s standard SJ-200s from this era are also beautifully crafted instruments—the Bozeman facility has always maintained high standards. But here’s something I know from my own experience building, or having someone build, custom products: special editions and limited-run models like the SJ-300 invariably receive greater attention and care.

When you’re building something exclusive—something with premium materials, intricate appointments, and a higher price tag, there’s an unspoken understanding on the production floor. The craftspeople know these instruments (in my case, microphones) will be scrutinized more closely. They know the buyers are discerning collectors who will notice every detail. The result is that extra measure of precision, that additional moment spent on fit and finish, that heightened awareness that transforms a great instrument into something truly extraordinary.

With the Gibson SJ-300, you’re not just getting the best of rare tonewoods and abalone inlays; you’re getting the accumulated expertise of the Ren Ferguson era, applied with the focused intention that only comes with building something extra special.

The Great Production Number Mystery

Here’s where things get interesting—and a little maddening.

Gibson doesn’t publish production numbers for most models. If you email them asking how many SJ-300s were made, you’ll likely get the same response others have received after contacting Gibson: crickets. It’s either because they don’t know, or more likely, they don’t want competition to know…

So we’re left with speculation, rumor, dealer lore, and my albeit small Gibson SJ-300 serial number sheet.

The numbers floating around the guitar community are all over the map. But ~200 is the figure that pops up in a Gibson J-200 Facebook fan group, where one poster expressed surprise at finding an SJ-300 at a German dealer, saying “even with only 200 made” it was remarkable.

But here’s where I need to address the elephant in the room—or rather, the number that seems to have taken on a life of its own.

The “Only 40 Made” Myth: Where Did It Come From?

If you’ve spent any time looking at SJ-300 listings, you’ve probably seen sellers claim this guitar was part of a “limited run of only 40.”

That 40-unit figure almost certainly doesn’t mean what people think it means.

The most likely origin? A Sweetwater newsletter for the SJ-300 that included promotional language about getting “one of the first 40 SJ-300s.” This was marketing speak. An enticement for early buyers, not a production-cap announcement.

Over time, through the magic of internet telephone, “one of the first 40” morphed into “only 40 were ever made.” It’s a classic case of misremembering meets wishful thinking. After all, “I own 1 of 40” sounds a lot more impressive than “I own one of 200.” Even so, ~200 of a single guitar model, especially a Gibson, is a finite number, making it a rare item to acquire and own.

This doesn’t mean there wasn’t a specific 2006 Custom Shop batch of 40 units with special specs (like Madagascar rosewood instead of Indian rosewood, and red spruce tops). But that batch was just one piece of the larger Gibson SJ-300 production story, not the whole picture. If that batch exists at all.

Serial Number Archaeology: What 18 Guitars Tell Us

Here’s where my obsessive research pays off. After scouring auction sites, dealer listings, forum posts, social media accounts, and collector photos, I’ve documented 18 Gibson SJ-300s with identifiable serial numbers. Yes, these are the kinds of things I do to redirect my mind for a while, giving it a break from my norm.

If you own an SJ-300, I’d love to add yours to the database. Please reach out.

Gibson’s Bozeman-era serial numbers follow the format YDDDYRRR, where:

• Y: First digit of the year
• DDD: Day of the year (001-365)
• Y: Second digit of the year
• RRR: Ranking/sequence number for that day

Decoding these serial numbers reveals a fascinating production timeline:

#	Serial	Inception Date	Day	Rank	Certified Date	Gap	Source	Confidence	First 40?	Notes	References
1	00396016	February 08, 2006	39	16	February 24, 2006	16 days	Some Neck Guitars / Peter McAvoy	HIGH	✓ Likely	Two sources for same guitar	Some Neck · Facebook
2	00426044	February 11, 2006	42	44	–	–	Ekkulkorn Pakakornsakul	HIGH	✓ Likely		Facebook
3	00466020	February 15, 2006	46	20	–	–	Alumpster's Guitars	HIGH	✓ Likely		GBase
4	00506005	February 19, 2006	50	5	–	–	Guitar Motel	HIGH	✓ Likely	Reportedly the 5th built, probably 5th built that day, not ever	Guitar Motel
5	00506049	February 19, 2006	50	49	–	–	Russell's Custom & Vintage	HIGH	✓ Likely		Reverb
6	00506052?	February 19, 2006	50	52	–	–	Reverb #13528911	UNVERIFIED	✓ Likely	Serial unclear – could be 052 or 053 – Paper COA in listing image claims 'first 40'	Reverb
7	00506053	February 19, 2006	50	53	–	–	Lovies	HIGH	✓ Likely		Lovies · Facebook
8	00506055	February 19, 2006	50	55	–	–	Cave of Tone	HIGH	✓ Likely		Instagram
9	00536026	February 22, 2006	53	26	March 14, 2006	20 days	Al & Carol Cali Collection	HIGH	✓ Likely		Witherells
10	00606032	March 01, 2006	60	32	–	–	Poven Tutti IG	MEDIUM	✓ Likely		Instagram
11	00606034	March 01, 2006	60	34	March 2006	~1-30 days	Steve Capp (Reverb)	MEDIUM	✓ Likely	“Certified” one of 1st, 40	Reverb
12	00806024	March 21, 2006	80	24	–	–	Randy Bachman Collection	MEDIUM	? Maybe		Invaluable
13	01376009	May 17, 2006	137	9	May 25, 2006	8 days	Captain Guitar Lounge	LOW	✗ Unlikely	Fast turn around perhaps parts already cured	Capt. Guitar
14	02806013	October 07, 2006	280	13	–	–	Elderly	LOW	✗ Unlikely	Gibson SJ-300, Vintage Sunburst, L.R. Baggs Element pickup	Elderly
15	02846020	October 11, 2006	284	20	–	–	Forrest Shaw	LOW	✗ Unlikely	NEW – Added	Facebook
16	00227023	January 22, 2007	22	23	–	–	Acoustic Room	NO	✗ No	2007 production	Reverb
17	00227032	January 22, 2007	22	32	–	–	Mike's Guitars	NO	✗ No	2007 production	Reverb
18	02017028	July 20, 2007	201	28	–	–	Fellowship of Acoustics	NO	✗ No	2007 production	YouTube
19	01508010	May 29, 2008	150	10	–	–	Steve Peecher	NO	✗ No	2008 production	Facebook
20	unknown						Musical Independence			Listed/Sold Feb 2021	Reverb
21	XXX76XX4	GC UNKNOWN PARTIAL SERIAL					MF listing				Musician's Friend

What This Data Reveals

The February 2006 Rush: Look at that cluster in early 2006. Gibson clearly had a concentrated production push, with at least four guitars built on February 19th alone (serials ending in 005, 049, 053, and 055). This aligns with Sweetwater’s “first 40” promotional push. You can see that we have eight in February 2006 and three in March 2006 so far. It’s with educated speculation that these February and March units are all part of the first “40” mentioned in Sweetwater’s April 10, 2006, inSync news post about the SJ-300.

The First 40 Ever Made: We have one SJ-300, serial number 00606034, which, in a Reverb.com listing, shows a certificate stating, “This particular SJ-300 is one of the very first of 40 ever made and was handcrafted at Gibson in Bozeman, Montana in March 2006.” Assuming this is actually one of the first 40, that would make any serial number before this part of the “1st 40 Club.”

The “5th Guitar Made”: One listing for serial 00506005 claimed “Only 40 Gibson Custom Shop SJ-300 were produced in the Montana factory in 2006-2007, according to the serial number, this is number 5.” My data suggests this is conjecture. Serial 00396016 was built 11 days earlier, and 00426044 was built 8 days before. The “005” suffix only means it was the 5th guitar of any model stamped that day in Bozeman, not the 5th SJ-300 ever. It could be a coincidence, but it’s more likely that more than five other SJ-300s were built prior to 00506005. And, of course, we know that more than 40 were made.

Production Extended Beyond 2006: The presence of guitars from 2007 and 2008 confirms that production continued past the initial promotional batch, though the 2008 “Steve Peecher” guitar may represent a special custom order rather than standard production.

Global Distribution: These guitars have surfaced everywhere—from California to Thailand, from the UK to Australia. The SJ-300 was never just an American phenomenon.

So… How Many Were Actually Made?

Time to put forth my best guesstimate. Based on everything I’ve gathered, serial number analysis, forum speculation, dealer descriptions, historical comparisons with similar Gibson limited runs, and the rate at which these guitars surface on the secondary market, here’s my estimate:

Total Gibson SJ-300 Production (2006-2008): Approximately 150 units

Let me break down the reasoning:

1. The 18 Gibson SJ-300s with identifiable serial numbers represent roughly 12% of total production, assuming a total of ~150. Given that high-end guitars tend to be well-documented by proud owners, this percentage feels reasonable.
2. The serial number ranking digits (the last three numbers) on my documented guitars range from 005 to 055 on any given production day, suggesting relatively small daily batches mixed with other Bozeman models.
3. The roughly 5-10 units per year on secondary markets, combined with the percentage that remain in private collections, support a total population in the low hundreds.
4. Historical comparisons are instructive: the pre-war SJ-200 (1938-1941) saw only about 96-100 units total. The SJ-200 True Vintage Limited Edition was capped at exactly 167 units. The SJ-300 fits comfortably in this boutique territory.

The higher estimates (200-450) floating around likely account for guitars that might have been built but never shipped, prototypes, or confusion with the similar-spec SJ-200 Custom that followed.

Why Does This Guitar Inspire Such Obsession?

Part of the SJ-300’s mystique is that maddening combination of quality and scarcity. When a guitar is so rare that collectors debate its very existence, you know you’re in unicorn territory.

And then there’s the sound. This is why I’m so attracted to the SJ-300. It is described as having a specific, deep resonance and a warmth and bottom end that the brighter maple SJ-200 can’t quite match. Whether that tonal difference is worth the premium is a matter of personal taste. For those who’ve found their SJ-300, the consensus seems to be: absolutely.

A Word of Warning: Beware the Fakes

The SJ-300’s rarity has made it a target for counterfeiters. Here are the red flags to watch for:

• Serial numbers starting with “017”: This prefix is notoriously associated with counterfeit Gibsons.
• Serial numbers etched or painted over the finish: Authentic Gibson serials are stamped into the wood before finishing.
• Missing “Made in USA” stamp or incorrect font on headstock markings.
• No fret nibs on neck binding: Authentic Montana guitars have binding that wraps around fret ends.
• Slotted or Phillips head screws on bridge hardware: Should be rivets or specific acoustic pins.

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. At current market prices averaging around $4,400-$4,500 or higher for guitars in excellent condition, and significantly higher for Ren Ferguson personally signed versions, an SJ-300 listed under $3,000 and in good shape should trigger immediate suspicion that it could be a fake. If it is priced low, it likely has serious condition issues.

The Bottom Line

The number of Gibson SJ-300s remains one of the great modern mysteries of the acoustic guitar world. Produced for roughly four to five years, built in small batches by the craftspeople at Gibson’s Bozeman facility under the watchful eye of Master Luthier Ren Ferguson, and then quietly absorbed back into the SJ-200 line, it exists in that perfect sweet spot of quality, scarcity, and mystique.

My best estimate, based on 18 documented serial numbers, countless forum threads, dealer descriptions, and comparison with similar Gibson limited runs, puts total production somewhere between 100 and 200 guitars worldwide, likely closer to the former.

The “only 40 made” claim? Almost certainly a telephone-game distortion of Sweetwater’s promotional language about the “first 40.”

For the collectors and players who’ve managed to secure one, the SJ-300 represents something increasingly rare in the guitar world: a genuine artifact of a specific moment in Gibson’s Montana history—the Ren Ferguson era—when the factory decided to see what would happen if you put rosewood and abalone on a Super Jumbo frame and built it like a Custom Shop piece, with all the care and attention that implies.

For everyone else, the hunt continues. Check those Sweetwater, eBay, and Reverb alerts. Befriend your local vintage dealer. And the next time someone at a jam session asks if the SJ-300 even exists, you can tell them: yes, it does. You know of at least 18 of them.

Only 82-182 more to go.

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Do you own a Gibson SJ-300? I’d love to add your serial number to my database. Drop a comment below with your serial and any details you have—let’s solve this mystery together.

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Sources and Further Reading:

• Gibson Brands Forums: Various SJ-300 discussion threads
• Reverb.com: Gibson SJ-300 listings and price guide (2004-2008)
• Equipboard: Gibson SJ-300 specifications and market analysis
• Sweetwater.com: Original SJ-300 Modern Classic product page
• Guitar Motel, Captain Guitar Lounge, and various vintage dealers
• Facebook Gibson J-200/SJ-200 Enthusiast Groups
• Blue Book of Guitar Values: Gibson SJ-300 Rosewood (Model SJ2E)
• Gibson.com: “Master Luthier Ren Ferguson Retires from Gibson Guitar” (2012)
• Premier Guitar: “Big Sky Builder” – Ren Ferguson profile
• Ren Ferguson Co.: History and background

This is a living post, and the last update was on the following date