Former Master Luthier of GibsonRen Ferguson" and
History and works of the J-200 guitar

Greetings from my family in Montana.
My name is Timothy Ferguson.
I am a master luthier.Ren FergusonHe is my son.
He is thrilled that you are offering some of his work from his time at Gibson Guitars. My father and I are grateful for the opportunity to share some of the pieces he created in the 1970s.Ren FergusonIt is manufactured under our company's brand.
I hope this message reaches everyone!
Thank you so much for all your hard work for our industry!
Thank you, Ren & Timothy Ferguson

"This is one of four guitars made for the 1994 NAMM Show."
In the early 1970s, I personally cut Brazilian rosewood (Jacaranda) in my small guitar workshop in Venice Beach, California. I still have some of that wood left, so I selected one set from it for this guitar.
Based on sketches I had accumulated over time, I tried to construct decorative elements by combining inspiration from everyday "things" around me, such as flower arrangements, chair fabrics, wallpaper, oriental rugs, and coffee cups. These elements, though seemingly disparate, were strangely connected in some way, ultimately coming together in a very organic form.

"This beautiful SJ-200 is crafted using birdseye maple and Sitka spruce, and is one of four guitars made for the 1994 Winternum show."
This time, we decided to use cranberry red sparkle binding, and for the cherry sunburst finish on the body, we commissioned Van Feldner to apply multiple coats until it was perfect. For the inlays, we used only carefully selected gold-colored mother-of-pearl for all the decorations.

※Van Feldner
A skilled painter.
The nitrocellulose lacquer, the foundation of Gibson acoustic guitars, is finished using traditional techniques passed down through generations of Gibson builders. His sunburst finishes, in particular, have earned worldwide acclaim for their exceptional beauty and quality.
The trial and error and uncompromising approach to finishing this work undoubtedly had a significant impact on his later career.

"When the wood arrived from the supplier, I had the opportunity to choose a set of curly koa, all cut from the same tree. It was like an invitation I couldn't refuse. The tropical landscape inlay of mother-of-pearl and abalone, starting from the bridge and leading to the headstock, looks to me like a Hawaiian rainforest."

"For this J-200, I wanted to add a two-tone accent of light and dark to the body back and sides, so I came up with a design I named "Black Hills Gold Sparkle." It goes very well with the ziricote wood. The inspiration for this piece came from an idea I got from an Art Nouveau book I own. Incorporating the letter "G" into the design was just as enjoyable as drawing the motif of smoke rising from the fretboard. This guitar is not only one of my own favorites, but master inlay artist Larry Robinson has also said it's one of his favorites! The carving on the neck heel is also based on an art style that flourished in the early 20th century. The beautiful translucent tobacco brown sunburst finish is by Van Feldner."

※Black Hills
A mountainous region on the border between South Dakota and Wyoming in the United States.
Mount Rushmore is famous for its National Monument, which features carvings of the faces of four American presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln) on its slopes.
The beautiful mountain scenery, created by light and shadow, is wonderfully expressed in the SJ-200 through the use of ziricote and sparkle binding.

※Art Nouveau
An artistic style that was widely popular in Europe from the late 19th to the early 20th century.
With Japan opening its borders, Japanese art (such as ukiyo-e prints) and crafts became known in Europe and America, leading to the rise of "Japonisme." Its unique aesthetic sense became a cornerstone for those seeking new artistic expressions in the West. It is said that Art Nouveau developed within this context, and some believe that Japanese art played an important role in its formation.

"This was the first guitar I was personally allowed to make for Gibson, intended for display at the annual NAMM show held every winter. All the materials used were sourced within Gibson, and this was also the first collaborative guitar that Henry Juszkiewicz (then CEO of Gibson) allowed me to make."
I call this guitar "Chrysanthemum." It's one of my favorite flowers, and I've stylized it and incorporated it into the design. This guitar is also the first in what would later become the "Master Museum Series." For the binding, I used original gold sparkle that I had made for myself to use when restoring banjos.
This guitar was scheduled to be sold at the NAMM show, but it was actually purchased the night before. This instrument, and all subsequent guitars, were exhibited and sold at the NAMM show until the early 2000s. The sunburst finish on this guitar was also done by Van Feldner, and it was truly amazing. It was a real pleasure working with him. He's a true artist and a great friend!

"This J-200 is one of the VINE series, featuring CNC-machined floral inlays on the headstock and fretboard. The pickguards on this series were hand-carved by me based on artwork I designed myself."

"This instrument is one of the last models produced just before the acoustic division was completely removed from the Nashville factory. At the time, it was necessary to free up space in the acoustic division to expand production of the highly demanded Les Paul. Henry Juszkiewicz and two partners acquired the Gibson brand in the mid-1980s, and this instrument is thought to have been made either just before or immediately after that acquisition. The actual manufacturing date is uncertain, and I don't know if the Julian Date system (sequential date) was used at the time. However, these instruments are generally considered to be among the highest quality produced at the Nashville factory. Furthermore, these guitars were made before I became involved with Gibson in 1987."

Ren FergusonWhat did you think of the amazing guitars that they have created?
His deep appreciation for art and discerning aesthetic sense have enabled him to captivate people all over the world through his musical instruments.
I was able to experience a part of it this time, and I felt it was something precious.

As mentioned earlier, since 2019 Ren has launched his own brand "Ren FergusonWe have relaunched the company, Ren Ferguson Co.
It's remarkable that, having left a major manufacturer and remaining unburdened by its past, they continue to produce guitars of the highest quality.
It's as if a musician who has achieved mainstream success has returned to their roots and accomplished the task of leaving behind the work they have always strived for.

What kind of works will he create from now on...?

Advance Guitars actually traveled to the United States and succeeded in creating an opportunity to see the guitars he is currently making.

Stay tuned for the next article!