Best 25.5" Scale Gibson Custom Acoustic Guitars in 2026
Since the distance between bridge and nut is relatively long, you'll need to give the strings more tension to get them in tune. This higher tension will allow for a couple of things. First, you can get a lower action (get the strings closer to the fretboard) because the strings won't 'wiggle' too much when pluck and won't cause fret buzz. This can allow you to use lower tunings without increasing your string gauge, and it will make it easier to press down the strings fast.
However, the frets will also have a wider separation between each other, which can make it harder to play, especially if you got small hands. The higher tension will also make the strings feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Gibson Custom SJ-200 Deluxe
What our users think
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom SJ-200 Deluxe | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Modern Collection | |
| Colors: | Natural Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Sitka Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Moustache | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Rotomatic w/ kidney buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-pearl Crowns with brass border | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Rounded | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | LR Baggs VTC (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Gibson Custom SJ-200 Deluxe
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Bone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Solid Side Wood
- Solid Back Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
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2. Gibson Custom Doves in Flight
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom Doves in Flight | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Modern Collection | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Sitka Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Back Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Bridge: | Dove | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover with engraved Keystone | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Doves in Flight | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Rounded | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 40mm (1.575'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Gibson Custom Doves in Flight
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Bone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Solid Side Wood
- Solid Back Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
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3. Gibson Custom 1957 SJ-200
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom 1957 SJ-200 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Historic Collection | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Thermally Aged Sitka spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Back Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Bridge: | SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Keystone | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-pearl Graduated Crowns | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Rounded | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Cream | |
Gibson Custom 1957 SJ-200
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Bone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Solid Side Wood
- Solid Back Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Gibson Custom Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Historic Collection | |
| Colors: | Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Thermally Aged Red spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Imperials | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-pearl Graduated Crowns | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Round D | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Gibson Custom Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Bone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Solid Side Wood
- Solid Back Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
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5. Gibson Custom SJ-200 Western Classic
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom SJ-200 Western Classic | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2014 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Modern Collection | |
| Colors: | Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid AAA Sitka Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Four bar SJ-200 Moustache; Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Waverly | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl Blocks | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Rounded | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Gibson Custom SJ-200 Western Classic
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Bone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Solid Side Wood
- Solid Back Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
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6. Gibson Custom Songwriter EC Custom
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom Songwriter EC Custom | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Custom Shop Modern Collection | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Sitka Spruce | |
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Rosewood | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Traditional Belly Up, Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Rotomatic | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl Graduated Block | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Round | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | L.R. Baggs Session VTC (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Gibson Custom Songwriter EC Custom
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Bone Saddle
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
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7. Gibson Custom SJ-200 Custom
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom SJ-200 Custom | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Custom Shop Modern Collection | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Sitka Spruce | |
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Flamed Maple | |
| Sides Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Back Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Bridge: | SJ-200 Two Bar Moustache | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Rotomatic | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl Graduated Block | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Round | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | L.R. Baggs Session VTC (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Gibson Custom SJ-200 Custom
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Bone Saddle
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. Gibson Custom 1939 J-55
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom 1939 J-55 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Historic Collection | |
| Colors: | Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Thermally Aged Red spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Mahogany | |
| Back Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Moustache, no inlay | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Open back cream button | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-pearl dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Historic AJ | |
| Frets: | 19 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 45mm (1.77'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Cream | |
Gibson Custom 1939 J-55
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Bone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Solid Side Wood
- Solid Back Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. Gibson Custom 1936 Advanced Jumbo
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom 1936 Advanced Jumbo | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Historic Collection | |
| Colors: | Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Thermally Aged Red spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Rectangle, open slot | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Waverly | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-pearl Diamonds and Arrows | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Historic AJ | |
| Frets: | 19 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Gibson Custom 1936 Advanced Jumbo
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Bone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Solid Side Wood
- Solid Back Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. Gibson Custom 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged
Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2023 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Murphy Lab - Light Aged | |
| Colors: | Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce | |
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Back Material: | Flame Maple | |
| Bridge: | SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh with Keystone Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Rounded | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43.8mm (1.725'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Gibson Custom 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Bone Saddle
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock











