2017 - Irvin Guitars SJ Small Jumbo Black Top - Western Red Cedar & Bocote

The 2017 Irvin Guitars SJ Small Jumbo Black Top is a remarkable example of what happens when a master luthier is also a seasoned performing musician. Wayne Irvin Johnson, the gifted craftsman behind Irvin Guitars, has earned deep respect throughout the acoustic guitar community for his dedication to building instruments that speak as beautifully as they play. As a performing guitarist himself, Wayne brings a player’s sensibility to every guitar he creates, balancing tone, comfort, and visual artistry in ways that make his instruments feel like trusted companions the moment you pick them up.

This Small Jumbo perfectly showcases that vision. Built with a Western Red Cedar top, this guitar offers warmth and sensitivity, rewarding a light touch with rich overtones and plenty of headroom when pushed harder. The striking Bocote back and sides do more than catch the eye with dramatic figure and color. They add depth and definition to Cedar’s natural warmth, giving this guitar a balanced and complex voice that shines for fingerstyle, flatpicking, or expressive strumming.

Wayne’s attention to detail shines through every part of this build. The body is framed in elegant curly Maple bindings that set off the bold Black Top finish with tasteful contrast. A matching curly Maple rosette, pickguard, heel cap, and tail wedge tie the look together beautifully, creating visual harmony across the entire guitar. The layered black and maple purfling adds refinement, blending modern lines with the tradition of fine acoustic design.

The fingerboard is carved from smooth Bolivian Rosewood, flowing into an Ebony bridge and Ebony headstock veneer that add strength and a touch of dark elegance. On the back of the headstock, a striking Bocote backstrap mirrors the body’s dramatic grain, tying the entire design together. Gotoh 510 tuning machines in sleek black chrome keep tuning rock solid while complementing the guitar’s bold look.

One standout feature is the upper bout sound port, which directs a portion of the guitar’s lush tone toward the player’s ear. This thoughtful detail proves Wayne’s commitment to creating an immersive playing experience that feels alive and intimate. Ebony bridge pins with Paua dots, a bone nut and saddle, and a premium Ameritage Gold Series case complete this heirloom-quality package. A K&K Pure Mini pickup ensures the guitar’s rich acoustic voice translates beautifully when plugged in, while a Bridge Doctor helps maintain the top’s integrity and long-term tone.

With its filled strap button hole at the neck heel and a small finish crack at the treble side of the fingerboard extension, this 2017 Irvin SJ already shows signs of a life lived making music. These honest marks only add character, a reminder that this guitar was made to be played and heard, not just admired.

In a world of factory-made guitars, the Irvin Guitars SJ Small Jumbo Black Top stands apart as a reflection of Wayne Irvin Johnson’s passion and skill. Built by a musician, for musicians, it is ready to inspire the next chapter of music in every note you play.

Other specifications include:

• 14 Fret Small Jumbo
• Western Red Cedar Top
• Bocote Back & Sides
• Mahogany Neck
• Curly Maple Bindings
• Curly Maple Rosette
• Curly Maple Pickguard
• Curly Maple Heel Cap & Tail Wedge
• Black/Maple/Black - Black - Black/Maple/Black Top Purfling
• Bolivian Rosewood Fingerboard
• Ebony Bridge
• Ebony Headstock Veneer
• Bocote Backstrap
• Upper Bout Sound Port
• Ebony Bridge Pins with Paua Dots
• Bone Nut & Saddle
• Gotoh 510 Black Chrome Tuning Machines
• Ameritage Gold Series Case
• K&K Pure Mini Pickup
• Bridge Doctor Installed for Top Belly
• Filled Strap Button Hole at Neck Heel
• Top Finish Crack at Treble Side of Fingerboard Extension
• 11" Upper Bout
• 15 1/2" Lower Bout
• 9 1/2" Waist
• 19 1/2" Body Length
• 3 1/2" Depth at Heel
• 4 1/2" Depth at Tail
• 25 1/2" Scale Length
• 1 3/4" Nut Width
• 2 1/4" Bridge Spacing
• 5 lb 3 oz
• #ISJ071714

For more information about the Irvin Guitars SJ, please contact us.

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