Gibson J-35 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1941)
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Gibson J-35 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1941), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 4802G-48, natural lacquer finish, mahogany sides, back and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original brown chipboard case.
The J-35 was Gibson's "working man's" Jumbo flat-top in the late 1930s and early '40s. Selling on introduction in 1936-7 for under 40 dollars, it was Kalamazoo's direct competitor to Martin's D-18. In the decades since the J-35 been similarly recognized as one of the all time classic flat-top designs. After a number of small changes over the next 5 years the J-35 evolved into the somewhat different J-45 during the war, so compared to that long-lived model its production history was fairly brief.
This mid-late 1941 guitar is a lovely example of the late model J-35, showing the natural finish option first cataloged in 1939. This largely replaced Gibson's traditional sunburst on this model for a couple of years just before WWII. Natural finishes were a new look for Gibson that they promoted at the time, but it also makes the guitar visually more akin to the very successful Martin dreadnoughts of the period.
The neck on this guitar has a very comfortable (and surprisingly modern) C profile, which replaced the 1930s heavy V shape used on earlier J-35's that some players find awkward. Other original features include the branded openback Kluson strip tuners, a thin "French" heel, "firestripe" tortoise celluloid pickguard, single binding on the top and back and the classic pre-war silkscreen white script Gibson logo on the headstock. The top has some interesting figure to the spruce, especially on the upper half.
The slim tapered X-bracing pattern combined with two tone bars is quite light, making for a very responsive guitar. These 1941 models tend to be sweeter sounding than Gibson's 1930's Jumbos and J-35s, with a smoother tone if a bit less raw power. This is a great-playing and sounding guitar, a lovely example of one of Gibson's best 16" flat-top guitars
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar remains in clean, nicely preserved original condition overall with some light general wear and typical maintenance repairs. The ambered natural lacquer finish remains all original with a moderately checked patina; the top has some random dings and pick scratches, but the only real wear through the lacquer is just around the soundhole edge. The back and sides have just small dings, dents and scrapes, and the back of the neck has a few small marks but is pretty clean in general.
Crack repairs are pretty minimal for a guitar of this age and type. The top center seam has been resealed just behind the bridge for a couple of inches; there are no other top cracks at all. The upper side has several small splits just above the waist running into the curve of the lower bass bout from what looks like some ancient impact; these have been sealed with no overfinish so are plainly visible. The rest of the guitar is crack free.
The neck has been very cleanly reset and the rosewood bridge is a well done replica, but done with a more modern style drop-in saddle. There are a few marks around its perimeter from removal of the original. The small maple bridge plate remains original and in excellent condition. The celluloid bridge pins and end pin all appear original. The pre-war Kluson strip tuners are also in very well-preserved state. There has never been a strap button added to the heel.
This is a truly excellent sounding guitar, smooth and more responsive than many Gibson Jumbos but with a decent amount of power in reserve if pushed harder. Playability is also excellent with a very comfortable low action just some minor wear to the original frets and light fingerboard divots in the first position. We love vintage J-35's in all their variations and are always delighted to have another beautiful example to offer, still residing in the original pre-war heavy duty chipboard case. Overall Excellent Condition.
The J-35 was Gibson's "working man's" Jumbo flat-top in the late 1930s and early '40s. Selling on introduction in 1936-7 for under 40 dollars, it was Kalamazoo's direct competitor to Martin's D-18. In the decades since the J-35 been similarly recognized as one of the all time classic flat-top designs. After a number of small changes over the next 5 years the J-35 evolved into the somewhat different J-45 during the war, so compared to that long-lived model its production history was fairly brief.
This mid-late 1941 guitar is a lovely example of the late model J-35, showing the natural finish option first cataloged in 1939. This largely replaced Gibson's traditional sunburst on this model for a couple of years just before WWII. Natural finishes were a new look for Gibson that they promoted at the time, but it also makes the guitar visually more akin to the very successful Martin dreadnoughts of the period.
The neck on this guitar has a very comfortable (and surprisingly modern) C profile, which replaced the 1930s heavy V shape used on earlier J-35's that some players find awkward. Other original features include the branded openback Kluson strip tuners, a thin "French" heel, "firestripe" tortoise celluloid pickguard, single binding on the top and back and the classic pre-war silkscreen white script Gibson logo on the headstock. The top has some interesting figure to the spruce, especially on the upper half.
The slim tapered X-bracing pattern combined with two tone bars is quite light, making for a very responsive guitar. These 1941 models tend to be sweeter sounding than Gibson's 1930's Jumbos and J-35s, with a smoother tone if a bit less raw power. This is a great-playing and sounding guitar, a lovely example of one of Gibson's best 16" flat-top guitars
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar remains in clean, nicely preserved original condition overall with some light general wear and typical maintenance repairs. The ambered natural lacquer finish remains all original with a moderately checked patina; the top has some random dings and pick scratches, but the only real wear through the lacquer is just around the soundhole edge. The back and sides have just small dings, dents and scrapes, and the back of the neck has a few small marks but is pretty clean in general.
Crack repairs are pretty minimal for a guitar of this age and type. The top center seam has been resealed just behind the bridge for a couple of inches; there are no other top cracks at all. The upper side has several small splits just above the waist running into the curve of the lower bass bout from what looks like some ancient impact; these have been sealed with no overfinish so are plainly visible. The rest of the guitar is crack free.
The neck has been very cleanly reset and the rosewood bridge is a well done replica, but done with a more modern style drop-in saddle. There are a few marks around its perimeter from removal of the original. The small maple bridge plate remains original and in excellent condition. The celluloid bridge pins and end pin all appear original. The pre-war Kluson strip tuners are also in very well-preserved state. There has never been a strap button added to the heel.
This is a truly excellent sounding guitar, smooth and more responsive than many Gibson Jumbos but with a decent amount of power in reserve if pushed harder. Playability is also excellent with a very comfortable low action just some minor wear to the original frets and light fingerboard divots in the first position. We love vintage J-35's in all their variations and are always delighted to have another beautiful example to offer, still residing in the original pre-war heavy duty chipboard case. Overall Excellent Condition.