Gibson Country Western Model Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1956), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, natural lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, spruce top, molded plastic hard shell case.

The Gibson Country-Western model is essentially just an SJN (Southern Jumbo, natural) with a special lariat-bordered label, but nevertheless was the top of the company's 1950's slope-shoulder jumbo line. The SJ's had become somewhat fancier by the mid 1950's, gaining a pearl logo and crown headstock ornament, while at the same time a natural top option was added.

It wasn't long before the SJN was renamed the Country-Western Model, in honor of the many players of that genre who were Gibson pickers. This is a lovely example from 1956, the model's first full year. The guitar features a multi-bound top and back, bound fingerboard with pearloid double parallelogram inlay, and the new larger tortoise celluloid pickguard introduced at that time.

This is a splendid mid-50's Gibson jumbo with tone to spare!
 
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 5 in. (12.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.).

Overall very nice condition with some general finish checking and play wear. The top center seam has been re-sealed and there is a pickguard shrinkage crack just off the fingerboard on the treble side; no other cracks or major repairs. The original tuners have been re-mounted (Grovers in place at one time) and there are several tiny filled screwholes in the top from a former DeArmond pickup installation.

Plays great and sounds excellent with a big, warm tone. Excellent Condition.