Gibson J-35 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1937), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The J-35 was Gibson's "working man's" Jumbo flattop in the late 1930's. Originally selling for less than forty dollars this guitar was a direct competitor to Martin's D-18, and has since been similarly recognized as one of the all time classic flat-top designs. A very early example of the model, this particular J-35 features the standard 16" round-shouldered mahogany body with a sunburst top and solid dark reddish finish on the back and sides. Appointments are spartan; the rectangular bridge has two pearl dots on the outside of the pins, the top and back are single-bound. The pickguard is Gibson's classic 1930's "firestripe' tortoise celluloid. The generously-proportioned 14-fret neck is unbound with dot inlays and a soft but distinct V-shaped with a wide heel. A plain white "Gibson"script is silkscreened in white on headstock, which sports early Kluson strip tuners with square end plates and plastic buttons.
This is a fantastic playing and sounding guitar, with three tone bars under the top behind the X-brace this variation is considered by many connoisseurs to be the ultimate J-35. The tone is both powerful and warm and the neck angle is excellent with no neck set performed or needed.This 1930's Jumbo is set up ready to play both types of music - Country OR Western - as well as anything else one might wish! With a 1970's era hardshell case.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13/16 in. (46 mm.). A beautiful, original example overall; small scratches and dings but no major areas of finish wear. There are two repaired spruce grain top cracks behind the bridge, one about 1" south of the center seam and a longer one at the bottom edge of the bridge that extends to the edge of the guitar; there is also a similar repaired grain crack at the top edge of the pickguard. A number of small back cracks solidly glued up. All work very well done. A great playing example of one of Gibson's finest flat-top creations. Generally Excellent Condition.
