Gibson J-35 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1939), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # EG-8824, natural lacquer finish, mahogany sides, back and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original black chipboard case.
This is real boomer of a J-35, a somewhat transitional guitar built in 1939, the first year the model was offered with an optional natural top finish. It has a slightly chunkier feel than the subsequent J-35s built in 1941-42, and a bigger if marginally less sweet sound.
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 series of detail changes over the next 5 years the J-35 evolved into the J-45 during the war, so compared to that long-lived model its production history was fairly brief.
This 1939 J-35 is a nice example of the fairly rare early natural finish model first cataloged in 1939. This started out as an option but 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 at the time that they promoted heavily; it also conveniently makes the guitar visually more akin to the Martin dreadnoughts of the period.
The neck on this guitar has evolved somewhat from heavy V shape used on earlier J-35's, still feeling fairly chunky but carved to a rounder profile with just the vestigial hint of a "V" down in the first position. The rounded heel is quite a bit larger than the thin "French" heel adopted by 1940. Other original period features include the early openback Kluson strip tuners, "firestripe" tortoise celluloid pickguard, single binding on the top and back, rosewood bridge with two pearl-dot-covered retaining bolts and the classic pre-war white script silkscreen Gibson logo on the headstock.
The top is built with tapered X-bracing combined with two tone bars making for a powerful yet still responsive guitar. These 1939 models tend to be somewhat less sweet sounding than later J-35s, with a bigger, punchier sound. This is a fine example of one of Gibson's best 16" flat-top guitars, not the supplest but one of the best sounding J-35s we've had.
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 85+ year guitar remains in generally well preserved original condition overall with some typical wear and 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 heavy wear through the lacquer is just around the soundhole edge, mostly the lower half. The back and sides have some dings, dents and scrapes but no heavy belt buckle wear, and the back of the neck has a number of feelable capo dings in the 3-6th fret area but no large areas of wear. The headstock has dings and chips on the edges.
Crack repairs are pretty minimal for a guitar of this age and type. There are no top cracks at all; the upper side has a couple of sealed splits just along the rear curve of the lower bass bout from what looks like some ancient impact; these have been sealed with no overfinish so are plainly visible. Ther are a couple of smaller grain splits on the lower side in a similar position; the rest of the guitar is crack free.
The neck has been very cleanly reset and the rosewood bridge cut down slightly long ago and more recently reglued. The original retaining bolts are still intact under their pearl dots and the small maple bridge plate remains original and in very solid condition, as does all the original bracing. The pre-war Kluson strip tuners are also in well-preserved state with the original buttons. There has never been a strap button added to the heel.
This is a truly excellent sounding guitar, with plenty of power in reserve if pushed hard. Playability is also fine with 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 a beautiful example of this rare early natural version to offer, still residing in the original pre-war chipboard case. We can also provide a HSC if requested. Overall Very Good + Condition.
