Gibson SJ Southern Jumbo Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1947, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, natural back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a fabulous sounding SJ from the just-post-WW II period, well used but fully restored in fine playing condition. These early SJ's are rather rare guitars, and we're most pleased to have another one in stock. Features specific to this exact era (from around 1946-48) include a gold script Gibson logo and the unusual combination of an unbound fingerboard with pearloid double parallelogram inlay. The sunburst top has a lovely dark sunburst finish and the edge is seven-ply bound while the back is five-ply. This guitar has a neck somewhat slimmer than the typical big chunky 40's neck�the profile is quite a bit smaller than the wartime "Louisville slugger" necks. This is a very powerful comfortable playing guitar with a big, full sound.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 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 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This old SJ has a had a number of repairs over the years but remains a great-sounding and playing guitar. The back has been completely overfinished a bit darker than normal, the sides and back of the neck have a lighter clear overspray while the top finish remains original with some small areas of touch up. There is wear into the top around the soundhole and pickguarrd, with some touch up in that area as well. There are several well-repaired back cracks and one old repaired top crack on the lower treble bout, sealed but still visible. The bridge is a correct repro of the slightly oddball early Gibson bottom-belly design specific to this guitar, while the tuners are modern repros of the early flat-plate individual Klusons. With a recent neck set and refret this is an excellent player, and the sound is open and ringing with plenty of punch. Overall Very Good + Condition.
