1952 Gibson Southerner Jumbo – SOLD

$7,950.00

This is a wonderful old Gibson “Southerner Jumbo” from 1952 with a 1942 “Banner” Neck.

Out of stock

Description

Exc(-) condition  /  1942 Banner SJ Neck
One repaired top crack  /  No back cracks
SN Z871-25

This 1952 Gibson Southerner Jumbo, or “SJ” as they are known, is the top Gibson slope-shoulder model.  Some people call them “Southern Jumbos”, others say “”SJ-45”.
Think of the Southerner Jumbo model as a J-45 with better bindings, more bindings, more pearl inlay and sometimes individual tuners, instead of 3-on-a-plate.
Many historic early ’40’s Gibson SJ’s were made of Maple, and that’s why this early 1942 neck on this 1952 body is Maple.

These tuners are also rare, with the old brown tortoise tuner buttons.  These tuners were only used on early banner guitars.  These buttons are currently intact but show signs of shrinking around the metal shafts.  They work fine, with no problems.

Lots of signs of stage use!  This is the guitar that DID go to all the gigs.  No apparent trauma, although one might guess something serious happened to the original neck, for the neck to be replaced.

Three-pc Maple neck with two Rosewood stringers along the full length.  Black peghead veneer shows Gibson dark gold script logo at top and the famous “banner” decal in the center.  Newer truss rod cover located below that, just above the newer bone nut.  Radiused Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with pearl parallelogram inlays.  Original Brazilian Rosewood “reverse” belly bridge with cut-thru bone saddle and pearl dots at ends of bridge pin row.

Seven-ply antiqued white bindings around top edge of body.  Five-ply bindings around back edge.  Soundhole rosette consists of concentric circles made of the same antiqued white/black purfling seen inside the top edge bindings.  Original tortoise celluloid pickguard in great shape.

The sunburst top shows lots of player wear and stray marks here and there… but in my opinion the guitar is a more accurate and complete representation than if it were “too” perfectly clean.  This is the one that really did go to the shows!  We’re not sure of the species of Spruce but anyone can see it is a prime piece of Spruce and still in great shape after 70 years of gigs.
One top crack repaired – it is about 3-1/2″ long and can be found in the photos 5-6 inches below the pickguard.  No back cracks.  The beautiful Mahogany back has Ebony stringer down the centerline.  The sides have 2 spots that may have been crack repairs but look more like just finish check lines.
The peghead shows glue line front and back from a glued-on “ear” having to be re-glued.

Yes, there are a lot of dings and scuffs on the guitar… But overall, the condition as a stage player is tremendous. The lacquer is all intact (at least where it isn’t worn away), and the stunning authentic look of this Western cowboy guitar is very powerful.  Even with the scuffs and dings the lacquer has great luster and is hardy and viable – no flaking.

Handsome tobacco sunburst finish, loads of “mojo” and great sound… What more do you need in life?
Comes with hard case.