1993 Gibson Handmade AJ – Brazilian Guitar – SOLD

$11,500.00

A fine Gibson Advanced Jumbo Brazilian with abalone bindings by John Walker.

Out of stock

Description

Exc(+) condition.  1 11/16″ width at nut.
Serial number: 92603038
2 3/16″ pin spacing.  Brazilian Rosewood.
Handmade by John Walker at Gibson Custom Shop

This is a fabulous guitar and is also a unique “one-of-a-kind” Advanced Jumbo.
In case you aren’t up to speed on these famous “AJ” guitars from Gibson, I’ll give some background here:

In the early 1930’s the Martin Co. had successfully produced the “long scale” (25.4″) D-18 and D-28 dreadnaut guitars. One was Mahogany and one was Rosewood. Gibson was experimenting with a slope-shouldered “Jumbo”, or “J” model, but hadn’t defined it.  Around 1933-34 Gibson announced their slope-shoulder Mahogany short-scale J-35 and their long scale Rosewood “Advanced Jumbo” guitars. These utilized light bracing that was tuned and scalloped… and “advanced”, so that the X-brace crossed a little further away from the bridgeplate.

These guitars were popular among cowboy singers and western swing players, but were never produced in large numbers, perhaps due to the Great Depression affecting almost every aspect of cash availability. Only about 281 “Advanced Jumbo” guitars were produced between around 1933 and 1941. I was personally lucky enough to acquire the first AJ built after 1941. It was “Prototype A” – handbuilt by John Walker as an example for the factory, so Gibson could put the model back in production. It was a great guitar! And it was the start of John Walker’s illustrious career as a builder of fine slope-shoulder guitars and also my relationship in selling slope-shoulder guitars by John Walker, whether officially built in the Gibson custom shop, or built as John Walker models, like the “Wise River” (similar to J-35), and “Clark Fork” (similar to an AJ).

Very nice Master Grade Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. At the time of this guitar’s construction in 1993, the Brazilian Rosewood had been air curing for well over 30 years. It not only is beautifully quarter-sawn but also has the perfect coloration. No one will ever argue if this wood is really Brazilian Rosewood (Dahlbergia nigra). The top is a very nice Red Spruce. The neck is Mahogany. Peghead overlay, fingerboard and bridge are Gabon Ebony. Nickel Waverly pre-war style open-back tuners. Fossilized ivory nut and saddle.

Peghead veneer has Gibson 1930’s style script logo abalone inlay, with abalone diamond and arrowheads inlaid in center. Truss-rod cover is black with white border,  “Custom”. Ebony fingerboard has the large Arrowhead and Diamond abalone inlays. The top and back edge have antique Ivoroid binding. Beautiful blue-green abalone purflings inside top edge binding and around soundhole rosette. Firestripe celluloid pickguard. Narrow Ebony bridge with abalone dot inlay and cut-thru saddle. Ebony bridge pins and endpin.

This is an exceptionally powerful guitar. It is set-up well, has only a few signs of prior ownership, and is very rare. It has been estimated that there are less than 2000 AJ’s produced, between 1933 and current time.
Comes with huge respect from every guitar player you meet after acquiring this fine and rare guitar. Also comes with original hard case – TKL with Brown alligator exterior and green interior and blanket. Original open warranty card in the case.