"According to Gibson Legend, their sales representative for the states below the Mason-Dixon Line requested that the company build a flat-top just for the South; he felt that Gibson flat-tops were especially appreciated in that area and that a guitar specifically dedicated to the sweet old sunny South would be Gibson's tribute to Dixie, especially its great music and its greater musicians.

It was under these perhaps apocryphal circumstances that Gibson designed a fancy new model that it brought to market in 1942, along with another newcomer, the J-45, to replace the J-35 and J-55, which were being phased out. Of these two new guitars, Gibson gave this fancier one a name that evokes warmth, tradition, romance, and wistfulness - the Southern Jumbo"

Often referred to as the SJ in short, the Southern Jumbo received the best materials available, in spite of shortages of supplies due to the War. Further, though nearly 90% of Gibson's work force was taken from guitar production and put to work on war contracts, the 10% remaining were the company's seasoned experienced craftsmen. The SJ's built during the War are especially remarkable creations, given the inevitable difficulties and upheavals stemming from the conflict and the changes in personnel.

The Southern Jumbo shows signs of improvisation in their construction, as Gibson dealt with changes forced upon them by the War. This post war example, dated by its 3750 FON at its heel is a lovely sounding, and playing example - one that rarely comes up for sale. Its well aged spruce top, with the always attractive Gibson burst finish. Multi-ply binding, with its rosewood bridge of the bottom-belly design. A multiple ply sound hole rosette and a standard tiger-stripe pickguard. Internally, it has a nice typical sized maple bridge plate. The Mahogany neck, features the twin parallelogram inlay, which grace the fully bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

This example comes to us in very good condition from the previous collector. The bridge has been replaced with an accurate and newer rosewood belly bridge, setup beautifully with a new bone saddle. A recent refret this guitar plays great with a proper neck angle, yielding super great playability measuring 6/64" in height of the sixth string at the twelfth fret and only 4/64" on the first. The guitar shows expected pick wear, checking and numerous nicks and dings - all typical for an instrument this age - generally light by comparison to many others.
Internally, the X brace has been scalloped. A past pickguard crack is present but is sealed. There are three well repaired, cleated top cracks behind bridge. Truss rod functions as it should. The neck has a measurement of about __" in thickness at the first position, tapering up subtly to __" at the eleventh fret (before the curvature of the heel). It has a standard 24 7/8" scale length and 1 11/16" nut width. The fingerboard itself is in good shape with its inlays still strong and intact. Original Kluson Deluxe tuners present, with replaced buttons.

Included in the sale is a nice older but replaced hardshell case with tan lining.

The Southern Jumbos were constructed precisely and consistently well. They are superb vintage guitars, highly valued by country and blues musicians alike.