1970 Gibson Southern Jumbo Deluxe Cherry SB

The Gibson Southern Jumbo/SJ/Country Western model guitars were originally created in 1942 during WW II, according to some as a perk specifically for the Gibson distributors below the Mason-Dixon Line. As with many of Gibson’s models—especially during the early war years--there are many variations in the specs over the original 36 years of production, but the bottom line remained the same: it was and is a big guitar designed to hold its own and more against the banjo and fiddle players of the world—and to look really good doing it.

George Gruhn’s Guide to American Guitars (p. 283) starts with the square-shouldered dreadnought shape and the 16” lower bout to identify a post-1963 Southern Jumbo Deluxe like this one. The Brazilian rosewood bridge and fingerboard are part of the original “deluxe” package, but the belly below bridge dates it as after 1969; the adjustable saddle combine with the “Made in U.S.A.” on the back of the headstock to make it early 1970. The “deluxe” pearl small block fingerboard inlay, the pearl crown peghead inlay, the style of the Gibson logo, the 4-ply body binding with the ivoroid outer layer, the ivoroid back stripe, and the multi-stripe rosette seem “correct”, but the large 3-point pickguard supposedly became black like this one in 1972. I’m assuming that these differences and the bright sunburst finish are distinctions of the “Deluxe” model designation.

The serial number itself (A820295, I think—the impression on the back of the headstock is rather faint) is in the 1970 ballpark, but given the unreliability of Gibson’s serial numbers as dating indicators, the 1970 date I’ve assigned to this great guitar is based as much on guesswork regarding the changing specs as on the serial number. This is my best shot, but I would welcome expert input and will happily add it to the listing.

This is probably Too Much Information anyway, and doesn’t really tell you what you need to know about this particular Southern Jumbo. Generally, the guitar is in very good vintage shape; I see no structural issues, cracks, or repairs. It is, of course, possible that in 54 years someone may have done some work on it, but I’m not aware of anything.

Cosmetically, the finish is excellent other than some finish crazing (“to let the sound out,” as my old luthier says), and the mahogany back, sides, and neck are in very good condition for a vintage Gibson. The very good news is that it is one great-playing vintage Gibson with the action set up at a hair over 3/32” at the 12th fret low E. The frets are in very good shape, the headstock and other inlay is still excellent, the bridge is solid, and of course the sound is terrific! This is a great-sounding Gibson Southern Jumbo guitar with tons of character and jam cred. It’s prettied up a bit with the abalone and such, but it really embodies everything that the name Gibson has stood for over the last century or so.

The Gearlux case is obviously not original to this guitar, but it is an excellent hard shell case in very good structural shape. The hardware works well, the black plush interior is soft and fuzzy; even the pocket is intact. The guitar fits perfectly, and the case offers this classic instrument excellent protection.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before buying.

Thank you for your interest in this great guitar.