❌SOLD❌ Gibson SJ Long Scale Square Shoulder Dreadnought Sunburst, 1968

The Gibson SJ Long Scale, Square Shoulder Dreadnought was a variation on the classic SJ model built for a short time around 1968 as Gibson competed with Martin. The classic SJ first appeared in 1942 as a replacement for the J-55, an ‘upscale’ version of the J-45. This was originally a ‘slope’ or round-shouldered dreadnought with a 24.75 inch scale length in either sunburst or natural finish.

The natural-top SJN version was renamed to the ‘Country Western’ from 1955 to 1960, and then back to SJN. In 1962, it was renamed again to ‘SJN Country Western’. In 1963, the SJ model was re-designed as a square shouldered dreadnought, and it stayed that way until the model was dropped in 1977. In 1991, it was re-introduced as the round-shouldered, 24.75 inch scale SJ or Southern Jumbo. It’s still offered as the Southern Jumbo Original.

Here we’re looking at a Gibson SJ Long Scale Square Shoulder Dreadnought in Sunburst, built during 1968 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The scale length is 25.4 inches, matching the ‘Martin Scale’ used on models like the D-18, D-28 and OM. The top is Sitka Spruce and the sides, back, body blocks and neck (with 14 degree head pitch) are Mahogany. Indian Rosewood is used for the fingerboard, with faux Mother of Pearl split-parallelogram position markers. The Gibson logo is Mother of Pearl.

The original adjustable-saddle bridge has been replaced with a custom fit Indian Rosewood model and traditional straight saddle. Original Gibson Deluxe tuners were long ago replaced with Grover RotoMatics. The pickguard is clearly original, given that it’s glued directly to the top and there’s no sign of removal; other SJ models often had a three-point pickguard. Gibson uses nitrocellulose lacquer and here the Sunburst finish is in reasonable condition, with lots of natural lacquer checking and honest play wear. This guitar has clearly been used as intended, and fret wear is heavy in the low positions and high strings – a common wear pattern for rhythm playing.

This Gibson SJ Long Scale plays well as is, and sounds great. It has a rich, open sound with plenty of dynamic range.

A non-original brown hard shell case is included.