The Gibson Southern Jumbo has been built since 1942, under several names including ‘SJ’ and ‘Country Western’ and is closely related to the classic J-45 which launched at the same time.   At times the differences have been mostly market driven and cosmetic. Apparently named to appeal to Gibson dealers in the American South – referring to the Mason-Dixon line, for most of its production the Southern Jumbo or SJ uses slope-shoulder, spruce and mahogany body construction. For a few years in the mid-late 1960’s to 1970, the body design shifted to a Square-shoulder version, likely for competitive reasons. Otherwise, the key differences are additional binding on the fingerboard and split-parallelogram position markers.

The Southern Jumbo appeared in 1942 – as did the J-45 – and was produced until 1970. In 1956, a natural-top version was introduced and named the Country-Western. The Southern Jumbo reappeared between 1991 and 1996, and has been a listed model since at least 2004, now built in Bozeman Montana.

Dating to March 2nd 2021, this very good, clean and original condition Gibson Southern Jumbo was built at the Gibson Acoustic plant in Bozeman, Montana. Following the traditional pattern for the J-45 and SJ, the top is Spruce (currently Sitka) paired with Mahogany for the sides, back, body blocks and neck. The fingerboard and bridge are Rosewood, with Indian Rosewood being used since the mid-1960s. The tuners are vintage-style and lightweight Grover Sta-Tites. Like other modern Gibson acoustics, an L R Baggs VTC pickup system is factory-installed, with the controls tucked under the bass edge of the soundhole and the battery mounted to the neck block. There is very little wear of any kind, and this example plays well and cleanly. It has the warm, rich Gibson tone, and its voice still has plenty of room to develop through playing.

The original brown arched-top, Gibson branded hard shell case by TKL is included, and is also in very good condition.

Gibson Southern Jumbo Specifications: