1942 Gibson Banner J-50 Natural
Description
FON 7117H-27. Rare and collectible, this 1942 natural-top J-50 comes from the very first batch es of banner headstock Gibsons. While it’s difficult to confirm individual Gibson shipping IDs from the 1940s, factory records clearly show the earliest J-50s were built in four batches, 7114H through 7119H, and launched in the spring of 1942, eleven weeks before the first J-45s shipped. This guitar is number 27 from the fourth batch.
Early J-50s are defined by their high-quality, narrow-grain Adirondack spruce tops with natural finish, five-ply trim and rosette, white binding, teardrop tortoise pickguard, rectangular rosewood bridge with white pins, and two-piece mahogany back with a dark center strip. The “open-book” headstock features gently curved sides and a subtle taper. And the banner logo of course.
This example has aged gracefully over 84 years, showing no abuse and only minimal modification. The original finish is nicely crazed and well preserved. The bridge has been replaced with one slightly oversized by 1/16", carefully carved to the original shape. Three fine dryness cracks extend from beneath the fretboard tongue and are stabilized with a cleat. Two additional dryness cracks in the top have been cleanly glued and cleated with no added finish. The tuner buttons have been replaced and are beginning to look age-appropriate, and the pins appear to be modern replicas from Antique Acoustics.
It has received a recent neck reset and refret, and a fresh setup by Mark Tossman has it playing beautifully. Action is medium-low with ample saddle remaining for future adjustment. The full-feeling neck features an adjustable truss rod. Tonally, it delivers classic Gibson midrange bark with an open, woody character, strong volume, long sustain, and plenty of headroom. It’s a versatile instrument, equally at home with folk, bluegrass, rock and roll, or vocal accompaniment—and simply a pleasure to play.
At some point it was paired with a cool 1960s Gibson hardshell case featuring goldenrod felt and the square Gibson logo. It’s the desirable plywood version, not the later semi-hard style. Together, they make a terrific package.
Email inquiries to jetcityguitars@comcast.net.
SPECS:
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Appointments: 5-ply binding & rosette, gold stencil logo and “banner”
Nut width: 1-3/4” (just shy)
String spacing: 2-3/16”
Body width: 16”
Depth: 4-3/4”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: Vintage HSC
Some of the information in this description was sourced from A.R. Duchossoir’s excellent article in Vintage Guitar Magazine published July 2010.
Early J-50s are defined by their high-quality, narrow-grain Adirondack spruce tops with natural finish, five-ply trim and rosette, white binding, teardrop tortoise pickguard, rectangular rosewood bridge with white pins, and two-piece mahogany back with a dark center strip. The “open-book” headstock features gently curved sides and a subtle taper. And the banner logo of course.
This example has aged gracefully over 84 years, showing no abuse and only minimal modification. The original finish is nicely crazed and well preserved. The bridge has been replaced with one slightly oversized by 1/16", carefully carved to the original shape. Three fine dryness cracks extend from beneath the fretboard tongue and are stabilized with a cleat. Two additional dryness cracks in the top have been cleanly glued and cleated with no added finish. The tuner buttons have been replaced and are beginning to look age-appropriate, and the pins appear to be modern replicas from Antique Acoustics.
It has received a recent neck reset and refret, and a fresh setup by Mark Tossman has it playing beautifully. Action is medium-low with ample saddle remaining for future adjustment. The full-feeling neck features an adjustable truss rod. Tonally, it delivers classic Gibson midrange bark with an open, woody character, strong volume, long sustain, and plenty of headroom. It’s a versatile instrument, equally at home with folk, bluegrass, rock and roll, or vocal accompaniment—and simply a pleasure to play.
At some point it was paired with a cool 1960s Gibson hardshell case featuring goldenrod felt and the square Gibson logo. It’s the desirable plywood version, not the later semi-hard style. Together, they make a terrific package.
Email inquiries to jetcityguitars@comcast.net.
SPECS:
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Appointments: 5-ply binding & rosette, gold stencil logo and “banner”
Nut width: 1-3/4” (just shy)
String spacing: 2-3/16”
Body width: 16”
Depth: 4-3/4”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: Vintage HSC
Some of the information in this description was sourced from A.R. Duchossoir’s excellent article in Vintage Guitar Magazine published July 2010.