1970 Gibson Southern Jumbo Deluxe Natural
Description
The Gibson Southern Jumbo/Country Western model guitars were 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.
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 non-adjustable saddle and the “Made in U.S.A.” on the back of the headstock make it 1970 or later. 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 black outer layer, the black back stripe, and the multi-stripe rosette usually indicate 1974-1975, but the large 3-point pickguard supposedly became black in 1972 and this one is obviously tortoise. I’m assuming that these differences and the natural finish are distinctions of the “Deluxe” model designation.
The serial number itself (A400500) is in the 1970 to 1972 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. I have no idea if the round numbers have significance as to this guitar’s actual production number, 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: there is a unevenly glued and crack at the sound hole (homely, but very solid), an expertly repaired headstock, and of course some dings and scratches. The vintage Gibson tuners are the original Klusons (one is slightly bent), and an end pin jack was apparently added and then removed, leaving the hole behind to be filled with new electronics or a plug and pin.
Cosmetically, the finish is excellent other than some slight finish crazing and some pick wear above and below the strings, 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 bit over 3/32” at the 12th fret low E. The frets are in surprisingly good shape, the headstock and other inlay is still good, the bridge is solid, and of course the sound is terrific: big, full bass, trebles clear as a bell, everything resonating, filling the room! This is a great-sounding Gibson Southern Jumbo guitar with tons of character and jam cred. It’s not prettied up with abalone and such, but it’s a great looking and sounding guitar, embodying everything that the name Gibson has stood for over the last century or so.
The vintage TKL case is clearly not original, but it is an excellent hard shell case from the 1970s in very good structural shape. The hardware works well, the silver 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; cashiers and personal 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.
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 non-adjustable saddle and the “Made in U.S.A.” on the back of the headstock make it 1970 or later. 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 black outer layer, the black back stripe, and the multi-stripe rosette usually indicate 1974-1975, but the large 3-point pickguard supposedly became black in 1972 and this one is obviously tortoise. I’m assuming that these differences and the natural finish are distinctions of the “Deluxe” model designation.
The serial number itself (A400500) is in the 1970 to 1972 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. I have no idea if the round numbers have significance as to this guitar’s actual production number, 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: there is a unevenly glued and crack at the sound hole (homely, but very solid), an expertly repaired headstock, and of course some dings and scratches. The vintage Gibson tuners are the original Klusons (one is slightly bent), and an end pin jack was apparently added and then removed, leaving the hole behind to be filled with new electronics or a plug and pin.
Cosmetically, the finish is excellent other than some slight finish crazing and some pick wear above and below the strings, 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 bit over 3/32” at the 12th fret low E. The frets are in surprisingly good shape, the headstock and other inlay is still good, the bridge is solid, and of course the sound is terrific: big, full bass, trebles clear as a bell, everything resonating, filling the room! This is a great-sounding Gibson Southern Jumbo guitar with tons of character and jam cred. It’s not prettied up with abalone and such, but it’s a great looking and sounding guitar, embodying everything that the name Gibson has stood for over the last century or so.
The vintage TKL case is clearly not original, but it is an excellent hard shell case from the 1970s in very good structural shape. The hardware works well, the silver 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; cashiers and personal 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.