The Gibson Southern Jumbo model had risen in popularity in the 1940s and early 1950s. People were commonly ordering them with a natural finish instead of the traditional sunburst, calling it an “SJN” starting in 1954. Sometime in 1955, Gibson introduced the Country Western model as part of the standard Gibson line up. It came with a new paper label with the model name and a rope border. The guitar featured a Sitka Spruce top, Honduran Mahogany back and sides, and the attractive slope shoulder body shape . The headstock received the upgraded Holly overlay with inlayed pearl Gibson logo and “crown.” The neck was upgraded with fret board binding and split parallelogram inlays.

This Country Western has just received a few maintenance items and a pro set up so it is ready to get back in the game. It’s got a fresh compensated bone nut and and saddle installed professionally by Jason Burns. Jason does such a great job on these that they really look like they came from the factory that way. This guitar has that great low to mid range rumble that’s perfect for the singer songwriter types and those front porch pickers. Other repairs include one top crack that is tight and stable, a few braces reglued, replaced tuners and the bridge had to be repaired because of a prior poorly installed saddle. Jason did all the work to get it back into good shape and his work is top notch. There was a set of 3 on a strip Kluson tuners installed on this guitar at one time so there are a few extra holes in that area. The tuner holes themselves were not enlarged and retain the original tuner bushings.

The neck profile on this guitar is that classic, oh so desirable mid to late 1950s Gibson profile that fits comfortably in the hand. These were hand shaped with a belt sander so every one is just a little bit different. I’m confident that you’ll find this one to be everything a player could hope for in an acoustic guitar neck. The action is medium height so you can both dig in deep with a thick pick or play chords up the neck.