1953 Gibson Southern Jumbo – Sunburst

1953 Gibson Southern Jumbo – Sunburst

We present an original 1953 Gibson Southern Jumbo in Sunburst. Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Gibson’s postwar flat-top lineup positions the Southern Jumbo as a more refined alternative to the workhorse J-45, yet less ornate than the grand 17″ SJ-200 or J-185. The Southern Jumbo shares the core construction of the J-45: a sunburst-finished spruce top on a 16″ slope-shouldered mahogany jumbo body, paired with a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. However, the Southern Jumbo is outfitted with more elaborate appointments. It features multi-ply binding on both the body and soundhole, along with a bound fingerboard adorned with pearloid double parallelogram inlays. The rosewood bridge is a top-belly style.

This 1953 Gibson Southern Jumbo shows some general play wear but retains a striking aesthetic with no crack repairs. The original finish on the back exhibits minor nicks and dings. Lightweight, resonant, and incredibly responsive, this vintage Gibson acoustic guitar is a superb-sounding survivor that’s a joy to play. There is visible wear around the soundhole and other areas, but overall, the guitar presents beautifully and remains highly collectible.

Repairs done by a professional Luthier:

• Visible through the sound hole there is old glue work to back center seam and braces.
• Neck reset, requiring on Gibson’s some tiny touch up work at neck heel both sides, new frets, new nut and new saddle.
• Original bridge plate had string holes repaired using Stew-Mac repair tool.
• Original pickguard relieved.
• Various inside brace ends have been reglued.
• Rear center seam at butt (last three inches) glued and the inside strip in this area added.