The first natural-finished Gibson Southern Jumbos were offered in 1954, the year this instrument was built. Only 15 of these blonde Southern Jumbos were built in '54, making this guitar’s historical significance quite strong. Natural topped SJ's are far less common than the model's fraternal twin, the sunburst-finished Southern Jumbo. As Gibson switched to straight bracing and large pickguards in 1955, there are incredibly few natural-finished Southern Jumbos in the world.

The SJN was renamed "Country Western" in '56 but aside from the standard changes which occurred to all Gibson acoustics in 1955, there was no real difference between the two models. This 1954 SJ features a scalloped-braced spruce top, mahogany back and sides, bound rosewood fingerboard with double parallelogram pearloid markers. Small tortoise-celluloid pickguard, multi-ply body bindings, rosewood bridge, and three-per-side Kluson tuning gears.


 Nearly completely original, this SJ is entirely stock right down to its shrunken tuner buttons, but the bone saddle and Antique Acoustic pins are welcomed replacements. The guitar is in fine condition, with no repairs other than a cleanly reglued center-seam on the top and a nicely executed neck reset. Some light playwear is evident on the side of the neck in the first position and along the soundhole's bottom edge. Original frets are moderately worn, with heavier wear in the first position but play cleanly. Strap button in the neck heel. Typical 50's round neck carve with 1-11/16" nut, 24.75" scale, and a 1st fret depth of .887”.

Great lo-fi jumbo tone, with thumpy lows and fat trebles, perfect for singing country tunes. It's a particularly fine-sounding Gibson jumbo, with all the warmth and woodiness you're likely hoping for. The scalloped bracing gives this guitar a lot of warmth and a healthy bottom-end.

With original Gibson Lifton hardshell case