tpbiii Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 For the first time in years, all our slope Jumbos are home -- 1935-1954. So I decided I need a new family picture. I thought some of you might enjoy the picture. The RW guitars are all on the back row. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalex Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 What an amazing collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 I was thinking of you last Saturday as I attended the world's largest guitar show in Arlington, TX. Saw two Original Jumbos and maybe eight of nine J-35s, one of which had a gold script logo on a winged, not straight peghead. The seller dated it as a '41. Perhaps a true transitional J-35 to J-45 model. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Yes, one can definitely see the family resemblence. Clearly, the mailman never sullied this gene pool. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 I was thinking of you last Saturday as I attended the world's largest guitar show in Arlington, TX. Saw two Original Jumbos and maybe eight of nine J-35s, one of which had a gold script logo on a winged, not straight peghead. The seller dated it as a '41. Perhaps a true transitional J-35 to J-45 model. Red 333 I think the gold label appeared for a short time in 42 on the very first of the "new" models. Of course, Gibson models were never really cleanly transitioned or feature pure, so you get a lot of stuff. The gold label appeared I think originally in about 1939 (we have a 1939 HG-00 with one), but it continued a bit into the J-45/SJ era. There are a few of both from 1942 with that label. It reappeared of course in 1946-47 when the "banner" was removed. They also still made J-35s occasionally at that time. I wish I could have gone to that show. Maybe next year. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 For us this was a retirement investment we did over 40 years, but in addition to the portfolio investment rules you have to apply if you are really saving and not just playing, we also had another set of rules that guided us. We were interested in iconic models that were sonically excellent and which had had a big impact in the genres and cultures that drove our musical life. Also, we never wanted more than one of each -- limiting ourselves in that way allowed us to throw a wider net. I guess from that perspective, we covered this J flattop period pretty well. We have (the last ones to arrive) the three RW models (AJ, RSRG, SJ RW (at the back) that can stand in with the old Herringbones for bluegrass (perhaps our favorite genre right now), we have the the mahogany 30s standouts (Jumbo, Trojan/J-35, RSSD), the more civilized Banner era stuff (J-45s and SJ), and a couple of early-mid models (SJ and J-45). Our interest after 1954 was mostly in folk revival era instruments -- we also have a 62 HB and 65 Dove -- but those are not slopes and are really another class of instrument. We use them to play the folk revival songs of our youth. These are just the "large" Gibsons -- we were/are equally interested in the smaller models too. I guess the two holes I might identify are the J-55 -- although I never really was very interested in this late 30s transition instruments -- and in the J-35 area. Ours is a Trojan -- one of the first ever built -- but there were a lot of variations over the rest of the 1930s, so a lot of "sounds" that we don't have in term of J-35s. Here is a picture that includes the two birds. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 I think the gold label appeared for a short time in 42 on the very first of the "new" models. Of course, Gibson models were never really cleanly transitioned or feature pure, so you get a lot of stuff. The gold label appeared I think originally in about 1939 (we have a 1939 HG-00 with one), but it continued a bit into the J-45/SJ era. There are a few of both from 1942 with that label. It reappeared of course in 1946-47 when the "banner" was removed. They also still made J-35s occasionally at that time. I wish I could have gone to that show. Maybe next year. Best, -Tom I was mistaken. White, not gold, script logo. It also had a double ring rosette, winged (not straight) peghead, AJ-style pickguard, rounded neck heel (not French heel). I have certainly never seen as many J-35's, OJs, and pre-war J-45s at one of these shows before. I also saw two or three Ray Whitley Recording Kings! It was something like a visit to your house, I'd imagine. If you ever do go to the Arlington or Dallas shows, let me know. I'd love to meet up. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 I think the gold label appeared for a short time in 42 on the very first of the "new" models. Of course, Gibson models were never really cleanly transitioned or feature pure, so you get a lot of stuff. The gold label appeared I think originally in about 1939 (we have a 1939 HG-00 with one), but it continued a bit into the J-45/SJ era. There are a few of both from 1942 with that label. It reappeared of course in 1946-47 when the "banner" was removed. They also still made J-35s occasionally at that time. I wish I could have gone to that show. Maybe next year. Best, -Tom I was mistaken. White, not gold, script logo. It also had a double ring rosette, winged (not straight) peghead, AJ-style pickguard, rounded neck heel (not French heel). I have certainly never seen as many J-35's, OJs, and pre-war J-45s at one of these shows before. I also saw two or three Ray Whitley Recording Kings! It was something like a visit to your house, I'd imagine. If you ever do go to the Arlington or Dallas shows, let me know. I'd love to meet up. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 I was mistaken. White, not gold, script logo. It also had a double ring rosette, winged (not straight) peghead, AJ-style pickguard, rounded neck heel (not French heel). I have certainly never seen as many J-35's, OJs, and pre-war J-45s at one of these shows before. I also saw two or three Ray Whitley Recording Kings! It was something like a visit to your house, I'd imagine. If you ever do go to the Arlington or Dallas shows, let me know. I'd love to meet up. Red 333 OK. My daughter lives in Houston, and we spend a fair amount of time in Texas. If we are ever there at the right time, we can meet up. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Just popping in to say thanks for my new iPad wallpaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fp Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Just a magnificent group of vintage Gibson flattops ! I can't imagine a better collection. Thanks for sharing Tom ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Just popping in to say thanks for my new iPad wallpaper. You’re keeping Lynsey Lohan on the phone though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 Just popping in to say thanks for my new iPad wallpaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 What is iPad wallpaper? Lawdy Have Mercy Tom. I am still working towards that one J-35. Those slopes and we are lucky you are their caretaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Tom - your collection inspires me and keeps me humble😨 It's always a pleasure when you share photos👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Always showing off ..... and that's nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 Always showing off ..... and that's nice. I am indeed always concerned when I post to groups like this that it will be seen primarily has showing off. And we are indeed human -- my wife and I gain a considerable amount of (otherwise unwarranted) prestige from these things that we bought and collected over time. Pitiful but true. The great part of it socially is it allows us to sometimes meet, hang out with, and make music with musical people that are a bit above our natural musical pay grade. But as nice as that perk is, it is nowhere near the top of the list of why were have and care for these old instruments. One of the topics I love is how the sound of guitars from the golden era evolved and how that effected American acoustic music and informs the very music we love and play today. To me that picture of the old Jumbos is not only a collection of icons but a tonal tapestry that both explains why what was played by who historically and which are nonetheless some of the best tools ever built for making music today. We clearly share some of these perspectives with a lot of you. Like all geeks, I can overdo it. Please excuse me when I do. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 We clearly share some of these perspectives with a lot of you. Like all geeks, I can overdo it. Please excuse me when I do. Best, -Tom Tom, you never overdo it. I've learned a lot from the pictures and videos you post. You're a great custodian of some wonderful musical instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Tom, you never overdo it. I've learned a lot from the pictures and videos you post. You're a great custodian of some wonderful musical instruments. here here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Wow, That is one heck of a collection...they are beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarGeordie Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 You're keeping Lynsey Lohan on the phone though With vibrate on silent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Tom, I never get tired of seeing your instruments. Maybe envious, but not tired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 I feel privileged to have played a few of those very instruments and visited and broken bread with Tom and his wife a few years back, during our travels in Nova Scotia! I never tire of seeing the collection, Tom! Best, Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Doggone, Tom. You could open a museum and charge admission. Or a fantasy camp for git freaks. Salute, Rambler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 I feel privileged to have played a few of those very instruments and visited and broken bread with Tom and his wife a few years back, during our travels in Nova Scotia! I never tire of seeing the collection, Tom! Best, Fred Hi Fred, I don't remember exactly what we had that year. I think there may be a picture -- I will check. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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