Runner

zombywolf: Thanks for your insightful comments. I found your post very interesting. Back in the 60's, a lot of electric guitars had narrow neck, so a transition to the SJ was not dramatic. Later, I dedicated myself to flamenco guitar; and after many years, I picked up the SJ and found the narrow neck uncomfortable. Still, the sound is so rich... great in the studio. I will give the instrument to my daughter. The neck will well accommodate her fine fingers. slimt: May I ask how much did the guitar fetch?

Thank you for looking up the year, Olie. No question that the tone and feel of an instrument are most important, but the quality of the workmanship plays a big role in desirability and, to me, value. In the mid 70's, I visited a large music store in Sydney that had on display a number of Gibson acoustics. I was disappointed when noticing the decline is quality: the worst feature was the way in which the pickguard was affixed: instead of being glued and the edges smoothed, the pickguard on all of the top models was lumberjack thick and screwed to the soundboard. Some of the slotted flathead screws were not flush with the top; so you could catch a fingertip if rubbing against the edge. The overall appearance of the Gibson's was cheaper. The finesse in my SJ to which I am acquainted was missing. A friend recently bought an ES-335, and the quality looked good. So I figure the period of sloppy work at the factory ended.

I would compare your it to other instruments in its class then assess the value accordingly. For example, my SJ flat top Southerner Jumbo is more powerful than any Hummingbird that I have played. Myopic musicians value a guitar as per its model; but the label will have little meaning to a professional that recognizes the quality of an instrument that offers a signature sound on stage and in the recording studio. If a prospective buyer is incapable of recognizing the quality of an exceptional guitar then he or she will be reluctant to meet your price. In such case, its pearls before the swine.

I have played Martins, Hummingbirds and Doves: nothing quite emulates the projection, powerful bass, beefy mid-range and crystal clear trebles of this instrument. I wish the fretboard were wider.

Last century, in the mid-sixties, my mother bought a "Gibson SJ Southerner Jumbo" with a serial number of 329277. In Australia, she paid £288.00 for this guitar, which has a narrow fretboard (see pic). Can anybody lend a hand in identifying the year in which this powerful instrument was made?