1955 Southern Jumbo Help

[dweb1]

I just recently came across a '55 SJ in pretty nice shape. FON starts with "W". Anyway the front is sunburst but the back is a reddish-cherry finish.Can't seem to find any good pics of a '55 on the web. Please help or send me pics if you have them right to my email: dweb1@cox.net

Thanks

Don

[fp]

I just recently came across a '55 SJ in pretty nice shape. FON starts with "W". Anyway the front is sunburst but the back is a reddish-cherry finish.Can't seem to find any good pics of a '55 on the web. Please help or send me pics if you have them right to my email: dweb1@cox.net

Thanks

Don

 

 

That sounds correct. The SJ's and the SJN's [Country Western] had a red stain finish on the mahogany parts of the guitar. It's not unusual to see these that have faded to a light brown as well.

I have a 59 SJN that I can send a picture of later today if you want.

 

Frank.

[62burst]

from CFH's home.provide.net's gibson info site:

 

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html

 

"1952-1961: Factory Order Numbers beginning with the letter Q to Z, ink stamped on inside back, all hollowbody models. "

[ryanfender]

According to Fabulous Flattops, 1955 would start with "W". "T" is 1958.

[dweb1]

Yes Frank Please do. I need to replace the pickguard with a period one also. Would a LG 2 guard fit on my SJ ? Same footprint .

Thanks in advance.

 

 

That sounds correct. The SJ's and the SJN's [Country Western] had a red stain finish on the mahogany parts of the guitar. It's not unusual to see these that have faded to a light brown as well.

I have a 59 SJN that I can send a picture of later today if you want.

 

Frank.

[zombywoof]

That would be a Southerner Jumbo.

 

There are a number of places out there that can make you a replacement pickguard. Check with Greven and Pickguard Heaven.

 

One of the keys to getting a good SJ is the top - look for a tight, even grain. If you are not familiar with old Gibsons (or old guitars in general) it would be wise to bring somebody along to look at the guitar who is. A good SJ will have a crisp upper end, pronounced mids, and tight and defined lows (especially a non-scallop braced model). Also be patient. It sometimes takes a bit to find the good stuff. The magic number for me was three (all made in the mid-1950s, all in roughly the same conditon and at the same price).

[zombywoof]

That sounds correct. The SJ's and the SJN's [Country Western] had a red stain finish on the mahogany parts of the guitar. It's not unusual to see these that have faded to a light brown as well.

I have a 59 SJN that I can send a picture of later today if you want.

 

 

I have never seen a 1950s SJ with a red mahogany stain although I have seen that color on much older instruments. Although I know it is hard to get the color to come out spot on, if you could post a pic that would be cool.

[dweb1]

Contact me by email for a pic. dweb1@cox.net

Thanks

 

 

 

 

I have never seen a 1950s SJ with a red mahogany stain although I have seen that color on much older instruments. Although I know it is hard to get the color to come out spot on, if you could post a pic that would be cool.

[tvguit]

I used to have a '55 with a cherry stained back and sides (factory). It also had a really unique rosette and was marked "2" (second) on the back of the headstock.

 

That is the one in my avatar.