What model is this?

[JMods]

Hi

 

I was just wondering what model this Gibson is, I've been told that it was made around 1941, so any clarity would be appreciated, there is no serial no. that i could find, but it does say "Only a Gibson is good enough" on the headstock.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Julian

[Buc McMaster]

Looks to be an SJ. Not positive though......there is no binding on the neck and the bridge is not a belly style. But perhaps that was the way they were made way back when. Looks like it's aged well. Machine heads are replacements.

[JMods]

So how much would an SJ be worth then? Looking to get it insured.

 

Thanks

[Mojorule]

Looks to be an SJ. Not positive though......there is no binding on the neck and the bridge is not a belly style. But perhaps that was the way they were made way back when. Looks like it's aged well. Machine heads are replacements.

 

It's definitely a Southern Jumbo, as John Thomas will surely soon confirm. JT's own 1943 also has the straight bridge, the belly being a slightly later development (1945, I think, or perhaps 1944, but again JT will confirm). Lack of neck binding is correct for the entire banner period (the Woody Guthrie model gets this feature right). Not 1941, as there were no SJs until 1942 or indeed 1943 (again, JT will be able to explain my hesitancy here, and give the correct date). The tuners are indeed replacements.

 

As for value, await JT. Should you wish a quick sale, I can tell you that in Hungary, they sell for the equivalent of about 500 dollars when in mint condition . Given the replacement tuners, I would be willing to take her off your hands for 450 ;).

[j45nick]

So how much would an SJ be worth then? Looking to get it insured.

 

Thanks

It's a war-time SJ. The year is uncertain because the features changed constantly during this period, but the model was introduced in 1942. The distinctive features of your guitar--unbound fretboard, script logo with banner, rectangular bridge--probably date it from 1942-1946. The Grover tuners are not original, but the rest looks to be. It appears to be in lovely condition.

 

This is a valuable instrument that needs a professional appraisal for insurance purposes. Gruhn Guitars in Nashville specializes in appraisals of this type, and has information on their website about how to proceeed. Its insurance value will be higher than its current market value, as the market for even quality instruments such as this has fallen from its peak. The insurance value may be in the $6k-$10K range, depending on condition variables which are not obvious from the photos.

[DanvillRob]

It's a war-time SJ. The year is uncertain because the features changed constantly during this period, but the model was introduced in 1942. The distinctive features of your guitar--unbound fretboard, script logo with banner, rectangular bridge--probably date it from 1942-1946. The Grover tuners are not original, but the rest looks to be. It appears to be in lovely condition.

 

This is a valuable instrument that needs a professional appraisal for insurance purposes. Gruhn Guitars in Nashville specializes in appraisals of this type, and has information on their website about how to proceeed. It's insurance value will be higher than its current market value, as the market for even quality instruments such as this has fallen from its peak. The insurance value may be in the $6k-$10K range, depending on condition variables which are not obvious from the photos.

 

It's worthless....... send it to me.

 

actually....nice axe!

[rar]

there is no serial no. that i could find,

Did you check the neck block (looking through the soundhole up toward the neck)? If there's no number stamped there, that tells something about the date of manufacture.

 

What does your insurance company require in the way of verification of value for insurance purposes? Gary's Classic Guitars has a '43 SJ currently listed for $10.9K, and I typically like to insure for high dealer price rather than what I could sell for.

 

-- Bob R

[JMods]

Hi

 

There isn't a number on the neck block, so what does this suggest?

 

Thanks

 

Julian

[EuroAussie]

Yeah, with all the cracks and restoration required its going to cost you more to fix than the sale price. Send it over to me, ill take it off your hands .... will throw in postage costs also, surely an offer you cant refuse ... ?

[ChrisA83]

Wow what a beauty! How did you get your hands on that?

[Spot]

Chinese fake worth about $199....

 

[Spot]

So how much would an SJ be worth then? Looking to get it insured.

 

Thanks

 

 

Yeah right!!!!

 

 

[JMods]

Wow what a beauty! How did you get your hands on that?

 

My dad bought it in New York in 1982 for $1000

[ChrisA83]

My dad bought it in New York in 1982 for $1000

 

Nice investment!

[j45nick]

Hi

 

There isn't a number on the neck block, so what does this suggest?

 

Thanks

 

Julian

It's nothing to be concerned about. Many war-time Gibsons have no factory order number stamped in them. It would be nice if you could post some pictures of the back and sides of the guitar, so we can get a better idea of its condition.

 

I hope you are taking good care of it by keeping it in a proper case, and storing it in a reasonably stable environment. If you are a guitarist, you should play it. If not, you should consider selling it. Vintage guitars that pass through generations to people who don't play frequently end up being unintentionally damaged or abused, just because they don't understand what they have and how to take care of it.

[TM]

Go to the Unoffical Martin Guitar Forum (UMGF) Vintage Corner, there is a thread on just such a guitar.

[pfox14]

Other than the replaced tuners, it appears to be a very nice WWII-era banner SJ.

[ParlourMan]

My dad bought it in New York in 1982 for $1000

 

tasty bit of business!

 

Congrats on a beautiful vintage guitar. It looks like a lovely example.

[jt]

As others have pointed out, it's a Wartime SJ. These began shipping in 1943 and somewhere around mid 1943, some batches of them got the narrow rather than belly bridge. I'd love to see closer pics of the bridge. It looks to be original, but that drop in saddle woud be quite unusual. I've only see a couple of other drop in saddles in the wartime years and those were not on Sjs. On edit: I took a closer look at that bridge: it's a replacement.

 

You might want to peruse my Banner Gibson Registry to see other wartime Gibsons..

 

That $10K estimate seems about right.

 

A very cool guitar. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[retrorod]

It certainly is a "looker"..

Back shot, please..!

[JMods]

Hi

 

I've just started to play this guitar, which is why I'm wondering what its model is and everything.

 

Here are some pictures of the back and sides (got a bit trigger happy on the camera):

 

 

And the case that it's in:

 

Thanks

 

Julian

[j45nick]

Thanks for the additional photos. The back appears to be standard mahogany. The guitar looks to be in generally very nice shape, with normal wear.

 

I notice that it has a three-piece neck. Since it's very light where the finish is worn off the neck, I suspect it's a laminated maple. These were pretty common during the war, as I understand it. I have a '47 L-7 with a very similar neck construction detail.

 

The case looks to me to be from the 60's, as I have one just like it that I bought around 1968 or so. You can get a new handle for it pretty easily, which I would suggest. You might actually consider getting a new, high end case for this guitar if your old case isn't a perfect fit. "Perfect" in this context means just that: the guitar should not move at all in the case, and the strings over the neck rest and possibly bridge pins should imprint on the padding in the top of the case. Some of these old cases are not as good as new cases both in fit and protection. Some don't even have a recess in the padding at the end of the case to accommodate the strap pin.

 

At some point, you should take this to a luthier for a setup and check over, to look for things like loose braces, neck angle, and action height. DO NOT take this to the guitar tech at your local music store. Don't let someone like that touch it.

 

I would also consider replacing those Rotomatic tuners, which are totally inappropriate for the guitar. From the looks of the screw holes on the back of the headstock next to the tuners, it looks like it probably had individual tuners rather than three-on-a-plate tuners. JT will probably chime in to tell you what they should be. Listen to him: he is the world expert on these war-time banner Gibsons.

 

This is a lovely guitar that I would be delighted to own. Take good care of it.

[retrorod]

Ditto that ...what Nick said. Those early Grover tuners are a distraction. They were typical of replacements 'back in the day' though....

Have you put new strings on yet?

We would all like to hear some sound samples, at any rate.

[jt]

JT will probably chime in to tell you what they should be. Listen to him: he is the world expert on these war-time banner Gibsons.

 

This is a lovely guitar that I would be delighted to own. Take good care of it.

 

Yes, a very lovely guitar and teh finest flattop Gibson offered during WWII.

 

I'm no expert, but I have been foolish enough to spend the past several years working on a book on these guitars and the people who built them ( currently sitting with my publisher, Michigan State University Press, while we work out the details of a companion CD of a dozen tunes played on a dozen Banner Gibsons).

 

That laminated neck Is typical of your era of wartime Gibsons. Here's a similar guitar.[/url

 

The tuners woud have been individual Klusons. Check the guitar I linked. Probably Waverlys or modern, open back Grover's woud be best.

[retrorod]

Yes, a very lovely guitar and teh finest flattop Gibson offered during WWII.

 

I'm no expert, but I have been foolish enough to spend the past several years working on a book on these guitars and the people who built them ( currently sitting with my publisher, Michigan State University Press, while we work out the details of a companion CD of a dozen tunes played on a dozen Banner Gibsons).

 

That laminated neck Is typical of your era of wartime Gibsons. Here's a similar guitar.[/url

 

The tuners woud have been individual Klusons. Check the guitar I linked. Probably Waverlys or modern, open back Grover's woud be best.

Great info jt! I couldn't help but notice the lack of the secondary soundhole purfling on the SJ that you referenced? Was there a certain year or time frame when Gibson added the secondary ring? Or just is that one just an "odd one-off"..?

Thanks, Rod