je302 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Just wondering if anyone is familiar with these guitars? I just purchased a 1991 Southern Jumbo with Rosewood back and sides, Banner logo, unbound fretboard, and TV style case. I basically bought it because I had never seen one before. From what I gather Gibson made a short run of these in 1991 and modeled them after the rare 1942-43 rosewood SJ's. Its a nice sounding guitar, definately more subdued than my AJ, and not quite the bass of my standard hog SJ. I was just curious if anyone has played these guitars and has any opinions, or knows how scarce they are, or any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, here are some pic's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherofpearl Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Hmmm seen one on eBay not long ago. But odd because you would think it would have more bass being rosewood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telemaster03 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Fuller's did a 43 reissue rosewood SJ last year and in a recent e-mail reply they said they still have them or can get them. Yours looks great. This exact guitar is next on my wish list...banner with script logo, SJ appointments and rosewood for a different flavor from my J45 standard. I also would have thought the rosewood would have provided a bit more bass, maybe needs be played and opened up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 A gorgeous guitar! Congratulations. All of the original rosewood SJs shipped in 1943 and like your guitar had backs and sides of Indian rosewood (contrary to the assertion in Fab Falttops that they were Brazilian). In my book I estimate that there were between 100 & 200 original rosewood SJs. Here's my comparison of vintage rosewood and mahogany SJs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb-mGfC-vfI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin 1940D28 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 by Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Lovely. Enjoy! Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
je302 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 Thanks everyone! Still bonding with her, as I am more used to mahogany slopes, but so far so good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Nice guitar there. I had one of the Fuller's run for awhile. I hope you enjoy it! This was mine. I put the fire stripe guard on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin 1940D28 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 by Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I played a new SJ200 Custom this past friday that had rosewood B&S. I play very lightly, so this guitar was too subdued for me. Did not try it hooked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
je302 Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Jannusguy, Mine looks very similar to the one you had, aside from the bound fretboard. Beautiful guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogeye Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 In 1991 Gibson made 15 Southerner Jumbos in Indian Rosewood. They built 5 in Brazilian. In 1992 they made 66 in Indian Rosewood. They built none in 1993 and only one in 1994. It's interesting as the Rosewood version appeared in the pricelist in 1991 and the suggested retail was $1849.00. The Mahogany version was $1649.00. Neither version appears in the pricelist in 1992 so the production was probably made for the Japanese market as they are very fond of the guitar The Mahogany verssion next shows up in the 1999 pricelist. Gibson did make close to 300 Mahogany S.J's from 1991 to 1998 and the bulk of them were for the Japanese market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Here are a couple of views of the back and sides of one guitar from the near-mythical batch 910 rosewood SJ's from 1943: Now I have to wipe the drool off my computer screen again...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
je302 Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Nick, that is a beautiful hunk of wood!!! would love to hear how that sounds! Hogeye, So are you saying that my SJ is likely 1 of 15 made in 1991? I have tracked the serial # and it dates to 1991, back and sides def look like Indian RW, fingerboard looks like it is possibly brazilian RW. I have never seen another one like it thats for sure. Thanks again everyone for contributing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Here are a couple of views of the back and sides of one guitar from the near-mythical batch 910 rosewood SJ's from 1943: A beautiful guitar, Nick. Thanks for posting the pics. Do you know the history of that guitar? I believe that it's the only rosewood SJ that I've seen without the heel cap. Are you sure it's not from batch 924, 8074, 8075, or 2005, the other rosewood batches? That's a batch 910 SJ in my video. I've now played 4 from that batch and all have been stellar. Batch to je302, that's a very nice guitar you've scored! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Nice guitar there. I had one of the Fuller's run for awhile. I hope you enjoy it! This was mine. I put the fire stripe guard on it. I have a chance to get one of these what did you think of it as a companion to a J 45 and a maple sj200 Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 A beautiful guitar, Nick. Thanks for posting the pics. Do you know the history of that guitar? I believe that it's the only rosewood SJ that I've seen without the heel cap. Are you sure it's not from batch 924, 8074, 8075, or 2005, the other rosewood batches? That's a batch 910 SJ in my video. I've now played 4 from that batch and all have been stellar. JT, this guitar was at the Orlando show last year. I didn't check the FON, because I didn't realize there was more than one batch of rosewood SJ's in that first year. For some reason, I didn't quite have enough money in my wallet to buy this one that day...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have a chance to get one of these what did you think of it as a companion to a J 45 and a maple sj200 Thx I think it would compliment the other two you mentioned. After much (enjoyable) faffing about, I have settled on my 1951 J45 (hog), 2012 J200 TV (maple) and my Roy Smeck re-issue (rosewood). These three will see me through and are excellent examples of the tone woods I was interested in. I'd say go for it unless you can find yourself a nice AJ as your rosewood example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 JT, this guitar was at the Orlando show last year. I didn't check the FON, because I didn't realize there was more than one batch of rosewood SJ's in that first year. For some reason, I didn't quite have enough money in my wallet to buy this one that day...... nick, Thanks! Yeah, these original rosewood SJs are way over my budget, too. But, judging from those I've played, they are worth every penny. Before I began my research and put up my registry (on which Willi has done most of the work), folks thought that there was only one batch and that they were of Brazilian rosewood. But, ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 nick, Thanks! Yeah, these original rosewood SJs are way over my budget, too. But, judging from those I've played, they are worth every penny. Before I began my research and put up my registry (on which Willi has done most of the work), folks thought that there was only one batch and that they were of Brazilian rosewood. But, ... I didn't know or care whether it was Brazilian or EI or whatever. I thought it was a staggeringly beautiful piece of wood for both the back and the sides. First time I had ever seen one in person. Can't remember if they wanted $12,500 for it or $17,500, but it might as well have been a million. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I didn't know or care whether it was Brazilian or EI or whatever. I thought it was a staggeringly beautiful piece of wood for both the back and the sides. First time I had ever seen one in person. Can't remember if they wanted $12,500 for it or $17,500, but it might as well have been a million. Nick, but in either event, by far the cheapest vintage rosewood Banner SJ about which I've ever heard. Next time, call me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Nick, but in either event, by far the cheapest vintage rosewood Banner SJ about which I've ever heard. Next time, call me! Next time (if there is one), I may just buy it myself. I was more interested in the one-owner 1934 Super 400 below at the time, but I've satisfied my archtop urge with a much more rational instrument. Guitar prices are a funny thing. I'm perfectly comfortable owning and playing $5000 guitars, but put a guitar in my hands worth more than $10k, and I get nervous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I think it would compliment the other two you mentioned. After much (enjoyable) faffing about, I have settled on my 1951 J45 (hog), 2012 J200 TV (maple) and my Roy Smeck re-issue (rosewood). These three will see me through and are excellent examples of the tone woods I was interested in. I'd say go for it unless you can find yourself a nice AJ as your rosewood example. Thanks for your insight... I do have a chance at an AJ but I seem to want "that" banner head stock...am I crazy The AJ is a great strummer ........ o you suppose Bozeman would build me a AJ with a banner??? :unsure: O well my dilemma....sorry for the HJ fellas.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebelwoclue Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I have just bought a 1991 Banner Southern Jumbo (Indian rosewood) and love it. I'll post some photos soon. Thanks for the information on this thread. Reb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Thanks for your insight... I do have a chance at an AJ but I seem to want "that" banner head stock...am I crazy The AJ is a great strummer ........ o you suppose Bozeman would build me a AJ with a banner??? :unsure: O well my dilemma....sorry for the HJ fellas.... An AJ with a banner headstock would be a complete historical mis-match. Don't even think of it. If you want a rosewood slope guitar with a banner headstock, get them to build you a rosewood SJ, like the first SJ batch back in 1942/'43. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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