Introduced in 1942 alongside its sister the J-45, shortly before Gibson suspended manufacturing for World War II, the Southern Jumbo is a legendary instrument from a golden age of acoustic guitar production. A large-bodied flat-top of the beloved “round-shoulder dreadnought” breed, this distinctive workhorse is beloved for its ability to belt out a country rhythm or an acoustic blues lead, while retaining an understated elegance in the process. Going for as much as $10,000 or more on the vintage market, when you can find them, original examples are among the most prized of pre-war flat-tops. The Gibson Southern Jumbo New Vintage recreates the best of this legendary model in an instrument available to players and collectors today. Crafted for superb tone and playing feel right out of the case, and available exclusively from Wildwood Guitars. Constructed by the acclaimed luthiers of Gibson’s acoustic facility in Bozeman, Montana, the Wildwood Southern Jumbo is one of five models in a stunning New Vintage series, each of which represents an exhaustive recreation of a great Gibson flat-top acoustic.
Like all others in the series—the Hummingbird, SJ-200, J-45 and J-185—the Gibson Southern Jumbo New Vintage is available in three different editions, each of which strictly follows the specs of original vintage models, but represents different levels of constructional finish and wood selection. All three share historic details such as a prized solid Sitka Spruce top, advanced 1930s X-bracing, belly-up rosewood bridge with aged bone saddle, and solid one-piece mahogany neck with soft “V” profile. The Standard model uses hot hide glue for its dovetailed neck joint, while the Hide Glue model uses this traditional adhesive for other elements of its construction, such as the attachment of its scalloped spruce braces. The Exotic Rosewood model uses the same degree of hide glue construction, but adds exotic rosewood back and sides selected by Gibson Montana’s master luthier, Ren Ferguson, for an exotic appearance and a sublimely rich, deep voice.
The Gibson Southern Jumbo New Vintage presents a reincarnation of the original in the looks department, too. Its hand-sprayed Vintage Sunburst finish in nitrocellulose lacquer is buffed to a high gloss, and enhanced by a large tortoise pickguard, multi-ply top and back binding, and double-ring rosette. The bound rosewood fingerboard carries distinctive split-parallelogram mother-of-pearl inlays, partnered with a period-correct gold logo and banner, and vintage-style three-in-line tuners with cream plastic buttons. From look to feel to tone, the Southern Jumbo New Vintage totally embodies one of Gibson’s most legendary acoustic creations, and it is only available from Wildwood Guitars.
Each instrument includes a True Vintage hardshell case with brown exterior and pink plush-lined interior, a Certificate of Authenticity, an owner’s manual, and Gibson’s Gold Warranty, along with Gibson’s 24/7/365 Customer Service. Check it out now, only at Wildwood Guitars.
