1936 Gibson J-35 Trojan

$4,119.00

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1936
  • Manufacturer: Gibson
  • Model: J-35 Trojan
  • Case: Hard
  • Color:
  • Condition: Fair
  • Description: FON possibly 489C-13. In the evolution between Gibson's original Jumbo and J-35 models was a short-lived and un-cataloged guitar listed as "Trojan" in Gibson's ledgers. It was an austere guitar, similar in looks to a J-35, but with an unbound back and a smaller diameter soundhole. The earliest Trojans had deep un-tapered bodies similar to the Jumbos; while the later Trojans had tapered bodies dimensionally similar to the J-35 models. All had tops with 3-3/4” diameter soundhole and triple un-scalloped tone-bar bracing. This particular example appears to have been refinished by Gibson sometime around the early 1970’s, we suspect. The bridge, pickguard, and tuners were likely replaced at the same time. Since then, the top has cracked in numerous places, and an impact left a 2 inch square hole in the top (two thirds of this missing piece was salvaged, see detail photo). The top’s bracing is mostly intact, but there are a couple of cracked brace ends, a repair to the X-brace, some extra wood added around the original bridgeplate, and an extra finger-brace supporting an old crack repair. The back and sides are pretty much issue-free. There is one small back crack, and nothing mentionable on the sides. The neck, fingerboard, frets and nut are factory original; the nut has never been off, and we suspect the neck was not removed for the refinish work. Technically, this guitar can be made playable with a bridge reglue and top crack repairs; but we’d suggest more extensive restoration, of course. It should sound huge when it’s up and running. This guitar is offered for sale AS-IS, with beat old hardshell case.