1942 Gibson J50

$8,500.00

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1942
  • Manufacturer: Gibson
  • Model: J50
  • Case: Hard
  • Color: Natural
  • Condition: Very Good
  • Description: In the early war years, Gibson embarked on a number of model changes. Among them was the introduction of the now iconic flat top model, the J45, in 1942. One key to identifying a wartime Gibson is the "Only A Gibson Is Good Enough" banner below the logo on the headstock. Today these guitars are referred to as "Banner Gibsons". One variant of the sunburst J45 is the J50, or natural finish top, which first appeared in Gibson catalogs in 1946. However, a small number of J50s were made in 1942, along with the first J45s, and this is confirmed in the Gibson shipping ledgers of the period. Today, these 1942 J50s rank among the rarest of Gibson flattops. Typical of the period, this example has a club-ish one-piece mahogany neck, but not the baseball-bat thickness that appeared a few years later. The fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood. Back and sides are mahogany and the top is spruce, multiple ply black/white binding adorn the top, back and sound hole ring. The scale length is 25", and the neck measures 1 3/4" at the nut with string spacing 2 1/8" across the saddle. This was a one owner guitar, and, like many J45s/J50s, was a real work horse. But for all its late nights in country bars, its in remarkably original condition. Tuners, bridge, pick guard, bridge plate, end pin and five of six bridge pins are original. The original Klusons show a bit of oxidation. The tuner buttons on these 40s Klusons typically dry rotted, and these were no exception. The buttons were replaced with historically accurate repros from Henkes & Blazer. The bridge retains its original profile, and the original maple bridge plate is intact (a 'reinforcing' overlay was carefully removed with no ill effects). The truss rod functions properly, but, for some reason, many years ago the owner had a very thin wedge placed between the fingerboard and neck from the nut to about fret four. At that time, there was some overspray applied to the finger board seam and upper shoulder area of the guitar. This is evident under UV light in the shoulder area, and some light stain is visible to the naked eye in the upper six inches of the top. The finish shows some crackle and crazing. The top and sides are crack free, and a five inch crack was glued on the back and the center seam was glued along the bottom ten inches. Because J50s of this era had no reinforcing seam inside, a few small cleats were glued in this area as reinforcement. The fingerboard was refretted and shows a few divots in the 'cowboy chord' position. The action is set at about 5/64" & 7/64", and the guitar plays well. This one won't need any play-in with a ToneRite to 'open it up'. The sound produced is what a player of vintage guitars hopes for when he strikes a big E chord .. big, rich, full .. truly rattles the rib cage. This is a flat pickers guitar that can mellow out when finger picked, and ranks among the best Gibson Jumbos we've played. Look for a youtube video soon. Comes with an older Geib case in good condition.