1934 Gibson Jumbo Sunburst

SALE PENDING. Terrific sounding, well played example of Gibson’s first flattop dreadnought, the 1934 Gibson Jumbo. As the immediate precursor to the J-35 and Advanced Jumbo and Grandpa to the J-45 (and all the other Gibson dreads) the Jumbo holds a distinguished place in Gibson history. A very expensive guitar during the depression -- $60 without a case – the Jumbo was made in small numbers for just over two years. Visually an interesting design. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides are all finished in sunburst with a small- to medium-sized burst on the top. Bound top and back. Small rectangular bridge, this one had the angled contours seen on some Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe’s and later, briefly, in 1942. Big v-shaped neck, unbound in ’34 later bound. Inside there are three slightly scalloped or tapered tone bars and a forward style X-brace. Scale is 24.9”. Tapered headstock with inlaid logo and “Clipped” Grovers. Luther Mark Tossman has brought it back to great playing condition with a neck reset, refret, and new bridge modeled after the old one but brought back to full height. All else is original. There are two back cracks repaired long ago and plenty of areas of finish wear. There was some little aftermarket inlay on the headstock long removed. Given that these were cowboy guitars I’d guess a rhinestone. The body is more tapered than the J-35 and the soundhole smaller giving it a more focused attack. As short-lived as it was, the guitar found its fans including Bob Baker, the popular singing cowboy of film, and Charlie Monroe, Bill’s brother. But more importantly, the Jumbo focused Gibson energy on the large flattop market at an affordable price point paving the way for the banner Gibsons just eight years later. This one ships in a newer hardshell case solid enough for shipping and gigging.