Description

In the world of rare, vintage guitars, the Gibson Jumbo stands out. Introduced in 1934 and inspired by the larger-body Hawaiian guitars being produced at the time, the Jumbo was Gibson's first slope-shoulder dreadnought to enter production and paved the way for the future popularity of the J-35 and J-45. 

This particular 1935 Gibson Jumbo is a balanced, responsive guitar that is lightly built making it an easy playing fingerstyle box while also being one of the most sought after flatpicking Gibsons to date. Its unique design characteristics, a combination that is never again seen in a Gibson flat top, makes for an historic model that truly sounds great. 

Designed during an era of innovation in the steel-string guitar, the Jumbo was constructed with a rather unique body depth. With an extremely minimal taper from tail block to the neck block, this deeper body guitar produces a bigger, deeper low-end sound than the typical slope-shoulder dreadnought, along with a clarity and set of overtones that isn't typical of any Gibson that follows. The design was further refined by reducing the size of the soundhole which helps to focus the low-end and projects a very pleasing mid-range and thick, focused top-end. The three, non-scalloped, tone bars, when combined with a thinner top than later models, results in a more responsive guitar with a power, headroom and depth that has given this Gibson such a heralded reputation.

At first glance it may look like a typical Gibson sunburst finish, however on closer inspection one will notice the top, back and sides all sport their own burst, which is all original nitrocellulose lacquer and is in lovely condition with the expected checking and minor dings and scrapes. Here from the very first batch of Jumbos in 1935, this guitar is visually set apart from the earlier 1934 models by way of the bound body and bound fingerboard, which was added to further highlight the premium nature of this model at the time. Even simple details, like the smaller, elegant heel made this guitar a special piece of Guitar design history.

Here in well-maintained and admirably original condition, the Brazilian rosewood bar bridge and fingerboard, along with the G-98 tuners, pickguard, pearl headstock logo and bridge plate are all original. The original frets are also present and while low, play cleanly from frets 1-12. At around frets 13-14 there is issue with the frets’ playabilty and is something that could be solved with a refret. It has been decided to maintain the originality of the instrument, allowing a future owner to make that call. The saddle slot has been filled and re-cut to improve the playability and intonation, and the bridge pins have been replaced with properly fit ebony ones. The neck is a comfortable v-shape with a 1 3/4" nut width and a slightly wider 2 3/8" bridge spacing.

There is a repaired pickguard crack between the B & E strings, and a repaired top crack from the bridge to the sound hole which has closed nicely near the low E string (see photos). There are a handful of surface-level cracks on the bass side and back of the guitar that are closed and show no signs of glue squeeze out and are stable - all of which is not uncommon in an almost 100-year-old guitar (see photos). There is a small wood splint in the top, on the treble side of the lower bout, most likely installed at the factory and finished over by the sunburst, which is present on many '30s Gibson guitars (see photos) and is one of the many charming characteristics of Gibson construction in that era. Includes a custom-fit Canadian-made Calton case.

The buyer is responsible for any shipping costs. Payment via Wire Transfer preferred.

Mass Street Music

Mass Street Music

1935
Gibson
Very Good
Sunburst
18 Years
$36,500
Mass Street Music
Brian Soden
785-843-3535
Lawrence, KS
2:37 PM
10am to 6pm Tuesday through Friday (Central Standard Time). 10am to 5pm Central Time Saturday (Central Standard Time). Closed Sundays and Mondays Repair Shop open T-F 10pm - 6pm, Sat 10am - 5pm and by appointment.

MasterCard - Visa - Discover - American Express - PayPal - Wire Transfer - (and of course cash, just don't send it in the mail!. We also accept PayPal's financing.

Qualifying gear $25 or over gets shipped to you for FREE via our favorite carriers, FedEx – ground, or USPS, to all 'lower 48' U.S. states. Alaska and Hawaii, expedited shipping, international shipping usually run a little more (more info on these below). There are a few of exceptions to our free shipping which include some in-store gear along with vintage items and great that is designated 'Local Pickup Only.' We do our best to offer competition shipping rates on non-Free-Shipping gear. Orders placed Monday through Friday after 2pm Central will not ship until the following business day. Orders placed Saturday or Sunday will ship the following business day. Mass Street Music Free Shipping details are as follows: Pedals and accessories ship USPS. Instruments and larger items will ship Fedex Ground. Specific shipping services, other than what is listed, will require an additional charge. Please call 785-843-3535 to arrange other options. For any Instrument Orders a Signature with be required upon delivery. Any orders over $400 may require a signature. Questions? Just give us a call at 785-843-3535 or check out our shippings facts online at massstreetmusic.com

All our gear comes with a 7-day evaluation period. An extra 24 hours is added on for acoustic instruments during the winter season, to allow the contents to reach room temperature before you open the box. If you are not completely satisfied with the instrument, just return it via your preferred common carrier. Also, we do not send out instruments for evaluation without payment in full. *All B-Stock sale items are in working condition, and are sold as is. All B-Stock sales are final. To return an item please give us a call, or email to receive a return authorization. We ask that you very carefully pack the gear up in its original carton, with all the accessories and paper work included, and ship it back to us via a common carrier (not Uncle Al's Pony Express) to us. Please insure it for the full retail amount. If the item is damaged while in transit, we'll notify you and ask that you file a claim with your preferred shipper. Once the item arrives back to us and we unpack it, we will issue a full credit for the item, less the shipping charges. (A return voids any free shipping offers and the customer is liable for shipping charges both ways.) If the item is not in its original condition, or is returned after the normal evaluation period has expired without prior arrangement with us, re-stocking fees and other charges may apply.