1973 Gibson Southern Jumbo Deluxe Very Good, Hard, $1,395.00
The Gibson Southern Jumbo/Country Western model guitars were created in 1942 during WW II, according to some as a perk specifically for the Gibson distributors below the Mason-Dixon Line. As with many of Gibson’s models—especially during the early war years--there are many variations in the specs over the original 36 years of production, but the bottom line remained the same: it was and is a big guitar designed to hold its own and more against the banjo and fiddle players of the world.
George Gruhn’s Guide to American Guitars (p. 283) starts with the square-shouldered dreadnought shape and the 16” lower bout to identify a post-1963 Southern Jumbo Deluxe like this one. The Brazilian rosewood bridge and fingerboard and the cool metal-knobbed nickel-silver “Gibson Deluxe” tuning machines are part of the original “deluxe” package, but the belly below bridge dates it as after 1969; the non-adjustable saddle and the “Made in U.S.A.” on the back of the headstock make it after 1970; the “deluxe” pearl small block fingerboard inlay, the pearl crown peghead inlay, the style of the Gibson logo, the 4-ply body binding with the black outer layer, the black back stripe, the multi-stripe rosette, and the 2-ply fingerboard binding supposedly make it 1974 to 1977. While the large 3-point pickguard supposedly became black in 1972 and this one is obviously tortoise, I’m assuming that difference and the unusual cherry sunburst finish are distinctions of the “Deluxe” model designation. The serial number itself is in the 1973 to 1975 ballpark, but given the unreliability of Gibson’s serial numbers as dating indicators, the 1973 date I’ve assigned to this great guitar is based as much on the changing specs as on the serial number.
This is probably Too Much Information anyway, and doesn’t really tell you what you need to know about this particular Southern Jumbo. Cosmetically, the cherry sunburst finish is gorgeous other than some slight finish crazing, some pick wear above and below the pick guard, and a ½” ding in the lower bout. The mahogany back, sides, and neck are in very good condition overall for a vintage Gibson; however, there is some finish wear along the back edge, and a patched area near the heel on the treble side. The frets show some wear but are in surprisingly good shape, the headstock and other inlay is still good (although the truss rod cover is a replacement), and of course the sound is terrific: big, full bass, trebles clear as a bell, everything resonating, filling the room!
Structurally, this guitar’s neck shows signs of a very professional neck “re-set,” judging from the black overspray at the body joint and some visible finish displacement. The headstock shows a line where it apparently was broken and professionally fixed—again there is black overspray on the back of the headstock confirming this. The bridge has also been shaved at some time or other, but the very good news in all this is that the result is one great-playing vintage Gibson with the action set up at a hair under 4/32” at the 12th fret low E. This is a great-sounding Gibson Southern Jumbo guitar with tons of character and jam cred. It’s not prettied up with abalone and such, but it’s a great looking and sounding guitar, embodying everything that the name Gibson has stood for over the last century or so.
The case is probably not original, but it is an excellent arched-top 5-latch hard shell case from the 1970s in very good structural shape. The hardware works (although the locking button is missing), the burgundy plush is soft and fuzzy; even the pocket is intact. The guitar fits fine, and the case offers this classic instrument excellent protection.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before buying.
Thank you for your interest in this fine vintage guitar.
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.