Gibson 1953 Southern Jumbo

Gibson / 1953 Southern Jumbo

—The flagship model among round-shoulder guitars

The Southern Jumbo was introduced in 1942 alongside the J-45.
It was named “Southern Jumbo” because it was marketed specifically toward the music scene in the southern states of the U.S. (Dixie).

—Southern Jumbo Decorations

The headstock from this period features a simple design: instead of a crown inlay made of mother-of-pearl or the Gibson logo, it bears only the Gibson gold silkscreen logo, just like the J-45.

The major differences lie in the fingerboard inlays and body decoration.
While the J-45 features dot position marks, the Southern Jumbo employs double parallelogram inlays.
These inlays were commonly found on Gibson’s higher-end models and were later adopted on premium square-shouldered models such as the Hummingbird and Dove.

—Body Decoration
: Compared to the 1953 J-45, which features a three-piece (white/black/white) purfling pattern around the body, the Southern Jumbo employs a seven-piece (white/black/white/black/white/black/white) pattern.
This makes it look more stylish despite having the same 16-inch body.

While the J-45 features a single-line rosette adorning the soundhole, the Southern Jumbo features a double-ring rosette.

As you can see, while sharing similar specifications with the J-45, this model is distinguished by its more luxurious decorative details.

With weather checking and scratches that hint at a history of extensive playing, you can experience an indescribable sound—one that combines the crisp, dry tone characteristic of vintage instruments with a subtle sense of richness.
If you’re looking for an early ’50s Southern Jumbo in excellent condition, don’t miss out on this one!

[Specifications/Included Case]
TOP: Spruce
BACK/SIDES: Rosewood
NECK: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
BRIDGE: Rosewood
SCALE: 627mm
NUT WIDTH: 43mm
CASE: Non-Original Hard Shell Case

[Repair/Modification History / Replaced Parts / Cosmetic Condition, etc.]
*Please note that as this is a used/vintage item, the information provided is based on our inspection and is limited to what we were able to determine.
- Crack repair (patch reinforcement) on the lower right of the soundhole (along the side of the pickguard).
- Crack repair (patch reinforcement) on the upper left of the soundhole.
- Frets have been leveled.
- New saddle installed.
- Tuning pegs have been replaced.
- A strap pin has been added to the neck heel.

[Playing Condition]
- String action at the 12th fret: 2.5 mm on the 6th string side, 2.0 mm on the 1st string side -
Saddle height: approx. 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm - There is no muffled
sound or buzzing; the instrument plays well.

[Peace of Mind Warranty: 6 Months]

[Mail-Order Assurance Service]
- Since we cannot offer customers the opportunity to try out the instrument when purchasing via mail order, we provide a 6-day trial period after the product arrives.
- Please take your time to try out the product at home, and if you are not satisfied,
we will issue a full refund. *The customer is responsible for round-trip shipping costs.