Gibson J-55 (1941)
Vintage
The J-55 was available with a "Moustache" style bridge (a la the J-200, introduced in 1938) and the "Batwing" style bridge seen on the guitar offered herein -- and in our experience, the Batwing-bridge guitars sound significantly better.
The Gibson J-55 is one of the manufacturer's rarest flattops. Made for a brief window of time in the late 1930's and early 1940's, the J-55 can be thought of as a dressed up J-35 -- almost as if some of the Advanced Jumbo's cosmetic styling was borrowed and transplanted to the popular Mahogany jumbo of the era. The J-55 was available with a "Moustache" style bridge (a la the J-200, introduced in 1938) and the "Batwing" style bridge seen on the guitar offered herein -- and in our experience, the Batwing-bridge guitars sound significantly better.This J-55 is in remarkable, original condition; and it's feather-light for a Gibson Jumbo. An expertly-executed neck reset has been executed at some point in the past; and the original bridge may have been shaved ever so slightly. The B-string tuner bushing is missing; and the corner of the pickguard on the treble edge of the soundhole near the fingerboard extension has lifted a very tiny amount. The guitar is crack-free, with only mild signs of playwear; and the original finish retains its beautiful luster. In all, we have never seen a cleaner J-55, and we don't expect to find another as clean as this one.
The sound? It's hard to encapsulate what a great-sounding instrument this is -- suffice it to say there is no Gibson Jumbo in our recent memory that equals it. The response is immediate and thick; the voice is round and woody; and the expected Gibson midrange bump is beautifully mellow. It's such a loud, clear-sounding guitar, that we're sure any flatpicker would switch allegiances in a heartbeat to play this one in a jam. And yet, it's punchiness is never at the expense of the full, mature tone that only comes from a golden-era guitar. Priced with an equally nice original hard case.
Interested buyers are welcome to contact us for an in-hand description. Payment requested by wire transfer or check.
| Top | Red Spruce |
| Back & Sides | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Brazilian RW |
| Bridge | Brazilian RW |
| Tuners | Original |
| Bracing | X Braced w/Two Scalloped Tone Bars |
| Construction | Hide Glue |
| Finish | Original Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Carve | Medium C |
| Nut Width | 1 11/16" |
| String Spacing | 2 1/8" |
| Scale Length | 24 7/8" |
| Truss Rod | Adjustable |
| Inlays | MOP Dots |
| Headstock | Gibson logo in MOP |
| Serial # | 5285G-14 |
| Case | Original Hardshell |
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.
Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
Accurate Listings
Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.
Shipping
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