Gibson Advanced Jumbo (AJ) 1938 - a true „Holy Grail“ acoustic guitar for players and collectors - Gibson Advanced Jumbos are the most sought-after flat-top guitars made by Gibson.
The Advanced Jumbo, introduced in 1935 and costing $80 at the time, was the top of the line Gibson acoustic guitar, competing with the Martin D-28 in the marketplace that was looking for more volume, presence and tone in dreadnought shaped instruments. No more than 300 examples of the 1938 Gibson Advanced Jumbo were made. It is an iconic instrument and we are delighted to be able to offer it for sale.
This 1938 Gibson J-45 is a fantastic example of Gibson's pre-war acoustic era and makes it clear why it is considered the golden era for flat-top instruments. Made with an Adirondack spruce top and rosewood back and sides, the Advanced Jumbo was the only rosewood instrument to bear the Gibson headstock logo during this period. The story goes that all Advanced Jumbo models were given to an employee in Kalamazoo who hand-cut and matched the bracing to each piece of spruce after it came off the assembly line, with all Advanced Jumbo models having slightly different carving patterns. The result is a remarkably open, balanced and detailed tone that is perhaps the best we've heard in all our years of selling guitars.
The neck profile is a comfortable „V“ profile that was used specifically for the Advanced Jumbo model. The guitar features the larger sunburst finish introduced in 1938, a flamed celluloid pickguard and a diamond and arrowhead fingerboard and headstock inlays.
The guitar is in good condition for an instrument of its age and has been refurbished over the years to keep it in top playing condition. To ensure optimal playability, the neck was reseated at some point. The whole guitar had a thin layer of clear lacquer overspray. It is a very old overspray and the guitar shines correctly under black light. The guitar has a small crack on the headstock that was caused by replacing one of the tuners and was repaired. The repair was done so perfectly that you basically can't see anything.
The original bridge and the thicker maple bridge plate are present and correct.
This guitar has been completely checked by our luthier in the Vintage Guitar World workshop. It comes with a newer Gibson case.
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