1944 Gibson Southern Jumbo

by Eric Jass
(Concrete, Washington USA)

Submitted for value reference is a 1944 Gibson Southern Jumbo guitar. It has been identified by the Gibson factory as an early 1944 model. FON numbers stamped in black ink inside the box are as follows: 2009-46 and underneath the 2009 also stamped is 2062. The number 46 is hand written in red pencil. The FON numbers are located on the neck stock where it enters the inside of the box. I have submitted photos to Gibson and another guitar collector for which I am trying to obtain fair market value. I have submitted my donation via PayPal. Please help me to try and establish a price as this guitar is for sale.

Thanks,

Eric A. Jass
360-708-4910

P.O. Box 2031
Concrete, Washington 98237

ANSWER

Hi, Eric--

Thanks for the pic! Here is the Blue Book General info. on the guitar:

SJ (SOUTHERNER JUMBO/COUNTRY WESTERN)
- spruce top, round soundhole, black pickguard, two-stripe bound body/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl parallelogram inlays, rosewood bridge with white pins, blackface peghead with pearl banner logo inlay, three-per-side nickel tuners, available in Sunburst finish, mfg. 1942-1978.

Here is the Blue Book pricing info:

1942-1945
Excellent $10,000 - 12,000
Average $6,500 - 8,000

And here is additional information:

Add 15% for mahogany back and rosewood or maple sides, and 25% for maple back/sides. Add a 15%-25% for early striped pickguard, depending on condition. Add a significant premium for rosewood back and sides (rare).
During WWII, Gibson used whatever materials were handy. Banner peghead inlay mfg. 1942-45, disc. 1946. A few early models are found with rosewood back/sides.

You also might want to list the guitar in our new
Guitar Classifieds section. Be sure to include the picture and your contact info.

Best Wishes,
Lynne