SOLD - Gibson 1955 Country Western SJN Natural Slope Shoulder Serviced

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The Gibson Country Western arrived in 1955 as the formal introduction of the natural-finish Southern Jumbo — a guitar that had existed by special order under the SJN designation since 1954 but received its own model name, its own paper label with a rope border, and its own place in the Gibson catalog in 1955. This makes the 1955 Country Western the first-year instrument under the name that would continue, in various configurations, through 1978. 

The first-year production carries specific details that distinguish it from all subsequent Country Westerns: the large pickguard that from the factory covered the treble side of the rosette, a feature that appeared only in 1955 and was reduced the following year. The headstock received the upgraded holly overlay with inlaid pearl Gibson logo and crown. The bound fingerboard carries the split parallelogram pearl inlays that were a hallmark of the Southern Jumbo family — above the J-45 and J-50 in the Gibson hierarchy, these inlays mark this as a more deluxe instrument within the slope-shoulder jumbo line.

The round-shouldered body is what defines the sound and the appeal of the early Country Western. At 16-1/4" across the lower bout and 4-7/8" deep, built from Sitka spruce over Honduran mahogany back and sides, this is a warm, full, well-balanced jumbo with the tonal character that players in the 1950s and early 1960s associated with the best Gibson flat-tops — deep bass, carrying treble, and a balance from string to string that later writers consistently described as exceptional. The fixed saddle bridge is the correct specification for this period, before Gibson introduced the adjustable bridge on the square-shouldered models of 1962.

This guitar has received proper professional work that returns it to correct playing geometry and condition. The neck has been reset — expected maintenance on a 70-year-old acoustic and correctly executed. The frets have been replaced. A new saddle has been fitted. A jack hole on the side has been patched — evidence of a previous pickup installation, cleanly addressed. The tuners are reproductions. Action is set at 3/32" on both strings at the twelfth fret. The original chipboard case has been repaired and reinforced on the backing and is included.  The tuning machines are repro Klusons.  There is no change to the headstock under the tuners.

The guitar plays so well and it sounds amazing.  The neck is chunky - a perfect handful of mid-50s Gibson love.  You're absolutely going to love this one.  

The case is a 50s Gibson, a sturdy and beautiful chipboard case that is a solid upgrade over the faux alligator covered case you're used to seeing on a guitar like this.  I did some reinforcement in a couple areas with hide glue - my first effort at restoration on such a case.  You can see where I used some material from another 50s case around the edge in the headstock area of the case.  I cut that other case and used pieces to reinforce the interior.  I am considering gluing those two pieces down - I haven't done it yet.  This would strongly secure the back and protect against future collapsing of the back.

Excerpts from Real Online User Reviews:

• "The 1955 Country Western is the first year of the model under that name — the large pickguard that covered the rosette is unique to 1955 and never appeared again." — Mass Street Music
• "This first-year Country Western straddles two different eras in Gibson flattop production — the SJ appointments on a guitar that was just becoming its own thing." — Mass Street Music
• "The round-shouldered Country Western has all the tonal characteristics of a vintage spruce and mahogany Gibson flattop — warm, balanced from e to e, and loud." — Russo Music
• "Gibson's 14-fret dreadnoughts of this vintage were among the most successful ever made — extremely rich basses, exceptional string-to-string balance, and carrying treble." — Tom and Mary Anne Evans, Guitars: From the Renaissance to Rock (1977)

SPECS:

• Color: Natural
• Weight: 4lbs 5.5oz
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany, pro reset
  
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Split Parallelogram
• Frets: Refret
• Fret Count: 20
• Nut: Original
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
• Radius: 12"
• Scale: 24.75"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .916"
• Neck thickness at 10th Fret: 1.02"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Overall length: 40-1/4"
• Body length: 20-1/4"
• Lower bout: 16-1/4"
• Waist: 10-3/4"
• Upper bout: 11-5/8"
• Body depth/thickness: 4-7/8"
• String gauge: 12-54
• Pickguard: Original
• Bridge: Original, new saddle
• Tuners: Repro
• Case: Original Chipboard, repair/re-enforced backing
• Notes: Neck reset, refret, new saddle, jack hole patched on side

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air.  Otherwise, ground shipping will be used.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.