In 1942, war-time production shortages prompted Gibson to replace the prewar J-35 and J-55 with the J-45 and the Southerner Jumbo. According to Gibson lore, the sales rep who handled the Southeast region requested the company build a flat-top targeted for the Southern states. He felt that Gibson flat-tops were especially appreciated there and in Country music, and apparently he was able to convince Gibson execs that a model dedicated to the South was just what they needed.
The result was a 14-fret, slope-shoulder dreadnought originally called the "Southerner Jumbo," but quickly shortened to "Southern Jumbo" then later just "SJ." With a Spruce top and Mahogany back and sides, the SJ shared the same size and basic construction as the J-45, but it featured fancier details: multi-ply body binding, split parallelogram inlays, and fingerboard binding. In 1954, Gibson offered a natural-finish "SJN," which was re-named the "Country Western" in 1956. With a crown inlay on the peghead, the classic pointed pickguard, and the "County Western" rope label in the soundhole, this very cool—albeit relatively rare—Gibson slope-shoulder has a vibe and style all its own.
This Country Western dates to 1958, and thanks to some recent TLC from Dave Farmer at Turtle Lake Instruments (Durango, Colo.), it is playing and sounding 100% to its full potential. Just this February, Dave refretted the Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and fit a new bone nut top optimize the setup. Then, he re-glued four loose braces and installed a K&K Pure Mini in place of an out-dated pickup with a side-mounted jack. He also fit new pins for the bridge, so this guitar is ready for the next 50 years.
Past repairs include a headstock repair that is reinforced with two dowels, and the tuning machines are modern Kluson replacements. The neck has been reset, leaving a witness line at the heel. There is a top repair right along the edge of the upper bout, and one repaired crack on the back. There is a small spot of lacquer drop-fill on the top (bass side of the upper bout, right next to the fingerboard). Otherwise, the guitar shows the expected lacquer checking, and it's in nice cosmetic condition all around.
Soundwise, this Country Western produces bold slope-shoulder tone with strong mid-range and the classic Gibson low-end "thump." Its throaty voice is great for cranking out chords, but the woody richness works well for fingerpicking or intricate lead melodies. Plus, the playability is everything you could ask from a vintage guitar! With a modern pickup under the hood, this old Gibson is ready for whatever you can throw at it. We have another '58 Country Western, and this one has the bigger, rounder neck profile of the two. It includes a molded plastic hardshell case from TKL.