Since 1935, the Gibson Advanced Jumbo has combined graceful sloped shoulders with a longer 25.5" scale to deliver clarity, power, and balance in sound. Originally conceived as the top-of-the line flattop, the AJ is considered by many to be Gibson's best-sounding dreadnought guitar.
The 1937 Gibson catalog says it best: "Do you like a deep, throaty guitar—one that has a bass so deep, rich, and full that it can be 'felt' as well as heard—and a treble that responds to the bass with harmonious singing brilliancy? The new Advanced Jumbo is that guitar!"
In the '30s, Gibson built the Advanced Jumbo model with an Adirondack Red Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. This premium wood complement is rare in the modern era, but in the early 2000s (specifically 2002-2004), the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, had a nice stash of Brazilian Rosewood. In addition to a Brazilian RW J-45 and J-200, they introduced the Luthier's Choice Advanced Jumbo with '30s-appropriate Brazilian back and sides.
This 2002 Luthier's Choice Advanced Jumbo was built in Gibson's Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, and it features gorgeous book-matched Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. This premium cut of a premium tonewood looks absolutely stunning, but of course, its tone is remarkable, too. It is warm and packed with that classic Gibson "thump." The Brazilian Rosewood helps this AJ have incredible clarity, high-end shimmer, and complexity across the register. It's a beautiful slop-shoulder sound.
This 2002 Luthier's Choice Advanced Jumbo is in excellent cosmetic condition with minimal signs of playwear and use. But at present, the action teeters on the high side—at the 12th fret, .125" on the bass E and .090" on the treble E. The truss road is maxed out, and there's still excess relief in the 7-8 fret range. The saddle is sitting low, too, so we're left with no room for easy adjustment. For many players, the action may be acceptable where it is, but we have priced this lovely Gibson with consideration for future setup/repair adjustment. It includes its original hardshell case.