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1951 Gibson SJ
This example remains crack free and has just been through our shop for a neck reset (its second), new frets, and a number of reglued brace ends. It is otherwise original throughout, including its finish, tuners, nut, and bridge pins. The saddle was made and installed in our shop. The bridge was reglued in the guitar’s past and there is minor finish damage alongside its footprint. Thankfully, the bridge was not modified, and its original lacquer finish remains intact. Along with the usual assortment of dings, dents, scratches, and light playwear most 75 year old guitars will show, this SJ has a largely invisible touchup on the bottom of the neck heel and minor finish damage around the fretboard extension from its first reset, and minor chips to the headstock paint behind the nut.
The neck has Gibson’s classic 50’s round carve and a 1st fret thickness of .905”. 1-11/16” nutwidth, 24.75” scale, 2-1/8” string spread at the saddle. The action is presently set at 5-6 64ths with 12-53 strings.
With classic Gibson mid-range and thump, this guitar is a fabulous strummer and well suited to vocal accompaniment. With fresh strings it offers a little extra brightness that helps lead lines or melodic bass runs cut, and with old strings it’s warm and dark with lots of character and vibe.
Sitka Spruce top with Scalloped braces, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fretboard and bridge. Gibson paint logo on the headstock (the pearl inlays show up late in 1954).
With modern hardshell case.
