Gibson Southern Jumbo 1944 Banner Conversion J160E

This 1944 banner-logo Gibson Southern Jumbo started life as one of Gibson’s classic wartime slope-shoulder workhorses. In 1965, it came back to Kalamazoo in 1965 for a factory conversion to a J-160E layout, most likely because of that model’s association with the Beatles. The result is a unique blend of early Banner-era acoustic character and mid-60s electrified acoustic experimentation in one instrument. The guitar includes documentation for the work being done by Gibson in Kalamazoo.

The Southern Jumbo was introduced in 1942 as a dressed-up sibling to the J-45, with a sunburst spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and appointments aimed at working players who needed projection and reliability. On these wartime guitars the famous “Only a Gibson is Good Enough” banner appeared on the headstock, a detail that has since become closely associated with some of Gibson’s most sought-after acoustics.

As part of the “conversion” to J-160E specs, the neck profile was slightly refined, a single P-90 was installed at the end of the fingerboard with two period-correct knobs and buttons, a double pickguard was added, and the headstock logo was updated to the then-current 1965 style. The bridge was reworked and reglued, the top joint stabilized and several back cracks repaired. A later neck reset means the guitar plays very well indeed, with the original frets low but well dressed.

A unique one-off guitar with an interesting history, killer tone and groovy looks! Weight is 2000g, and it comes in its original hard case.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Gibson Southern Jumbo, Banner logo
• Year of manufacture: 1944
• Factory conversion: To J-160E style, 1965
• Body shape: Slope-shoulder dreadnought
• Top: Solid spruce, sunburst finish
• Back and sides: Solid mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany, refined profile during 1965 work
• Fingerboard: Rosewood with inlays
• Scale length: Approx. 24 3/4″
• Nut width: Approx. 1 3/4″ (wartime spec)
• Bracing: X-braced wartime pattern
• Frets: Original, low but nicely dressed
• Pickup: Single Gibson-style P-90 at end of fingerboard
• Controls: 2 period knobs (volume and tone)
• Pickguard: Double pickguard installed in 1965
• Headstock logo: Original Banner era, redone in 1965 style
• Bridge: Original-style rosewood, reworked, reglued, later moved
• Structural work: Top joint stabilized, back cracks repaired
• Neck work: Neck reset for optimal action
• Acoustic character: Strong volume and bass, classic Banner dryness
• Electronics: P90 neck pickup
• Weight: 2000g
• Case: Original hard case included