1941 Gibson J-35 Cherry Sunburst

Gibson J-35 'Cherryburst' 1941 | $12,250 | (v2416) In the mid-thirties, the J-35 was Gibsons answer to the Martin D-18 ... a big-bodied, slope-shouldered Dreadnaught aimed at the professional or semi-professional guitar player who performed in a small combo or band and required the power that this guitar could deliver. A cursory glance at this example from 1941 and you know that it has some stories to tell of bygone honky-tonks and hillbilly bars ... the look that today's enthusiasts call 'mojo'. And as an added bonus, this particular example sports a very rare 'cherry sunburst', which is said by some to appear in 1941 on only a few examples. Spann's Guide to Gibson book lists the FON 4802G as 1941.

The top is spruce with the aforementioned cherry 'burst finish, X-braced with two tone bars. The back and sides are mahogany. The neck is mahogany, carved in a very modern-feeling 'C'-shape. The fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood. The headstock is painted black and displays the script Gibson in white paint. There is an adjustable truss rod in the neck. The pickguard is the celluloid 'firestripe' variety. The bridge is rosewood and includes two bolts, which was the Gibson approach for decades. The top and back are bound in white celluloid. There is a Gibson accessory strap fixture at the end pin, but its mate behind the head stock is now lost to time. A previous owner had installed a DeArmond RHC (Round Hole w/ Control) pick up which appears to be a very early example, possibly original to the guitar since these were offered beginning in 1939. Regardless, it's now a part of the guitars history.

The body measures 16" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25". The neck measures 1 3/4" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/8" across at the saddle. Action is 4 & 6/64" at the 12th fret.

We're offering the guitar essentially as we received it; we only tidied it up and dressed the frets. The pickup jack is installed in the lower treble bout area of the top. It appears that it had been installed in the lower bout earlier because there is a patch about an inch square and a few plugged screw holes there now. The pickup functions when plugged into an amp. The bass-side lower bout has a small repaired impact damage and several cracks. In the upper bout above the pickguard there are three small screw holes left over from some prior attachment. There are two top cracks between the pickguard and binding. There is a thin grain-like crack that runs from the bass side of the bridge towards the sound hole (difficult to see). The back has a 6" crack, glued but not flush. The back of the neck is void of finish between frets 1 and 7 (this guitar was played!) and the strap bracket is missing from the back of the headstock. The tuners are replacement from the 50s or 60s. The bridge is shaved and the saddle slotted for smooth playing action. The bridge has a crack from the bass side bolt to the end of the wing (glued), and the pearl dots are missing. The 'drop-in' saddle is thought to be an original feature from the factory. The frets appear original and have been leveled at least once, but retain adequate height. There is a strap button installed in the side next to the heel. The truss rod functions. Inside, the bass-side X-brace and a short portion of the treble-side X-brace were reglued. The tip of one back brace was reglued. The finish appears original with extensive checking, nicks and dings from time and use. If one were to choose to replace the bridge with a taller replacement, the neck would need a reset. The action is currently very comfortable.

In spite of its history, the guitar is surprisingly solid, mostly original and quite a survivor. It plays easily and produces dry, woody tones that the J-35 is known for .. a guitar that's an inspiration to play!

Comes with an older hard case in good condition.

Check out the sound clip!