1956 Gibson Southern Jumbo (SJ)

For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 1956 Gibson Southern Jumbo.

The Gibson Southern Jumbo stands as one of Gibson’s most revered slope-shoulder dreadnoughts and remains a benchmark for warm, expressive flat-top tone. Introduced as a more ornate sibling to the J-45, it pairs understated vintage styling with elegant appointments and a voice that leans rich, open, and deeply responsive.

Bearing factory order number V6789-6, this 1956 example presents in excellent condition, showing below-average cosmetic wear for its age and retaining a clean, honest vintage appearance throughout. Structurally, the guitar is in excellent shape with no cracks, breaks, or previous structural repairs. It shows a professional refret executed to vintage specification, as well as conversion from the original ADJ bridge configuration to accept a regular saddle. An added strap button was also installed for modern playing convenience.

Built with a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this SJ delivers the characteristic dry, warm Gibson voice of the era, with a strong fundamental, rounded low end, and a present, vocal midrange that sits effortlessly under a singer. The guitar responds quickly to the touch, offering a slightly compressed, “played-in” dynamic that enhances its musicality and makes it especially effective for rhythmic accompaniment and fingerstyle work alike. Notes bloom with an immediate, woody warmth, while chords maintain clarity and separation even under a heavier strum.

The bound neck features a comfortable rounded C profile, offering an easy, natural feel in the hand that aligns with the best examples of mid-century Gibson neck carving. Combined with the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and classic split parallelogram inlays, the instrument retains all of the visual and tactile hallmarks associated with Gibson’s golden-era craftsmanship.

This 1956 Gibson Southern Jumbo includes its original Lifton hardshell case.

Specifications

All components original unless specified

Model & Year

• Model: Gibson Southern Jumbo
• Factory Order Number: V6789-6

Body

• Size: Dreadnought
• Finish: Sunburst
• Top: Sitka spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood; first-year ADJ converted to compensated saddle; original saddle and ADJ screws included

Neck

• Material: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Brazilian rosewood, bound
• Inlays: Split parallelograms
• Frets: Refret (vintage-spec)
• Profile: Rounded C
• Scale Length: 24 3/4"
• Nut Width: 1 11/16" (1.70")
• Depth: .87" (first), 1.00" (tenth)
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe single-lines

Condition: Excellent

• Cosmetic: Excellent with below-average wear
• Structural: No cracks, breaks, or repair history
• Originality: All-original except for refret and added strap button; comes with original Lifton case, original saddle, and ADJ bridge screws