Gibson Custom Shop 1936 Advanced Jumbo

The 300

Wildwoodians, we are proud to introduce you to the 1936 Advanced Jumbo, a guitar that pays tribute to The 300. No, we're not talking about a ragtag band of Spartan warriors facing a massive Persian Army--we're talking about the 300 or so Advanced Jumbos that Gibson produced during their initial production run between 1936 and 1939. Because Gibson made so few examples, these original 300 Advanced Jumbos became some of the rarest, most sought-after vintage acoustics in the world.

As a result of their holy grail status, they sometimes fetch upwards of 40,000 dollars on the used market! Thankfully, the acoustic wizards at Gibson's acoustic plant in Bozeman, Montana have crafted a marvelous tribute to that first run of 300 AJs, and they will exist in much greater abundance than the originals. Let's dive in and see what makes them so special!

A Depression-Era Luxury

During the Great Depression, selling guitars was a dicey proposition. Most people didn't have two nickels to rub together, let alone enough money for a luxury item like a guitar. But, hard times make people make music, so the Gibson Guitar Corporation was able to keep its doors open, mainly by selling lower-priced instruments like the J-35, which cost thirty-five bucks. But, in 1936, they decided to replace their Jumbo model with a luxurious dreadnought that could compete with the Martin D-28, which cost a hundred dollars--astronomical for the time! Thus, the Gibson Advanced Jumbo was born.

With its stylish pickguard, elegant sunburst finish, and a diamonds-and-arrows inlay pattern the likes of which had never been seen before, the Advanced Jumbo turned quite a few heads when it arrived on the scene. It also caused a stir with its supercharged sound, as its rosewood back and sides and Adirondack red spruce created massive, room-filling resonance. Despite its impressive appearance and tone, the AJ still cost eighty dollars (which was more than three months' worth of rent during the Depression), so demand petered out and Gibson replaced it with the SJ-200 around the end of 1939. But, the 300 or so that they built deserve their legendary status, and these modern Custom Shop reissues carry the same magic tone in their DNA.

The Sound of '36

So, how do Gibson's luthiers imbue these modern guitars with so much vintage mojo? The answer is twofold: they use high-quality tonewoods, and they assemble them using time-consuming old-world manufacturing techniques. With spectacular materials and tons of elbow grease, they are able to achieve incredible levels of vintage accuracy. They hand-scallop every brace, and they use hot hide glue to attach each brace to the body with hot hide glue to maximize energy transfer. Though these procedures are time-consuming, they pay incredible dividends to each instrument's resonance and responsiveness.

Speaking of which, this guitar also comes with a super-thin VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish that allows the wood to breathe and resonate like a vintage guitar.

Take it From the Top

As always, it is most appropriate to start at the top--the thermally-aged red Adirondack spruce top, that is! Here at Wildwood, we love Adirondack spruce because of the way it supercharges an acoustic guitar's tone. It imparts a woody, articulate attack, extra headroom and midrange punch, and a big volume boost--all of which are present in these '36 AJs.

Adirondack spruce was what Gibson used in the thirties, but vintage AJs have the benefit of "opening up" over decades of use. So, to help these modern recreations sound more like vintage instruments, Gibson thermally ages the tops. By removing excess moisture from the wood, the fine folks at Gibson Montana are able to simulate the tonal properties of old wood from one of these "played-in" old guitars. As a result, the '36 AJ has incredible openness and warmth.

The top's terrific tone works beautifully in tandem with the solid rosewood back and sides, which impart piano-like depth in the low-end and beautiful glassy chime, shimmer, and sparkle in the highs.

It's also worth noting that the Advanced Jumbo has a longer 25.5" scale as opposed to the typical 24.75" we normally find on Gibsons. This gives it a springier, bouncier attack with a bit less give.

All in all, the '36 Advanced Jumbo an awful lot like how Gibson described its vintage forebears in a 1937 catalog: "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!"

Advancing Onward

We're proud to present the Custom Shop 1936 Advanced Jumbo, a guitar that evokes the magic of a Depression-era Gibson with stunning accuracy. A lot has changed since 1936, but one thing still holds true for sure: the Advanced Jumbo is the height of acoustic luxury! We know that these modern recreations will inspire you to embark on all sorts of exciting fretboard adventures and reach new heights on your musical journey.