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Up for sale is a beautiful 1960 Gibson SJN Country Western, an exceptionally well-kept example of one of Gibson’s classic slope-shouldered dreadnoughts. The Country Western is essentially the natural-finish counterpart to the Southern Jumbo, combining a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, bound body and fingerboard, split-parallelogram inlays and the unmistakable late-’50s/early-’60s Gibson aesthetic.

The original natural finish remains remarkably vibrant for a guitar of this age and blacklights as expected. We would conservatively describe the guitar as being in Very Good condition, with honest natural play wear throughout, including various dings, scratches, finish checking and some finish wear around the headstock. The extensive checking across the top is particularly attractive and gives the guitar exactly the appearance you hope to see on a well-preserved 66-year-old Gibson.

Structurally, this is a very nice example. The neck set appears original and remains healthy, and we see no concerning top bellying or sagging. There are two items worth noting. First, the saddle position has been altered to improve intonation. The original saddle slot in the bridge was filled and a new slot was cut slightly forward, which can be seen in the photos. The bridge itself is the correct Gibson style with the two pearl dots covering the bridge fasteners.

Second, there is a roughly 2 1/2” crack running from the bridge area alongside the pickguard toward the soundhole, a familiar location for cracks on vintage Gibsons with their large celluloid pickguards. Importantly, the crack does not extend all the way to the soundhole. It is currently stable, has apparently never required repair, and in our assessment does not presently appear to require intervention. We have photographed the area carefully so its condition can be evaluated.

The guitar has been professionally set up with a set of 12–53 gauge strings and plays very well. Action at the 14th fret currently measures approximately 4/32” on the bass side and 7/64” on the treble side. It sounds absolutely huge and open, with the kind of powerful, room-filling projection that makes people describe these old Gibsons as sounding “like a cannon.”

Specifications:

• Year: 1960
• Model: Gibson SJN Country Western
• Finish: Natural
• Finish: Original; blacklights as expected
• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Nut Width: 1.675”
• Neck Thickness: .775” at the 1st fret / .865” at the 12th fret
• Action at 14th Fret: 4/32” bass / 7/64” treble
• String Gauge: 12–53
• Weight: 4 lbs 3.7 oz
• Neck Set: Appears original
• Condition: Very Good
• Bridge Saddle Slot: Original slot filled and saddle repositioned for improved intonation

For safe shipment, the guitar will be supplied in the non-original ChromaCast hardshell case pictured. The guitar’s original alligator-style chipboard case is also available, but we will not ship the guitar inside it due to its age and the limited protection it provides. If the buyer would like the original case as well, it can be shipped separately for an additional $100 shipping charge.

It will be carefully packed, require a signature upon delivery and shipped fully insured.

—Northside Buy & Sell