Description: Gibson J35 (Jumbo 35) flattop guitar
Available: 1936 to 1942.
Collectibility Rating: B+
Production: (no pre-1937 production numbers) 1938:, 1939:, 1940:, 1941:, 1942:
General Comments: Gibson introduced this low-cost model during the depression because the $60 Jumbo was not selling well. The J-35 was essentially a lower cost Jumbo model with several changes ($35 initially, though the price increased to $47.25 by 1941 for a natural finish J-35). Initially the J-35 was introduced as a Gibson Trojan, but the name was quickly changed to J-35 (there really very little difference between a Trojan and the J-35). These changes gave the J-35 a lower cost, but also a smoother tonal response, compared to the Jumbo's big raw quick sound. About 3000 Jumbo 35 models were made, more than any other pre-WW2 Gibson flat top. The J-35 was also made in about four different bracing variations: three tone bars with scaloped or non-scaloped braces (1936-1939), and two tone bars with scaloped or non-scaloped braces (1939-1942). A very nice model, and if you have one for sale please contact me.

If you need to figure out the exact year of your Gibson J-35 Jumbo, use the FON (Factory Order Number). This is located inside the body's sound hole on the neck block. See the Gibson Serial Number Info web page for help determining the exact year.

If you have a vintage Gibson J35 or Gibson Trojan guitar for sale, please contact me at cfh@provide.net

Oct-Dec 1936 Gibson Trojan guitar introduction specs:

some Trojans have a deeper "non-tapered" body like the Gibson Jumbo (16" wide, 20 1/4" long, 4 1/4" deep, 3 3/4" hole diameter), but most Trojans have a tapered J35 style body. French heel style neck heel "V" neck, no neck binding, dot fingerboard inlays, 19 frets, truss rod. Black peghead with white "Gibson" script logo. Firestripe pickguard and small Brazilian rosewood rectangle bridge and fingerboard. Scaloped top braces with three tone bars, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, w/b/w soundhole rosette, single bound top, no back binding. Gibson only made this mode for a very very short time during October to December of 1936, and only a few batches seemed to be made (FON 912, 918, 960). This model name morphed into the J-35. The only difference between a J-35 and a Trojan is the the Trojan has no back body binding, and the back is more of a redish mahogany color (instead of a brown mahogany like a J-35), and the J-35 has a tapered body thickness.

December 1936 Gibson Jumbo 35 J-35 guitar introduction specs:

$35 retail list price, 16" wide, round shoulder dreadnought shape, dark red finished mahogany back and sides, three-on-a-plate plastic button tuners (often Kluson), single bound top, no back binding, no neck binding, 4" soundhole, usually 3 tone bars, tapered body (as looking from the sides), rectangle bridge with two tiny bridge screws (and hence two pearl dots), top braces not scalloped (usually), "X" bracing with three tone bars, "V" shaped mahogany neck, usually small pointy French neck heel, 24.75" scale length, dot fingerboard inlays, rosewood fingerboard, white silkscreened peghead "Gibson" logo, "medium" sized sunburst top, deep red mahogany back and side finish.

1937 Gibson Jumbo 35 J-35 guitar specs:

back binding added, some models seen with scalloped top braces, "large" size top sunburst finish, $37.50 retail list price. By 1937 usually (but not always) the bridge has clear lacquer over the rosewood base. Gibson glued the bridge to the guitar's top when the body was assembled and before painting - this saved the step of scraping lacquer around the bridge area and gluing after the guitar was painted. This step was a minor cost/time saving measure. Note not every J-35 has a clearcoated bridge, but most do.

1938 Gibson Jumbo 35 J-35 guitar specs:

usually rounded (J-45 style) neck heel, sometimes just two scalloped tone bars.

1939 Gibson Jumbo 35 J35 guitar specs:

neck shape rounded and not "V", the small french heel is now rounded instead of pointy, "X" bracing changed and moved closer to the soundhole and two tone bars, available in natural finish (back, sides and neck are a chocolate brown color on the natural colored models).

1941 Gibson Jumbo 35 J35 guitar specs:

sunburst or natural finish available, back to small pointy French neck heel (usually). $40 list price for sunburst, $45 list price for natural, which was changed to $42 list price for sunburst and $47.25 for natural, in late 1941.

Gibson J-35 guitar discontinued late 1942 and replaced by the J-45.