Gibson Jumbo 55 (J-55) Guitar

Gibson J-55 (Jumbo 55) (1939 - 1943) 

 In 1934 Gibson introduced the first jumbo flat top which was called the Gibson jumbo, this guitar led to the Gibson Jumbo 35 (J-35) in 1936, the J-35 then was replaced by the J-45 in 1942.

While these historic Gibson guitars were making history, in 1939 they also introduced about 400 guitars that were very similar to the J-35 with some features like the J-100. These acoustic guitars were named the Gibson Jumbo 55 (J-55) and were priced at $55-$60. 

 In 1939 the Jumbo 55 had a 16" wide body, mahogany back and sides, it was round shouldered, mustache bridge like the SJ-100 but smaller, stair step peg head shape with pearl inlaid logos, sloped scalloped pick guards and were made in sunburst finishes. 

In 1940 standard Gibson peg heads replaced the stair step peg heads, in 1941 mustache bridges were replaced with batwing bridges. The Jumbo 55 was discontinued in early 1943. 

In 1973 they reintroduced the Gibson J-55 with square shoulders, arched backs, laminated mahogany back and sides, square bridges and were made in natural finishes (very similar to the j-50), these Gibson guitars were discontinued in 1982. 

In 1994 they made a Jumbo 55 limited edition, they were 16" wide more like the original model and only 100 were made with sunburst finishes. 

> Look for used or vintage Gibson J-55 guitars for sale.

Gibson Jumbo 55 & J-55 Price Guide (Updated April-26-2021)
  • 1939 - 1940 > $12 500 to $16 000 (Jumbo 55 - Stair Step)
  • 1941 - 1943 > $10 500 to $13 000 (Jumbo 55 - Non Stair Step)
  • 1973 - 1982 > $1000 to $1300 (J-55 Reintroduced)
  • 1994 - 1994 > $1500 to $2000 (Jumbo 55 Limited Edition -100 Made)

Comments

  1. I have a J-55 that I believe is a 1940. It was marked by the original owner as 1939. It is in good condition and in the original case. It is for sale.

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  2. do you have a picture ?.....how much do you want for it ?......steve.....sirredface@ mac.com

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  3. I cannot tell the date of these comments. Mine is Nov. 23, 2007. Is the J-55 still available for sale, and if so, condition and price please. Does it have the stair-stepped peghead and/or mustache bridge? Frank fbsimpson@pharmacy.wisc.edu

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  4. I have one of the reintroduced J55s that I would like to sell. By the serial number it was produced in the 1974/75 range. I purchased it for $350 from the original owner just a few years after manufacture. I played it for many years and kept it in excellent condition. It has been in storage now for many years and developed a hairline crack and the sound hole. I'm hoping someone would be a better caretaker than I. felicett@hotmail.com

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  5. Anonymous7:57 AM

    Can some one tell me how much a J55 is worth? I have one that is in great condition and in its original case. jswiney@elmore.rr.com

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  6. Anonymous7:56 PM

    How can I tell which J-55 Gibson I have? Can you tell by the last 2 digits of the serial number if that is the year it was made?

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  7. Anonymous1:39 PM

    How About a Sunburst Gibson, with a FON# of DG-2865, think its a 1938, or 39, J-35, but not sure, can you tell from the FON Number ? EESCR@AOL.COM

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  8. Anonymous2:00 PM

    what happened to my post ?? EESCR@AOL.COM

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  9. I have a j 55 A 1939 stairstep head and mustash bridge that my dad bought when he was a kid and he was born in 1925. I have 8x10 pics of him at 16 years old with it in his band and it shows evey detail. I had it refinished to the exact pictures in 2004 bu a guitar builder and then my dad died in 2005 and the man who refinished it also has died. I would like to know what to insure it for.

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  10. Anonymous10:58 AM

    I have a j55 and I believe it was the reintroduced series. How can I tell what year it was built? The serial number is A-733875.
    Smartecona@yahoo.com
    11/19/2011

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  11. I have a j55 with serial number A130903 which I believe is a 70's reproduction

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