1940 Gibson made "Ray Whitley" Recording King (1028) Jumbo Size Guitar sold by Montgomery Ward Start Price USD 15,000.00 Current Price USD 15,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, October 05, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Location Midwest See more about '1940 Gibson made "Ray Whitley" Recording King (1028) ' Description 1940 Gibson made“Ray Whitley” JumboRecording King  *Named after a country recording / movie star, the Gibson Guitar Company created this special model that was distributed through the Montgomery Ward department store chain. Similar to the Gibson Advanced Jumbo / Gibson J-35 / Gibson J-55 guitars, these high-quality flattops were only available from the Spring of 1939 through the Spring of 1940, with very few being made and are said to be very rare. I have seen asking prices as high as $18,000.00 for these guitars when they are found and available for sale.  *While records show there was a Rosewood (1027) model with a 3-point batwing bridge and Ray Whitley signature on headstock and also a Mahogany (1028) model with a rectangular bridge but not necessarily the Ray Whitley signature, this guitar up for auction has features from both. This guitar is a Mahogany model but has the batwing bridge and Ray Whitley signature that were on the fancier rosewood model. It seems to resemble the Gibson Jumbo 55 on page 53 of Gibson's Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars.  FYI *Ray Whitley wrote (c.1940) “Back in the Saddle Again” Gene Autry’s theme song.  3 digits and the letter F stamped on inside neck blockRound shouldered solid spruce sunburst topDark brown solid mahogany back /sides / neckWhite celluloid bound top / back / neckRosewood fretboard / 19 total nickel-silver frets16” wide body joins neck at 14th fret3-point rosewood bridge (1941 Gibson J-55)Nut width 1-3/4”light / vibrating scale length at Low E is 25”Kluson open-back tuners / 2 hooks on top & bottom for cord  FYI *John Fahey’s recordings America and Fare Forward Voyagers were made with a 1939 Rosewood Model Ray Whitley  * Issues I see with this guitar include a long crack on the top about in line with the B string continuing to the end of neck right up close to the pickguard where a small length of binding is loose. A picture shows the 3 different places where an old repair attempt was tried but it begs for professional attention. Also maybe a couple of real fine cracks on top you might address.  *You might replace the nut and correct some capo damage at your discretion. Also ding on back of headstock.  * Next I see an attempt to lower the action by notching the saddle and slotting the bridge as in picture. This quick fix is not adequate and what you really will have to do is get a professional neck set and a new saddle to make this guitar playable. Neck Set is 100% necessary, no other way around it. Period  * Also there is fret-wear on the first 3 frets that could be addressed and the fingerboard has some fingernail grooves up to the 9th fret but the worst is from the first 3 to 5 frets. A professional Lutheir could address this problem when you re-fret by filling grooves etc. (Martin Guitar Co. re-fretted a D-35 of mine, filled the fingerboard, and set the neck for about $850.00 and it was a unbelievable job. I mean perfect and I’m a happy camper.) I'm not suggesting Martin for this but only what worked for me and the cost.  *Other than the normal wear such as scratches, dings, flaws, etc. the last thing I see that might need attention is the slight bow in the neck. This is about 1/16 of an inch with no tension on the neck. This bow would increase of course when you tune the guitar to pitch. How much would depend on the gauge of strings you use. Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars says “no truss rod” but Cowboy Guitars by Evans & Middlebrook says “steel rod in neck but no visible truss rod adjustment” for this guitar. Maybe the time to address this bow is when you re-fret, neck set, etc. such as remove fretboard and do what is necessary.  *Guitar and (30’s/40’s) Geib case are being sold “AS IS” no returns, so do your research and bid responsibly please. I will answer all questions to the best of my ability so please ASK QUESTIONS. There are no warranties expressed or implied on this auction. I do not negotiate after receipt of product or issue refunds of any kind. I will accept Paypal or Cashier’s Check for this item. I ship to the lower 48 United States only. Payment must be made within 3 days of end of auction. Please don’t bid if you are not serious. I reserve the right to cancel any bids and/or remove this item from auction at any time. Thanks, Al Place a Bid!