Pre Owned 2021 Gibson Custom Shop 1952 J-185 Acoustic Natural with OHSC
The Gibson J-185 is renowned among Gibson fanatics as one of the company's top acoustic instruments, yet it remains relatively unknown. First released in the early 1950s and featuring a smaller frame than the SJ-200, the J-185 consists of a truly balanced sound across all frequencies, with uniform response throughout the fretboard. Its size and shape make it the optimal pick for any guitarist.
We just scored this spectacular specimen, a Custom Shop 1952 J-185, crafted in Bozeman, Montana. For those that know, what the luthiers in Bozeman excel at are making the highest quality, best performing acoustics out there. For those that don't know, try this one! It's in excellent condition, and has been setup to play perfectly by the techs in our shop.
The guitar features a sweet sounding Sitka spruce top and unbelievably gorgeous flame maple back & sides. The warmness of the spruce balances the tight attack and brigtness of the maple, resulting in a well balanced sound that responds evenly across the tonal spectrum. That makes it great for both strummers and pickers, and the body shape helps lend itself to a variety of sounds & styles. There's a reason many players that discovered a J-185 fell in love with it.
The neck is super comfortable to play - this isn't a guitar that you have to fight. We found that with the action set low, it still doesn't buzz, and that it responds well to a soft touch as well digging in. This is one that could easily be played for hours without fatigure.
Period correct appointments and hardware add to the authenticity and vibe. It has the old school charm of 1952 with the quality standards of the 21st century. The original hardshell case, Certificate of Authenticity and all other case candy is included.
Be sure to check out all of the photos - this is a stunner. There aren't many of these out there, especially not in this condition and quality, fully set up by pro techs and ready to go. We don't expect to have this one for long.
Serial # 21851013
PRODUCT SPECS
- Body Shape: J-185
- Top: Sitka spruce
- Back: Flame maple
- Side: Flame maple
- Bracing: Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing
- Binding: Multi-ply top, multi-ply back
- Finish: Nitrocellulose
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Profile: Slim Taper
- Scale Length: 24.75″ / 628.65mm
- Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 12″
- Number Of Frets: 20
- Frets: Standard
- Nut Material: Bone
- Nut Width: 1.72″ / 43.81mm
- Inlays: Mother-of-pearl Parallelograms
- Neck Joint: Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body
- Tuner Plating: Nickel
- Bridge: Traditional belly up
- Saddle Material: Bone
- Tuning Machines: Gotoh Keystone
- Pickguard: J-185
- Truss Rod Cover: Black and White
- Bridge Pins: Tusq
- Case: Hardshell Case