1952 Gibson J-185 - A Close Look At One Of The Greatest Gibson Acoustics

Live demo recorded at PREMIER GUITARS in Sydney The Gibson J-185. The Smaller brother of the famous J-200. A lesser-known acoustic from Gibson, that is argued by many to be the greatest acoustic guitar Gibson ever made. The J-185 was designed to offer guitarists a different sound and feel to the J-200. The slightly smaller body and shorter 24 ¾” scale length exuded a warmth and balance that the big, bellowing J-200 did not have. The maple back and sides with sitka spruce top help retain top end detail. The result was a beautifully balanced tone right up and down the neck, which opened up the possibilities for the player. This guitar is in great condition. Plenty of honest checking all over the body and headstock, however rather minimal wear on the back of the neck indicates that this guitar hasn’t been played all that much. The frets are also original. The sound from this guitar really is exceptional. The warm low mid-range coming from the smaller body lends itself to a light, articulate style of playing. The top is nice and flat, and the scalloped bracing really lets the top breathe. Jazz chords sound great on this instrument, as do the open cowboy chords you have come to expect from a Gibson Jumbo. The neck is medium profile – certainly thinner than a late 50s Les Paul and is very easy to play with a nice low action. A thin 1.5mm seam of maple has been spliced into the back between the back panels to repair a split that looks to have occurred a long time ago. There is no evidence of overspray on the back and the repair has held up over the years. The only additional modification to the instrument is an LR Baggs electric pickup system, which has enlarged the rear strap button for a ¼ jack input. The battery sits in a pouch behind the neck block. More information about this guitar can be found here: https://www.premierguitars.com.au/pro... Contact PREMIER GUITARS for more details: [email protected] +61 414 994 506 https://www.premierguitars.com.au Find us on Instagram:   / premierguitars