Gibson 1952 J-185 Antique Natural
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Gibson
1952 J-185 Antique Natural
Product Info
Article Number:
484549
Brand:
Gibson
Model:
1952 J-185 Antique Natural
Category:
Jumbo Acoustic Guitars
Price:
$4,254.80
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
This J-185 is a serious throwback, built to vintage spec and sounding every bit the part. The aged spruce top and flamed maple back give it a warm, powerful voice that just begs for blues and Americana. It's a premium-priced instrument, but for the serious player chasing that classic Gibson vibe, it’s hard to beat.
Product Description
- Gibson 1952 J-185 Antique Natural
- Steel-String Guitar
- Custom Shop Historic
- VOS - Vintage Original Specifications
- Design: Jumbo
- Top: Heat treated aged solid spruce
- Back and sides: Solid flamed maple
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Mother of Pearl Parallelogram fretboard inlays
- Traditional Hand Scalloped X-Bracing
- Neck profile: V
- Scale: 629 mm (24.75")
- Nut width: 43.80 mm (1.72")
- Bone nut
- 20 Frets
- Bone bridge saddle
- Gotoh Keystone gold machine heads
- Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer
- Colour: Antique Natural
- Includes case
- Made in USA
PROS
- • Heat-treated top delivers exceptional aged tonal complexity.
- • VOS nitro finish allows for incredible resonance and breathability.
- • Gotoh Keystone tuners offer smooth, reliable tuning stability.
- • Classic 'V' neck profile provides comfortable, familiar feel.
CONS
- • The jumbo body can be unwieldy for smaller players or those preferring smaller guitars.
- • Antique Natural finish demands careful handling to avoid cosmetic blemishes.
- • Limited tonal versatility; excels at roots, blues, and folk, less suited for modern genres.
Product Video
Key Features
Top Wood
Heat treated aged solid spruce
Back & Sides
Solid flamed maple
Neck Material
Mahogany
Fingerboard
Rosewood
Scale Length
629 mm (24.75in)
Frets
20
Electronics
None
Weight
Approximately 6.8 lbs
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*Note:* Register your Taylor guitar to extend your warranty to 12 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
The VOS finish is significantly thinner, allowing the wood to vibrate more freely and contribute to a more open, resonant tone, unlike a thicker gloss finish which dampens some of that vibration.
While comfortable for many, the 'V' profile can feel slightly less accommodating for players with very large hands compared to a more modern 'C' shape; it's best to try it in person.
The heat treatment loosens the wood fibers, increasing flexibility and responsiveness, resulting in a quicker attack and a more complex harmonic profile that simulates decades of aging.
