Gibson 1952 J-185 Vintage Sunburst
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Gibson
1952 J-185 Vintage Sunburst
Product Info
Article Number:
484546
Brand:
Gibson
Model:
1952 J-185 Vintage Sunburst
Category:
Jumbo Acoustic Guitars
Price:
$4,563.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
This J-185 Historic is a serious recreation of a legendary instrument. The aged spruce top and flamed maple back give it a warm, complex tone that really sings, perfect for blues, roots, and vintage-flavored Americana. It’s a premium-priced instrument, but for the serious acoustic player chasing that authentic 50s Gibson vibe, it’s hard to beat.
Product Description
- Gibson 1952 J-185 Vintage Sunburst
- Steel-String Guitar
- Custom Shop - Historic Collection
- 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: Vintage sunburst
- Includes case
- Made in USA
PROS
- • Heat-treated top yields exceptional resonance and aged tonal complexity.
- • Solid flamed maple back and sides deliver focused projection and warmth.
- • Vintage 'V' neck profile offers comfortable, familiar feel for seasoned players.
- • Gotoh Keystone tuners ensure rock-solid tuning stability and vintage aesthetics.
CONS
- • The vintage sunburst finish can be delicate, requiring careful handling.
- • Jumbo body size may be unwieldy for players with smaller frames.
- • The shorter scale length limits low-end extension compared to longer-scale guitars.
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 - acoustic only
Weight
Approximately 6.8 lbs (estimated)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Heat treatment loosens the wood's cellular structure, allowing it to vibrate more freely, resulting in increased responsiveness and a more 'broken-in' tone.
The 'V' shape is a classic, but it's not for everyone; some players prefer a more modern, rounded profile, so trying it out is recommended.
The Historic model prioritizes vintage accuracy, with a thinner nitro finish, vintage-correct hardware, and a more nuanced tone; a modern J-185 will generally have a brighter, more immediate sound.
