A Jumbo with unparalleled tonal balance and exceptional electronics
The J-185 is believed by many to be one of the best Gibson acoustic instruments, yet it seems to be fairly obscure, much to the delight of devoted Gibson lovers. Originally released in the early 1950s and designed to be slightly smaller than its larger companion, the SJ-200™, the J-185 still offers superior performance and tone. The J-185 Original maintains an unsurpassed balance of lows, mids, and highs, with equal response to every note on the fretboard. Acclaimed by many as the perfect body size and shape for any player, and handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, it comes equipped with the new Gibson-exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA™ pickup system. HiFi DNA offers unprecedented realism when amplified, delivering the unique tone of your guitar and every nuance of your playing to your audience like never before.
The back and sides of the J-185 Original are crafted from flame maple for undeniable beauty and outstanding projection, while the Jumbo-sized body gives it warmth and punch. The back is surrounded by multi-ply binding. The solid Sitka spruce top delivers a broad dynamic range with outstanding articulation and is reinforced with scalloped X-bracing and framed with multi-ply binding. The result is a very balanced-sounding guitar that works well in a variety of genres, whether you’re fingerpicking, strumming, or playing single-note lines.
The 24.75” scale mahogany neck attaches to the body with a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint and hot hide glue for excellent tonal transfer and resonance. It features a fast-playing and comfortable SlimTaper™ profile. The bound rosewood fretboard has a 12” radius for equally easy chording and leads and is fitted with 20 standard frets and adorned with mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays. At the headstock, you’ll find a set of precision Gotoh® tuners with keystone buttons and a bone nut. The headstock also features the Gibson logo and crown, both inlaid in mother of pearl. The belly-up bridge is crafted from rosewood, features mother-of-pearl cross inlays, and is equipped with a bone saddle and TUSQ® bridge pins.
Installed inside is Gibson’s exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA pickup system. This minimally invasive design uses two lightweight, flexible sensors mounted on the bridge plate, each with its own preamp and EQ to eliminate interaction and inductance issues. Summed to mono, they deliver a more accurate amplified version of your guitar’s unique voice, with no loss of dynamic range, and yield a true representation of the character, warmth, and response that Gibson acoustic guitars are famed for, with comparable gain-before-feedback to an under-saddle pickup. Discreet soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls are easily accessible during performance while remaining nearly invisible to your audience.
The Gibson J-185 Original is handcrafted by the expert luthiers and craftspeople at the Gibson Acoustic Craftory in Bozeman, Montana, to deliver everything you want in a high-quality acoustic. It comes packed in a Gibson hardshell case for safe storage and transport, and is ready to give you a lifetime of enjoyment.
Highlights
- Flamed maple back and sides
- Sitka spruce top with traditional scalloped X-bracing
- Mahogany neck with a SlimTaper profile
- Bound rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays
- Gotoh tuners with keystone buttons
- Baggs HiFi DNA pickup and preamp system
- Hardshell case
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Flame Maple
Binding Multi-ply top, multi-ply back
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape J-185
Body Styles Jumbo
Bracing Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing
Side Flame maple
Top Sitka Spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Standard
Inlays Mother-of-pearl Parallelograms
Joint Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 43.81mm / 1.72in
Profile SlimTaper
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Controls Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone
Output Jack 1/4"
Preamp Baggs HiFi DNA
Under Saddle Pickup Baggs HiFi DNA
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Traditional belly up
Bridge Pins Tusq
Pickguard J-185
Saddle Material Bone
Truss Rod Cover Black and White
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Gotoh Keystone
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Includes Gibson Accessory Kit
Model: OCJB85HFVS
Case Hardshell Case
Strings Gauge 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
Gibson J-185 Original with HiFi DNA, Vintage Sunburst
Gibson J-185 Original with HiFi DNA, Vintage Sunburst
Also available for store pickup at the Gibson Garage Nashville
Free & Fast Shipping
Free & Fast Shipping
Orders placed by noon CST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) will ship the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over $100 receive free ground shipping within the United States.
Lifetime Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shop and play with confidence knowing that your instrument is protected by our limited lifetime warranty. Learn more about warranties and exclusions here .
Case Included
Case Included
Your instrument ships with a factory-supplied hard- or soft-shell case for safe storage and transportation. Please refer to the product specifications for details.
Setup Included
Setup Included
Our craftory-trained technicians perform a final thorough inspection and detailed setup moments before your instrument is packed and shipped to you.
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
For a limited time only, receive a three-month subscription to the Gibson App for free with the purchase of this product. Click here to learn more about the Gibson App.
A Jumbo with unparalleled tonal balance and exceptional electronics
The J-185 is believed by many to be one of the best Gibson acoustic instruments, yet it seems to be fairly obscure, much to the delight of devoted Gibson lovers. Originally released in the early 1950s and designed to be slightly smaller than its larger companion, the SJ-200™, the J-185 still offers superior performance and tone. The J-185 Original maintains an unsurpassed balance of lows, mids, and highs, with equal response to every note on the fretboard. Acclaimed by many as the perfect body size and shape for any player, and handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, it comes equipped with the new Gibson-exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA™ pickup system. HiFi DNA offers unprecedented realism when amplified, delivering the unique tone of your guitar and every nuance of your playing to your audience like never before.
The back and sides of the J-185 Original are crafted from flame maple for undeniable beauty and outstanding projection, while the Jumbo-sized body gives it warmth and punch. The back is surrounded by multi-ply binding. The solid Sitka spruce top delivers a broad dynamic range with outstanding articulation and is reinforced with scalloped X-bracing and framed with multi-ply binding. The result is a very balanced-sounding guitar that works well in a variety of genres, whether you’re fingerpicking, strumming, or playing single-note lines.
The 24.75” scale mahogany neck attaches to the body with a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint and hot hide glue for excellent tonal transfer and resonance. It features a fast-playing and comfortable SlimTaper™ profile. The bound rosewood fretboard has a 12” radius for equally easy chording and leads and is fitted with 20 standard frets and adorned with mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays. At the headstock, you’ll find a set of precision Gotoh® tuners with keystone buttons and a bone nut. The headstock also features the Gibson logo and crown, both inlaid in mother of pearl. The belly-up bridge is crafted from rosewood, features mother-of-pearl cross inlays, and is equipped with a bone saddle and TUSQ® bridge pins.
Installed inside is Gibson’s exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA pickup system. This minimally invasive design uses two lightweight, flexible sensors mounted on the bridge plate, each with its own preamp and EQ to eliminate interaction and inductance issues. Summed to mono, they deliver a more accurate amplified version of your guitar’s unique voice, with no loss of dynamic range, and yield a true representation of the character, warmth, and response that Gibson acoustic guitars are famed for, with comparable gain-before-feedback to an under-saddle pickup. Discreet soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls are easily accessible during performance while remaining nearly invisible to your audience.
The Gibson J-185 Original is handcrafted by the expert luthiers and craftspeople at the Gibson Acoustic Craftory in Bozeman, Montana, to deliver everything you want in a high-quality acoustic. It comes packed in a Gibson hardshell case for safe storage and transport, and is ready to give you a lifetime of enjoyment.
Highlights
- Flamed maple back and sides
- Sitka spruce top with traditional scalloped X-bracing
- Mahogany neck with a SlimTaper profile
- Bound rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays
- Gotoh tuners with keystone buttons
- Baggs HiFi DNA pickup and preamp system
- Hardshell case
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Flame Maple
Binding Multi-ply top, multi-ply back
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape J-185
Body Styles Jumbo
Bracing Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing
Side Flame maple
Top Sitka Spruce
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 20
Frets Standard
Inlays Mother-of-pearl Parallelograms
Joint Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 43.81mm / 1.72in
Profile SlimTaper
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Controls Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone
Output Jack 1/4"
Preamp Baggs HiFi DNA
Under Saddle Pickup Baggs HiFi DNA
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Traditional belly up
Bridge Pins Tusq
Pickguard J-185
Saddle Material Bone
Truss Rod Cover Black and White
Tuner Plating Nickel
Tuning Machines Gotoh Keystone
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Includes Gibson Accessory Kit
Model: OCJB85HFVS
Case Hardshell Case
Strings Gauge 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
