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If defective, this item must be exchanged directly through the manufacturer. It can only be returned to us if it is unopened.
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Don't just pick out a guitar, pick out YOUR guitar. When ordering a guitar by serial number from AMS you aren't simply choosing a guitar model, you're choosing the very guitar that will wind up in your hands. That unique flow to the grain, the sunburst finish that's just slightly darker than the one next to it; musicians like yourself understand that these things matter when searching for the guitar of your dreams and newest addition to the family. Shopping by serial number allows you the convenience of buying online combined with the essence of the in-store experience. At AMS, what you see is what you get.
A Jumbo with Unparalleled Tonal Balance
The J-185 is believed by many to be one of Gibson’s best 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 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.
The J-185 Original features a solid Sitka spruce top paired with flame maple back and sides, delivering a clear, articulate voice with exceptional balance, projection, and tonal complexity. Traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing enhances the guitar’s natural resonance and dynamic response, allowing every note to speak with clarity and definition.
The mahogany neck features a comfortable SlimTaper™ profile and is joined to the body with a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint. The rosewood fingerboard features 20 standard frets and distinctive mother-of-pearl parallelogram inlays. A bone nut and traditional belly-up rosewood bridge with a bone saddle provide a solid foundation for the J-185’s balanced acoustic voice.
The J-185 Original features multi-ply binding on the top and back, a J-185 pickguard, black and white truss rod cover, and Gotoh® Keystone tuners with nickel plating. The combination of classic Gibson appointments and the J-185’s distinctive jumbo body makes it an especially versatile acoustic for players looking for the projection of a larger guitar in a more comfortable format.
The J-185 Original is now fitted with the all-new Gibson-exclusive Baggs™ HiFi DNA™ pickup system. This active design utilizes two lightweight sensors mounted to the internal bridge plate, each paired with its own optimized preamp. The result is a natural, full-bodied amplified tone that faithfully represents the J-185’s inherent character without altering its unplugged voice.
The Baggs HiFi DNA system offers impressive gain-before-feedback compared to an under-saddle pickup. Discreet soundhole-mounted controls allow quick, intuitive adjustments on the fly while remaining virtually unseen by the audience. With its unique jumbo body, exceptional tonal balance, new Baggs HiFi DNA electronics, and included hardshell case, the J-185 Original is ready for both stage and studio use from the moment it’s picked up.
Gibson J-185 Original Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case Features:
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