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Gibson J-185 EC Blues King Electro Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

Get classic jumbo body tone with a comfortable cutaway and powerful electronics. The J-185 EC is great for folk and blues performers. 13 People rated this product: Rate and Review This Product
Ships to: Can ship to United States Can ship to APO/FPO
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Though slightly smaller than the famous J-200, the J-185 EC packs the same bold sound that have made Gibson jumbo bodies some of the most iconic acoustic guitars ever built. The large shape and high-grade tonewoods provide a robust tonal foundation, while the smooth ebony fretboard and convenient cutaway make this the most playable Gibson jumbos yet. With powerful Fishman electronics priming this beauty for natural-sounding and accurate reproduction, the J-185 EC Blues King is a great choice for gigging country, folk, rock, and blues performers.

Quintessential Gibson Jumbo Tone

Gibson jumbo body acoustics are celebrated for their voluminous tone, and the J-185 EC is no exception. A Sitka spruce top paired with AAA-grade flame maple for the back and sides offers an exceptional balance with rich, defined tones throughout the spectrum. The jumbo body shape allows spectacular projection and power, making this J-185 a great choice for impassioned folk strummers. The delicate clarity afforded by the spruce top and rosewood fingerboard makes this a fine finger-picking guitar as well. The full-bodied, yet clear sounds of the J-185 EC have earned it a reputation as a true "Blues King" guitar.

Classic Flattop Looks and Components

The masters at Gibson's Bozeman, Montana facility have outfitted this jumbo cutaway with superb hardware at every point. The inlays are mother-of-pearl split parallelograms which stand out against the rich rosewood fingerboard. The tuners are vintage-style nickel Grovers, and the pickguard forms a distinct multi-pointed shape. An exquisite four-ply binding pattern wraps around the edge of the spruce top, while an abalone rosette surrounds the sound-hole.

Powerful Fishman Electronics

This mighty steel-string uses an advanced electronic system complete with Fishman Aura technology. The Aura system creates specific tonal images which are precisely designed to recreated the natural textures and tones of the guitar through any sound system. The preamp comes complete with tonal controls and an onboard tuner, all mounted on the upper-bout of the body.

Features:

- Stunning flame maple back and sides with Sitka spruce top
- Powerful Fishman Aura electronics with built-in tuner
- Comfortable rosewood fingerboard with stunning mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays
- Playable 24-3/4-inch neck scale -- slightly shorter than comparable J-200 design
- Classic jumbo body shape with slightly scaled down dimensions
- Extended upper-fret access from comfortable cutaway
- Hand-crafted in Bozeman, Montana
- Included hardshell case

The J-185 EC is a great choice for players who have always wanted for a classic Gibson jumbo body. With a slightly smaller shape, comfortable cutaway, and powerful onboard electronics, this handsome Gibson is a magnificent modern acoustic-electric. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Gibson products.
Handcrafted in: Bozeman, MT

BODY
Body Style: Jumbo Cutaway

Top Species: Premium Sitka Spruce

Back and Sides: AAA Flame Maple

Body Binding: 4-ply top and single-ply back

NECK
Species: Flame Maple

Scale: 24-3/4 in.

Angle: 3

Joint: 14

Profile: V Profile

FINGERBOARD
Species: Rosewood

Binding: single-ply with birdsbeak

Number of Frets: 20

Inlays: MOP Double Parallelograms

Nut Width: 1.725

Peghead Angle: 17

Other Inlays: Abalone Rosette

BRIDGE
Bridge: Traditional Gibson Rosewood Bridge

Bridge Inlay: MOP dots

Pins: White

HARDWARE
Tuners: Nickel Grover

Pickguard: Tortoise Custom Line

Pickups: Active electronics with rim control EQ and built in tuner

OTHER
Case: Premium Hardshell

Strings: Gibson Masterbuilt Premium Phosphor Bronze Wound
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Antique Natural
Shipping Weight: 22 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 50 x 21 x 8 in
Vintage Sunburst
Shipping Weight: 22 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 50 x 21 x 8 in
Gibson Warranty If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 800-4GIBSON

Product Description

The Gibson J-185EC Blues King Electro is the world's most premium acoustic electric with onboard controls. Made with hand-selected woods! This incredible instrument is a jumbo cutaway design with a Flame Maple body and a solid Sitka spruce top. It's loaded with active electronics, plus Nickel Grover tuners, a Rosewood fingerboard and spectacular parallelogram inlays. The J-185EC is another prime example of the handcrafted workmanship that still comes out of Bozeman, Montana. Includes Gibson hardshell case.
Our extended 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies on this product. Buy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!
What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "Once again, I am blown away by zZounds' price matching service. It's amazing." - customer on May 10th, 2012
New, Antique Natural
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Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 (13 ratings) Rate and Review This Product
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful. "J-815EC Blues King - Outstanding tone and beauty."
Sound: The sound is slightly bright and very rich. It is quite loud and generates a lot of volume without much effort. I do both fingerstyle and strumming and it sounds really good using both styles. If I get agressive and pluck a string too hard, it will buzz despite the high action. When playing fingerstyle I have noticed that I tend to buzz with it more than when I strum. Feature: It has nice tuners. Once set, they stay where they are put and they do not tarnish. The wood is especially nice and I enjoy looking at it every time I play it. Ease of Use: It's a little hard to play because the action is a bit high. Quality: The overall feel of the guitar is great but the finish is cracking despite being kept in its case in a not too humid or dry atmosphere. Value: This was the best sounding guitar of all of the guitars I tried in the store. I like the tone of this guitar better than the other Gibsons (Dove, Hummingbird, J200) and the Martin and Taylors. It has a great feel and plays well. Manufacturer Support: I have never called customer suppory. The Wow Factor: I have a natural finish. I think it would look even sexier if it had a sunburst finish. Overall: I expect to be satisfied with this guitar for my at-home, steel string acoustic guitar playing for years to come. (10-20 at least). I have another cheaper guitar that I take places with me because I do not want my J185 to be dammaged.
Style of Music: Folk
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"fine instrument. attractive, durable, and has many tonal aspects, very versatile for an acoustic guitar"
Sound: the guitar has several sweet spots. also sounds good with chorus and delay effects. really fat. P play mine in church (10 years now) and am still learning subtlties(msp?) the guitar has to offer. playing in the area over the sound hole makes for consistent tone, but move, say forward 1 1/2 inches, sounds like a diffrent giutar completely Feature: n/a Ease of Use: neck is a bit big for me, but used to it now. plays a lot like my 50's neck les paul did. mine set up with low action. dont play too aggresive but with lots of volume, no need to strum or pick very hard to be heard. Quality: no problems as of yet. take prety good care of it. I do all maintenence on it myself. easy to work with, consistent intonation from set to set of light gauge strings. Value: I bought mine from a guy who was going to be thrown out by his wife when he got home he was looking for some quick cash. I paid 700.00 dollars for it, in pristine condition, tags and all Manufacturer Support: n/a The Wow Factor: the fact that it is a gibson means a lot. other players see a high end guitar built left handed and think it is one of a kind. not true.there are some really high quality guitars for southpaws on the market. I have to say, though, gibson doesnt give, for the money near the value of guitar than, say a high end Blues classic from ed roman in las vegas. that guy knows his stuff. best wood,components and finish materials on the planet make the best sounding guitars. remember, YOU CANT POLISH A TURD!! Overall: i WILL NEVER PART WITH MY BLUES KING. YOU DONT SEE TOO MANY OUT THERE LEFT HANDED. i DONT HAVE A LOT OF GUITARS, BUT WHAT i DO HAVE i SEARCHED FOR, in some cases for years and they all are exactly what I wanted as far as color, condition and tonal characteristics
Style of Music: christian worship and praise,old classic rock n roll, beatles,
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