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

No longer available at zZounds
Get classic jumbo body tone with a comfortable cutaway and powerful electronics. The J-185 EC is great for folk and blues performers.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Sitka spruce top Projects rich, crisp and responsive tone
Flamed maple back and sides Beautiful grain, crisp and responsive tone
Rosewood fretboard Open, warm tone and smooth playing feel
Grover Rotomatic tuners 14:1 gear ratio for exceptionally precise tuning

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 rosewood 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 read more 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.
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- Electronics: Fishman Aura Pro
- Strings: Gibson light gauge .012 - .053
- Tuning Machines: Gold Grover rotomatics
- Pickguard: Traditional J-185 tortoise pickguard
- Bridge: Belly up rosewood with Tusq saddle
- Scale: 24 3/4", short
- Fingerboard: 12" radius bound rosewood with Mother-of-Pearl parallelogram inlays
- Bracing: Traditional scalloped x-bracing
- Neck-to-body: Compound dovetail secured with hide glue at the 14th fret
- Neck: 3-piece maple, 1.725" Tusq nut
- Finish: Natural antique, nitrocellulose lacquer
- Binding: Multi-ply top and back, multi-ply double-ring rosette
- Wood: Flame maple top, back, and sides
- Body Style:J-180

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-444-2766

Gibson J-185 EC Jumbo Acoustic-Electric

This limited edition J-185 EC Flame Top is a superstar. Its slightly smaller body dimension than the Super Jumbo produces substantial power and projection. Combined with its all-maple tonewood and cutaway construction, it serves the contemporary player with bright, clear tones, easy movement up and down the neck and the flexibility of a Fishman Aura Pro pickup system.

Highly figured bookmatched flamed maple, abalone rosette and tortoise pickguard produce the elegant, yet modern appointments Gibson is famous for. What sets Gibson apart?- Dovetail neck-to-body joint, hand-fitted and secured with hide glue ensures unequalled resonance transfer from strings to body.

Features:

- Radiused body for projection & clarity.
- Nitrocellulose lacquer finish allows the tone to mature with age.
- 100% American made, handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana.

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (13 ratings)
Submitted January 6, 2007 by a customer from aol.com

"fine instrument. attractive, durable, and has many tonal aspects, very versatile for an acoustic guitar"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
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

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

Features
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 read more 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!!

Musical Background:
active musician

Musical Style:
christian worship and praise,old classic rock n roll, beatles,
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