Gibson J-185 Original Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
If you don't need the robust sound and full-size of an SJ-200, then pick up the J-185. With a slightly smaller body, this guitar still projects huge tone.
What's special about this item?
| Feature: | What it does: |
|---|---|
| Flame maple back and sides | Bright, focused tone with enhanced sustain |
| Gotoh tuners | Solid and dependable tuning stability |
| Rosewood fretboard | Open, warm tone and smooth playing feel |
| Thermally aged Sitka spruce top | Vintage tone; improved response |
Overview
Regarded by many players as one of the finest Gibson acoustic designs, the J-185 remains something of a hidden gem in the lineup. Introduced in the early 1950s as a slightly more compact companion to the SJ-200, it has earned a reputation for delivering remarkable tone, comfort, and versatility. The J-185 Original carries on that legacy with a rich and balanced voice that responds evenly across the entire fretboard. Handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, and equipped with the Gibson-exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA pickup system, it offers a natural amplified sound that captures the individuality of both the instrument and the player with extraordinary realism.
Built with flame maple back and sides, the J-185 Original combines striking visual appeal with excellent projection and clarity. Its Jumbo body size contributes warmth, depth, and powerful response, while multi-ply binding adds a refined finishing touch around the back. The solid Sitka spruce top is designed to provide a wide dynamic range and impressive note definition, supported by scalloped X-bracing and accented with multi-ply binding. Together, these features create a guitar with outstanding tonal balance, equally at home with fingerstyle passages, energetic strumming, or melodic single-note playing.
The 24.75" scale mahogany neck is joined to the body using a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint secured with hot hide glue, helping maximize resonance and tonal transfer. Its SlimTaper profile offers a comfortable,… read more fast-playing feel suited to a wide range of playing styles. The bound rosewood fretboard features a 12" radius, 20 standard frets, and mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays, providing effortless playability for both chords and lead work. A bone nut and a set of precise Gotoh tuners with keystone buttons complete the setup at the headstock, which is adorned with the Gibson logo and crown inlaid in mother of pearl. The rosewood belly-up bridge is detailed with mother-of-pearl cross inlays and fitted with a bone saddle and TUSQ bridge pins.
At the heart of its amplified performance is Gibson's exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA pickup system. Designed to be minimally invasive, the system employs two lightweight, flexible sensors mounted to the bridge plate, each paired with its own dedicated preamp and EQ. This configuration minimizes interaction and inductance-related issues while preserving the guitar's natural dynamic range. Blended into a mono signal, the system delivers an exceptionally authentic representation of the instrument's voice, faithfully reproducing the warmth, character, and responsiveness that Gibson acoustics are known for. It also provides gain-before-feedback performance comparable to traditional under-saddle systems. Convenient soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls allow quick adjustments onstage while remaining discreet and largely out of sight.
- Flame Maple Back and Sides - Adds tonal complexity and visual appeal.
- Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing - Enhances resonance, dynamics, and note clarity.
- Comfortable J-185 Body - Jumbo-style projection in a slightly smaller, player-friendly format.
- SlimTaper Mahogany Neck - Provides a comfortable, smooth playing feel.
- Baggs HiFi DNA Pickup - Natural, full-bodied amplified tone with strong feedback resistance.
- Classic Gibson Appointments - Rosewood fingerboard, MOP parallelogram inlays, and Gotoh Keystone tuners.
- Hardshell Case Included - Ready for stage and studio use.
read less
Built with flame maple back and sides, the J-185 Original combines striking visual appeal with excellent projection and clarity. Its Jumbo body size contributes warmth, depth, and powerful response, while multi-ply binding adds a refined finishing touch around the back. The solid Sitka spruce top is designed to provide a wide dynamic range and impressive note definition, supported by scalloped X-bracing and accented with multi-ply binding. Together, these features create a guitar with outstanding tonal balance, equally at home with fingerstyle passages, energetic strumming, or melodic single-note playing.
The 24.75" scale mahogany neck is joined to the body using a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint secured with hot hide glue, helping maximize resonance and tonal transfer. Its SlimTaper profile offers a comfortable,… read more fast-playing feel suited to a wide range of playing styles. The bound rosewood fretboard features a 12" radius, 20 standard frets, and mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays, providing effortless playability for both chords and lead work. A bone nut and a set of precise Gotoh tuners with keystone buttons complete the setup at the headstock, which is adorned with the Gibson logo and crown inlaid in mother of pearl. The rosewood belly-up bridge is detailed with mother-of-pearl cross inlays and fitted with a bone saddle and TUSQ bridge pins.
At the heart of its amplified performance is Gibson's exclusive, custom-voiced Baggs HiFi DNA pickup system. Designed to be minimally invasive, the system employs two lightweight, flexible sensors mounted to the bridge plate, each paired with its own dedicated preamp and EQ. This configuration minimizes interaction and inductance-related issues while preserving the guitar's natural dynamic range. Blended into a mono signal, the system delivers an exceptionally authentic representation of the instrument's voice, faithfully reproducing the warmth, character, and responsiveness that Gibson acoustics are known for. It also provides gain-before-feedback performance comparable to traditional under-saddle systems. Convenient soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls allow quick adjustments onstage while remaining discreet and largely out of sight.
Features:
- Solid Sitka Spruce Top - Delivers a clear, articulate tone with excellent balance and projection.- Flame Maple Back and Sides - Adds tonal complexity and visual appeal.
- Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing - Enhances resonance, dynamics, and note clarity.
- Comfortable J-185 Body - Jumbo-style projection in a slightly smaller, player-friendly format.
- SlimTaper Mahogany Neck - Provides a comfortable, smooth playing feel.
- Baggs HiFi DNA Pickup - Natural, full-bodied amplified tone with strong feedback resistance.
- Classic Gibson Appointments - Rosewood fingerboard, MOP parallelogram inlays, and Gotoh Keystone tuners.
- Hardshell Case Included - Ready for stage and studio use.
Specs
- Family/Model:
- J-185 Original
- Series:
- Original
- Trans/Solid Finish:
- Trans
- Color Name:
- Vintage Sunburst
- Back Material:
- Flame Maple
- Binding:
- Multi-ply top, multi-ply back
- Body Finish:
- Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
- Body Shape:
- J-185
- Body Style:
- Jumbo
- Bracing:
- Traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing
- Sides Material:
- Flame Maple
- Top Material:
- Sitka spruce
- Fingerboard Material:
- Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius:
- 12 in. | 304.8 mm
- Fret Count:
- 20
- Frets:
- Standard
- Inlays:
- Mother-of-pearl parallelograms
- Joint:
- Compound dovetail neck-to-body
- Neck Material:
- Mahogany
- Nut Material:
- Bone
- Nut Width:
- 1.72 in. | 43.81 mm
- Profile:
- SlimTaper
- Scale Length:
- 24.75 in. | 628.65 mm
- Pickup System:
- Baggs HiFi DNA
- Controls:
- Volume and Tone controls
- Output Jack:
- 1/4" endpin jack
- 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
- Case:
- Hardshell Case Included
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Vintage Sunburst, with Baggs HiFi DNA system, Right-Handed
- Shipping Weight: 21.75 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions: 49 x 20 x 8 in
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): OCJB85HFVS
Vintage Sunburst, with Baggs HiFi DNA system, Left-Handed
- Shipping Weight: 24 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 14 in
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): OCJB85HFVSL
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-444-2766
Email: service@gibson.com
Web: https://www.gibson.com/pages/contact-support
Phone: 800-444-2766
Email: service@gibson.com
Web: https://www.gibson.com/pages/contact-support
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(1 ratings)
Submitted September 10, 2025 by a customer from yahoo.com
"J 185 Guitar"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
An awesome axe .Great tone and playability . Great action , comfortable neck ; % stars .
3 of 3 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Vintage Sunburst, with Baggs HiFi DNA system, Right-Handed
$3,999.00
Viewing Serial # 22516004
4lb 9oz
4lb 9oz
you're approved! No credit check!
- No interest and no late fees
- No paperwork
- No social security number required
- No questions about your income
Just provide your credit or debit card number in checkout as usual, and we’ll ship your order before the end of the business day.
- 12 payments of$333.25/moINTEREST-FREE
Other Financing Options
FREE
-Day
Shipping!
Get it
for
Get it
(or get it
with an order of
),
if you order within
Shipping to
This is a carousel with product cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate.
Related Accessories
Pig Hog Instrument Pedal Cable, with Right Angle to Right Angle Ends
$30.95Comes in 3 Sizes/Lengths
Mogami Gold Guitar/Instrument Cable
$69.95
- No Credit Check4 payments of$17.49/mo
Comes in 5 Sizes/Lengths-
This is a carousel with product cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate.
Related Accessories
-
-
-
-
Pig Hog Instrument Pedal Cable, with Right Angle to Right Angle Ends
$30.95Comes in 3 Sizes/Lengths -
-
Mogami Gold Guitar/Instrument Cable
$69.95
- No Credit Check4 payments of$17.49/mo
Comes in 5 Sizes/Lengths -
This is a carousel with product cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate.
People who bought this item also bought
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb Acoustic Guitar Strings
$21.99Comes in 5 String Gauges, 5 Mfg Models
Gibson SJ-200 Standard Maple Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)
$5,799.00
- Interest-Free Payment Plans
Comes in 3 Colors, 2 Pickup / Electronics Options, 2 Styles-
Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar (with Soft Case)
$1,599.00
- 12 payments of$133.25/mo
Comes in 6 Colors-
Gibson Les Paul Modern Figured AAA Electric Guitar (with Case)
$2,999.00
- 12 payments of$249.92/mo
Comes in 3 Colors-
Line 6 Helix LT Amp and Effects Processor
$1,199.98
- 12 payments of$83.33/mo
- No Credit Check6 payments of$166.66/mo
Comes in 2 Case/Bag Options-
Gibson Les Paul Custom 70s Electric Guitar (with Case)
$3,999.00
- 12 payments of$333.25/mo
Comes in 4 Colors-
Items You Recently Viewed
Gibson J-185 Original Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)
$3,999.00
- 12 payments of$333.25/mo
Comes in 2 Styles-
Please wait.