1953 Gibson J-185 Vintage Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst

Product Description

Here we have a very special vintage Gibson J-185 acoustic guitar! This one was built in Kalamazoo, MI in 1953 and has a wonderful sound.

Gibson began production of the J-185 in 1951 and the model was discontinued in 1958. It was a mid-priced instrument at the time and it proved to sell less quickly than other guitars in the line. Most folks opted for a less expensive model, or paid up for the larger, fancier J-200. This means the J-185 production totals are low for what is considered to be one of Gibson's finer sounding models.

This J-185 features a spruce top, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, and maple body. The back of this guitar has a stunning figured maple spread. It has a bound neck with parallel-o-gram inlays, 14 frets clear of the body and 19 frets total. It features a crown headstock inlay along with the iconic cross inlays on the belly bridge. It has individual gold plated Kluson tuners and a tortoise pickguard. It is a 16" wide guitar with a 24.75" scale and 1.6875" nut width. Internally it has tall scalloped braces, a maple bridge plate, and two tone bars. It has a Y factory order number and white label.

The guitar is in very good condition for its age. It has had a neck set and has been refretted. One back brace has been replaced with a later Gibson J-45 brace that was carved to match the original. The interior appears otherwise to be original, though some of the braces have been reglued which is common. There is one top crack on the treble side edge of the lower bout that has been glued. There is a small spot on the bass side upper bout that has old finish touchup, we assume to hide a topical paint blemish. Otherwise the finish is original. The saddle appears to be replaced, but the bridge itself is original. There is a strap button added to the neck heel. Five of the bridge pins look correct, and one appears to be from the era but has a slightly smaller head. The tuners, nut, truss rod cover, end pin, and guard all appear to be original.

The guitar sounds absolutely wonderful. The 16" maple body paired with mahogany neck is really an excellent combination. It's easier to play and push the air than a larger 17" guitar. The neck wood also seems to even out the tone just a touch. This J-185 has incredible clarity with bass, midrange, and treble frequencies all present and evenly matched. It has quite colorful overtones and seemingly endless sustain.

The guitar weighs 4lbs 1oz. The neck measures .910 to .980 at the 1st and 9th. It's a familiar vintage '50s profile, not dissimilar to a Les Paul down low, but it fattens a touch as you approach the neck heel. It plays well in all positions and reaches volume effortlessly. It's easy to sit with and hold at its size. All of the necessary work has been performed so the guitar functions correctly and should continue to do so for many years to come.

Ships in a period silver speckle hardshell case that appears to have been paired with this guitar for decades, possibly since new. The case has a number of airline ticket tags attached to the handle, proving this to be a well-traveled and well-loved instrument.

1953 Gibson J-185 Specs

• Adirondack Spruce Top
• Maple Sides
• Highly Figured Maple Back
• Rosewood Fretboard
• Mahogany Neck
• 14 Frets Clear Of The Body
• 19 Frets Total
• Parallel-o-gram Inlays
• Narrow Vintage Fret Wire
• Crown Headstock Inlay
• Pearl Inlaid Gibson Logo
• Back Of Headstock Stinger
• Gold Plated Individual Kluson Tuners
• Single Ply Bound Neck
• Multi Ply Top & Back Body Binding
• Tortoise Pickguard
• Belly Bridge w/ Belly Facing Neck
• Dual Maltese Cross Bridge Inlays
• 16" Wide Body
• 24.75" Scale Length
• 1.6875" Nut Width
• 12" Radius
• Sunburst Lacquer Finish
• X-Braced Top
• Tall Scalloped Braces
• Two Tone Bars
• Figured Maple Bridge Plate

Product Details