Essential Information About the Gibson Custom Historic 1952 J-185 Guitar
- Thermally treated Sitka spruce top, flamed maple back and sides for clear projection and high definition.
- Hand-sculpted X-bracing and VOS nitrocellulose finish for a quick, lively, and organic response.
- ?Open slot? carved bridge adorned with a mother-of-pearl Maltese cross, the signature aesthetic of the J-185.
- Short 24.75" / 628 mm scale length offering a soft feel and remarkable playing comfort.
A 1950s Icon at the Heart of Gibson?s ?Small Jumbo? Line
Launched in 1951, the Gibson J-185 was designed as a more compact alternative to the majestic SJ-200, while retaining the spruce/maple recipe dear to the brand. This Custom Historic 1952 model revives the historical codes of the early 1950s version, from the open slot bridge to the multi-ply binding, in a rare high-end interpretation highly sought after by musicians and collectors.
Who Is It For, and What Styles?
With its comfortable ?small jumbo? size and short scale length, this J-185 suits
intermediate to expert guitarists seeking a responsive and precise acoustic. Perfect for
folk,
pop,
country,
fingerstyle, and vocal accompaniment, it shines both in the studio and on stage thanks to its controlled projection and note clarity.
Sound
The thermally treated Sitka spruce top immediately delivers a ?pre-opened guitar? feel: fast attack, rich harmonics, and natural sustain. The flamed maple back and sides add precision, controlled lows, and bright highs for a balanced and articulated spectrum. The
hand-sculpted X-bracing maximizes projection without sacrificing dynamics, while the
bone nuts and
VOS nitro finish enhance vibration transmission and long sustain.
Recommended Compatible Accessories
To preserve and enhance the instrument: a
Gibson hard case in J-185 format for perfect protection,
12-53 phosphor bronze strings (original gauge) for balance and projection, a
capo for acoustic guitars suited to a 12" / 305 mm radius, a comfortable
leather strap, a
case humidifier to stabilize humidity, and a
stand compatible with nitrocellulose finishes.
Technical Specifications
Body
- Shape: J-185
- Top: Thermally treated Sitka spruce
- Back: Flamed maple
- Sides: Flamed maple
- Bracing: Hand-sculpted X-bracing, animal glue construction
- Binding: Multi-ply binding on top and back
- Finish: Thin nitrocellulose, aged VOS (Vintage Original Spec) finish
- Pickguard: J-185 model
Neck
- Material: Mahogany
- Profile: V
- Scale length: 24.75" / 628 mm
- Fingerboard material: Rosewood
- Fingerboard radius: 12" / 305 mm
- Number of frets: 20
- Frets: Standard
- Nut material: Bone
- Nut width: 1.725" / 43.8 mm
- Fingerboard inlays: Mother-of-pearl parallelograms
- Neck/body joint: Dovetail mortise and tenon, compound assembly
Electronics
- No electronic system (acoustic guitar without electronics)
Miscellaneous
- Serial number: 23253190
- Weight: 1900 g
- Bridge: ?Belly-up? type, rear string holes, open slot bridge with mother-of-pearl Maltese cross
- Saddle: Bone
- Bridge pins: Bone
- Tuners: Gotoh Keystone
- Tuner finish: Gold
- Truss rod cover: Black
- Strings: 0.053 ? 0.042 ? 0.032 ? 0.024 ? 0.016 ? 0.012
- Accessories: Delivered with a Gibson accessory kit
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