Gibson Acoustic J-185 Century 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar - Vintage Amber

While the J-185 has long been a "best-kept secret" among knowledgeable acoustic players, this fresh 12-fret interpretation takes its performance to an entirely new level. Slightly more compact than a traditional SJ-200, the J-185 jumbo body pairs a solid Sitka spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides.

The defining feature of this model is its 12-fret neck-to-body joint, secured with traditional hot hide glue via a compound dovetail. This design shortens the scale feel and repositions the bridge plate closer to the widest part of the guitar's lower bout. The result is dramatically increased top movement, producing a warm, lively, and articulate tone that excels at fingerstyle playing while retaining plenty of reserve power for flatpicking.

Finished in a gorgeous, hand-sprayed Vintage Amber satin nitrocellulose lacquer that lets the wood breathe and resonate freely, it is dressed in understated vintage appointments—including an early-1900s Gibson script logo, Golden Age strap tuners, and a sloped rectangle rosewood bridge. Comes complete with a premium Century Collection tweed hardshell case.

Technical Specifications

• Body Shape: J-185 Jumbo (12-Fret)

• Top Material: Solid Sitka Spruce

• Back & Sides Material: Solid Mahogany

• Bracing: Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing

• Body Finish: Thin Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer

• Binding: Single-ply Cream (Top and Back)

• Neck Material: Mahogany

• Neck Profile: SlimTaper™ 12-Fret

• Neck Joint: Compound Dovetail Neck-to-Body Joint, secured with Hot Hide Glue

• Scale Length: 24.75" / 628.65mm

• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood

• Fingerboard Radius: 12"

• Number of Frets: 19

• Fret Type: Standard

• Nut Material: Bone

• Nut Width: 1.725" / 43.81mm

• Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Dots

• Headstock Logo: Early-1900s Gibson Script Logo Decal

• Hardware Finish: Nickel

• Bridge: Sloped Rectangle Closed-Slot (Rosewood)

• Saddle Material: Bone

• Bridge Pins: TUSQ®

• Tuning Machines: Open-Back Golden Age Strap Tuners with Cream Buttons

• Pickguard: Oval Teardrop

• Color / Finish: Vintage Amber

• Case: Century Collection Premium Tweed Hardshell Case