Singlecut J-185 for the Stage and Studio
Though eclipsed by Gibson's glitzier J-200 and the Everly Brothers-endorsed J-180 at the time of its release, the underdog J-185 has gained quite a following among acoustic players in the know — not only due to its comfortably scaled-down Gibson Jumbo body and clean, robust studio voicing, but also thanks to a little help from high-profile artists like Alan Parsons and Chris Carrabba. The spirit of the original J-185 lives on in Gibson's J-185 EC Modern Walnut — part of the Modern Acoustic line of guitars. The J-185 EC sees contemporized player comforts in the form of a lead-friendly Venetian cutaway and an Advanced Response neck profile. The body itself is hand built from dynamic Sitka spruce (top) and deeply figured walnut (back and sides). This pairing delivers a unique twist on the timeless J-185 tonal cocktail, with all with the room-filling projection these early Jumbos are hailed for. Though this classic is better known for its easy recordability in the studio, the Modern Acoustic J-185 EC Modern Walnut shines onstage thanks to its onboard LR Baggs Element electronics.
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Modernization of the classic J-185
Though it was originally marketed as a stripped-back alternative to Gibson's J-200, the J-185 found a following with session players in the know. The slightly reduced 16"-width lower bout (versus the J-200's 17" width) served to reduce unwanted bass boom while bringing the midrange slightly forward. As a result, these guitars have become legendary in a studio and broadcast setting. Today's Gibson J-185 EC Modern Walnut acoustic-electric brings this sleeper standard back into the modern player lexicon, with understated singer-songwriter appointments, that sleeker handbuilt single-cut Jumbo body, and onboard LR Baggs electronics for great plugged-in tone onstage.
Handbuilt spruce/walnut body
The magic behind the handbuilt Gibson J-185 EC Modern Walnut lies partly in the fusion of its solid Sitka spruce top and solid walnut back and sides. It's a departure from the classic J-185 formula, yes. But in our opinion, this historic tonewood pairing creates a response in the J-185 EC that is unique among the entire Gibson lineup.
Advanced Response mahogany neck
The J-185 EC Modern Walnut's mahogany neck sports Gibson's Advanced Response profile for greater comfort in the hand and playability unlike anything you'd find on a true vintage J-185. The 16"-radius genuine walnut fingerboard supplies rich Gibson tone and excellent touch dynamics for cowboy chordin' to lead work. As with all Gibson Modern Acoustics, the J-185 EC Modern Walnut arrives factory Plek'd to ensure uniform fret contour and placement, eliminating string buzz and delivering perfect playability.
Onboard LR Baggs Element electronics
The Gibson J-185 EC Modern Walnut comes outfitted with the LR Baggs Element pickup system. If you're looking for rich, warm, uncolored acoustic tone for plug-and-play gigging out, you'll find it in the Element system. A single unobtrusive soundhole-mounted wheel control delivers convenient plugged-in tone with the roll of a knob. Best of all, it does so without detracting from the natural beauty and tone of your guitar.
Gibson J-185 EC Modern Walnut Acoustic-electric Guitar Features:
- A sleek reimagining of the classic J-185
- Part of the Gibson Modern Acoustic lineup
- Comfortable single-cutaway body design
- Sitka spruce top + walnut back and sides serve up a wide tonal bouquet
- Advanced Response mahogany neck with 16"-radius walnut fingerboard feels great in the hand for leads to chordwork
- LR Baggs Element electronics with single soundhole volume control
- Traditional belly-up bridge gives this acoustic enhanced '50s vibe
- Traditional hand-scalloped advanced X-bracing maximizes resonance and response
- Plek'd fretting means day-one great playability
- Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners supply spot-on intonation