acme97 Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Hi, I obtained a Gibson J185 quilted maple (2015), but it has not knocked me out. Or it's just not speaking to ME...you know. I tried a couple different types of strings, but by that time I feel we're parting company. Too much work. It's not easy to find one of these with Rosewood. Any recommendations? I've looked at the J165 but don't like the 15" body. My dread does that work already. Anything else in that size with rosewood I'm not aware of? I like used, of course, if I can. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 What were you hoping to find in the J 185? JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acme97 Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 What were you hoping to find in the J 185? JC Rosewood back and sides. Maybe the all maple just doesn't give me enough low, bottom, thump, rumble...those things. In a "big" body guitar I have a Guild F50R that does all that for me. But for gigs I want something just a little smaller, no cutaway. I don't need one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Rosewood back and sides. Maybe the all maple just doesn't give me enough low, bottom, thump, rumble...those things. In a "big" body guitar I have a Guild F50R that does all that for me. But for gigs I want something just a little smaller, no cutaway. I don't need one. If you were hoping to get the rosewood sound from a maple guitar ... that's a stretch and it's not going to happen. The rosewood Gibson you might seek is an Advanced Jumbo it comes with a 25.5 scale it's either that or a Songwriter Deluxe ehich is also rosewood JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acme97 Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 If you were hoping to get the rosewood sound from a maple guitar ... that's a stretch and it's not going to happen. The rosewood Gibson you might seek is an Advanced Jumbo it comes with a 25.5 scale it's either that or a Songwriter Deluxe ehich is also rosewood JC Yes I know that...but every guitar has its charm and I, at least, did not find this 185's charm. Well...I mean it plays great, the neck feels great. I'm not looking for a dread...I found a hummingbird pro a few years ago that fell into my hands off a guitar wall and never came out. And that was rare since I almost never buy new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 How about something from the newest line? Rosewood Parlor AG JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 I think you’re looking for a Martin OM28, that sounds exactly in your wheelhouse-I’m not sure there’s a Gibson that would fit the bill, I’ve played a couple of RW J185s which were nice but they’re very uncommon things. Personally I think Gibson do Maple and Mahogany spectacularly well, but Rosewood less so (with the exception of the AJ, but as you mentioned it’s a Dread which isn't what you’re after). I’ve known a few players who swear by J185s and a few who don’t connect with them at all. It seems they’re not a guitar that people sit on the fence about! I have a J180 (basically a red J185 with the Everly double pickguards) and I love it-super balanced and smooth, no dominant tonality in its character so it doesn’t immediately make the player leap out of the chair, but it gets the job DONE on all levels and records beautifully with no EQing required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acme97 Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 How about something from the newest line? Rosewood Parlor AG JC I did see that, thank you...but I'm looking for that "just below" J200 size. I've seen rosewood J185s come up now and then...but it's infrequent. I appreciate the suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acme97 Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 I think you’re looking for a Martin OM28, that sounds exactly in your wheelhouse-I’m not sure there’s a Gibson that would fit the bill, I’ve played a couple of RW J185s which were nice but they’re very uncommon things. Personally I think Gibson do Maple and Mahogany spectacularly well, but Rosewood less so (with the exception of the AJ, but as you mentioned it’s a Dread which isn't what you’re after). I’ve known a few players who swear by J185s and a few who don’t connect with them at all. It seems they’re not a guitar that people sit on the fence about! I have a J180 (basically a red J185 with the Everly double pickguards) and I love it-super balanced and smooth, no dominant tonality in its character so it doesn’t immediately make the player leap out of the chair, but it gets the job DONE on all levels and records beautifully with no EQing required. Interesting thoughts on Gibson and rosewood. My friend has a Songwriter...that's rosewood and that one sounds really good. Got better with age for sure, really opened up nicely. I have considered this J185 has not yet opened up. But, not expecting it to open up to something it is not. My feeling is the guitar was played very little, if at all. No wear on it. And I am no stranger to the Martin OM by any means! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriv58 Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 just what the doctor ordered... https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507287 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Of the RW Gibson's the Stage Deluxe and NL are my favorite. They're comparable to my favorite Martins. Here's a list of RW's I have. P.S. I like RW Gibson Stage Deluxe Honky Tonk Deuce CJ-165 '34 Jumbo Nck Lucas J200 Martin HD28 BRZ D28EP HD40MS D41Special OMCPA1 Plus Taylor 814CE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriv58 Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 also the gibson j45 rosewood custom- outside of gibson perhaps a martin jumbo or the waterloo wl-jk deluxe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 also the gibson j45 rosewood custom- outside of gibson perhaps a martin jumbo or the waterloo wl-jk deluxe The OP is clear he doesn't want a rosewood dread or anything but a 16" jumbo in rosewood Contact a Gibson Dealer and custom order a J 185 in rosewood. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriv58 Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 well spank my *** with a 16" rosewood paddle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 well spank my *** with a 16" rosewood paddle S, 😂😂😂 No!!!!! The man wants what he wants and we have to to respect that. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlwwalker Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Take a look at the Gibson L-4A EC Rosewood. I own one and love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acme97 Posted May 29, 2018 Author Share Posted May 29, 2018 You folks...such a playful group... Thanks for all your suggestions. I appreciate the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acme97 Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 The OP is clear he doesn't want a rosewood dread or anything but a 16" jumbo in rosewood Contact a Gibson Dealer and custom order a J 185 in rosewood. JC Unlike Mart...well, those other guys, I do not see in a search how to custom quote/order a Boseman Gibson acoustic. I cannot imagine that being anywhere near working man's wages anyway, even to get a 185 size non-cutaway with hog sides/back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 Unlike Mart...well, those other guys, I do not see in a search how to custom quote/order a Boseman Gibson acoustic. I cannot imagine that being anywhere near working man's wages anyway, even to get a 185 size non-cutaway with hog sides/back. Call Music Villa in Bozeman ... they might be able to help As they are a very short distance from the Gibson Acoustic Factory And at the very least could get you a quote JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 From 1999 through at least 2001, there was a WM-180 (Working Man series). It featured a non-cutaway J-185 body, mahogany back & sides, morado fretboard, morado belly-down bridge, dot fretboard inlays, and a tortoise J-185 pickguard. They are quite rare & I've only seen a few, but it does exist! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 Bobz OP wants Rosewood. Acme - it's called the Made 2 Measure (M2M) program. Contact your nearest Gibson 5 Star Dealer. One member (Dr. McCoy) here reported the pricing is reasonable. Of course, it'll be a lot more than a Used guitar. But, the advantages outweigh the cost when have specs that are a little outside of the bell curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 My first J-185 was a 1995 model, bought from Elderly, and it was a J-185 in rosewood. It was a nice player but not -- in my opinion -- particularly that great-sounding. "Good", yes, but not really taking advantage of the 'bigger' deeper sound that you would like to associate with a rosewood jumbo. Later, I got a J-2000, which is a 16" venetian cutaway jumbo model. Much more rosewoody, to my ears. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Bobz OP wants Rosewood. Yes, but in post #18, he appears to be opening the door to the thought of mahogany. Therefore, it seemed like the WM-180 would be worth mentioning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Rondack Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Gibson J-45 Rosewood... one of the older ones before the "custom" days. Same short scale... super sweet sound. I don't think you would regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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