hojo199 Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 Hi All, I just purchased one of these on Reverb and am awaiting its arrival. I already own a J45 Historic Collection that I bought new in 2006. There were a limited number of those made (500 I think). Does anyone know the details of the J185 Historic Collection? How many made? When were they produced? Anything else like that? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoSoxBiker Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 An early congratulations, then! Looking forward to the pics and your thoughts on it. I'm not sure if they ever released a number-to-be-made on the Historic Collection. I know they did with the Artist Series' Love Dove because I almost missed out. Two new ones plus a demo left online when I ordered mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwlsky Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 The J-185 Historic seems to have had a production run in 2005. They may have also been produced later, but I don't know. If it is from 2005, you may be in for a treat as I have read that maple takes a while to break in. If yours has been well played for all this time, it may be closer to its full potential. I purchased a 2015 J-185. It was in good condition, but the case was really travel worn. So I assume it's been played a lot. It's tone has a warm, bassy growl, and overall very, very clear. It has the perfect amount of that maple "Brightness", which I very much like. Not at all like I have read that many maple guitars are sonically. Hopefully you will have bypassed the break in period on your new purchase and get to enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hojo199 Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 21 hours ago, Kwlsky said: The J-185 Historic seems to have had a production run in 2005. They may have also been produced later, but I don't know. If it is from 2005, you may be in for a treat as I have read that maple takes a while to break in. If yours has been well played for all this time, it may be closer to its full potential. I purchased a 2015 J-185. It was in good condition, but the case was really travel worn. So I assume it's been played a lot. It's tone has a warm, bassy growl, and overall very, very clear. It has the perfect amount of that maple "Brightness", which I very much like. Not at all like I have read that many maple guitars are sonically. Hopefully you will have bypassed the break in period on your new purchase and get to enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor. Yeah it's a 2005. Interesting what you said about the break in period. I bought a Historic J45 new in 2006 and it took ten years to open up all the way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwlsky Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 23 hours ago, hojo199 said: Yeah it's a 2005. Interesting what you said about the break in period. I bought a Historic J45 new in 2006 and it took ten years to open up all the way.... Let us know how your J-185 sounds for you. I would love to hear your thoughts on where it falls between bright and brittle, and warm and clear. From what I've read, that seems to be the spectrum range for maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoSoxBiker Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 Could also be factors of Sitka vs Adirondack spruce tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwlsky Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 4 hours ago, BoSoxBiker said: Could also be factors of Sitka vs Adirondack spruce tops. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 Congrats on the incoming J-185. the 185 really is in the category of Gibson acoustics that everyone should have the experience of spending some time with. Sweet? ✔️. Bass note clarity? ✔️ . Projection? ✔️ . All of the above, with the Gibson Jumbo shape that rewards with comfort and balanced sound. When your ear is ready, it's ready to rock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hojo199 Posted November 13, 2021 Author Share Posted November 13, 2021 On 11/11/2021 at 10:26 AM, Kwlsky said: Let us know how your J-185 sounds for you. I would love to hear your thoughts on where it falls between bright and brittle, and warm and clear. From what I've read, that seems to be the spectrum range for maple. Not brittle at all. The brightness is just pure transient attack, and it is DEEP.... I just love this guitar already. Totally opened up too. No stiffness anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomPhx Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 Big congrats on your new 185! Hope it gives you years of playing pleasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwlsky Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 On 11/13/2021 at 10:41 AM, hojo199 said: Not brittle at all. The brightness is just pure transient attack, and it is DEEP.... I just love this guitar already. Totally opened up too. No stiffness anywhere That's fantastic to hear. I've only played a handful of maple acoustics, and the few I didn't like were all new. Maybe getting a used one is a safer bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hojo199 Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 On 11/15/2021 at 8:51 AM, Kwlsky said: That's fantastic to hear. I've only played a handful of maple acoustics, and the few I didn't like were all new. Maybe getting a used one is a safer bet. Yeah I don't like new guitars at all. I mean, the modern builds are so well designed, but there is nothing like knowing where a guitar has ended up rather than having to suffer through the thing moving around for ten years until you realize he guitar that left the factory has disappeared and some crappy thing is at your house.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombiewuff Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 I have both a J-185EC and a J-185 12 string that I bought new in the mid 2000s. Factory fresh, both had incredible, bright tones. They have gotten even better as they fully opened up. Congrats to the OP for the excellent score! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.