Avionics Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 Brought this guitar about 12 years ago. I cannot find anything in the catalog of J185’s The closest I see is a Harley Davidson model or the Billy Jo Armstrong model I sent an inquiry to Gibson asking if it was a special order or a 1 off. Ebony J185 double pickguards Serial # 02077026 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 10 minutes ago, Avionics said: Brought this guitar about 12 years ago. I cannot find anything in the catalog of J185’s The closest I see is a Harley Davidson model or the Billy Jo Armstrong model I sent an inquiry to Gibson asking if it was a special order or a 1 off. Ebony J185 double pickguards Serial # 02077026 A guy on this forum named Leonard McCoy is pretty knowlegable about these I think. Message him, or just wait and he will probably chime in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted June 2, 2022 Share Posted June 2, 2022 Nice looking guitar! The Harley Davidson was a J-180 and had an engraved pick guard and special fret makers. I think they were made in 1994. I like yours better! Is there a Custom sticker on the back of the neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard McCoy Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 (edited) Not to be confused with the J-180 model, Gibson's J-185 was also built in ebony, probably in very small batches in order not to clash with the J-180, though I have never seen it with double pickguards, but these could have been added later on. Despite the US production sticker on them, they were actually custom-built guitars with custom features delivered to only very select Gibson Acoustic Dealers and directly shipped out of Bozeman, Montana from Gibson. (They called the program "Gibson Montana Direct".) Going by the serial number yours seems to be a 2007 model. More pictures always help. Gibson can probably provide more information. Edited June 4, 2022 by Leonard McCoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avionics Posted June 5, 2022 Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 (edited) Thx Leonard I did contact Gibson asking for some help. purchased from a collector that was purging all his equipment. Paid 1k 12 yrs ago. No custom sticker on back of neck It has sat in case for the past 3 years. Just restrung and it sounds amazing. what I do remember is that amplified it kicked ***. Edited June 5, 2022 by Avionics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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