J-1854Me Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Howdy folks! While on vacation touring, we stopped by the Gibson acoustic factory in Bozeman this week. During a brief visit at the plant, I was shown an interesting guitar that's just coming through and on its way to a few five-star dealers. Being as it's 60 years since the introduction of the venerable J-185 in 1951, the folks at Gibson decided to build a commemorative model to celebrate. Now, purists (like me) are likely to grouse a bit, since this guitar takes a few design cues that are distinct from the "historic" J-185 of the 1950s, but they have come up with an interesting mix of features and design elements that are likely to draw some positive reviews. I do not have all the details, but what I remember being told about this guitar are: -- Red spruce top -- Quilted maple back and sides -- 24.75" scale -- nice looking Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge -- Maltese cross inlays -- plastic "tulip" tuners -- backstrip marquetry (a beautiful green inlay strip, not like the J-200 or 200Jr) -- LR Baggs pickup installed, so ready to plug n play (a nice add-on for folks like me) -- mahogany neck In homage to the number of years since the model was first introduced, they are making a grand total of 60 of these guitars. 30 in natural and 30 in vintage sunburst. I got to play one of each, and they were both very nice. The red spruce top may contribute to that "already sounds good" sound, so they should sound real nice once they get played in after ten years! I am sorry, but I did not have a camera with me, or I would have photos to post here too -- my bad!! As mentioned earlier, apparently these are only going to 5-star dealers. Fred ("Make mine sunburst") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 . An interesting scoop - I hadn't heard a thing about it. Thanks Fred. B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchabalk Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 cool! did it have a big "60th," or something like that on the headstock by chance? Wasn't it the recent commemorative hummingbird that had that? I didn't dig it, otherwise seemed like an awesome guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 cool! did it have a big "60th," or something like that on the headstock by chance? Wasn't it the recent commemorative hummingbird that had that? I didn't dig it, otherwise seemed like an awesome guitar It has a "60th Anniversary" truss rod cover, IIRC. So, yeah; similar to the 50th Anniversary Hummingbird of last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maow Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Wow 60th anniversary of J185. I got one of J185 (2011). The tone and the way it looks is very impress. I love this model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dotneck Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Howdy folks! While on vacation touring, we stopped by the Gibson acoustic factory in Bozeman this week...I do not have all the details, but what I remember being told about this guitar are: -- Red spruce top -- Quilted maple back and sides -- Hi Fred...What did the mahogany look like? Was it spectacular or just "meh" Wow 60th anniversary of J185. I got one of J185 (2011). The tone and the way it looks is very impress. I love this model. Is yours the one Fred was speaking of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 Hi Fred...What did the mahogany look like? Was it spectacular or just "meh" Gary, I assume you meant "maple" rather than "mahogany"...? If so, then it (the maple) was nicer than 'meh', but not the "porno-quilt maple" that you sometimes see. Admittedly, the natural finished one had the nicer quilt when compared with the VS one. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycoen Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Howdy folks! While on vacation touring, we stopped by the Gibson acoustic factory in Bozeman this week. During a brief visit at the plant, I was shown an interesting guitar that's just coming through and on its way to a few five-star dealers. Being as it's 60 years since the introduction of the venerable J-185 in 1951, the folks at Gibson decided to build a commemorative model to celebrate. Now, purists (like me) are likely to grouse a bit, since this guitar takes a few design cues that are distinct from the "historic" J-185 of the 1950s, but they have come up with an interesting mix of features and design elements that are likely to draw some positive reviews. I do not have all the details, but what I remember being told about this guitar are: -- Red spruce top -- Quilted maple back and sides -- 24.75" scale -- nice looking Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge -- Maltese cross inlays -- plastic "tulip" tuners -- backstrip marquetry (a beautiful green inlay strip, not like the J-200 or 200Jr) -- LR Baggs pickup installed, so ready to plug n play (a nice add-on for folks like me) -- mahogany neck In homage to the number of years since the model was first introduced, they are making a grand total of 60 of these guitars. 30 in natural and 30 in vintage sunburst. I got to play one of each, and they were both very nice. The red spruce top may contribute to that "already sounds good" sound, so they should sound real nice once they get played in after ten years! I am sorry, but I did not have a camera with me, or I would have photos to post here too -- my bad!! As mentioned earlier, apparently these are only going to 5-star dealers. Fred ("Make mine sunburst") I'm satisfied to think to myself that any 2011 J-185 is a 60th anniversary instrument. I would like to hear the 1951 and 2011 played side-by-side sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maow Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Hi Fred...What did the mahogany look like? Was it spectacular or just "meh" Is yours the one Fred was speaking of? Mine is just a 2011 standard J185. It is spruce/flame maple and I love in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson FreQ Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Hi Gibson heads, I have a 1953 J 185 and I signed up here to try and sell it but I have to have 10 posts to add a post in the sales section so I'm posting on some threads hoping to get some leads on valuation. You dont know anything about valuing Gibson acoustics do you? Many thanks! darin ps Email me on revinc@gmail.com if you are interested and I can send photo's/serials etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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