Gibson Custom Shop 1952 J-185 Acoustic Guitar - Antique Natural with Hardshell Case

-YOU ARE VIEWING PHOTOS OF THE ACTUAL GUITAR BEING SOLD!

This new Gibson will ship insured, fully setup, and inspected from our Rapid City, SD location.

Buy risk free with our 14 day - full refund, less shipping, return policy.  Check out our shop policies for more details. 

A blast from the past for the most discerning acoustic aficionados, the 1952 J-185 Custom Shop model delivers vintage tone, refined craftsmanship, and iconic aesthetics in a beautifully reimagined form. Introduced in 1951 and designed as a slightly scaled-down sibling to the SJ-200, the J-185 has long been favored by songwriters and performers for its balanced tonal spectrum and exquisite feel. This Custom Historic edition takes the legacy even further with premium appointments and an ultra-thin VOS nitrocellulose finish that enhances both tone and visual warmth.

At the heart of this stunning instrument is a thermally aged Sitka spruce top, paired with flame maple back and sides for rich, articulate tone with shimmering highs and solid low-end response. The hand-scalloped X-bracing and hide glue construction ensure authentic resonance and superior top movement. A mahogany neck with a comfortable “V” profile joins the body via a compound dovetail joint, topped with a rosewood fingerboard adorned with mother-of-pearl parallelogram inlays. Classic J-185 styling includes the signature Maltese cross bridge inlays, a J-185 pickguard, and bone bridge pins and saddle for optimal string vibration transfer.

This limited model includes a period-correct hardshell case and Gibson accessory kit, making it not only a player’s dream but also a collector’s treasure. Available now at Haggerty’s Music.

Features / Specs

Body

• Body Style: Jumbo
• Body Shape: J-185
• Top Wood: Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce
• Back & Sides Wood: Flame Maple
• Bracing: Traditional Hand Scalloped X-Bracing, with Hide Glue
• Binding: Multi-Ply Top, Multi-Ply Back
• Body Finish: Thin Finish Nitrocellulose, VOS

Neck

• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: V
• Neck Joint: Compound Dovetail Neck-to-Body
• Scale Length: 24.75" (628.65 mm)
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 12" (304.8 mm)
• Number of Frets: 20
• Frets: Standard
• Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Parallelograms
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.724" (43.81 mm)

Hardware

• Bridge: Belly-Up, Open Slot with Rear Holes
• Saddle Material: Bone
• Bridge Pins: Bone
• Tuning Machines: Gotoh Keystone
• Pickguard: J-185 Style
• Truss Rod Cover: Black

Miscellaneous

• Strings: 0.012, 0.016, 0.024, 0.032, 0.042, 0.053
• Color: Antique Natural
• Case: Period Correct Hardshell Case Included
• Accessories: Gibson Accessory Kit Included
• Country of Origin: USA