Gibson J-185 Century 12-Fret Ebony

Gibson J-185 Century 12-Fret Ebony – Jumbo acoustic guitar with a warm and resonant tone

The Gibson J-185 Century 12-Fret is a modern interpretation of a classic 1951 model. With its unique 12-fret neck and jumbo body, it delivers a warm, rich, and responsive tone - particularly appreciated by fingerstyle players and those with a light touch.

The shorter neck joint at the 12th fret moves the bridge closer to the widest point of the body, providing improved resonance, increased comfort, and a more dynamic sound.

Key Features

• Mahogany body
• Solid Sitka spruce top
• Mahogany neck with SlimTaper profile
• 12th-fret neck joint (dovetail, glued with hot hide glue)
• Rosewood fingerboard with 19 frets
• Mother-of-pearl inlays (dots)
• Scale length: 628.7 mm / 24.75"
• Fingerboard radius: 304.8 mm / 12"
• Rosewood bridge (rectangular design)
• Bone nut and bridge pins
• TUSQ® bridge pins
• Open-back tuning machines with cream knobs
• Teardrop-shaped pickguard (tortoiseshell)
• Binding: single-ply on top and back
• Finish: thin satin nitrocellulose lacquer

Design and Construction

The guitar features a classic J-185 body based on Gibson’s 1920s L-5 design. The combination of mahogany and Sitka spruce delivers a balanced tone with clear projection. The shorter scale length contributes to a softer playing feel and a distinct character.

Vintage-inspired details

• Headstock featuring an early 20th-century-style Gibson script logo
• Slotted rosewood bridge inspired by early J-45 models
• Open-back Golden Age tuning machines

Included

• Premium tweed hardcase from the Century Collection

Additional Information

• Available for both right- and left-handed players
• Strings: .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053

An exclusive and relatively rare model that combines classic Gibson design with improved playability and tone.