Gibson Custom 1952 J-185 Reissue, Vintage Sunburst - 2026
Introduced in 1951, the original J-185 was designed to offer the punch, clarity, and projection of Gibson’s famed Super Jumbo in a slightly more comfortable, 16-inch body profile. The Gibson Custom Shop Historic Collection 1952 J-185 Reissue brings that rare Golden Era archetype back to life with absolute historical accuracy and modern vintage-fidelity techniques.
Key Highlights
Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce Top: Subjected to Gibson’s torrefaction process to mimic the acoustic cell-structure and seasoned resonance of a 70-year-old top.
Flame Maple Back & Sides: Delivers exceptional note definition, fast attack, and balanced clear highs without mid-range clutter.
Hot Hide Glue Construction: Period-correct hide glue utilized across the bracing and dovetail neck joint for seamless acoustic transfer.
Signature Appointments: Features the iconic Mother-of-Pearl split-parallelogram fingerboard inlays and double Maltese Cross bridge motifs.
VOS Finish Treatment: Hand-applied Vintage Original Spec nitrocellulose lacquer aged to a muted, satin-like warm vintage patina.
Detailed Specifications
Body & Construction
Feature | Specification |
Body Shape | J-185 (16" Lower Bout) |
Top Wood | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
Back & Sides Wood | Solid Flame Maple |
Bracing | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing (Hide Glue) |
Binding | Multi-Ply Top and Back |
Finish | Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer (VOS) |
Neck & Fretboard
Feature | Specification |
Neck Wood | Mahogany |
Neck Profile | Vintage V |
Scale Length | 24.75" |
Fingerboard Material | Rosewood |
Fingerboard Radius | 12" |
Frets | 20 |
Nut Material / Width | Bone / 1.725" (43.8 mm) |
Fretboard Inlays | Mother-of-Pearl Split Parallelograms |
Neck Joint | Compound Dovetail (Hot Hide Glue) |
Hardware & Electronics
Feature | Specification |
Bridge | Rosewood Belly-Up with MOP Maltese Crosses |
Saddle & Pins | Bone |
Tuning Machines | Gotoh Keystone (Gold) |
Pickguard | J-185 Tortoise |
Electronics | Pure Acoustic (None) |