Gibson J-185 Original Electro Acoustic Guitar with Baggs HiFi DNA in Vintage Sunburst

The Gibson J-185 Original Electro Acoustic in Vintage Sunburst pairs one of Gibson’s most beloved jumbo designs with the cutting-edge Baggs HiFi DNA pickup system. Handcrafted from Sitka spruce and flame maple, it delivers a rich, balanced acoustic voice with impressive projection, while the minimally invasive electronics provide a remarkably natural amplified sound that captures every nuance of your playing.

Designed as a slightly more compact sibling to the SJ-200, the J-185 has long been prized for its comfort and versatility. The 24.75 inch scale SlimTaper neck, responsive jumbo body and refined appointments make it equally at home on stage, in the studio or on the sofa. Whether you are fingerpicking intricate parts, strumming big open chords or playing melodic single-note lines, this is a guitar that feels inspiring under the fingers and sounds effortlessly musical in any setting.

Classic J-185 Jumbo Power and Balance

The J-185 body shape offers the warmth, depth and power you expect from a jumbo, but in a slightly more compact and comfortable format. Scalloped X-bracing under the solid Sitka spruce top gives you a wide dynamic range and excellent note definition, so delicate passages remain clear while heavy strumming stays controlled and musical. The result is a beautifully balanced voice that responds evenly across the entire fretboard.

Flame Maple Back and Sides

Flame maple back and sides combine striking visual appeal with superb clarity and projection. The natural focus of maple keeps the low end tight and articulate, adds sparkle to the highs and helps your playing cut through a mix without ever sounding harsh. Multi-ply binding on the top and back frames the Vintage Sunburst finish with a refined, classic Gibson look.

Comfortable SlimTaper Neck and Rosewood Fretboard

The 24.75 inch scale mahogany neck features Gibson’s SlimTaper profile, offering a fast, comfortable feel that suits a wide range of playing styles. A bound rosewood fretboard with a 12 inch radius and 20 standard frets makes both chords and lead lines feel effortless, while mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays add a touch of vintage elegance. A bone nut enhances sustain and clarity at the open strings.

Baggs HiFi DNA Pickup System

Gibson’s exclusive Baggs HiFi DNA system delivers an exceptionally natural amplified tone. Two lightweight, flexible sensors are mounted to the bridge plate, each with its own dedicated preamp and EQ, minimising interaction and preserving the guitar’s full dynamic range. The blended mono output faithfully reproduces the warmth, character and responsiveness of the acoustic sound, with gain-before-feedback performance comparable to traditional under-saddle systems. Discreet soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls let you fine-tune your sound quickly on stage without cluttering the guitar’s appearance.

• Iconic J-185 Jumbo Body - The slightly more compact jumbo design delivers a powerful, full-bodied voice with excellent balance across the strings, while remaining comfortable to hold and play for extended sessions.
• Sitka Spruce Top with Flame Maple Back and Sides - A solid Sitka spruce top provides a wide dynamic range and crisp articulation, while flame maple back and sides add projection, clarity and visual flair, making the guitar both a tonal and aesthetic standout.
• SlimTaper Neck with Rosewood Fretboard - The 24.75 inch scale mahogany neck and SlimTaper profile offer a fast, inviting feel, with a bound rosewood fretboard and mother-of-pearl parallelogram inlays ensuring smooth playability for chords, fingerstyle and lead work alike.
• Baggs HiFi DNA Pickup System - Dual bridge-plate sensors with dedicated preamps capture the guitar’s natural acoustic character with impressive realism, delivering a clear, dynamic amplified sound and reliable gain-before-feedback performance, all controlled via discreet soundhole-mounted volume and tone knobs.

Body

• Body Shape: J-185
• Top Material: Sitka spruce
• Back Material: Flame maple
• Sides Material: Flame maple
• Body Binding: Multi-ply top, multi-ply back
• Body Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
• Colour: Vintage Sunburst

Neck

• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: SlimTaper
• Scale Length: 24.75 in. / 628.7 mm
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 12 in.
• Number of Frets: 20
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.725 in. / 43.81 mm
• Inlays: Mother-of-pearl split parallelograms

Hardware

• Bridge: Belly-up bridge with mother-of-pearl cross inlays
• Bridge Material: Rosewood
• Saddle Material: Bone
• Bridge Pins: TUSQ
• Tuning Machines: Gotoh Keystone

Electronics

• Pickup System: Baggs HiFi DNA
• Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone (soundhole-mounted)

Case

• Case: Hardshell