1956 Gibson J-185 Sunburst w/ Original Hard Case

SN: A-23633. Friends, the J-185 appeared in the Gibson catalog only a few years despite being one of Gibson’s best designs and best made guitars in the 1950s. It is a deep body, narrow-waist, versatile 16” jumbo with maple back and sides, Sitka spruce top and unique and interesting cosmetic appointments. The size of a dreadnought, the narrow waist makes it feel like an OM in the lap. It's as deep as a J-200 giving it wonderful volume and sustain. Fewer than 1,000 were made between 1951 and. In its day, it found fans among a wide variety of musicians – from country to country blues – and is sought after today by Gibson aficionados and connoisseurs.
This one, from 1956, is one of 65 sunbursts made that year. It’s in excellent condition overall. The only blemishes are two repaired and deep case bites that have been filled and touched up. They’re on the edge of the sunburst and not as noticeable as they might otherwise be. The two piece back is lightly figured maple finished in sunburst. The maple sides are also shaded. The Sitka top back and sides are crack-free. There is light checking throughout. All appointments – Maltese cross, parallelogram inlays, flowerpot headstock inlay – are intact and original. The guitar has never had a neck reset. The action is low, as is the saddle. The bridge has been very slightly lowered but there’s good break over the saddle and no need to replace the bridge. If anything, the saddle could get a little taller. It plays very smoothly up and down the neck.
Inside the sound chamber all looks clean and original although the bridge bolts have been removed (a fairly common adjustment to improve the tone). The X-brace and two tone bars are not scalloped but very short and delicate allowing the top to vibrate freely. It produces a wonderful balanced tone. It has good volume without the hollowed out tone of the J-200 and the maple gives it more cut than the J-45. The neck is very comfortable to play – 1-11/16ths at the nut with some heft to it. It’s a bit like the Les Paul neck from the period. String spacing is 2-5/16s at the bridge. It’s a versatile guitar that’s comfortable with jazz, country, or rock and roll. Oh yeah, the case. It comes in an original brown Gibby case with the pink lining also in excellent condition. Wow.