GIBSON J185 AN 1998 - ANTIQUE NATURAL

OVERVIEW

Up for sale is a rare piece of Gibson Bozeman Custom Shop history: a 1998 Gibson J-185 AN (Antique Natural). Built during the Golden Era of Bozeman acoustic manufacturing, this guitar was created as part of an exclusive Limited Run of only 100 instruments.

This specific instrument (#34 of 100) features an interior soundhole label hand-signed by legendary Master Luthier Ren Ferguson, who revitalized Gibson's acoustic department in Montana.

PROVENANCE & HISTORY

• Direct Luthier Acquisition: Purchased in 1998 directly from Gibson luthier Roger Fritz.
• Artist Pedigree: Owned and played for over 25 years by Danny Tate (acclaimed singer-songwriter and former Virgin Records recording artist)
• Custom Electronics: The active Fishman pickup system—complete with upper-bout Volume and Tone control knobs—was hand-installed by Roger Fritz during his tenure with Gibson.

SPECIFICATIONS & DETAILS

• Model: Gibson J-185 AN (Antique Natural)
• Year: 1998 (Serial Number: 90518742 cleanly stamped on back of headstock)
• Origin: Handmade in Bozeman, Montana, USA
• Edition: Custom Shop Limited Edition (#34 of 100), hand-signed on label by Ren Ferguson
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Back & Sides: Premium Flame Maple
• Neck: Mahogany with Rosewood Fingerboard and Mother-of-Pearl Parallelogram Inlays
• Bridge: Rosewood with iconic Mother-of-Pearl Maltese Cross Inlays
• Tuners: Original Chrome Grover Rotomatic Tuning Machines
• Case: Original Gibson USA Tan/Brown Hardshell Case with Pink Plush Lining

PLEASE READ: CONDITION & AS-IS SALE DISCLOSURES

This instrument is offered in As-Is / Player's Grade condition (Condition rating: Fair per Reverb standards due to the seam line), and the asking price has been significantly discounted to reflect recent top wear:

1. Top Center-Seam Separation: There is a clean, un-cleated center-seam glue joint separation running along the grain from the bridge down to the endpin (clearly shown in detail photos). It is a clean separation along the factory seam line rather than a diagonal cross-grain crack.
2. Lower Edge Wear: Flaking finish and localized wood wear along the bottom binding edge (pictured)
3. Finish & Crazing: Heavy, authentic vintage nitrocellulose finish checking present across the top and headstock overlay, as expected on a 25+ year old Bozeman build.
4. Soundhole Label: The serial number field on the interior label was smudged prior to my original acquisition from Roger Fritz (the serial number 90518742 is cleanly stamped on the back of the headstock).
5. Modifications: Fishman pickup system with side-mounted volume/tone knobs installed by Roger Fritz, plus an added strap button at the neck heel.
6. Case: The original Gibson USA brown/pink hardshell case shows cosmetic exterior wear from road use, but remains 100% rock-solid with all latches fully functional.

The neck is straight, the playability is smooth, and the electronics function as they should. The price reflects these cosmetic/structural items so the buyer can decide whether to cleat/re-glue the center seam or enjoy it as a gigging player's guitar. Please review all photos thoroughly prior to submitting an offer