Gibson J-185 Custom Shop Red Spruce Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (2015), made in Bozeman, Montana, serial # 12015066, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back and sides, Adirondack red spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

This is a lovely moder Bozeman Custom Shop edition of the sunburst Gibson J-185, about the nicest modern iteration of this highly respected flat top we have had. To some players for certain styles this unique 16" wide, narrow waisted maple Jumbo is simply one of the best flat tops Gibson ever made. The original version was only in production only from 1951-'58 but the model has garnered a splendid reputation over the decades since.

The J-185 represents a handier and less overtly flashy alternative to the top-of-the-line Jumbo "King of the Flat-tops" SJ-200. The smaller 16" body retains the same narrow-waisted shape and materials but construction resulting in a handier, more responsive guitar. This rendition is mostly faithful to the 1950s originals with a subtly flamed maple back (the lower half, at least) and straight-grained Red Spruce top under a shaded sunburst finish. This more highly desired top wood was specific to this limited edition at the time. The top and back are triple-bound with a traditional tortoise pattern pickguard. A unique feature of the J-185 is pearl Maltese crosses inlaid on the wings of the "belly-up" rosewood bridge, an attractive if eccentric cosmetic touch reserved for this model alone.

The round-profile one-piece mahogany neck is topped with a bound rosewood fingerboard sporting Gibson's classic double parallelogram inlay. The unbound headstock has a crown inlay on the face and mounts Grover Rotomatic tuners, the one notable alteration from the 1950s template. This is a fine playing, powerful sounding guitar and a very nice example of the best of Gibson's modern acoustic offerings.

Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 11/16 in. (11.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

This is a very clean guitar showing some light handling marks overall but little actual play wear. It remains all original as built in Bozeman 10 years ago except for the addition of an under-saddle pickup with tiny tone and volume controls under the upper soundhole rim, an endpin jack and battery box on the heelblock. This is an excellent player with a big sound that will warm up as it is played in more, which this guitar appears to be still waiting for! It comes complete in the original Gibson Bozeman HSC with the custom Shop COA and a passel of paperwork. Overall Excellent + Condition.