Gibson J-185 Century 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar with Hardshell Case - Vintage Amber (Left Handed)
Free Setup Included
In addition to the benefits of the Performance Warranty, we offer one complimentary setup with the purchase of a new or used guitar, to be redeemed at any Long & McQuade location within the initial free-warranty period (1-year on new, 90-days on used).
This Includes:
- Restring (Strings not included).
- Tighten and lubricate all hardware.
- Clean and test electronics.
- Replace battery if needed (Battery not included).
- Adjust or rehang loose wiring.
- Clean and condition the fingerboard.
- Fret polish to remove minor scratches, pits and corrosion.
- Cleaning of the entire instrument.
- Adjust truss-rod to correct neck relief.
- Adjust saddle radius to match fingerboard.
- Adjust action at bridge.
- File nut slots for proper string movement.
- Adjust intonation.
- Adjust tremolo bridge setting to player's preference.
- Add/remove trem-springs as needed (Parts not included).
- Adjust pickup balance.
- Full inspection and play test.
Long & McQuade Performance Assurance
Buying a new instrument is an exciting event and we want to ensure that every instrument we sell comes exactly how the manufacturer intended it to be. That is why Long & McQuade performs a quality control check for every stringed, brass, and woodwind instrument over $99 ordered online at Long-McQuade.com.
Our team of experienced staff will unbox your instrument and perform a detailed inspection to ensure it leaves our warehouse looking and playing great with our QC card signed and dated for your peace of mind.
We work hard to source the best instruments from around the world from the finest brands. It is important to us that you are completely satisfied with your new instrument purchase from day one onwards.
Stringed Instrument Performance Assurance Checklist
Unlike our free set-up, which is included within the first year of purchase, this process is done to have the instrument set to the factory specs rather than to each player's feel or preferences.
We look after the following:
- Inspect finish and hardware.
- Check electronics to make sure everything is in working order. Check batteries on active pickups.
- Inspect strings.
- Inspect frets and fretboard.
- Check truss rod. Adjust for bow and relief.
- Tune instrument to manufacturer's specified tuning.
- Check/set action height.
- Stretch strings and re-tune instrument and ensure machine heads are working well.
- Check for fret buzz by playing every note.
- Check/set intonation.
- Check/set pickup height.
- Cleaning and professional repacking.
Related Products
Description
While the Gibson J-185 may not have achieved the same universal name recognition as models like the J-45™, SJ-200™, and Hummingbird™, it has long held a special place among knowledgeable players, who consider it one of the best-sounding acoustic guitars Gibson has ever made. Originally released in 1951, the J-185's body outline drew inspiration from the celebrated 1920s L-5 models, sharing much of their silhouette and proportions. Slightly more compact than an SJ-200 and built with the familiar 24.75" scale length also found on the J-45 and Hummingbird, the J-185 carved out a tonal identity that has made it a favorite for decades.
Gibson now introduces a fresh interpretation of this beloved platform: the J-185 Century 12-Fret. It carries forward many of the hallmark appointments that define the classic J-185, but the shift to a 12-fret neck-to-body joint sets it apart from the standard 14-fret design. This configuration shortens the neck and moves the bridge plate farther from the waist and closer to the body's widest point, enhancing top movement and improving playing comfort. The result is a warm, lively, and responsive voice that especially suits fingerstyle players and anyone with a lighter, nuanced touch.
Because any J-185 variant is relatively uncommon, let alone 12-fret versions, this new model gives a much wider audience the chance to experience the tonal character that only a 12-fret jumbo can offer. As part of the Century Collection, created to mark 100 Years of Gibson Flat-Tops, the J-185 Century 12-Fret pairs a mahogany body with a Sitka spruce top and is outlined with single-ply cream binding on the top and back.
Its mahogany neck features a fast, comfortable SlimTaper™ 12-Fret profile and is joined to the body at the 12th fret using a compound dovetail neck joint secured with hot hide glue, consistent with Gibson acoustic build tradition. The bound rosewood fingerboard hosts 19 frets and understated mother-of-pearl dot inlays.
The headstock showcases open-back Golden Age strap tuners with cream buttons, along with an early-1900s Gibson script logo decal that reinforces the vintage aesthetic. Complementing these details is a sloped rectangle closed-slot rosewood bridge reminiscent of early J-45 instruments. Bone is used for both the nut and saddle, while the bridge pins are TUSQ®. The J-185 Century 12-Fret is fitted with a Gibson oval teardrop pickguard and finished with a hand-applied satin nitrocellulose lacquer in Vintage Amber, Vintage Sunburst, or Ebony. It ships in a premium Century Collection tweed hardshell case and is offered in both right-handed and left-handed configurations.
Pick up a J-185 Century 12-Fret and discover the expressive, full-bodied sound that only a 12-fret Gibson jumbo can deliver.
Specifications
BodyBinding: Single-ply top and back
Top Material: Sitka Spruce
Sides Material: Mahogany
Back Material: Mahogany
Body Finish: Satin nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Shape: J-185
Neck
Profile: SlimTaper 12-fret
Frets: Standard
Joint: Dovetail, 12th fret
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
Nut Material: Bone
Inlays: Dot
Inlay Material: Mother of Pearl
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (304.80 mm)
Scale Length: 24.75" (628.70 mm)
Neck Material: Mahogany
Hardware
Bridge: Rectangle
Bridge Material: Rosewood
Finish: Nickel
Pickguard: Oval teardrop
Tuning Machines: Golden Age strap tuners
Saddle Material: Bone
Bridge Pins: TUSQ
Misc.
Case: Hardshell case included
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| J-185 Century 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar with Hardshell Case - Vintage Amber (Left Handed) | 839263 |
