Gibson J-185

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Stray Feathers
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Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:39 pm
Location: Ladysmith, BC

Re: Gibson J-185

Post by Stray Feathers »

There are several guitar plans available from the Guild of American Luthiers here:

https://luth.org/instrument-plans/guita ... tar-plans/

You can see even from the small images the different back bracing patterns, and proportions, if not sizes. There are three Gibsons, one of which has quite stout lower bout braces. Bruce W.
tippie53
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Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Gibson J-185

Post by tippie53 »

I used to think they were flat but after seeing some in the shop I think they no longer are flat they use an angle
Unlike Martin , Gibson doesn't have the information available like martin so the plans that I saw may not be correct.
Been doing this over 24 yr and I will say I got to see more gibsons over the years. Not sure what the production line is doing. Just know what I see on the bench. The non X braces are flat but are also smaller guitars.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Gary Davis
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2022 7:06 pm

Re: Gibson J-185

Post by Gary Davis »

Thanks y'all. One more question about bracing. Is there some general consensus about the effect the thicker lower bout back braces have on tone vs. braces less than half their width?

I lied - one more. Did Gibson start with thicker bracing and then move on to thinner back braces? I have seen images (on the UMGF) of J200s with both size braces. Its all very confusing.

Thanks - Gary Davis
tippie53
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Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Gibson J-185

Post by tippie53 »

no that was CF Martin
gibson used the thinner higher braces and that change happened in the 1980s
The lower braced to let the back move more but you rest that against your belly. It is a personal
preference if your going to be more gibson traditional you want the higher braces and to be honest they were more crudely done and less finished looking.
As for the top I did some more looking and my one friend is a gibson expert , they did use flat non radiused tops up to the 70's so you can choose your favorite they also used double X braces and other brace schemes. I think the best sounding gibsons used more a martin style top brace of 2 tone bars and 2 finger braces. They were shaped differently.
here is a link than may help you
https://forum.gibson.com/topic/115404-b ... acoustics/
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Gary Davis
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2022 7:06 pm

Re: Gibson J-185

Post by Gary Davis »

Thank you John. I'm slowly moving forward.

Gary
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