1940 EH 185 - a rare Gibson

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 25 Mar 2012 11:27 am

No horse in this race. Just pointing out a cool, classic steel. Not 100% vintage but still cool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1940-Gibso ... 208wt_1281

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 25 Mar 2012 11:49 am

Cool indeed. Reminded me to check my lotto ticket from last night.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Mar 2012 12:04 pm

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 25 Mar 2012 1:21 pm

I had one of those about 10 years ago... EH-185 with Charlie Christian PU. A beautiful quality made instrument, but the tone was a little 'bassy' for my ear, not enough highs. And there was a slight hum in the electronics. My guitar repair shop said "it's just part of the sound"...

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 25 Mar 2012 1:28 pm

Too bad it wasn't a little Basie.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Mar 2012 1:32 pm

Andy will be here all week folks.....try the veal and don't forget to tip your server......

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 25 Mar 2012 4:33 pm

Too bad it wasn't a little Basie.

Right, I couldn't Count on it.

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 26 Mar 2012 6:13 am

Wow, Howard.
An EH-275 7-string.
The only one I've ever seen.

John Dahms · Post by **John Dahms** » 26 Mar 2012 1:28 pm

"Wow, Howard. An EH-275 7-string.
The only one I've ever seen."

According to Duchossoir, it's the only one recorded by Gibson.

Double WOW.[/quote]

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 26 Mar 2012 10:25 pm

The GIBSON EH-185 had a great sound which I think was due to the metal top which extended to the tuning gears. Foolishly, back in 1946 when Gibson guitars were fairly plentiful, I sold my 7 string EH-185 !

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Mar 2012 5:32 pm

I prefer the EH-150. Love mine. Here's a good look at the model with interior shots too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... 571wt_1175

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 29 Mar 2012 5:52 pm

The GIBSON EH-185 had a great sound which I think was due to the metal top which extended to the tuning gears.

Maybe that's where Sierra got the idea... a heavy metal piece extending the length of the guitar. I've owned an EH-185 and a Sierra, and they are both heavy, solid, very well made.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 29 Mar 2012 6:12 pm

Doug Beaumier wrote:Maybe that's where Sierra got the idea.

Don't forget the little pre-war Epiphone that also had a metal (aluminum?) plate on the top. Both examples benefitted tone-wise from those plates.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 1 Apr 2012 12:34 pm

Howard!
Your "Blondie" has the same finger board as my D-7. Big block inlays. Was wondering about the pickup on your guitar. Is it a CC? The pups on my guitar look like CCs, but are not. The have adjustable pole pieces, no big magnet. Been trying to date the guitar. I was thinking '39.
If anyone has the correct 7-string bridge, I NEED ONE!
Here's pics;

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 1 Apr 2012 12:39 pm

John Billings wrote:Howard!
Was wondering about the pickup on your guitar. Is it a CC? The pups on my guitar look like CCs, but are not.

I bought the guitar from the original owner.....as far as I know....it's an original CC pup......

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 1 Apr 2012 12:53 pm

Thanks Howard! The pups in mine must be some strange transitional design. They have the typical top of a CC pup, right down to the slots. But they have adjustable polepiece screws! Never seen them before. I keep trying to place this guitar in Time. It seems an obvious custom-order.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 1 Apr 2012 4:39 pm

My favorite EH-185 is a 1939 7 string CC PU model. If you like, you can see a photo on my website.

The Steel Guitar Forum

1940 EH 185 - a rare Gibson

1940 EH 185 - a rare Gibson

EH-185s are the favorites of my steels