Gibson EH-185 2nd Version Lap Steel – 1940 – Original ES-300 / Offset Adjustable Alnico Pickup

A beautiful and highly collectible Gibson EH-185 2nd Version Lap Steel from 1940.

This desirable second-version EH-185 is equipped with Gibson’s original Offset Adjustable Alnico pickup (also referred to as the ES-300 pickup), one of Gibson’s earliest Alnico pickup designs and a direct predecessor to the famous P-90. Renowned for its warm, rich sustain and exceptional clarity, this rare pickup is an important part of Gibson’s early electric guitar history.

This instrument is in excellent cosmetic condition for its age and is fully functional. It produces the rich, singing tone that made the EH-185 one of Gibson’s finest pre-war electric instruments.

When Gibson introduced the EH-185, the company advertised it as offering the quality and tone that players had dreamed about but had never before experienced from an electric guitar, emphasizing its remarkable sustain and expressive sound. More than eighty years later, that statement still rings true.

The Gibson logo is cut from nickel and mounted on a solid cast headpiece. It retains the original side-mounted Kluson tuners, which are unique to the EH-185 and differ from the tuners used on the EH-150.

The earliest documented public performance with an electrically amplified guitar took place in 1932 by Gage Brewer. Instruments such as the Gibson EH-185 helped establish the foundation for modern electric guitar design. While lap steels are most closely associated with Hawaiian, country, and bluegrass music, they have also found their way into blues, jazz, rock, and experimental music. Players including John Paul Jones and David Gilmour have demonstrated just how expressive these remarkable instruments can be.

Originally priced at $185, the EH-185 represented Gibson’s flagship lap steel model of its era. Today it remains one of the most desirable pre-war Gibson lap steels among collectors and players alike.

Specifications

• Model: Gibson EH-185 (2nd Version)
• Year: 1940
• Factory Order Number (FON): F1480-15
• Body: Figured maple with multi-bound top and back
• Fingerboard: Bound rosewood with V-end, 29 frets
• Fingerboard Inlays: Dot markers
• Pickup: Original Gibson Offset Adjustable Alnico Pickup (ES-300 type) with original tortoise-pattern cover
• Pickup Adjustment: Front-mounted adjustable pole screws
• Back: Original anti-slip coating
• Finish: Original Cremona Brown Sunburst
• Headstock Logo: Pre-war nickel script Gibson logo
• Tuners: Original nickel open-gear Kluson tuners with butterbean buttons
• Bridge Cover: Original nickel bridge cover with hand rest

This is an outstanding example of one of Gibson’s most significant pre-war electric instruments. Whether you are a collector of early Gibson electrics or a musician looking for the unmistakable sound of Gibson’s first-generation Alnico pickup, this EH-185 is an exceptional opportunity.