Gibson Exclusive J165 Non-Cutaway Jumbo Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
Next evolution of what a small-body instrument should sound like.Never before has a slim-body cutaway guitar offered such a giant sound.Excellent playability and distinctive styling complete the package.
0% Interest
Payment Plan
Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
Earn rewards every time you shop at AMS. You'll collect points on eligible purchases that turn into promotional savings on future gear, with points typically available several days after your order ships. All you need is a free AMS account — no credit card, financing, or payment plan required.
The more you shop, the more you earn. Create a free account and start earning from your very first eligible purchase. Rewards are applied as a discount on future eligible purchases.
Earn rewards every time you shop at AMS. You'll collect points on eligible purchases that turn into promotional savings on future gear, with points typically available several days after your order ships. All you need is a free AMS account — no credit card, financing, or payment plan required.
The more you shop, the more you earn. Create a free account and start earning from your very first eligible purchase. Rewards are applied as a discount on future eligible purchases.
Earn points on eligible purchases with AMS Rewards and turn them into savings on future orders, no credit card required. You can apply points at checkout once they’re available.
OR
h m s
Compare
Compare! Here are all the serial numbers of this model we have in stock. Compare them all and select your favorite!
Opt in for Notifications on this product for the price drops, stock changes and promotions
Did you know AMS is the only music distributor with four distribution centers? And that means we can offer super-fast shipping on all your music products. Whether you don’t want the spark of inspiration to fade or you really need that replacement speaker before the next show, we have you covered anywhere in the U.S. And even better, it’s FREE!
You shouldn’t have to pay extra for a little peace of mind. When you purchase from AMS, you’ll get a free 12-month extended warranty to cover your purchase — and that’s in addition to any manufacturer’s warranties! Thousands of items in our catalog feature the “Gold Lock Extended Warranty,” so you can feel confident in your purchase.
45
Day return
Sometimes the gear on the computer screen seems like a better fit than when you actually get your hands on it. We understand, and that’s why AMS offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with an item, you have a full month and a half to send it back! We don’t want to just sell you gear. We want to sell you the RIGHT gear — even if it takes a few tries.
Canadian Shipping Information
Welcome Canadian musicians! Buying your gear from AMS is as easy as going to a local music store, with more selection and more than competitive prices!
Items with this logo are eligible to ship to Canada. Please note that you will be responsible for payment of brokerage fees, duties and other import taxes applicable to your order.
NOTE: Free shipping offers do not apply to Canadian orders. Please be aware of custom fees - such as taxes and duties - when your order arrives. Since these fees vary from location to location, CUSTOMS FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN SHIPPING CHARGES. Please check with your local customs office for more information on the fees in your areas. Refusal to pay these fees will result in an undeliverable order. If returned, we do not refund shipping charges and may assess restocking fees to cover return shipping expenses.
0% Interest
Payment Plan
Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
Minor Blemished Products are items that have been returned in excellent condition with very minor cosmetic blemishes, allowing you to get great gear at a discounted price. In fact, many times our customers have difficulty finding the minor blemishes at all! These products are 100% inspected and tested to guarantee functionality. They include all components, manuals and the full Manufacturer's warranty unless otherwise stated, along with the AMS 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. Special offers, promotions and rebates may not apply. The following manufacturers do not offer a warranty on Minor Blemished products: Casio, Ampeg, Avalon, Chauvet, Electro-Voice, Epiphone, Gibson, Ibanez, Kramer, Mackie, Maestro, Mesa, Peavey, PreSonus, Steinberger, Tobias
Gibson Exclusive J165 Non-Cutaway Jumbo Acoustic Electric Guitar
Let’s address the contradiction in the name: the "Small Jumbo." It might sound odd, like "jumbo shrimp," but the J-165 makes it clear. This guitar delivers the powerful projection of Gibson’s iconic Super Jumbos in a compact, comfortable body. It’s easy to play and won’t leave you sore after a long gig. Perfect for players who want that big, resonant sound without the bulk, the J-165 combines booming tone with effortless handling.
The Perfect Mix of Tonewoods
The real magic here isn’t just the shape — it’s the materials. Gibson combines a premium Sitka spruce top with walnut back and sides. While maple often gets the spotlight on Jumbos, walnut is the unsung hero, delivering the crisp projection of maple with added warmth and a touch of earthy growl. The result is a guitar that stands out in a mix without sounding thin — perfect for holding your own against an overly enthusiastic banjo player.
Sitka Spruce Top: Provides a broad dynamic range that handles aggressive strumming just as well as delicate fingerpicking.
Walnut Back and Sides: Delivers a balanced tone with clear highs and a punchy midrange that sits perfectly between the sound of mahogany and rosewood.
Non-Cutaway Design: By skipping the cutaway, you get more internal air volume and top surface area, translating to maximum resonance and volume.
A Neck That Plays Nice
If you’ve ever struggled with a vintage neck that felt overly bulky, you’ll appreciate the Slim Taper profile on this mahogany neck. It’s smooth, comfortable, and fits naturally in your hand, making complex chords easier to play. Paired with a slightly shorter scale length, the reduced string tension allows for easier bends and helps prevent finger fatigue.
Slim Taper Neck Profile: A '60s-style profile that offers speed and comfort, ideal for long recording sessions or marathon live sets.
24.75" Scale Length: The shorter scale reduces string tension, allowing for effortless string bending and a "slinkier" feel under the fingers.
1.725" Nut Width: Provides ample spacing for fingerstyle players without feeling too wide for those who prefer to use a pick.
Undercover Electronics
When it’s time to amplify, the goal is simple: make your guitar sound like itself, just louder — not harsh or tinny. The L.R. Baggs Element Bronze system achieves this seamlessly. Its discreet controls are tucked inside the soundhole, maintaining the guitar’s vintage look. Designed to capture the natural vibrations of the top, it delivers clear, warm tones, from the low E string to the highest note on the fretboard.
L.R. Baggs Element Bronze: An under-saddle pickup that tracks the movement of the soundboard rather than just string pressure, eliminating the dreaded "quack" of cheap piezos.
Soundhole Mounted Controls: Volume and Tone wheels are hidden inside the soundhole for easy adjustments that don't require cutting ugly holes in the side of the guitar.
Bronze Voicing: specifically tuned to complement the warm, articulate character of the walnut and spruce pairing.
The Best of Both Worlds
The J-165 proves you don't need a guitar the size of a small boat to make a big sound. Offering the comfort of a parlor-sized instrument with the volume of a dreadnought, it’s a versatile workhorse for the studio, stage, or couch. If you want the classic Gibson Jumbo look and sound without the bulk, this is the guitar you’ve been waiting for.
Gibson Exclusive J165 Features:
Compact "Small Jumbo" body shape for comfort without sacrificing projection
Solid Sitka spruce top for superior dynamic range
Solid walnut back and sides for a unique, balanced tonal profile
Mahogany neck with a fast, comfortable Slim Taper profile
24.75" scale length for easier playability and string bending
L.R. Baggs Element Bronze pickup system for natural plugged-in tone
Discrete soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone controls
1.725" nut width for comfortable string spacing
Traditional belly-up bridge and mother-of-pearl dot inlays
Gotoh tuners for reliable tuning stability
Includes Gibson hardshell case for protection on the road