Gibson Blues King Electro

If you're looking at this, then you already know that the BKE is the Rolls Royce of the Gibson Acoustic/Electric line. If u want stats, go to the Gibson website to view. They cover it better than I could, and I want to save my fingers for playing, not typing this!!!

I play blues-based rock and blues primarily. Every style of music sounds lush and warm, but play an acoustic Clapton tune and get ready to play more!!! I usually just plug straight into the PA, but it sounds great thru either my Soldano HR 50+ or my Fender Vibrolux. If I use my pedal board, it's primarily the chorus or delay. Using any of the other effects steals the exquisite tone (wah, overdrive, distortion, etc.) The electronics are extremely quiet and have nice range.

When I got the guitar it was setup WAY TO HIGH for my needs. I gave it to my guitar-tech and told him I wanted it to play like an electric. He lowered the bridge and it now plays like my Les Paul Custom....stays in perfect tune and is a way more beautiful guitar than I'd have ever imagnined owning! My tech wishes his Rainsong played like this one!

As with all Gibson's, u treat it right and it treats u right!

Everytime I've ever called Gibson, they are very helpful and friendly

Plays like an electric, sounds as good as any acoustic I've ever heard. I've used it on all types of music and it's never been a disappointment. I've been playing 40 years and it's by far one of the best guitars I've ever owned!

This is a loud guitar, especially with medium strings, really compliments the singer. The sound steadily improves with play, mine is a 94, and sounds even better with the battery cassette removed.

Setup was out of whack a bit, nut poorly cut and I had a couple made, though it was 2nd hand. Ive had it set up like a low action electric, medium, and high action jazz - it all works good. Versatile due to cutaway, and arched bookmatched maple back is very attractive, as is the spruce top.

35 years playing, I have other stuff, but play this mainly. It is a powerful instrument, electrically and acoustically. If there were a least best feature, I guess it would be that it is jumbo size.

It really is exciting when you stumble into a great guitar and my 1998 EC-30 Blues King Electro with Antique Natural lacquer finish and Pre-Fix electronics fits the bill. If you have an opportunity to pick up one of these guitars you be a very happy camper. The EC-30 debuted in 1994 as the Blues Maestro Electric and was renamed the EC-30 BKE in 1997. The current model has been re-labeled the J-185 EC and differs from the BKE in that the back is a two-piece instead of the one-piece arched back of the BKE. The newer J-185 EC also has the more familiar crown inlay. The '94-98 models had a two handled vase over dot peghead inlay that distinguishes it from the current model. Previous models prior to 1997 had Gibson in pre-war script on the peghead and Accuvoice electronics onboard instead of the Fishman Pre-Fix and some finish differences too. From 1997 on an Ebony bird and beak bridge and a bound Ebony fingerboard replaced the rosewood appointed predecessors and all have Mother-Of-Pearl double parallelogram fretboard inlay and a bound small style headstock. Gold tuners and an Antique Natural finish came available in 1996. The tortise shell pickguard follows the contour of the body with a bird's beak top and is seamless to the topcoat.The neck is a five piece flamed maple version, not the mahogany type listed in some descriptions. The width of the neck can differ from year-to-year, mine is 1.75" wide at the nut although the specs for the current model say 1.725". The neck scale is a very comfortable 24 3/4". A rare Bozeman Special EC-30 has the 25 1/2" scale. The neck is a meaty "C" shaped affair with a playable action way past the 12th fret. Figured maple back and sides along with a multiple bound spruce top round out the features.

Whether used acoustically, miked or amplified the sound this guitar puts out is balanced throughout and has great projection. With a typical Gibson action and the access to the upper registers via the cutaway you will find your fingers flying all over the fretboard. Whether fingerstyle or flatpicked you will want to explore your options since this neck feels like the finest Gibson L-5 or Super 400. The tonal palette offered via the Fishman Pre-Fix is well rounded and includes a Notch filter and semi-parametric Contour functions along with Volume, Bass, Treble, Brilliance and Phase Reversal. I have played many Gibsons and this is the best acoustic I have ever played.

Like one of the other owners said below this guitar had a poorly cut nut and also needed a compensated saddle to improve intonation. Typically you will see that there is a little extra space built in to the nut between the 1st and 2nd strings and between the 5th and 6th strings. This is done on purpose and not by accident. However, if it is not done correctly the 1st string ends up too close to the edge of the fretboard and this causes it to slip off the fretboard when playing single note arpeggios. The frets on this guitar are narrow and are purposely on the high side to allow for future fret dressing and fret life. The width of the fret board makes this neck very comfortable for those with larger hands and those with smaller as well.
Because the neck is so well built you can have the action adjusted from high to low or anywhere in between based on your playing style and string thicknesses. Just make sure that the bottom of the bridge saddle is flat to the pickup underneath or you won't have a balanced output between all of the strings. I personally have never played another acoustic that I could actually bend the strings up a whole note much less double-stops like this guitar. And this with 12-52 strings! I run 10-46 on most of my electrics and it is incredible to find an acoustic that can actually do this with an .012" on the first string!
The fit and finish on this guitar is so well done that it easily meets or exceeds the quality of the Nashville Gibson Custom Shop archtop electrics costing $5,000 - $7,000. The almost amber colored Antique Natural finish looks fabulous as and the flamed woods on the neck, back and sides are simply flawless, as is the perfectly applied finish. The neck to body/top joints are well executed and tight.

Like some others have said, this guitar will last 150 years if you treat it right. In my opinion it should not be a road guitar, it's just too nice to beat up. Proper humidification is essential and a small temp/hygrometer kept in the case is a small price to pay to be sure your finish doesn't check or crack. One other note here concerns the case. The "Pre-Fix" electronics package juts out a little from the upper side of the guitar and the foam underneath the crushed velour of the hard shell case should be carefully removed to relieve any tension on this unit or else it may be pushed into the guitar like mine was when I received it.

My relations with Gibson Customer Service have been outstanding and they have gone way out of their way to be helpful many times over. They not only replaced my 1994 ES-335 because of a small delamination of the top they couldn't hide, but also upgraded it to an ES-345 at no charge. The Gibson products from Bozeman Montana should be no different.

Been playing since 1960 and I've let just a few great guitars slip through my fingers;like a Gibson 1957 ES-350T I had to sell for just $375. This BKE even smells like the old guitar. These acoustic electric Bozeman guitars have slightly different features over the different years of manufacture and the prices you will see on Ebay and elsewhere are all over the map anywhere from $1,000 to $1,895+. This is a very collectable guitar and it should appreciated handsomely over the next decade. I'm not letting this one go.

1994 Blues King Electro . Solid Spruce Top, Solid Maple Sides, Maple Laminate, arched back with Black Finish. Acuvoice electronics. Old style bridge with closed tuners. Brown Arched Gibson Case.

Has a versatile sound for a wide variety of styles. I use a small rack of effects and EQ, run straight through the house P.A. for maximum control onstage. I`ve also added a Fishman Earthtone single coil and run that in stereo with the Acu-voice for a more full/rich sound.

Setup was done by the store I bought it in 10 years ago, since then I`ve had it set up several times by repairmen. It has that killer Gibson neck that I love sooo much. Acu-voice also had to be replaced by Gibson a year or so after I initially bought it. The black finish has suffered over the years and shows every little thing.. If I had the option I would have got a natural or even antique sunburst finish.

This guitar has been my primary working instrument working instrument since 1994.I have beat the snot out of it on a daily basis and it has held up great minus the black finish and a broken headstock (my fault). It sounds better and better everytime I play it.

The Acuvoice preamp went out a year after purchase. It was replaced for free with very little headache.

I`ve been playing guitar since 1976, Pro since 1985 and have owned literally hundreds of guitars in the past. I mainly use this guitar for a Swing Rhythm machine with a 5 piece Gypsy Jazz combo, but I have used it on stage for many different types of music. It is an all around work horse.. I went through a ton of vintage instruments before I chose this and have never looked back.

After reading all of the reviews for the Blues King Electro I just knew I had to submit my own. I have owned a 1994-5 for the past year but have been drooling over it for the past 9 years. Began taking guitar lessons from a guy who was the previous owner and fell in love with it once I understood guitars a little. This has a maple back and sides with spruce front. 20 frets joining at the 14th; parallelogram unlays which add some flash but not overpowering. I like the middle looking guitars with just a little something to catch your eye that says "look at me, there's more here than you think".

This is one of the firsts, so it holds an accuvoice box. Just recently have been able to hook it up and when the right man is on the board this guitar is amazing. Crisp, clear, and simply the best. The guitar picks up the trebles and mid ranges which I prefer.

I played this guitar for 9 years before purchasing it. The times I improved the most were when the gibson was in my hands. The action is awesome and my fingers just fly around on the frets. Since I did not purchase this from a store I cannot comment on the original condition. I know it has been tweeked to perfection.

This guitar is only going to get better with age! Be patient. I feel privileged and a little guilty to own a perfect guitar at the age of 20. I feel that my search has now ended and I'll never drool as much over another guitar. Be wary that you keep this guitar humidified!! I wish I had been told about this sooner. My guitar has seen better days. At least I wasn't the one that caused the cracks. I spent the dry winter months overseas and had to leave my gibson behind unattended. No one touched it or babied it and it needed some attention. This guitar will last for years if you protect it. I would use it on gigs (and I do) as long as you are selective on where you bring this guitar. I have never had any problems with it not being reliable.

I've never dealt with the company.

I have been playing for 10 years and as you have probably gathered I love this guitar. It is the best sounding, best playing guitar I have ever touched in my short years. You'll never find its equal. I do own another guitar but it doesn't even compare to make mention of it. If it was ever stolen I would track the person down and get my guitar back, or i'd have to weep and then buy another one. Remember, this guitar gets better with age. What I love about it is the jealous looks I get every time I pull it out to play.

I saw a picture of this Guitar in the G. Ctr, flyer and wanted it before I drove to the store. It was BETTER than it looked! Flame back and sides and spruce top. Rounded cut-away. Like a J200 that you can easily play above the 12th fret! Another guy was playing the only other one in stock. We both bought EC30s that day. Fabulous electronics.

I plug into my Digitec RP3 on #72 and play to jam tracks and it sounds like a studio mix. The closest sound to a miked acoustic I've ever heard. I've since sold my 1990 ES175 Jazz Box and started playing Jazz on the EC30. Slow Chicago style blues sounds wonderful.

It's a totally professional axe. Set up was perfect. Guitar center is notorious for dragging axes out of the truck and throwing them up on the wall from the factory without even tuning them. This has never needed any set-up from day one. Finish is great.

I treat it with caution. I bring my Tacoma or my Martin D1 to jams and out. The only problem I've found with the EC30 is the top. Rumor has it that Gibson's tone wood stacks aren't cured as long as they used to cure them. EC30 tops have been known to crack sitting on the wall of music stores. Joe from Joe's Music / Eastpointe Mi. said he had one that did just that during the dry winter months. He upped his humidifier which took care of the problem. New EC30s were shipped with humidifiers. It's a good idea to use them on ALL Guitars when the humidity gets down to the low 30's. Keep them in the case.

Gibson is Gibson. They value Customer relations. I've had no problems and nothing but joy with the axe. But, I was concerned about the "cracking top rumors". I called Gibson and was congratulated for buying an EC30 and assured it was only a rumor about the tops . . . ? But I was warned to use a humidifier - they won't honor warranty on a cracked top from low humidity!

I'm 57 - been playing since I was 9. I have an assortment of Guitars. I would buy another EC30. I'm addicted to the sound I get from it. I like my Martins for their distinct sounds but my EC30 is one-of-a-kind.

I have a Blues King Electro EC-30. I found it on the wall at a Guitar Center in Jersey at a time when they were not selling Gibsons. Someone had just traded it in on a guitar with a narrower neck. With my sausage size fingers I found the EC-30 to fit the bill perfectly, and I felt that finding it there at $1600.00 in perfect condition was a stroke of luck. I have been playing for some thirty years and have never held a finer guitar. (OK, my curly koa wood Les Reitfors Ukulele might give it a little competition in the looks dept.)

I play through a Pod Pro and I've been able to set up the guitar to get sounds that I can't get from my SG, although I won't get the same speed. During recording it has proven to be quite enough, not picking up radio stations or Space Shuttle transmissions, so no complaints there. I haven't really found any limitations at all, other than not wanting to bang it into any booms, or desk drawers as the case may be.

I did not get an owners manual with the guitar, and have been having some fun playing around with the Accuvoice pick-up controls. In this it reminds me of the Pod. If you find the perfect setting for a specific song, you better write it down, 'cause you'll never find it again.
I'm not sure if I care much for the bridge. It's the only thing on the guitar that I found to be a little on the cheap side. I put Les Paul strings on it and came home from vacation to find the action a little higher than I left it. Anybody have suggestions on the best strings for this model?

The number one reason to play this guitar live would be to show off. It's so damn beautiful! I would recommend using a locking strap, just in case. If this baby hit the floor, I'd end up face down next to it!

I've never had to deal with Gibson. My '72 SG has been flawless!

The best story I can give on this guitar is this:
I grew up playing with Neil Nappe. He is in the book as a pioneer in MIDI guitars. His '72 Les Paul Custom Robo Guitar was plugged into a computer back when the Timex Sinclair computer was considered 'State of the Art' and Bill Gates was still making mortgage payments.
Neil would very rarely let me touch his Les Paul, mostly because I kept drooling on it.
Well, after I pulled out my Blues King and he played it for a couple of minutes, he looked at me quite seriously and said "This is the finest guitar I have ever played".
Now, of course, it has his drool marks on it!

the name blues king, as well as blues king electro, has been used by gibson for more than a few years for more than a few models. in 2003 the j185ec, available in vintage sunburst- j8j5vsgh1, or antique natural- j8j5angh1, is called the blues king electro. please note that this site has 8 reviews for this guitar by 8 different owners, 4 listed under "blues king electro" and 4 listed under "j185ec". ok, here's my opinion, and i own two. let's talk about what this guitar is, what it isn't, what's on the market that compares with it, what it costs, and is it worth it. this is a cutaway accoustic/electric wasp waisted "F" body style guitar. please visit gibson.com for all the specs (as if you haven't already). it is a "top of the line" factory made guitar. it is not a pre-war accoustic guitar. the santa cruz H A/E should be considered as a rival. gibson lists it at $3343, every dealer discounts it at $2249, and i paid $1899 for one and $2185 for another. if you have the patience to enjoy this beautiful instrument as it ages into a classic, buy it now, new. if not, keep shopping for that '56 gibson blues king electro.

you are in complete control over this instrument's dynamics. i think it mows the lawn both plugged and unplugged. try it unplugged with fingerpicks!

you're buying a cadillac finished for the showroom, baby. if you don't like anything about an ax of this price and quality purchased new from an authorized gibson dealer, then have them take care of it. belieeeeeve me, they will.

this is a studio and home ax. it is way too nice for gigging. i own a gibson j180 for the road. this ax will last 150 years with above average care.

lifetime warranty.

players who like top of the line vintage guitars shop for martin, gibson, santa cruz, guild, taylor, collings, larrivee, breedlove, froggy bottom and others. gibson's been in buisness since 1890 something, martin since 1830 something. just please don't buy an import.

1996 version. 22 frets with cutaway. Solid spruce top with a sunburst finish and an accu-voice preamp. The sides and back are maple, with an ebony fretboard and split parrallellogram pearl fret markers starting on 1. Outputs for regular cord and 3-pronged mic cord. Volume, tone, Voice (Pop to Jazz) and a frequency adjuster to prevent feedback (MONEY). The case that came with it is an added bonus; humidifier, very sturdy and attractive too.

This guitar is unbelievable when plugged in. There is a massive range of sounds availble, and they all sound remarkably clean, as if there is no amplifier. Unplugged, it is the second best sounding guitar I've ever played (my 40 year old well aged Yamaha is unreal) and blows away everything in terms of tightness of sound. It isn't the loudest acoustic ever, but it is simply so pure.

I love the action on this guitar. Everything seems easier to play; barre chords require relatively little force, and every note sounds out fully, from the low E to the highest fretting. The finish is what made me spend the money, I am convinced I own the world most beautiful acoustic guitar. The sunburst pattern is in gold and black, and the only problem with the flaming arched back is no one gets to see the gorgeous back of the guitar. The neck and headstock are not bookmatched.

I get pick scratches on the finish. I no longer let anyone play the guitar except myself and occasionally a very good friend who plays carefully. One time this guy thought he was the rhythm master and decided he could use 3 1/2 foot long pick strokes on my baby. I nearly cried watching him - There are still scratches down the bottom edge of the top. I play pretty hard myself, and its hard not occasionally hit the pick-guard or the area right above the strings. These guitars are so nice, they truly make the owner compulisive about keeping it in mint condition. If you like to be rough with guitars, this one is not for you. I polish the damn thing twice a week (the black finish gets thumbed up very easily) and keep it humidified. Cosmetically, a high maintenace instrument. IT NEVER GOES OUT OF TUNE. Amazing for an acoustic.

I've had no problems, and don't anticipate any. If there are any, the guitar has a lifetime warranty.

I've been playing 3+ years and bought this guitar after I had been playing 2 years. I decided that I would be playing guitar the rest of my life, and I wanted a nice one I could hold onto for awhile. I made the decision to but it the first time I saw it. It was simply put, meant to belong to me. It took a year of saving up for it. There is nothing about it I regret; the Taylors right next to it did not compare, cosmetically, acoustically, or in craftmanship. (All Taylors have matchbooked headstocks) If my Gibson were stolen or lost, I would probably commit suicide. But If I survived, I would buy the same guitar again. Definitely.

'99 model, bought new, blonde/transparent maple, arched nicely figured back, spruce top. Gold Grover hardware, ebony fretboard, and bridge, MOP parallelogram position markers, abalone rosette. Fishman Prefix plus Bridge transducer, single bound neck and headstock, double bound body. Not slathered in pearl but I think, nicely appointed.

Sound is why I bought it. Having played other Acoustic/electrics I was knocked out by this guitar's unplugged sound. When I finally got around to plugging in, I was floored again. minimal tweaking required. Good range of tone control, & feedback control. The acoustic sound mattered most as I feel you can do better if you have a good signal to begin with, and it does. Very responsive to playing style and attack; single notes project well, chords sound full and rich, nicely balanced sound with good projection of sound played from all over the fretboard.

Incredibly, on a guitar in this price range, the nut was poorly cut with the high E too close to the edge of the fingerboard. The guitar was returned to the distributor ( gone 6 weeks) and the nut was replaced. Other than this, the guitar lacked a compensated saddle and this was replaced by a local luthier who adjusted the action and intonation, and it is now a very comfortable play. The neck is uniform in shape up the fretboard, less girthy than some acoustics and has some flattening of the back of the neck. Inside the guitar is immaculate, the design uses minimal bracing. The rating is lower than it could be, because of the poor initial set up of the nut. If I had received the guitar in it's present condition I would rate it 9. Gibson QC are you there... Come in QC, ....pause...QC?

The guitar seems solid. It has been gigged regularly over almost 2 years, and has picked up a few tiny nicks on the top, the sides and back are still 10/10... but as they say every picture tells a story! It does not seem to get damaged from every little bump however, and I try to handle it carefully. The case is a nicely shaped and padded model and has a few marks and small nicks in the covering. The pickup has worked flawlessly since Day 1. The guitar stays in tune, through bending, banging and regular playing there is littel to worry about in terms of tuning

If I had my time back I beleive I would have paid a local repair tech to replace the nut rather than ship it away to the disributor. the replacement nut is good, it works well but is not as well finished as the work I am used to. The local store was as helpful as they could be but did not make the repair inhouse. The repair was covered under warranty.

15 years playing, electrics and 1 other acoustic. The BKE is "too nice" to take to parties, but is a lovely guitar and the guitar I would choose if I could have only one. It does a lot of things well. I took a lot of time testing before buying this guitar and if it were stolen I would buy one agian, however based on my experience todate, this instrument be hard act to to follow. Maybe if I could get the same feel in a guitar with an internal condenser mic & piezo would be nice for recording.