Story of Gibson Guitars

Gibson Guitar Corporation is arguably the most famous and revered manufacturer of electric and acoustic models. Les Paul Standard – an electric guitar with a solid body is the company’s number one best seller. Gibson is the flagship brand, but it also owns and manufactures sister brands like Kalamazoo, Steinberger, Tobias, Valley Arts, Kramer and Epiphone.

Gibson is not only a guitar manufacturing brand but also makes Slingerland drums, pianos, Dobro, mandolin, banjo and other musical accessories.

In the late 1890s Orville Gibson, after whom the eponymous company is named started making mandolins in Kalamazoo. The same design featuring an identical arched, carved top was incorporated in archtop acoustic guitars. Electric guitars and acoustic guitars featuring flat tops and made by Gibson started making their appearance from 1930s onwards.

Gibson guitar was pushed into the limelight and got its break on stage when a rather well known and trend setting electric guitarist Charlie Christian used the ES 200 and ES 150 in his musical performances.

The period between the late sixties and mid eighties witnessed Gibson’s decadence and steep decline on which the present owners put a brake by buying it out and bringing about a reversal of its misfortunes.

Gibson Electric Guitars

Gibson is most famous for its electric guitars – Gibson Firebird, Gibson Explorer ES 175, Gibson Flying V, Gibson SG, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson ES 335, Gibson ES 150, Gibson ES 125 are some of Gibson’s popular electric guitar models.

Gibson Acoustic Guitars

Gibson also offers a large selection of acoustic guitars. Professional country musicians and rock stars swear by their Gibson acoustic guitars like the J Series.

Gibson Bass Guitars

Gibson’s main claim to fame and reverence is the 6 string guitar, but its bass models are equally popular and best sellers such as; Gibson Grabber, Gibson Ripper, Gibson EB 3 (it is derived from the SG), Gibson EB 0, and Gibson Thunderbird (a derivative of the Firebird).

Claim to Fame

Legendary musicians who patronized Gibson Guitars for their studio recordings and live musical performances are Chet Atkins, Billie Joe Armstrong, Ryan Adams, Jeff Beck, Buckethead, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson, John Lennon, Bob Marley, Paul McCartney, Jeff Martin, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, Mick Taylor among others.

Gibson’s Headquarters & Factories

Gibson Guitars were at first manufactured in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Then the factory was shifted to Nashville in Tennessee and after a change of ownership, the revered guitar manufacturing company witnessed a spurt in growth and success. Gibson guitars are now manufactured in southern rural belts like Bozeman in Montana and Memphis in Tennessee.

Visit Gibson’s Official Site, and also our Gibson Guitar Store to view Gibson Guitars and get more information.