GIBSON history
Gibson is a legendary American guitar manufacturer known for producing high-quality instruments that have been used by many of the world’s most famous musicians. The company was founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Orville was a luthier and craftsman who began making mandolins in the late 19th century. He developed a unique archtop design that set his instruments apart from others of the time, and in 1896 he patented this design.
Orville’s guitars and mandolins were initially sold under the name “The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd.” The company’s early success was due in large part to the popularity of mandolins during the early 20th century. However, as guitar playing became more popular, Gibson began to focus more on guitar production.
In the 1920s, Gibson introduced the L-5 guitar, which became an instant classic. The L-5 was the first guitar to feature f-holes, which gave it a unique sound that was well-suited for jazz music. The company also introduced the ES-150, which was the first electric guitar to be commercially successful. These two guitars set the standard for Gibson’s electric and acoustic guitars for many years to come.
During the 1930s, Gibson introduced the J-200, which quickly became one of the company’s most popular acoustic guitars. The J-200 was known for its large size and booming sound, and it was used by many country and Western musicians of the time. Gibson also introduced the ES-300, which was the first electric guitar to feature a pickup with adjustable pole pieces. This allowed guitarists to adjust the sound of the guitar to their liking, and it quickly became a popular feature.
In the 1950s, Gibson introduced the Les Paul guitar, which has become one of the most iconic guitars in history. The Les Paul was designed in collaboration with jazz guitarist Les Paul and featured a solid body and dual humbucking pickups. Les Paul became a favorite of many rock guitarists and has been used by artists such as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Slash.
During the 1960s, Gibson introduced the SG guitar, which was a redesign of the Les Paul. The SG was lighter and had a more aggressive sound than the Les Paul, and it quickly became a favorite of rock guitarists. The company also introduced the ES-335, which was a semi-hollow body guitar that became popular in both jazz and rock circles.
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In the 1970s, Gibson introduced the Flying V and Explorer guitars, which were both unconventional designs that became popular with heavy metal guitarists. The company also introduced the L-6S, which was a solid body guitar with a unique pickup configuration that allowed for a wide range of tones.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Gibson continued to produce high-quality guitars and introduced new models such as the Firebird and the ES-137. The company also acquired other guitar brands such as Epiphone and Steinberger, which allowed it to expand its product offerings.
In recent years, Gibson has faced financial struggles and has filed for bankruptcy protection. However, the company has continued to produce high-quality guitars and has introduced new models such as the Gibson Custom Shop True Historic Les Paul and the Gibson USA SG Standard. Today, Gibson remains one of the most respected guitar manufacturers in the world and its instruments are played by musicians in all genres of music.