Gibson produced its guitars in the USA at 3 different factories. After acquiring Epiphone in 1957, Gibson entered into OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) agreements with foreign manufacturers for that brand.
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US Gibson Factories
In the USA, Gibson continues to manufacture guitars at two facilities, providing employment for around 900 individuals.
Kalamazoo Factory
Established in 1896, the first Kalamazoo, Michigan factory relocated several times within the city until 1917. The factory was situated close to the Michigan Central Railroad and was demolished at the end of the 20th century.
Gibson manufactured guitars here until 1985.
Memphis Factory
In 2000, Gibson opened a factory in Memphis, Tennessee to produce semi-hollow body electric guitars. The Gibson Retail Shop and Beale Street Showcase share the same building.
In 2018, the factory and its 85 employees moved to a nearby Nashville location.
Nashville Factory
Gibson opened a Nashville, Tennessee factory in 1974. Solid-body electric guitars, such as the Gibson Les Paul and Gibson SG, are manufactured here.
In 2018, production from the Memphis facility was added, with about 200 guitars handcrafted daily.
Bozeman Factory
Full acoustic guitars, like the Gibson J series, are produced in Bozeman, Montana.
The Bozeman factory opened in 1989.
Epiphone/Gibson Factories
Japan
In 1957, Epiphone was acquired by Gibson. Epiphone production under license from Gibson moved to Japan in 1970.
FujiGen
FujiGen operates three Japanese factories:
- Omachi, Nagano;
- Hirooka factory in Shiojiri, Nagano since 1991;
- Matsumoto, Nagano, which also houses the company’s headquarters.
In 1992, FujiGen signed a limited contract with Gibson. In 1998, they received a full license to produce Epiphone guitars.
Terada
Terada Musical Instrument Co., Ltd., located in Ama-gun, Aichi, builds high-quality instruments and also produces for other major brands. They signed an OEM contract with Epiphone in 2002.
Korea
Samick
Samick is one of the world’s largest stringed instrument manufacturers and produces for various major brands, including its own model line.
Gibson signed a contract with Samick Guitars in 1983. Initially, they made more affordable versions of popular models, like the Les Paul, for Gibson. In 1984, they began producing for Epiphone.
Cort
Cort Guitars (Cor-Tek Corporation) is a South Korean guitar manufacturer established in 1960 and based in Seoul. They produced Epiphone guitars from 1988 until the mid-1990s.
In 2002, the Korean production contract was terminated.
Peerless
Peerless Korea Co., Ltd. has been manufacturing musical instruments since 1970. Its factory is located in Gimhae and headquarters in Busan, South Korea.
They have OEM contracts with various brands and have been working with Epiphone since 1979. They also produce guitars under their own brand name.
Saein
Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd., established in 1991, operates a factory and headquarters in Incheon, Korea. They obtained a license to produce Epiphone guitars at the end of 1992. They also produced guitars under the Shine brand.
China
Daewon
Daewon Musical Instrument Co., is located in Dalian, China.
Since 2001, it has been producing Epiphone guitars under OEM contract.
Qingdao
In 2004, Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao, Shandong, China. With a few exceptions, Epiphone guitars are now primarily produced at this facility.
High-quality Epiphone models, like the Emperor and Rivier, are crafted here according to strict quality standards.
Muse
Muse Incorporated, headquartered in Incheon, Korea, operates a factory in Weifang, China. Here they produce guitars for Epiphone under license.
Saein
The originally Korean company has operated a factory in Gaomi City since 2001. They mainly produce for the Epiphone brand.
Zaozhuang
Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd., based in Shandong, China, specializes in crafting acoustic guitars.
Since 2004, they have been manufacturing acoustic Epiphone models under license.
Indonesia
Samick
Following the termination of the contract with Samick in Korea in 2002, production continued in Cileungsi, near Bogor, Indonesia.
Cort
Cort-tek, originally a Korean company, is now based in Surabaya, Indonesia. They have been building guitars for Epiphone under an OEM contract since 1995.