Gibson Logo and their signature Les Paul guitar shot at the Gibson Showroom | |
Gibson Guitar Corp. | |
Private | |
Industry | Musical instruments |
---|---|
Founded | 1902; 117 years ago[1] in Kalamazoo, Michigan |
Founder | Orville Gibson |
Headquarters | , U.S. |
Worldwide | |
Key people |
|
Products | Archtop, acoustic and electric guitars Bass guitars Mandolins Audio equipment |
Subsidiaries |
|
Website | gibson.com |
Address | Years of Operation | Notes |
---|---|---|
114 So. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI. | 1896–1897 | This was the 'business location' of 'O. H. Gibson, Manufacturer, Musical Instruments.'[72] |
104 East Main, Kalamazoo, MI | 1899–1902 | This was Orville Gibson's residence, and he built instruments on the 2nd floor of this location.[72][73] |
114 East Main, Kalamazoo, MI | 1902–1906 | The 'Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co, Ltd.' was established in 1902.[72] This building, said to be infested with cockroaches, was probably the former Witmer Bakery.[74] |
114 East Exchange Place, Kalamazoo, MI | 1906–1911 | Located quite close to the previous location, in Kalamazoo's business district.[75] |
521–523 East Harrison Court, Kalamazoo, MI | 1911–1917 | Located about .5 miles from previous location. The building was next to the Michigan Central Railroad, and stood for many decades, until it came down in the late 20th century.[76] |
225 Parsons St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007 | 1917–1984 | Also located next to railroad tracks, this facility had major expansions in 1945, 1950, and 1960.[77] Various brands were produced there, including Gibson, Epiphone, (1957–1970)[78][79] and Kalamazoo. During the depression of the 1930s, children's toys were produced there, and during WW2 it produced materials to support the war effort in addition to producing guitars.[80] Between 1974 and 1984 Gibson moved its manufacturing out of this facility to Tennessee. Most of this move happened in 1974, leaving only acoustic and some semi-acoustic production for this plant.[81] In 1985, Heritage Guitars began production, renting part of this facility.[82] |
641 Massman Drive, Nashville, TN, 37210 | 1984–present | This is Gibson's facility for production of their main solid body models, such as the Les Paul and the SG. |
145 Lt. George W. Lee Av, Memphis, TN 38103 | 2000–present | This is Gibson's facility for production of their semi-hollowbody electric guitars. This facility shares the same building as Gibson's Retail Shop and Beale Street 'Showcase' location.[83] |
1894 Orville Way, Bozeman, MT, 59715 | 1989[84]– present | This facility is dedicated to acoustic guitar production. |
According to C.F. Martin's catalog, several of their guitars contain 'East Indian Rosewood,' which is the exact same wood in at least 10 of Gibson's guitars. So why were they not raided and their inventory of foreign wood seized? Grossly underreported at the time was the fact that Gibson's chief executive, Henry Juszkiewicz, contributed to Republican politicians.By contrast, Chris Martin IV, the Martin & Co. CEO, is a long-time Democratic supporter.
Also during the mid to late thirties, Gibson produced a range of cello and flat top instruments under the Kalamazoo name and at inexpensive prices.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gibson. |