Gibson Guitars

Gibson guitars were not the original products that started Gibson Guitar Corporation. The company started out making mandolins. The design of the mandolins was innovative and featured an arch top and bent wood sides. This then led to Gibson using the same design to create archtop acoustic guitars. This later evolved into the making of flattop acoustic guitars and electric guitars. The innovations that Gibson is responsible for helped shape the future of guitars, especially the archtop guitar. Gibson guitars soon became a leading competitor in the emerging guitar market.

Electric guitars made a strong name for themselves in the early 1950s. Gibson’s most famous electric guitar, the Les Paul, was launched only after Fender released a wildly successfully electric guitar. Les Paul originally went to Gibson with his idea for an electric guitar, but they rejected the idea because they thought there was little market for it. After seeing the sales of Fender, Gibson started manufacturing an electric guitar and asked Les Paul to endorse the line of signature guitars. Les Paul had very little contributions to the actual guitar that was produced, but it has become the most popular and in demand guitar that Gibson produces.

The quality and reputation of Gibson guitars took a dive in the 1960s when the Gibson Guitar Corporation was sold to the Norlin Corporation. This lasted until the mid 1980s when the current owners of Gibson bought the company. Previous to the acquisition by the new owners, Gibson was on its way to bankruptcy. During the time of downward spiraling, the company moved from its original headquarters in Kalamazoo, Michigan to its current headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. This was an attempt to decrease costs by lowering wages. The union workers in Michigan cost the company more than workers in Tennessee.

Under new ownership, Gibson guitars once again moved into lead competitor status and regained their reputation for quality. Gibson guitars, both electric and acoustic, are still the leading sales product for the company, but they also offer bass guitars, amplifiers, pianos, drums, banjos and mandolins under the main Gibson name, as well as, under subsidiary companies that Gibson has founded or acquired.

The history of the guitar is riddled with the innovations and technological advances of several different individuals and companies. Gibson is one of the companies that helped make guitars what they are today. Many famous guitarists still prefer the Les Paul over any other brand of guitar. Musicians from bands including Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers, KISS and The Who are all avid users of Gibson guitars. They are only a few of the musicians that have recognized the quality and innovations that Gibson guitars have lent to guitars in general.