History Of Gibson Guitars
Gibson was a musician and a woodcrafter ( luthier ) who enjoyed Building musical instruments such as archtop guitars , mandolins , and harps . The earliest electric gibson guitar ever recorded or seen had a perfectly solid wooden rectangular one piece body .
In 1896 gibson opened a little store and kept on experimenting and creating innovating new ways on how to build stringed instruments .
In 1902 gibson was bought out by investors who called their business Mandolin Guitar Manufacturing Company
From 1902 to 1944 some of the finest gibson guitars were produced and now are considered vintage guitars and highly collectible . Some of these guitars include the
- Gibson L-5 archtop introduced in 1922
- Gibson f-5 mandolin - 1923
- Super jumbo flat top guitars - 1934
- Gibson Es-150 with Charlie Christian Pickups - 1936-37
- The First Single Gibson archtops -1939
- J-45 Flat top introduced in 1942
In 1944 the company was purchased by CMI which stands for chicago musical instrument company . In 1944 to 1968-69 more fabulous gibson guitars were produced that are now household names such as
- The single cut gibson es-175 guitar - 1949
- Les Paul solid body p-90 pickups - 1952
- Eb-1 Violin - 1953
- Lespaul Customs With PAF humbuckers - 1955
- Single cut thinline es-225t - 1955
- The ever famous gibson Byrdland - 1955
- Double Cutaway semi hollow es-335 - 1958
- Gibson flying v explorers - 1958
- First EDS 1275 Gibson doublenecks - 1958
- Gibson Hummingbird -1959
- Gibson Barney Kessel - 1960
- Sg Lespaul - 1961
- Gibson Thunderbird Bass - 1963
Note : In 1957 CMI then purchased Epiphone guitar company transferring production from Philadelphia to the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo until 1969 when epiphone guitars were built in Japan .
In 1968 Gibson started making reissues of the lespaul customs and standards .
In late 1969 The company was purchased by a company called Norlin . During 1969 to 1984 more outstanding Gibson guitars were made such as :
- Gibson L series were introduced in 1972
- Nashville Tennesse Guitar - 1974
- Gibson BB KING - 1980
- Chet Atkins -1982
In 1984 production at kalamazoo Ended.
In 1985 Gibson sold to a group called Henry Juskewiscz . In 1985 to this present day Gibson is always strong , introducing more models such as Chet atkins country gentlemen and many more .
When you buy a vintage gibson guitar you are not only buying a fine guitar but the history that goes with it as well .
Theres no other manufacturer that has produced a greater variety of professional and prestigious quality guitar models than Gibson . Every guitar model that gibson ever built has its own history and story , there are no two alike even if they share the same name .
39 comments:
This is an amazing blog, this really give you a clue of how much does a gibson guitar cost
I toured the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo before manufacturing was moved to Nashville. Many of the same people who worked there stayed in town. A group of them are crafting the Heritage guitar; aptly named, since the Gibson heritage is forever in the hands of the craftspeople who made such beautiful instruments.
From the Heritage website: www.heritageguitar.com
Heritage Guitar Inc. of 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan was incorporated on April 1, 1985.
The idea to start Heritage Guitar began when the Gibson Guitar Corporation closed its Kalamazoo, Michigan factory in September of 1984 and moved all production to its other plant in Nashville, Tennessee (in operation since 1975). When this took place, some of the employees were asked to move to Nashville. However, since their families had spent many years in Kalamazoo, it made it difficult to uproot and move. Therefore 3 men, Jim Deurloo, Marvin Lamb, and JP Moats, decided to start a guitar manufacturing business. In 1985 when the company was incorporated, 2 other former Gibson Guitar Corporation employees, Bill Paige and Mike Korpak, joined as owners. Mike left the company in 1985.
The founders biggest resource is and was the group of craftsmen they could draw from to begin operations. The owners themselves each had in excess of 25 years of hands on experience in making guitars. To this day each of the owners is directly involved in the manufacturing of each instrument.
Heritage started operations in the oldest of five buildings formerly owned and operated by Gibson Guitar Corporation. That building was completed in 1917 and has been a center for guitar manufacturing ever since. Much of the machinery that Heritage uses today, was purchased from Gibson Guitar Corporation.
this blog is awesome ... keep it up , wish you covered fender too .
great info guys. love gibson guitars and knowing a little about their history makes me luv them even more ...
Do you guys know anything about the strike in the mid 1950's. If so please e-mail me at gibs_55@hotmail.com
GIbson guitars are fantabulous and there is no beating them. plain and simple as that.
I was just given an ES125 1942 sunburst with a bridge pickup Nickle plated, 14 3/4 lower bout, 10 1/4 upper bout. 3 1/4 depth, 24 3/4 scale length, all original other than nice repalcement tuners and the original hard case all in very nice shape, no cracks. I got it from the original owner. Serial # 7469H-15 on the inside of the black of the guitar. The #15 is in red pencil and it is all very readable. I need to know the value. Please contact me via email with anything you can tell me about this guitar. It has one vol. knob and one tone knob. Very nice guitar! Thanks and hope to hear from you soon!
Delbert
wallingr@cbpu.com
www.delbertwalling.com
Great description of your guitar , its definitely an early 40's ,its valued at $1400 to $1600 . You can probably fetch more if you sell it to the right buyer ... these guitars are rare but not really much in demand .. they were extremely popular during there times ,they were affordable but played very well though ... ( es-125 guitars were student models )
I have a J-45 I bought in 1969-70 Ser # 906685. I was told that it ws the last one built by Gibson That seems to be incorrect. Anyone have information on that number.
Campbell River BC
I was given an electic gibson les paul custom in white, but i dont see a serial number on it. the silver plate in the back has some faded numbers stamped on it and the numbers that i can read are 532 but it looks as if there is at least a faded 0 preceeding the 532. the bell on the front looks like the les paul custom was inscribed instead of stamped. the switch in front (i think its called a pick up switch) also have the word rhythm and treble inscribed instead of stamped. this seems to be an older guitar and has been in storage for over 15 years. can you please help me to find out if this is authentic and do all gibson les paul's have serial numbers on the outside or is there some where on the inside that it would tell me.
thanks, Mari
I have a J-45 I bought in 1969-70 Ser # 906685 ...
your guitar was made during the early 70s , according to your serial number .
I was given an electic gibson les paul custom ..
most gibson guitars have the serial numbers in back of the peghead ... unless its was made during the 30s , 40s or 50s ..
would have to see a picture of your guitar .
Hi My name is Scott and my father recently passed away and left me a c-o-classic Gibson guitar number 874634 with a white square label inside and it is stamped on the top of the Head as well. On the label inside it says Gibson, Inc. Kalamazoo, Mich. U.S.A. at the bottom union made. On the neck the frets are marked on the top edge of the neck in pearl white. It has a triple ring Black and yellow around the hole. The neck is two piece neck with a lighter color wood separating the two. On the head The neck is cut out for the string tensioner and the the keys are mounted flat against the neck and point down. The Gibson logo is slanted in gold and the dot on the I is connected to the G. Can anyone give me a value and date. I believe it was manufactured in the late 40's but need so help identifing the date and value. I do not want to sell, but want to insure for its value. Can anyone help. Please email me at scottrock19@yahoo.com. Thanks for your help.
the serial number indicates that it was made in 1967 , c-o classical guitars were introduced in 1962 and discontinued in 1971 ..
your guitar is valued at $400 to $450
I have a beautiful flattop serial#S-3253 with a square Kalamazoo label. Any idea it's value? n Sioux in Seattle
I have an old J-160E Custom acoustic electric that my Dad bought for me sometime in the 60's. It has an orange sticker visible thru the soundhole that says it J-160E Custom from Kalamazoo, MI and made in the USA. Serial number A86005. I am trying to get the year it was manifactured. Gibson hasn't been any help. Does anyone know?
Thanks, Greg
Sorry, I left out one of the numbers on the serial number. It is A860054
Thanks Greg
Hi. what a great site. been reading for hours..
I have a Gibson F-25 acoustic guitar. in good condition, all original, including soft shell case.
some varnish cracks, scuffs, etc on guitar back. lightly used.
Serial number is 300495. machine heads say Kluson Deluxe.
any info on a ballpark worth would be appreciated. I've had this guitar for 30 years and curious of its worth.
i have recently bought a gibson accoustic and i think it was created in the 40s or 50s and would like to know the value of it
thanks sincerly D.S
greg, saw your posting while I was looking up my guitar serial number etc...
look at http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson website
if you look towards the bottom of the list, you see a line that reads:
A + 6 digits 1973-1975
this may be your guitar, not sure though. but give the whole article a once over..
s
I saw Les Paul play in 1974 as part of a promotion for Gibson. Another great jazz guitar player was with him. Does anyone have any info about this?
Thanks
Bob Farmer
I saw Les Paul once in 1974 at a gibson sponsored event in Portland Or. There was another really good jazz guitar player with him. Anybody have any info about this?
Thanks
OOPS. My real name is Newby Dumass.
I bought a Gibson Les Paul Custom 1979 (Silverburst). Then I realized that it has no "made in USA" stamp on below its serial number. The serial number is #70169571. I have read that some products don't have this stamp because it is forgotten while being manufactured. I checked all the electronics and pick-ups and they look original. But I am worried that the guitar might be fake due to the missing stamp. I would be grateful if any one knows anything about this and inform me about that. Thanks a lot.
Maybe
this video can help you
Thanks a lot for your help.
The owner of 1979 Gibson Custom Silverburst.(No USA stamp)
Hi there! Anyone interested in a vintage Gibson J 160 E Custom Acoustic/Electric? It once belonged to Ernest Tubb (Bluegrass Musician circa 1952 - 1960) We have had it appraised and were shocked to find that it was worth $4,000 - $6,000 at a music shop in our area! It was passed down from my husband's grandfather and is actually a pre-Lennon guitar in great condition. We are not musically inclined and would love to sell this beautiful piece of history to someone who could give it a proper home and all the TLC it so richly deserves. If anyone is interested - make us a decent offer and we'll be happy to verify it's value. twotodo@cox.net
I just inherited an older Gibson Guitar, I believe it is from the late 40's or the early 50's. It is a flattop with number 15692 on the back of the neck, the only other markings I could find are J45; ADJ Bridge. If anyone could give me a ballpark figure I would appreciate it. George
Thanks for the blog. Fantastic. I have a Gibson 1976 es335td (Walnut)in beautiful condition. It only had one unusual thing when I purchased it. The paper norlin era label was missing. I can't see any glue residue or trace of this label. After looking online at other '76 models that were identical I notice others missing the label. This model has the coil tap and has a decal or something with the model, make, serial number on the back of the headstock. I just wondered if there were some years that they didn't bother with the labels over at Gibson or something. I also wondered if that really impacts the value of the instrument. I can't find any other flaws. Thanks
vintage 1952 Gibson Les Paul STD Gold Top in amazing condition for sale! Call for details!
Aiden at Guitar Center in Clackamas, OR - 503.764.8879
I was given an Epiphone Gibson, telecaster style,in black, ,with two pick ups, s/n 0110321.I think its about 20 yrs old.any info please,would be greatfull.
I have an older gibson that I'm trying to identify. There isn't any numbers on the inside or stamped on the neck that I can see. I believe it is from the late 20's to early 30's. If anyone would like to see pics of it you can e-mail me
Ebbtide17@comcast.net and I will send you the pics. thanks
I OLD BRO of Old Bro And The Ancestors use to starve just to buy another Gibson Les Paul Jr. or LP or SG jr.although had a deep apprecation for archtop electrics started playing in early 60's and Idustrial themal crush slowed me down in 88',anyway I met the great Pete Moreno and Arron Cowles Ex Gibson luthier and others with a long history at Kalamazoo plant and went off on there own greatness
Hi Iam glad i found this site.
I have a 1961-1962 Les Paul SG with the case. My question is that I cant locate any serial number, or is it possible there isnt one
Thanks Chip
lol
i have a gibson sj #960441 its color is a red stareburst it looks like a hummingbird but i know its not could anyone help it also has a oversiced pickgard
HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN A G ibson Classic later than a C-1 say C-2 and up .I have never seen a C-4 ,C-6 or C-8 IT FUNNY BUT THE ONLY ONES YOU SEE ARE THE C-0 or the C-1'S . Please let me know
I've been reading alot about all the Gibson L styles from the 1920's but cannot find any mention of an L-7. Ours is black, serial #72567 which is still legible in pencil on the label inside the hole. the hard shell case is in nice shape too. thanks.
What is the difference between Standard and Custom les pauls?
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