Gibson Guitar Corporation

Gibson redirects here. For other uses, see Gibson 1.1

(disambiguation).

Early history

Gibson Guitar Corporation is an American manufacturer of guitars and other instruments, now based in
Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Gibson Brands.[3]
Orville Gibson founded the company in 1902 as
The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg.
Co., Ltd.
in Kalamazoo, Michigan to make mandolin-family
instruments.[1] Gibson invented archtop guitars by constructing the same type of carved, arched tops used on violins. By the 1930s, the company was also making attop
acoustic guitars, as well as one of the rst commercially
available hollow-body electric guitars, used and popularized by Charlie Christian. It was bought by Chicago MuOrville Gibson, founder
sical Instruments in 1944, which was then acquired by
the E.C.L. conglomerate that changed its name to Norlin
Inc. Many observers see this as the beginning of an era
of mismanagement.
Gibson sells guitars under a variety of brand names[4]
and builds one of the worlds most iconic guitars, the
Gibson Les Paul. Many Gibson instruments are highly
collectible. Gibson was at the forefront of innovation
in acoustic guitars, especially in the big band era of the
1930s; the Gibson Super 400 was widely imitated. In
Mandolin
1952, Gibson introduced its rst solid-body electric gui(c. 1917)
tar, the Les Paul which became its most popular guitar to
date designed by Ted McCarty and Les Paul. Gibson
was owned by the Norlin corporation from 1969 to 1986.
In 1986 the company was acquired by its present owners. Gibson Guitar is a privately held corporation owned
by its chief executive ocer Henry Juszkiewicz and its
president David H. Berryman.
In addition to guitars, Gibson oers consumer audio
equipment devices through its subsidiaries Onkyo Corporation, Cerwin Vega and Stanton,[5] as well as profesHarp guitar
sional audio equipment from KRK Systems also pianos
(c. 1912).
from their wholly owned subsidiary Baldwin Piano and
music software from Cakewalk.
Orville Gibson (born 1856) patented a single-piece mandolin design in 1898 that was more durable than other
mandolins and could be manufactured in volume.[6]
Orville Gibson began to sell his instruments in 1894 out
of a one-room workshop in Kalamazoo Michigan. In
1902 Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co, Ltd. was incorporated to market the instruments. Initially, the com1 History
pany produced only Orville Gibsons original designs.[7]
Orville died in 1918 of endocarditis (inammation of the
inside lining of the heart chambers and valves).[6]
1

1 HISTORY
son began manufacturing wood and metal parts for the
military. Between 1942-1945, Gibson employed women
to manufacture guitars. Women produced nearly 25,000
guitars during World War II yet Gibson denied ever building instruments over this period, according to a 2013 history of the company. Gibson folklore has also claimed
its guitars were made by seasoned craftsmen who were
too old for war.[9][10]

L-5 acoustic.

1953 Les Paul Goldtop

ES-150
(based on L-50)

Les Paul Custom

ES-175 D
(based on L-4)

Les Paul Standard

Super 400 CES

The following year the company hired designer Lloyd
Loar to create newer instruments.[7] Loar designed the
agship L-5 archtop guitar and the Gibson F5 mandolin
that was introduced in 1922, before leaving the company
in 1924.[8] In 1936 Gibson introduced their rst Electric
Spanish model, the ES-150 followed by other electric in- Les Paul Junior
struments like steel guitars, banjos and mandolins.
During World War II, instrument manufacturing at Gibson slowed due to shortages of wood and metal, and Gib-

1.1

Early history

L-5 CES

Flying V

non-reverse (left) & reverse Firebird

Byrdland

Gibson SG

ES-350T

ES-335T

Explorer

In 1944 Gibson was purchased by Chicago Musical Instruments. The ES-175 was introduced in 1949. Gibson hired Ted McCarty in 1948, who became President
in 1950. He led an expansion of the guitar line with
new guitars such as the Les Paul guitar introduced in
1952 and designed by Les Paul, a popular musician in
the 1950s and also a pioneer in music technology. The
Les Paul was oered in Custom, Standard, Special, and
Junior models.[11] In the mid-50s, the Thinline series was
produced, which included a line of thinner guitars like the
Byrdland. The rst Byrdlands were slim, custom built,
L-5 models for guitarists Billy Byrd and Hank Garland.
Later, a shorter neck was added. Other models such as the
ES-350T and the ES-225T were introduced as less costly
alternatives.[12] In 1958, Gibson introduced the ES-335T
model. Similar in size to the hollow-body Thinlines, the
ES-335 family had a solid center, giving the string tone a
longer sustain.
In the 1950s, Gibson also produced the Tune-o-matic
bridge system and its version of the humbucking pickup,
the PAF (Patent Applied For), rst released in 1957
and still sought after for its sound. In 1958, Gibson produced two new designs: the eccentrically shaped Explorer
and Flying V. These modernistic guitars did not sell initially. It was only in the late 1960s and early 70s when the
two guitars were reintroduced to the market that they sold

1 HISTORY

well. The Firebird, in the early 60s, was a reprise of the ing out of business before it was bought by Henry E.
modernistic idea, though less extreme.
Juszkiewicz, David H. Berryman, and Gary A. Zebrowski
in January 1986.[14] New production plants were opened
in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as Bozeman, Montana.
1.2 Modernization
The Memphis facility is used for semi-hollow and custom
shop instruments, while the Bozeman facility is dedicated
In the late 50s, McCarty knew that Gibson was seen as a to acoustic instruments.[15]
traditional company and began an eort to create more
In 1977 Gibson sued Hoshino/Elger for copying the
modern guitars. In 1961 the body design of the Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul.[16] In 2000, Gibson sued Fernandes
was changed due to the demand for a double-cutaway
Guitars in a Tokyo court for allegedly copying Gibson
body design.[13] The new body design then became known
designs. Gibson did not prevail.[17] Gibson also sued
as the SG (for solid guitar). The Les Paul returned to
PRS Guitars in 2005, to stop them from making their
the Gibson catalog in 1968.
Singlecut model. The lawsuit against PRS was initially
On December 22, 1969, the Gibson parent company successful.[18] However, the United States Court of ApChicago Musical Instruments was taken over by the South peals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the lower court deAmerican brewing conglomerate ECL. Gibson remained cision and ordered the dismissal of Gibsons suit against
under the control of CMI until 1974 when it became a PRS.[19]
subsidiary of Norlin Musical Instruments. Norlin Musical Instruments was a member of Norlin Industries which
was named for ECL president Norton Stevens and CMI 1.2.1 Gibson factories
president Arnold Berlin. This began an era characterized by corporate mismanagement and decreasing prod- Below are some of the facilities used to produce Gibson
instruments, along with years of their operation:
uct quality.

1.3 Recent history

Gibson purchased Garrison Guitars in 2007.[33] In mid
2009 Gibson reduced its work force to adjust for a decline
in guitar industry sales in the United States.[34]
In 2011, Gibson acquired the Stanton Group, including
Gibson left Kalamazoo in 1984, then previous factory Cerwin Vega, KRK Systems and Stanton DJ. Gibson then
became Heritage Guitars
formed a new division, Gibson Pro Audio, which will
deliver professional grade audio items, including headphones, loudspeakers and DJ equipment.[35]
Gibson announced a partnership with the Japanese-based
Onkyo Corporation in 2012. Onkyo, known for audio
equipment and home theater systems, became part of the
Gibson Pro Audio division.[36]
Gibson Showcase at Nashville
1.3.1 FWS raids & Lacey Act violation
Gibsons factories were raided in 2009 and 2011 by
agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS). In November 2009 authorities found illegally imported ebony wood from Madagascar.[37][38] A second
raid was conducted in August 2011,[37] during which the
Gibson Factory at Memphis
FWS seized wood imports from India that had been mislabeled on the US Customs declaration.[39][40] Gibson
Between 1974 and 1984 production of Gibson guitars was Guitar Corp. led a motion in January 2011 to recover
shifted from Kalamazoo to Nashville, Tennessee. The seized materials and overturn the charges, which was deKalamazoo plant kept going for a few years as a custom- nied by the court.[41][42]
instrument shop, but was closed in 1984; several Gibson The United States Department of Justice found emails
employees led by plant manager Jim Duerloo established from 2008 and 2009 in which Gibson employees disHeritage Guitars in the old factory, building versions of cussing the gray market nature of the ebony wood availclassic Gibson designs.
able from a German wood dealerwho obtained it from
The company (Gibson) was within three months of go- a supplier in Madagascaras well as plans to obtain the

5
wood. It led a civil proceeding in June 2011,[40][43][44]
the rst such case under the amended Lacey Act, which
requires importing companies to purchase legally harvested wood and follow the environmental laws of the
producing countries regardless of corruption or lack of
enforcement.[44] Gibson argued in a statement the following day that authorities were bullying Gibson without ling charges and denied any wrongdoing.[39][45] Arguing
against the federal regulations and claiming that the move
threatened jobs, Republicans and tea party members
spoke out against the raids and supported Juszkiewicz.[46]
The case was settled on August 6, 2012, with Gibson admitting to violating the Lacey Act and agreeing to pay
a ne of $300,000 in addition to a $50,000 community payment. Gibson also forfeited the wood seized in
the raids, which was valued at roughly the same amount
as the settlement.[47][48] However, in a subsequent statement Gibson maintained its innocence with Juszkiewicz
claiming that Gibson was inappropriately targeted and
that the government raids were so outrageous and overreaching as to deserve further Congressional investigation. Juszkiewicz continued to state, We felt compelled
to settle as the costs of proving our case at trial would
have cost millions of dollars and taken a very long time
to resolve.[49]

priced Gibson models, such as the Les Paul and SG, sold
under the Epiphone brand,[61] while continuing to make
Epiphone-specic models like the Sheraton and Casino.
In Japan, Orville by Gibson once made Gibson designs
sold in that country.[62] Gibson has sought legal action
against those that make and sell guitars Gibson believes
are too similar to their own.
In 1977, Gibson introduced the serial numbering system
in use until 2006.[63] An eight-digit number on the back
shows the date when the instrument was produced, where
it was produced, and its order of production that day (e.g.,
rst instrument stamped that day, second, etc.).[64] As of
2006, the company used seven serial number systems,[63]
making it dicult to identify guitars by their serial number alone.[63][64] and as of 1999 the company has used
six distinct serial numbering systems.[64] An exception is
the year 1994, Gibsons centennial year; many 1994 serial
numbers start with 94, followed by a six-digit production number. The Gibson website provides a book to help
with serial number deciphering.[64]
In 2006 Gibson introduced a nine-digit serial number system replacing the eight-digit system used since 1977, but
the sixth digit now represents a batch number.[63]
In 2003,[65] Gibson debuted its Ethernet-based[66] audio
protocol, MaGIC, which it developed in partnership with
3COM, Advanced Micro Devices, and Xilinx.[65] Replacing traditional analog hook-ups with a digital connection that would, "...satisfy the unique requirements of
live audio performances, may have been the goal of this
project.[66]

The case raised concerns for musicians who lack documentation of vintage instruments made of traditional,
non-sustainable materials.[50][51] However, ocials from
the Justice Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service have stated that musicians who unknowingly possess instruments made from illegal wood would not be
This system may require a special pickup,[65] but cabling
treated as criminals.[52]
is provided by standard Cat-5 ethernet cord.[65][66]

The Gibson self-tuning guitar, also known as a robot

model, an option on some newer Les Paul, SG, Flying V and Explorer instruments, will tune itself in little
Further information: Gibson Guitar Corporation product more than two seconds using robotics technology developed by Tronical GmbH.[67] Under the tradename Minlist
ETune, this device became standard on several models in
2014.[68]
Gibson also owns and makes instruments under brands such as Epiphone,[53] Kramer,[54]
Maestro,[55] Steinberger,[56] and Tobias,[57] along
with the ownership of historical brands such as 3 See also
Kalamazoo,[58][59] Dobro,[4] Slingerland,[60] Valley
David Harvey (luthier)
Arts,[60] and Baldwin[4] (including: Chickering,[60]
[60]
[4][60]
Hamilton, Wurlitzer
).
Jim Triggs (luthier)
In addition to guitars, Gibson oers consumer audio
List of Gibson players
equipment devices through its subsidiaries Onkyo Cor[5]
poration, Cerwin Vega and Stanton, as well as professional audio equipment from KRK Systems and
TEAC Corporation/TASCAM and music software from 4 Footnotes
Cakewalk.[60]

Instruments

Gibson makes authorized copies of its most successful

guitar designs. They are less expensive than those bearing the Gibson name. A former competitor, Epiphone
was purchased by Gibson and now makes competitively

[1] Gibson History. Gibson Corporate Press Kit. Gibson

Guitar Corp. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
[2] Gisbon Brands at Gibson Press website, retrieved 10 Dec
2014

[3] Drop the guitar Gibson rebrands on BizJournals.com

[4] Ayala Ben-Yehuda (9 April 2007). Gibson Guitar embraces China, Latin markets. Reuters.
[5] Gibson Pro Audio line, 10 Dec 2014

4 FOOTNOTES

[32] http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/
GibsonSERIALNUMBERS.pdf (Accessed Jan 2, 2015.)
[33] Garrison Guitars sold to Gibson thetelegram.com, July
4th, 2007

[7] Gibson Dusk Tiger. Gibson.com. 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2011-01-28.

[34] Email, published by Walker Duncan (2009-03-23).

Sources: Gibson adds to layo tally | Make and Buy |
NashvillePost.com: Nashville Business News + Nashville
Political News. NashvillePost.com. Retrieved 2011-0128.

[8] Wheeler, Tom. American Guitars. HarperCollins.

1992.pp 1001 ISBN 978-0-06-273154-8

[35] Gibson Guitar increases high-tech lineup with purchase.

Tennessean.com. 2011-12-06. Retrieved 2011-12-06.

[9] Lister, Kat (2014-04-23). The forgotten women of Kalamazoo. Feminist Times. Retrieved 2014-09-15.

[36] Gibson Expands Pro Audio Division.

2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-02-09.

[6] Orville H. Gibson, 18561918. Simino.net. Retrieved 2011-01-28.

Gibson.com.

[10] Thomas, John (2012). Kalamazoo gals: a story of

extraordinary women and Gibsons banner guitars of
WWll. Franklin, TN: American History Press. ISBN
9780983082781.

[37] Wadhwani, A.; Paine, A. (25 August 2011). Gibson Guitar raided but lips zipped. The Tennessean. Archived
from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.

[11] Hembree 2007, p. 7485

[38] Lind, J.R. (29 December 2010). Federal agent: Gibson wood investigation likely to result in indictments.
NashvillePost.com. Archived from the original on 10 July
2011.

[12] Duchossoir 1998, p. 5562

[13] Hembree 2007, p. 110
[14] Hembree 2007, p. 306
[15] Gleick 1987
[16] Fjestad, Zachary (June 16, 2010). Ibanez Lawsuit Era
Les Paul Custom Copy. Premier Guitar.
[17] Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual
Property | Vol 4 | Iss 2 (PDF). Law.northwestern.edu.
2010-08-19. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
[18] Gibson Guitar Corp. v. Paul Reed Smith Guitars, L.P.,
325 F. Supp. 2d 841 (M.D. Tenn., 2004)
[19] Gibson Guitar Corp. v. Paul Reed Smith Guitars, LP,
423 F.3d 539 (6th Cir. 2005).
[20] Wheeler 1992, p. 95
[21] Carter 1994, p. 12
[22] Spann 2011, p. 1
[23] Spann 2011, p. 12
[24] Spann 2011, p. 2
[25] Wheeler 1992, pp. 101, 151
[26] Wheeler 1992, p. 144
[27] Bonds 2004, p. 318
[28] Thomas 2012, p. 3

[39] Gibson Guitar Corp. responds to federal raid. Gibson

Guitar Corp. 25 August 2011. Archived from the original
on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
[40] Trotter, J. (25 August 2011). Endangered lemurs could
be connected to Gibson raid. WMCTV.com. Archived
from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August
2011.
[41] Update: CEOs Outrage Gets Media Buzzing. Gibson
Guitar Corp. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original
on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
[42] Gibson Guitars fails to squash illegal wood investigation. Sound & Fair. 19 January 2011. Archived from
the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
[43] Gibson/Lacey Act Update. Home Furnishings Business. 6 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July
2011.
[44] Endangered species tracking: What did Gibson Guitar
know?". mongabay.com. 7 July 2011. Archived from the
original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
[45] Stern, Andrew (25 August 2011). Gibson Guitar to ght
U.S. probe of its wood imports. Reuters. Archived from
the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 1 September
2011.

[30] Bonds 2004, p. 406

[46] Schelzig, E. (August 7, 2012). Gibson Guitar Corporation admits to importing endangered wood. The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 24
November 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.

[31] http://images.gibson.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Lifestyle/
PDFs/Memphis-Tour-Brochure-Outside.pdf (Accessed
Mar 24, 2014.)

[47] Black, R. (6 August 2012). Gibson settles discord on

timber. BBC News. Archived from the original on 7
August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.

[29] Bonds 2004, p. 396

[48] Clarke, C.; Grant, A. (4 May 2011). Are your wood

products really certied?". wri.org. Archived from the
original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
[49] Gibson Comments on Department of Justice Settlement. Gibson Guitar Corporation. August 6, 2012.
Archived from the original on 24 November 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
[50] Felten, E. (26 August 2011). Guitar frets: Environmental
enforcement leaves musicians in fear. The Wall Street
Journal. Archived from the original on 1 September 2011.
Retrieved 1 September 2011.
[51] Simmons, L. (31 August 2011). Raid highlights music manufacturers environmental risks. bizmology.com.
Archived from the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
[52] Eilperin, J. (13 November 2011). Gibson Guitar ignites debate over environmental protections. Washington
Post. Archived from the original on 16 November 2011.
Retrieved 16 November 2011.
[53] epiphone.com. Epiphone. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
[54] kramerguitars.com Kramer Ocial Site
[55] Maestro by Gibson Gibson Ocial Site
[56] steinberger.com Steinberger Ocial Site
[57] Tobias Gibson Ocial Site
[58] Ken Achard (1996). The History and Development of the
American Guitar. Bold Strummer. p. 10. ISBN 978-0933224-18-6. Also during the mid to late thirties, Gibson
produced a range of cello and at top instruments under
the Kalamazoo name and at inexpensive prices.
[59] Gibson Kalamazoo. January 2, 2009.
[60] Gibson Brands Announces Intention to Acquire Cakewalk Inc.. Gibson Guitar Corporation. 23 September
2013. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
[61] Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Epiphone.com.
[62] Epiphone: A History Epiphone and Gibson. Epiphone.com.
[63] Gibson Serial Numbers: What a serial number can and
can't tell you about your Gibson Gibson Ocial Site,
7.17.2007
[64] Blue Book of Electric Guitars. Sixth Edition: Gibson Serialization. Edited by S.P. Fjestad Gibson Ocial Site
[65] The MaGIC of Gibsons Digital Guitars Maximum PC
magazine, April 2003
[66] This Is MaGIC Gibson Ocial Site
[67] Yuri Kageyama (The Associated Press) (December 3,
2007). Worlds rst robot guitar takes care of the tuning. Seattle Times. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
[68] http://www2.gibson.com/Products/min-etune.aspx

5 References
Achard, Ken (1989). The History and Development
of the American Guitar. Westport, CT: Bold Strummer Ltd. ISBN 978-0-933-22418-6.
Bacon, Tony (2002). 50 Years of the Gibson Les
Paul. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 9780-879-30711-0.
Bacon, Tony (2009). The Les Paul Guitar Book:
A Complete History of Gibson Les Paul Guitars.
San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930951-0.
Bacon, Tony (2011). Flying V, Explorer, Firebird:
An Odd-shaped History of Gibsons Weird Electric
Guitars. Milwaukee, WI: Backbeat Books. ISBN
978-1-617-13008-3.
Bacon, Tony (2012). The History of the American
Guitar: From 1833 to the Present Day. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1-617-13033-5.
Bacon, Tony (2014). Sunburst: How the Gibson Les
Paul Standard Became a Legendary Guitar. Montclair: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1-617-13466-1.
Bonds, Ray (2004). The Illustrated Directory of
Gutiars. New York: Barnes and Noble. ISBN 9780-760-76317-9.
Carter, Walter (1994). Gibson Guitars: 100 Years of
an American Icon. Los Angeles: General Publishing
Group. ISBN 978-1-881-64939-7.
Carter, Walter (2007). Gibson Electric Guitar Book
Seventy Years of Classic Guitars. Backbeat Books:
New York. ISBN 978-0-879-30895-7.
Day, Paul; Carter, Walter; Hunter, Dave; Verheyen,
Carl (2011). The Ultimate Gibson Guitar Book. New
York: Metro Books. ISBN 978-1-435-13756-1.
Duchossoir, A. R. (1998). Gibson Electrics: The
Classic Years. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard. ISBN
978-0-793-59210-4.
Duchossoir, A. R. (2008). Guitar Identication: A
Reference for Dating Guitars made by Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, and Martin (4th ed.). Milwaukee, WI:
Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-1-423-42611-0.
Duchossoir, A. R. (2009). Gibson Electric Steel Guitars: 1935-1967. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard.
ISBN 978-1-423-45702-2.

7
Erlewine, Dan; Whitford, Eldon; Vinopal, David
(2009). Gibsons Fabulous Flat-top Guitars: An Illustrated History & Guide. San Francisco: Backbeat
Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30962-6.
Fjestad, Zachary R.; Meiners, Larry (2007). Gibson Flying V. Minneapolis, MN: Blue Book Publications. ISBN 978-1-886-76872-7.
Fox, Paul (2011). The Other Brands of Gibson. Anaheim Hills, CA: Centerstream Publications. ISBN 978-1-574-24271-3.
Gleick, James (1987). Chaos: Making a New Science. New York: Viking. ISBN 978-0-670-811786.
Gruhn, George; Carter, Walter (1993). Acoustic
Guitars and Other Fretted Instruments: A Photographic History. San Francisco: GPI Books. ISBN
978-0-879-30240-5.
Gruhn, George; Carter, Walter (2010a). Electric
Guitars and Basses: A Photographic History. New
York: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30974-9.
Gruhn, George; Carter, Walter (2010b). Gruhns
Guide to Vintage Guitars: An Identication Guide for
American Fretted Instruments. New York: Backbeat
Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30422-5.
Hembree, George (2007). Gibson Guitars: Ted McCartys Golden Era 1948-1966. Austin, TX: GH
Books. ISBN 978-1-423-41813-9.
Ingram, Adrian (1997). The Gibson L5: Its History
and its Players. Anaheim, CA: Centerstream Pub.
ISBN 978-1-574-24047-4.
Ingram, Adrian (2007). The Gibson 175: Its History
and its Players. Anaheim, CA: Centerstream Pub.
ISBN 978-1-574-24223-2.
Marx, Wallace (2009). Gibson Ampliers 19332008. Minneapolis, MN: Blue Book Publications.
ISBN 978-1-886-76890-1.
Spann, Joe (2011). Spanns Guide to Gibson: 19021941. Anaheim Hills, CA: Centerstream Pub.
ISBN 978-1-574-24267-6.
Thomas, John (2012). Kalamazoo Gals: A Story of
Extraordinary Women & Gibsons Banner Guitars
of WWII. Franklin, TN: American History Press.
ISBN 978-0-983-08278-1.
Wheeler, Tom (1992). American Guitars: An Illustrated History (rev. and updated ed.). New York:
HarperPerennial. ISBN 978-0-062-73154-8.

EXTERNAL LINKS

6 Further reading
Fox, Paul (2011). The Other Brands of Gibson.
Centerstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-57424-2713.

7 External links
Ocial website, Gibson Guitar Corp.

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

8.1

Text

Gibson Guitar Corporation Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Guitar_Corporation?oldid=672667254 Contributors: DavidLevinson, Rbrwr, Infrogmation, Michael Hardy, Flamurai, Ronz, CatherineMunro, Angela, Andrewa, Saint-Paddy, Charles Matthews,
Malcohol, Andrewman327, Jgm, ZeWrestler, Wetman, Robbot, RedWolf, Baldhur, Academic Challenger, Fudoreaper, Ds13, Everyking,
Niteowlneils, Bovlb, Golbez, Alexf, Quadell, Antandrus, Kaldari, Bumm13, Jh51681, Klemen Kocjancic, Kevin Rector, DmitryKo, R,
Brother Dysk~enwiki, Cereal KiIIer, Rich Farmbrough, Hydrox, Andros 1337, Dennis Brown, Bobo192, Nigelj, ArkansasTraveler, Beaverfever, David Gale, Pearle, Alansohn, Arthena, Andrewpmk, Kocio, Phyllis1753, Hohum, QuixoticKate, Ukepedia, Paddy whack, Yurivict,
Zntrip, Megan1967, Nuno Tavares, Kelly Martin, Pinball22, Varco, Thruston, GregorB, Plrk, Zpb52, Fleetham, Deltabeignet, Kbdank71,
Shandolad, Sj, Rjwilmsi, Dr.Gonzo, 40 Watt, PinchasC, Vegaswikian, Yamamoto Ichiro, FlaBot, Soundguy99, Nivix, Ewlyahoocom,
Brendan Moody, Alphachimp, Panufo, Lightsup55, DVdm, YurikBot, Wavelength, Phantomsteve, RussBot, Anonymous editor, MrAmazing8270, Pseudomonas, Bovineone, Igods, Spike Wilbury, Epim~enwiki, Irishguy, Bobbo, Anetode, Cholmes75, Alex43223, GeorgeC,
Denis C., Dddstone, Strolls, Bruce Hall, Kona1611, Greg.harvey, Takethemud, RC Cola, FF2010, Zzuuzz, Nikkimaria, Closedmouth,
Erjon~enwiki, Steve McKinney, Elp gr, LeonardoRob0t, Realkyhick, Redsox989, Enkauston, JSC ltd, DVD R W, Dsreyn, SmackBot,
KnowledgeOfSelf, Royalguard11, Blash, Deon Steyn, Ariedartin, Lion King, Tommstein, Gilliam, Ohnoitsjamie, James xeno, Hmains,
ERcheck, The monkeyhate, Izehar, Chris the speller, Bluebot, Faded, Jprg1966, Thumperward, Gliex, Colonies Chris, Darth Panda,
TMFSG, AntiVan, OrphanBot, Pokey5945, Rrburke, Tywillis, Baba O'Riley~enwiki, Victor Lopes, SamBlob, Smegmung, SnakeSeries,
Blahm, Cyclo3, Kuru, JackLumber, Gobonobo, Ndrly, Needlenose, Scoty6776, SQGibbon, MrArt, TastyPoutine, Kaptaingumby, Serlin,
Chickencha, JYi, BranStark, Iridescent, J Di, Aeternus, Charlie Greenlight, Anger22, Arcanaman, Aenemated, Tawkerbot2, Fma12, JForget, CmdrObot, Cool Kizmet, KyraVixen, Drinibot, Basawala, Jokes Free4Me, THF, Dgw, ShelfSkewed, Oo7565, Godescalcus~enwiki,
Bill Wrigley, Cydebot, Fl, MC10, Fair Deal, DavidRavenMoon, ChrisElmo, Tawkerbot4, Sheilax, Rickyadnett, 02moat32, Pigx, Dylant07, Omicronpersei8, JodyB, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Barticus88, Qwyrxian, Bobglickman, N5iln, Oliver202, John254, Sfxdude, The Big
L, SusanLesch, Greendayforlife9, Dawnseeker2000, AntiVandalBot, Majorly, Seaphoto, Jj137, MJHankel, AlexOvShaolin, Jacqke, Midnight Highway, DCman, Leuko, Husond, Davewho2, MER-C, Setec Astronomy, Roleplayer, MegX, Maias, Chris.r.talbot, Magioladitis,
Bongwarrior, VoABot II, Chevinki, Professor marginalia, Appraiser, DwightTheGreat, Avicennasis, Bfarb, Bubba hotep, Dafyddabhugh,
Srice13, Animum, Spellmaster, Grinder0-0, Esanchez7587, Purslane, Guitarspecs, FisherQueen, Nightward, MartinBot, Music Scout,
Nectar3, Bronto22, J.delanoy, Dstarstrat, Anas Salloum, TheUnionBlood, Mark Froelich, DarkFalls, JayFout, Ryan Postlethwaite, Photoweborama, NatureBoyMD, Wikigi, Biglovinb, DkEgy, Epiphonist, Dbraasch, Jevansen, DMCer, Bonadea, Vermonterinexile, Sand village, Elwinator, Vinsfan368, NlynchN, Tkgd2007, Funandtrvl, Wikieditor06, Izzy007, VolkovBot, Jamcib~enwiki, Je G., Indubitably,
Kakoui, Luislj403, ThrowingStick, ShynX, Philip Trueman, JohnVBoyle, Mercurywoodrose, Tom Handler, Crappy12, Zurishaddai, Saber
girl08, Papa Ul, Someguy1221, Brunton, Mardhil, LeaveSleaves, Sklew, BotKung, Ilyushka88, Andresdela, Kilmer-san, Paul J Stevens, Zapdude6, Rickfury, Kehrbykid, Munci, Solicitr, Powerbook68, Peter Fleet, SieBot, Triple.vee, NATO.Caliber, Accounting4Taste, Parkhead,
TurtleShroom, Tresiden, Schmerker120, VVVBot, Dawn Bard, Nfsjunkie91, Yintan, Fallingwalls1, Flyer22, Fend strat67, JD554, Steven
Zhang, PortableD-Day, Hobartimus, Bkwill26, Af1990person, Savie Kumara, Xnatedawgx, ImageRemovalBot, Wakinglife24, Bloodzombie, Cybermonsters, Martarius, ClueBot, GorillaWarfare, Snigbrook, The Thing That Should Not Be, Fairocker, Drmies, Mild Bill Hiccup, Save3lives, Josh larrison, Otolemur crassicaudatus, Bissleface2112, Stiofan1, Arunsingh16, Rockfang, Excirial, Quercus basaseachicensis, Jusdafax, Oj55, Sun Creator, Sansumaria, Wiki libs, Samuria9, Arjayay, 7&6=thirteen, Tnxman307, BOTarate, Mlas, Aitias,
Scalhotrod, Mikulec, NJGW, Nickman339, Juduikjazz, GHmanRON, XLinkBot, Maky, BodhisattvaBot, WikHead, Badgernet, HarlandQPitt, BrucePodger, WikiMidget, Kbdankbot, Caza16, Addbot, Some jerk on the Internet, Popiloll, Dunnowho73, Pat Pending,
Captain-tucker, 29058000071733lc, FCSundae, Isaakplaysgodin, Joesolo1, Tassedethe, Hheelloo556677, Dayewalker, Bguras puppy,
Lightbot, Hhcox, Krano, Zorrobot, Windward1, Legobot, Yobot, MaidenfansUS, Conway1, Goodcheesema, Guitarzlover, AnomieBOT,
Bsimmons666, Pboyd9999, Jim1138, Piano non troppo, MarbleRye, Kingpin13, Maxis ftw, ArthurBot, Stumpfoot, Xqbot, Mr. diddlydooskins, Wether B, Kutguckyhq, Jerey Mall, BritishWatcher, Control.valve, Hrystiv, Timpletcher, AnikM, Karyn.Andrews, Angusman, Primarycontrol, Tmurphyibanez, Sms6090, Dear cobain, Doulos Christos, CorporateM, A.amitkumar, Celuici, Gregor123abc,
GripTheHusk, FrescoBot, FlyingSquirrel222, Wireless Keyboard, Ndhstexasuroc, Perfectionaintperfect, DrilBot, RubiksMaster110, Missingman, Calmer Waters, SpaceFlight89, Curtis23, TeamShakeNBake, Guitaristhewayforward, Vrenator, Ryabow, KayteTurner, Diannaa,
JNard829, Hisothiro, Mass09, Reach Out to the Truth, Thecorrect12, Undrcroft, Ripchip Bot, Scieberking, Theswordstone, EmausBot,
WikitanvirBot, Leech44, Fcullender, RA0808, Ebe123, 20Hz, Clusternote, Tommy2010, Akerans, HawkMcCain, Killkiddo, Michaelenandry, Mr little irish, IzakT, Henryemj, Sal Massaro, Jack Baldwin, Openstrings, , Nemo47, Matti2K, Bathilda1905, SBaker43, Smarkr,
JmacBrown, Jon4195, Therewillbehotcake, Bassdroid, ClueBot NG, Commons Guitarpop, Rushton2010, Wosch21149, O.Koslowski, Karl
334, Jorgenev, Joechem77, Helpful Pixie Bot, Minotaur1231, Calabe1992, Gmivero, Vagobot, VintageGuitarGuy, Nomorewar24, Oxydendrum, Hjguitar, Wiki23456, El Monterrey, Amroknian, Fancystux4, Sregginkcuf, Gnmk, Jeeyapples, Ggarcia1207, Glacialfox, Alldayimshuing, Loriendrew, Jediknightelectro1997, Geeetarman11, BattyBot, ShashankSharma2511, Ashley323, Matteo Pescio, Ckellam,
Ckellam34, Chansky, Khazar2, EuroCarGT, Mogism, Twisty twisty, Chargers321, Sstubbs2, Saykor, Epicgenius, DualShowman, DallasSchneider, Letsgetthisdone, Pik00011, BobTheSeeker13, Marigold100, Ginsuloft, Jackmcbarn, JohnThomasCT, Rbopl, Iamdumdum,
Zackariah H, Monkbot, Jazzed Muse, Monumenteer2014camper, ArturZ72, Cadoodle and Anonymous: 742

8.2

Images

File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original

artist: ?
File:Gibson2000_(508x345).jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Gibson2000_%28508x345%29.jpg
License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: This le was derived from: Gibson2000.jpg: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Gibson2000.jpg' class='image'><img alt='Gibson2000.jpg' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/
Gibson2000.jpg/50px-Gibson2000.jpg' width='50' height='34' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/
01/Gibson2000.jpg/75px-Gibson2000.jpg
1.5x,
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Gibson2000.jpg/
100px-Gibson2000.jpg 2x' data-le-width='700' data-le-height='475' /></a>
Original artist: Gibson2000.jpg: Frankenschulz
File:Gibson_Byrdland.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Gibson_Byrdland.jpg License: CC BY 2.0

10

8 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Contributors: This le was derived from: Gibson Byrdland 1.jpg: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gibson_Byrdland_1.jpg'
class='image'><img alt='Gibson Byrdland 1.jpg' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Gibson_Byrdland_1.
jpg/50px-Gibson_Byrdland_1.jpg' width='50' height='67' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Gibson_
Byrdland_1.jpg/75px-Gibson_Byrdland_1.jpg 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Gibson_Byrdland_1.
jpg/100px-Gibson_Byrdland_1.jpg 2x' data-le-width='768' data-le-height='1024' /></a>
Original artist: Gibson_Byrdland_1.jpg: Jon
File:Gibson_ES-150.png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Gibson_ES-150.png License: CC BY-SA 2.5
Contributors: Own work Original artist: Thomas Despoix
File:Gibson_ES-175.png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Gibson_ES-175.png License: CC BY-SA 2.5
Contributors: Own work Original artist: Thomas Despoix
File:Gibson_ES-335_sunburst.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Gibson_ES-335_sunburst.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Federico.Gallerani
File:Gibson_ES-350T_.png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Gibson_ES-350T_.png License: CC-BYSA-3.0 Contributors:
Gibson_ES-350T.png Original artist: Gibson_ES-350T.png: Original uploader was Cuetty at de.wikipedia
File:Gibson_Explorer.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Gibson_Explorer.jpg License: Public domain
Contributors: Own work Original artist: ZngZng
File:Gibson_Firebird_non-reverse_&_reverse.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Gibson_Firebird_
non-reverse_%26_reverse.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: This le was derived from: Gibsons.jpg: <a href='//commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gibsons.jpg' class='image'><img alt='Gibsons.jpg' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/
thumb/8/8a/Gibsons.jpg/50px-Gibsons.jpg' width='50' height='39' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/
8a/Gibsons.jpg/75px-Gibsons.jpg 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Gibsons.jpg/100px-Gibsons.jpg
2x' data-le-width='1529' data-le-height='1198' /></a>
Original artist: Gibsons.jpg: get directly down
File:Gibson_Guitar_Factory,_Memphis.jpg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Gibson_Guitar_
Factory%2C_Memphis.jpg License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Contributors: originally posted to Flickr as Gibson Factory Original artist: H. Michael
Miley
File:Gibson_L-5_CES.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Gibson_L-5_CES.jpg License: CC BY-SA
3.0 de Contributors: Own work (Original text: Eigenes Foto) Original artist: Cruciniacus at German Wikipedia
File:Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar,_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/
50/Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar%2C_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Contributors: This le was derived from:
Gibson L-5 sunburst guitar & unknown acoustic guitar, Museum of Making Music.jpg: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_%26_unknown_acoustic_guitar,_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg'
class='image'><img
alt='Gibson
L-5 sunburst guitar ,<span>,&,</span>, unknown acoustic guitar, Museum of Making Music.jpg' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_%26_unknown_acoustic_guitar%2C_Museum_of_Making_Music.
jpg/50px-Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_%26_unknown_acoustic_guitar%2C_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg' width='50' height='67'
srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_%26_unknown_acoustic_guitar%
2C_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg/75px-Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_%26_unknown_acoustic_guitar%2C_Museum_of_Making_
Music.jpg 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_%26_unknown_acoustic_
guitar%2C_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg/100px-Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_%26_unknown_acoustic_guitar%2C_Museum_of_
Making_Music.jpg 2x' data-le-width='2448' data-le-height='3264' /></a>
Original artist: Gibson_L-5_sunburst_guitar_&_unknown_acoustic_guitar,_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg: doryfour
File:Gibson_Les_Paul_1953.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Gibson_Les_Paul_1953.jpg License:
CC BY 2.0 Contributors: originally posted to Flickr as Vintage Les Paul Original artist: Karl Jonsson
File:Gibson_Les_Paul_Junior_(1958).png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Gibson_Les_Paul_Junior_
%281958%29.png License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Contributors:
Rorys_vox_&_guitars.jpg Original artist: Rorys_vox_&_guitars.jpg: Andrew King
File:Gibson_Mandolin,_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Gibson_
Mandolin%2C_Museum_of_Making_Music.jpg License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Contributors: Flickr: Mandolin Original artist: doryfour
File:Gibson_Super_400_CES.jpg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Gibson_Super_400_CES.jpg
License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: This le was derived from: Super400ces.png: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Super400ces.png' class='image'><img alt='Super400ces.png' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/
Super400ces.png/50px-Super400ces.png' width='50' height='118' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/
c/c8/Super400ces.png/75px-Super400ces.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Super400ces.png/
100px-Super400ces.png 2x' data-le-width='446' data-le-height='1050' /></a>
Original artist: Super400ces.png: The original uploader was Cuetty at German Wikipedia
File:Gibson_logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Gibson_logo.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Extracted from www.gibsonguitars.ca/limited/pdf/northern_jumbo.pdf, and converted to SVG using Adobe Illustrator CS3. Original
artist: The original uploader was Tkgd2007 at English Wikipedia
File:Gibsonshowcase.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Gibsonshowcase.jpg License: CC BY 2.5
Contributors: Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here Original artist: Original uploader and author was Luislj403 at
en.wikipedia
File:Guitare_harpe.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Guitare_harpe.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Von-zoid
File:Iommi_sg_guitar.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Iommi_sg_guitar.jpg License: CC BY-SA
2.0 Contributors: Tony Iommi SG. Original artist: wetwebwork from London, UK.

8.3

Content license

11

File:Jimi_Hendrix{}s_Flying_V_Gibson_Guitar.jpg
Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Jimi_
Hendrix%27s_Flying_V_Gibson_Guitar.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: originally posted to Flickr as Jimi Hendrixs Flying V
Gibson Guitar Original artist: Mike Cattell
File:Les_Paul_57_Custom.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Les_Paul_57_Custom.jpg License:
Public domain Contributors: Own work Original artist: Prokopenya Viktor
File:Les_Paul_Traditional.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Les_Paul_Traditional.jpg License:
GFDL Contributors: Gibson Original artist: Gibson
File:Orville_Gibson_pre-1910.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Orville_Gibson_pre-1910.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Gibson Corporate Press Kit http://www.gibson.com/press/press_history.asp Original artist: Unknown

8.3

Content license

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0