Gibson Guitar Corporation

Gibson Brands, Inc. (formerly Gibson Guitar Corp.)

Type	Private
Industry	Musical instruments
Founded	1902 (1902) [1] in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Founder	Orville Gibson
Headquarters	Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Henry Juszkiewicz (Chairman and CEO) David Berryman (President) Reggie Mebane (COO) Orville Gibson (Founder) Lloyd Loar Ted McCarty Les Paul Seth Lover
Products	Mandolins archtop, acoustic and electric guitars Bass guitars Audio equipment
Subsidiaries	Baldwin Piano Cakewalk Cerwin-Vega Dobro Epiphone Esoteric Harmony Central Integra Kramer KRK Systems Maestro Onkyo Stanton Steinberger TASCAM TEAC Corporation Tobias [2]
Slogan	"Prestige-Quality-Innovation."
Website	Gibson.com

Gibson Brands, Inc. (formerly Gibson Guitar Corp.) is an American manufacturer of guitars and other instruments, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. The company was formerly known as Gibson Guitar Corp. and renamed Gibson Brands, Inc. on June 11, 2013.^[3][4]

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 flattop acoustic guitars, as well as one of the first commercially available hollow-body electric guitars, used and popularized by Charlie Christian. It was bought by Chicago Musical 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^[5] and builds one of the world's 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 1952, Gibson introduced its first solid-body electric guitar, 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 is a privately held corporation owned by its chief executive officer Henry Juszkiewicz and its president David H. Berryman. In addition to guitars, Gibson offers consumer audio equipment devices through its subsidiaries Onkyo Corporation, Cerwin Vega and Stanton,^[6] as well as professional audio equipment from KRK Systems also pianos from their wholly owned subsidiary Baldwin Piano and music software from Cakewalk.

History

Beginnings

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.^[7] 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 company produced only Orville Gibson's original designs.^[8] Orville died in 1918 of endocarditis (inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and valves).^[7]

The following year the company hired designer Lloyd Loar to create newer instruments.^[8] Loar designed the flagship L-5 archtop guitar and the Gibson F5 mandolin that was introduced in 1922, before leaving the company in 1924.^[9] In 1936 Gibson introduced their first "Electric Spanish" model, the ES-150 followed by other electric instruments like steel guitars, banjos and mandolins.

During World War II, instrument manufacturing at Gibson slowed due to shortages of wood and metal, and Gibson 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."^[10][11]

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 offered in Custom, Standard, Special, and Junior models.^[12] In the mid-50s, the Thinline series was produced, which included a line of thinner guitars like the Byrdland. The first 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.^[13] 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"), first 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 well. The Firebird, in the early 60s, was a reprise of the modernistic idea, though less extreme.

Modernization

In the late 50s, McCarty knew that Gibson was seen as a traditional company and began an effort to create more modern guitars. In 1961 the body design of the Les Paul was changed due to the demand for a double-cutaway body design.^[14] The new body design then became known as the SG (for "solid guitar"), due to disapproval from Les Paul himself. The Les Paul returned to the Gibson catalog in 1968.

On December 22, 1969, the Gibson parent company Chicago Musical Instruments was taken over by the South American brewing conglomerate ECL. Gibson remained under the control of CMI until 1974 when it became a subsidiary of Norlin Musical Instruments. Norlin Musical Instruments was a member of Norlin Industries which was named for ECL president Norton Stevens and CMI president Arnold Berlin. This began an era characterized by corporate mismanagement and decreasing product quality.

Between 1974 and 1984 production of Gibson guitars was shifted from Kalamazoo to Nashville, Tennessee. The Kalamazoo plant kept going for a few years as a custom-instrument shop, but was closed in 1984; several Gibson employees led by plant manager Jim Duerloo established Heritage Guitars in the old factory, building versions of classic Gibson designs.

The company (Gibson) was within three months of going out of business before it was bought by Henry E. Juszkiewicz, David H. Berryman, and Gary A. Zebrowski in January 1986.^[15] New production plants were opened in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as Bozeman, Montana. The Memphis facility is used for semi-hollow and custom shop instruments, while the Bozeman facility is dedicated to acoustic instruments.^[16]

In 1977 Gibson sued Hoshino/Elger for copying the Gibson Les Paul.^[17] In 2000, Gibson sued Fernandes Guitars in a Tokyo court for allegedly copying Gibson designs. Gibson did not prevail.^[18] Gibson also sued PRS Guitars in 2005, to stop them from making their Singlecut model. The lawsuit against PRS was initially successful.^[19] However, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the lower court decision and ordered the dismissal of Gibson's suit against PRS.^[20]

Recent history

Gibson purchased Garrison Guitars in 2007.^[21] In mid 2009 Gibson reduced its work force to adjust for a decline in guitar industry sales in the United States.^[22]

In 2011, Gibson acquired the Stanton Group, including Cerwin Vega, KRK Systems and Stanton DJ. Gibson then formed a new division, Gibson Pro Audio, which will deliver professional grade audio items, including headphones, loudspeakers and DJ equipment.^[23]

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.^[24]

FWS raids & Lacey Act violation

Gibson's 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.^[25][26] A second raid was conducted in August 2011,^[25] during which the FWS seized wood imports from India that had been mislabeled on the US Customs declaration.^[27][28] Gibson Guitar Corp. filed a motion in January 2011 to recover seized materials and overturn the charges, which was denied by the court.^[29][30]

The United States Department of Justice found emails from 2008 and 2009 in which Gibson employees discussing the "gray market" nature of the ebony wood available from a German wood dealer—who obtained it from a supplier in Madagascar—as well as plans to obtain the wood. It filed a civil proceeding in June 2011,^[28][31][32] the first 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.^[32] Gibson argued in a statement the following day that authorities were "bullying Gibson without filing charges" and denied any wrongdoing.^[27][33] 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.^[34]

The case was settled on August 6, 2012, with Gibson admitting to violating the Lacey Act and agreeing to pay a fine 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.^[35][36] 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."^[37]

The case raised concerns for musicians who lack documentation of vintage instruments made of traditional, non-sustainable materials.^[38][39] However, officials 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 treated as criminals.^[40]

Gibson was able to reclaim some wood stock which was confiscated during the raids,^[41] and produced a new guitar marketed to draw attention to the raids and seizures.^[42] This is discussed below in the Instruments section.

Instruments

Gibson also owns and makes instruments under brands such as Epiphone,^[43]Kramer,^[44] Maestro,^[45]Steinberger,^[46] and Tobias,^[47] —along with the ownership of historical brands such as Kalamazoo,^[48][49] Dobro,^[5] Slingerland,^[50] Valley Arts,^[50] and Baldwin^[5] (including: Chickering,^[50] Hamilton,^[50] Wurlitzer^[5][50]).

In addition to guitars, Gibson offers consumer audio equipment devices through its subsidiaries Onkyo Corporation, Cerwin Vega and Stanton,^[6] as well as professional audio equipment from KRK Systems and TEAC Corporation/TASCAM and music software from Cakewalk.^[50]

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 priced Gibson models, such as the Les Paul and SG, sold under the Epiphone brand,^[51] while continuing to make Epiphone-specific models like the Sheraton and Casino. In Japan, Orville by Gibson once made Gibson designs sold in that country.^[52] 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.^[53] 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., first instrument stamped that day, second, etc.).^[54] As of 2006, the company used seven serial number systems,^[53] making it difficult to identify guitars by their serial number alone.^[53][54] and as of 1999 the company has used six distinct serial numbering systems.^[54] An exception is the year 1994, Gibson's 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.^[54]

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.^[53]

In 2003,^[55] Gibson debuted its Ethernet-based^[56] audio protocol, MaGIC, which it developed in partnership with 3COM, Advanced Micro Devices, and Xilinx.^[55] 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.^[56]

This system may require a special pickup,^[55] but cabling is provided by standard Cat-5 ethernet cord.^[55][56]

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 more than two seconds using robotics technology developed by Tronical GmbH.^[57] Under the tradename Min-ETune, this device became standard on several models in 2014.^[58]

In 2014 Gibson introduced the "Government Series II Les Paul", which was constructed using wood the US government returned to Gibson after resolution of the case.^[59] The guitar is finished in "government tan" and contains tonewood originally seized but returned to Gibson. It features decorations which are designed to draw attention to the issue of government.

Factories

Below are some of the facilities used to produce Gibson instruments, along with years of their operation:

Address	Years of Operation	Notes
114 So. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI.	1896–1897	This was the "business location" of "O. H. Gibson, Manufacturer, Musical Instruments."[60]
104 East Main, Kalamazoo, MI	1899–1902	This was Orville Gibson’s residence, and he built instruments on the 2nd floor of this location.[60][61]
114 East Main, Kalamazoo, MI	1902–1906	The "Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co, Ltd." was established in 1902.[60] This building, said to be infested with cockroaches, was probably the former Witmer Bakery.[62]
114 East Exchange Place, Kalamazoo, MI	1906–1911	Located quite close to the previous location, in Kalamazoo’s business district.[63]
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.[64]
225 Parsons St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007	1917–1984	Also located next to railroad tracks, this facility had major expansions in 1945, 1950, and 1960.[65] Various brands were produced there, including Gibson, Epiphone, (1957–1970)[66][67] 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.[68] 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.[69] In 1985, Heritage Guitars began production, renting part of this facility.[70]
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. [71]
1894 Orville Way, Bozeman, MT, 59715	1989[72]– present	This facility is dedicated to acoustic guitar production.

See also

• David Harvey (luthier)
• Jim Triggs (luthier)
• Lloyd Loar (luthier)
• List of Gibson players

Footnotes

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 978-0-879-30711-0. 

• Bacon, Tony (2009). The Les Paul Guitar Book: A Complete History of Gibson Les Paul Guitars. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30951-0. 

• Bacon, Tony (2011). Flying V, Explorer, Firebird: An Odd-shaped History of Gibson’s 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 978-0-760-76317-9. 

• 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.  Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)

• Duchossoir, A. R. (1998). Gibson Electrics: The Classic Years. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-0-793-59210-4. 

• Duchossoir, A. R. (2008). Guitar Identification: 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. 

• Erlewine, Dan; Whitford, Eldon; Vinopal, David (2009). Gibson’s Fabulous Flat-top Guitars: An Illustrated History & Guide. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30962-6.  Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)

• Fjestad, Zachary R.; Meiners, Larry (2007). Gibson Flying V. Minneapolis, MN: Blue Book Publications. ISBN 978-1-886-76872-7.  Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)

• 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 978-0-670-81178-6. 

• Gruhn, George; Carter, Walter (1993). Acoustic Guitars and Other Fretted Instruments: A Photographic History. San Francisco: GPI Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30240-5.  Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)

• Gruhn, George; Carter, Walter (2010a). Electric Guitars and Basses: A Photographic History. New York: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30974-9.  Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)

• Gruhn, George; Carter, Walter (2010b). Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars: An Identification Guide for American Fretted Instruments. New York: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-879-30422-5.  Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)

• Hembree, George (2007). Gibson Guitars: Ted McCarty’s 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 Amplifiers 1933-2008. Minneapolis, MN: Blue Book Publications. ISBN 978-1-886-76890-1. 

• Spann, Joe (2011). Spann’s Guide to Gibson: 1902-1941. Anaheim Hills, CA: Centerstream Pub. ISBN 978-1-574-24267-6. 

• Thomas, John (2012). Kalamazoo Gals: A Story of Extraordinary Women & Gibson’s ‘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. 

Further reading

• Fox, Paul (2011). The Other Brands of Gibson. Centerstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-57424-271-3. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gibson guitars.

• Official website

Gibson Guitar Corporation Established 1902 - Founder: Orville Gibson Key figures Orville Gibson Lloyd Loar Ted McCarty Seth Lover Les Paul Henry Juszkiewicz David Harvey Guitars Electric Current Gibson EDS-1275 ES Series Explorer Firebird Flying V L-4 L-5 Les Paul Moderne SG Super 400 Discontinued Byrdland Blueshawk Citation Corvus Futura L6-S Little Lucille Marauder Nighthawk RD Sonex Spirit 335-S Acoustic Current J Series Dove Hummingbird Discontinued Advanced Jumbo B Series Chet Atkins SST L-1 Basses Current Grabber Les Paul bass Thunderbird Discontinued EB-0 EB-1 EB-2 EB-3 G3 Mandolins F5 F5-G F5-L F9 Doyle Lawson Sam Bush Amplifiers Atlas Medalist Atlas IV Bass Amp Duo Medalist Falcon GA KEH Medalist Power Stealth Skylark Super Goldtone Medalist Subsidiaries Cakewalk Cerwin-Vega Epiphone Esoteric Integra Kramer Maestro Onkyo Stanton Steinberger TEAC Corporation (TASCAM) Tobias Brands Chickering and Sons Dobro Original Orville Slingerland Website: gibson.com