Orville Gibson, the founder of Gibson Guitars, was born 1856 in Chateaugay, New York. His reputation grew from building mandolins into the legendary world famous company of today. Gibson led the way in innovations that are copied by many but surpassed by nobody.
The high standards he set while making his first mandolin are cherished by today's generation of luthiers. While the guitar bodies and necks are cut and shaped by machine in the rough mill, the remaining processes are lovingly carried out by skilled and experienced craftsmen and women by hand.
Along side the quality and attention to detail Gibson has always been at the forefront of innovation, the "humbucker" pickup being amongst their best known. Another innovation from Gibson is the angled headstock. Every Gibson headstock is carved out of the same piece of mahogany as the neck then fitted with Gibson's traditional wing blocks which is far superior to merely being glued on to the neck.
From the raw rosewood, maple or mahogany to the labor-intensive nitrocellulose finish, no part of the process is skimped in the quest for perfection. The world famous hand-crafted mother of pearl Gibson logo is an example of the attention to detail. Each one is inlaid into a pressed fiber-head veneer that is then glued to the face of the mahogany headstock. A thin coat of lacquer finishes the process.
Rosewood is the choice for the fingerboards, the resilience of this dense and durable wood making each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. The fret wire on Gibson guitars are a combination of nickel and silver alloy specifically designed for long life and superior wear. The result of all this painstaking professionalism is a guitar that is loved, cherished and respected by the world's top musicians whatever their style and genre.
Gibson Guitars are recognized as the leader in the market. They have stood the test of time due to their innovative and dedicated passion for detail in production. Guitar players who demand and appreciate excellence, subtle tones and playability love Gibson guitars.
