Coordinates : Gibson Brands, Inc. ( once Gibson Guitar Corporation ) is an american manufacturer of guitars, early musical instruments, and professional audio equipment from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee. The caller was once known as Gibson Guitar Corporation and renamed Gibson Brands, Inc. on June 11, 2013. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Orville Gibson started making instruments in 1894 and founded the caller 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 besides making crew cut acoustic guitars, angstrom well as one of the beginning commercially available hollow-body electric guitars, used and popularized by Charlie Christian. In 1944, Gibson was bought by Chicago Musical Instruments ( CMI ), which was acquired in 1969 by Panama-based accumulate ecuadorian Company Limited ( ECL ), that changed its name in the same class to Norlin Corporation. Gibson was owned by Norlin Corporation from 1969 to 1986. In 1986, the ship’s company was acquired by a group led by Henry Juszkiewicz and David H. Berryman. In November 2018, the company was acquired by a group of investors led by individual equity tauten Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
Reading: Gibson (guitar company)
Gibson sells guitars under a assortment of brand names [ 7 ] and builds one of the universe ‘s best-known guitars, the Gibson Les Paul. Gibson was at the vanguard of invention in acoustic guitars, specially in the boastfully band earned run average of the 1930s ; the Gibson Super 400 was widely imitated. In 1952, Gibson introduced its first base solid-body electric guitar, the Les Paul, which became its most democratic guitar to date—designed by a team led by Ted McCarty. In addition to guitars, Gibson offers consumer electronics through the Gibson Pro Audio division, which includes KRK. On May 1, 2018, the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy auspices, [ 8 ] and announced a restructure design to return to profitableness by closing down unprofitable consumer electronics divisions such as Gibson Innovations. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] The party exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2018. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] In January 2020, the company launched Gibson TV, an on-line television receiver network focused on guitars and music acculturation. [ 13 ] [ 14 ]
history [edit ]
Beginnings [edit ]
Orville Gibson patented a single-piece mandolin blueprint in 1898 that was more durable than early mandolins and could be manufactured in volume. [ 15 ] Orville Gibson began to sell his instruments in 1894 out of a one-room workshop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1902, the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co. Ltd. was incorporated to market the instruments. initially, the party produced alone Orville Gibson ‘s original designs. [ 16 ] Orville died in 1918 of endocarditis ( inflammation of the inside line of the affection chambers and valves ). [ 15 ]
The trace class, the ship’s company hired interior designer Lloyd Loar to create newer instruments. [ 16 ] Loar designed the flagship L-5 archtop guitar and the Gibson F-5 mandolin that was introduced in 1922, before leaving the company in 1924. [ 17 ] In 1936, Gibson introduced its first “ Electric Spanish ” model, the ES-150, followed by early electric instruments like steel guitars, banjo and mandolins. During World War II, musical instrument manufacture 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 closely 25,000 guitars during World War II even Gibson denied ever building instruments over this period, ” according to a 2013 history of the company. Gibson folklore has besides claimed its guitars were made by “ season craftsmen ” who were “ excessively honest-to-god for war. ” [ 18 ] [ 19 ]
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 lineage with new guitars such as the “ Les Paul ” guitar introduced in 1952, endorsed by Les Paul, a democratic musician in the 1950s. The guitar was offered in Custom, Standard, Special, and Junior models. [ 20 ] In the mid-1950s, the Thinline series was produced, which included a line of thin guitars like the Byrdland. The first base Byrdlands were reduce, 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. [ 21 ] In 1958, Gibson introduced the ES-335 T exemplary. exchangeable in size to the hollow-body Thinlines, the ES-335 kin had a solid kernel, giving the string tonicity a longer hold. In the 1950s, Gibson besides produced the Tune-o-matic bridge system and its version of the humbucking cartridge, the PAF ( “ Patent Applied For ” ), beginning released in 1957 and still sought after for its sound. [ citation needed ] In 1958, Gibson produced two new designs : the eccentrically determine Explorer and Flying V. These “ mod ” guitars did not sell initially. It was only in the late 1960s and early 70s when the two guitars were reintroduced to the grocery store that they sold well. The Firebird, in the early 60s, was a reprise of the mod idea, though less extreme .
modernization [edit ]
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 torso design. [ 22 ] The modern body invention then became known as the SG ( for “ solid guitar ” ), due to disapproval from Les Paul himself. The original Les Paul design returned to the Gibson catalog in 1968. On December 22, 1969, Gibson parent ship’s company Chicago Musical Instruments was taken over by the south american brew conglomerate ECL. Gibson remained under the control of CMI until 1974 when it became a auxiliary of Norlin Musical Instruments. Norlin musical Instruments was a member of Norlin Industries which was named for ECL president of the united states Nor long ton Stevens and CMI president of the united states Arnold Ber lin. This began an earned run average characterized by corporate mismanagement and decreasing product quality .
between 1976 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 director Jim Duerloo, plant superintendent Marv Lamb and J.P. Moats established Heritage Guitars in the old factory, building versions of classical Gibson designs. The company was within three months of going out of occupation before it was bought by Henry E. Juszkiewicz, David H. Berryman, and Gary A. Zebrowski in January 1986. [ 23 ] Gibson ‘s wholesale shipments in 1993 were an estimated $ 70 million, up from $ 50 million in 1992. When Juszkiewicz and Berryman took over in 1986, sales were below $ 10 million. [ 24 ] New production plants were opened in Memphis, Tennessee, vitamin a well as Bozeman, Montana. The Memphis facility is used for semi-hollow and customs workshop instruments, while the Bozeman facility is dedicated to acoustic instruments .
Since 2007 [edit ]
Gibson purchased Garrison Guitars in 2007. [ 25 ] In mid-2009, Gibson reduced its work force out to adjust for a refuse in guitar industry sales in the United States. [ 26 ] 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 master grade sound recording items, including headphones, loudspeakers and DJ equipment. [ 27 ] In June 2020, Cerwin Vega Inc. acquired Cerwin Vega from Gibson. [ 28 ] On May 21, 2021, Stanton was sold to inMusic. [ 29 ] Gibson announced a partnership with the Japanese-based Onkyo Corporation in 2012. Onkyo, known for audio equipment and home theater systems, became region of the Gibson Pro-Audio division. [ 30 ] In 2013, Gibson acquired a majority bet on in TEAC Corporation. In 2014, Gibson acquired the Woox consumer electronics brand from Royal Philips. In October 2017, Gibson announced plans to relocate its Memphis operations to a smaller localization and plans to sell the Memphis property. Gibson opened its Memphis facility 18 years before, which occupies fair a helping of a massive 127,620 square foot complex. According to the Memphis Daily News, Gibson plans to search for a new facility for its Memphis operations and will stay in the stream spot for the following 18 to 24 months. The facility, which sits across from the FedExForum along South B.B. King Boulevard, is expected to list for $ 17 million. Since its opening, the Gibson Memphis shop largely focused on building hollow and semi-hollowbody guitars, such as the celebrated ES series. presumably, this shamble of assets was meant to address Gibson ‘s well-publicized fiscal troubles. Gibson issued a press free about the affect, with early CEO Henry Juszkiewicz express :
- “We are extremely excited about this next phase of growth that we believe will benefit both our employees, and the Memphis community. I remember when our property had abandoned buildings, and Beale Street was in decline. It is with great pride that I can see the development of this area with a basketball arena, hotels, and a resurgent pride in the musical heritage of the great city of Memphis. We continue to love the Memphis community and hope to be a key contributor to its future when we move nearby to a more appropriate location for our manufacturing based business, allowing the world the benefit of our great American craftsmen.”[31]
In December 2017, the Gibson Guitar Factory building, Downtown Memphis was sold to Somera Road, an investing company in New York. Two years later Gibson closed the Memphis factory and moved hollow-body production to Nashville. It besides moved its Nashville headquarters to Cummins Station in 2019. [ 32 ] [ 33 ] Gibson besides started shipping Murphy Lab guitars through its Murphy Lab Division of the Gibson Custom Shop in March 2021. The opening of this part was announced in December 2019. [ 34 ] [ 35 ]
bankruptcy [edit ]
On May 1, 2018, the caller filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of its debt restructure, the company closed and liquidated the unprofitable Gibson Innovations division, which was focused on selling audio equipment outside of the U.S., allowing Gibson to focus on its most profitable ventures, such as musical instruments. The output of Gibson and Epiphone branded guitars was not interrupted by the bankruptcy. additionally, $ 135 million was provided by existing creditors to provide fluidity to maintain exist operations. [ 36 ] [ 37 ] On September 6, 2018, the company announced that a ball-shaped colonization had been reached, with a reorganization plan for the party to emerge from chapter 11. Under the plan the company would focus on its core musical instruments business with “ basically no debt ”. Juszkiewicz stepped down as CEO and assumed the character of adviser. [ 38 ] On October 23, 2018, the caller announced the appointment of James “ JC ” Curleigh as the new President and CEO ; Cesar Gueikian as Chief Merchant Officer ; Kim Mattoon as Chief Financial Officer ; and Christian Schmitz as Chief Production Officer. The appointments were effective November 1, 2018. [ 39 ] The company exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2018. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] In July 2021, Gibson announced the launching of Gibson Records, a record tag focused on releasing “ guitar-centric music, across genres ”, with their first album being the approaching fourth studio apartment album from Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, 4. [ 40 ]
legal actions [edit ]
origin of “ lawsuit guitars ” [edit ]
In 1977, Gibson sued Hoshino Gakki / Elger Guitars for copying the ” archtop ” headstock. The lawsuit was settled out of woo, and Ibanez replaced the headstock with a retool design. [ 41 ] In 2000, Gibson sued Fernandes Guitars in a Tokyo court for allegedly copying Gibson designs. Gibson did not prevail. [ 42 ]
puerto rico [edit ]
Gibson besides sued PRS Guitars in 2005, to stop them from making their Singlecut mannequin. initially successful, [ 43 ] the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the lower woo ‘s decision and ordered the dismissal of Gibson ‘s suit against PRS. [ 44 ]
FWS raids & Lacey Act trespass [edit ]
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 ebon woodwind from Madagascar. [ 45 ] [ 46 ] A second raid was conducted in August 2011, [ 45 ] during which the FWS seized wood imports from India that had been mislabeled on the US Customs declaration. [ 47 ] [ 48 ] Gibson Guitar Corp. filed a motion in January 2011 to recover impound materials and overturn the charges, which was denied by the court. [ 49 ] [ 50 ]
The United States Department of Justice found emails from 2008 and 2009 in which Gibson employees discussed the “ gray marketplace ” nature of the coal black woodwind available from a german forest dealer—who obtained it from a supplier in Madagascar—as well ampere plans to obtain the wood. It filed a civil proceed in June 2011, [ 48 ] [ 51 ] [ 52 ] the first base 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 careless of corruptness or lack of enforcement. [ 52 ] Gibson argued in a statement the follow day that authorities were “ bullying Gibson without file charges ” and denied any wrongdoing. [ 47 ] [ 53 ] Arguing against the union regulations and claiming that the travel threatened jobs, Republicans and Tea Party members spoke out against the raids and supported Juszkiewicz. [ 54 ] 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 requital. Gibson besides forfeited the wood seized in the raids, which was valued at roughly the lapp amount as the village. [ 55 ] [ 56 ] however, in a subsequent statement Gibson maintained its innocence with Juszkiewicz claiming that “ Gibson was inappropriately targeted ” and that the government raids were “ so hideous and overreaching as to deserve further Congressional investigation. ” Juszkiewicz continued to state, “ We felt compelled to settle as the costs of proving our shell at trial would have cost millions of dollars and taken a very long time to resolve. ” [ 57 ] Gibson reclaimed some forest stock certificate that was confiscated during the raids, [ 58 ] and produced a new serial of guitar marketed to draw attention to the raids and seizures. [ 59 ] In the midst of the controversy, conservative commentators alleged that the foray into was a politically motivate act of retaliation by the Obama administration, as Juszkiewicz had frequently donated to Republican politicians. Chris Martin IV, the CEO of Gibson rival C.F. Martin & Co., had donated over $ 35,000 to the democratic National Committee and Democratic candidates in the same time time period. Though Martin featured several guitars in its catalog made with the same indian wood as Gibson, but with discipline documentation filed, the company was not subjected to a foray. [ 60 ]
Paper Jamz [edit ]
Gibson filed a lawsuit November 18, 2010, in Federal court, the Central District of California, against WowWee USA and their Paper Jamz battery operated guitar toys charging trademark misdemeanor. [ 61 ] [ 62 ] The lawsuit claimed the Paper Jamz toy dog guitars copied the looks of some of Gibson ‘s celebrated guitars, the Gibson Les Paul, the Gibson Flying V, the Gibson Explorer, and the Gibson SG. On December 21, 2010 Gibson was granted a request for an injunction against WowWee and retailers in the United States which were selling Paper Jamz guitars : Walmart, Amazon, Big Lots stores, Kmart Corporation, Target Corporation, Toys “ R ” Us, Walgreens, Brookstone, Best Buy, eBay, Toywiz.com, and Home Shopping Network ( HSN ) [ 63 ] [ 64 ] [ 65 ] The event was dismissed with prejudice ( dismissed permanently ) January 11, 2011 by Federal Judge R. Gary Klausner. [ 66 ] [ 67 ]
Kiesel Guitars [edit ]
Gibson sent a cease and abstain letter to Kiesel concerning two models that Kiesel makes – the extremist V and the ‘California Singlecut. ‘ According to Jeff Kiesel, Vice President of Kiesel, the letter claims that Kiesel ‘s design infringes upon the Flying V design of Gibson. [ 68 ]
german manufacturer Warwick was sued by Gibson with the claim that one of the models sold under the ‘Framus ‘ brand imitated the Flying V and that customers were being misled due to this. Gibson sought a stop consonant on the sales of these guitars and besides stated that “ Warwick was unfairly exploiting the reputation of Gibson Guitars. ” The Hamburg regional court initially ruled in favor of Gibson in 2017. however, consecutive judgements from the Higher Regional Court and the Federal Supreme Court in November 2020 and September 2021 dismissed Gibson ‘s lawsuits. [ 69 ] [ 70 ]
Instruments [edit ]
Gibson besides owns and makes instruments under brands such as Epiphone, [ 71 ] Kramer, [ 72 ] Maestro, [ 73 ] Steinberger, [ 74 ] and Tobias, [ 75 ] along with the possession of historical brands such as Kalamazoo, [ 76 ] [ 77 ] Dobro, [ 7 ] Valley Arts, [ 78 ] and Baldwin [ 7 ] ( including Chickering, [ 78 ] Hamilton, [ 78 ] and Wurlitzer [ 7 ] [ 78 ] ). It besides owned Slingerland Drum Company but it was sold to Drum Workshop in November 2019. [ 79 ] Gibson relaunched Kramer Guitars at Winter NAMM 2020 on January 16. Icon, Baretta, Pacer, Focus, and SM-1 are in the original collection with the modern solicitation including Assault, Striker, Nite-V, and Bass. The artists collaborations for the relaunched Kramer Guitar includes Tracii Guns ‘Gunstar Voyager, ‘ the Charlie Parra ‘Vanguard ‘ and the Dave Sabo ‘Snake-Baret. [ 80 ] Gibson makes empower copies of its most successful guitar designs. They are less expensive than those bearing the Gibson appoint. [ clarification needed ] A former rival, Epiphone, was purchased by Gibson in 1957 and immediately makes competitively-priced Gibson models, such as the Les Paul and SG, sold under the Epiphone trade name, [ 81 ] while continuing to make Epiphone-specific models like the Sheraton, Sorrento, and Casino. In Japan, Orville by Gibson once made Gibson designs sold in that area. [ 82 ] Gibson has sought legal action against those that make and sell guitars Gibson believes are excessively similar to their own. In 1977, Gibson introduced the consecutive total system in use until 2006. [ 83 ] An eight-digit count on the back shows the date when the instrument was produced, where it was produced, and its regulate of production that day ( for example, first instrument stamped that day, second base, etc. ). [ 84 ] An exception is the year 1994, Gibson ‘s centennial year ; many 1994 serial numbers start with “ 94 ”, followed by a six-digit production issue [ citation needed ]. As of 2006, the company used seven ( six since 1999 ) consecutive count systems, [ 83 ] [ clarification needed ] making it unmanageable to identify guitars by their series issue entirely. The Gibson website provides a reserve to help with consecutive numeral decode. [ 83 ] [ 84 ] In 2006, Gibson introduced a nine-digit serial issue system replacing the eight-digit organization used since 1977, but the sixth finger now represents a batch total. [ 83 ] [ clarification needed ] In 2003, [ 85 ] Gibson debuted its Ethernet -based [ 86 ] sound recording protocol, MaGIC, which it developed in partnership with 3Com, Advanced Micro Devices, and Xilinx. [ 85 ] Replacing traditional analogue hook-ups with a digital joining to “ satisfy the unique requirements of bouncy audio performances ”. [ 86 ] This organization requires a particular pickup, [ 85 ] and cable is provided by a standard Cat-5 Ethernet cable. [ 85 ] [ 86 ] The Gibson “ self-tuning guitar ”, besides known as a “ automaton model ”, an option on some newer Les Paul, SG, Flying V and Explorer instruments, tunes itself in about two seconds using robotics technology developed by Tronical GmbH. [ 87 ] Under the tradename Min-ETune, this device became standard on respective models in 2014. [ 88 ] In 2013, Gibson introduced the Government Series of Les Paul, SG, Flying V, Explorer and ES-335 guitars which were constructed entirely of tonewood the u government seized but later returned to Gibson after the resolving power of the company ‘s Lacey Act rape in 2011. The guitars were finished in “ government grey ” and besides featured decorations which intended to draw attention to the issue of government. A year late in 2014, Gibson released the Government Series II [ 89 ] of guitars, which were basically the lapp as the beginning series, only finished in a new color : “ government tan ”. In 2021, Gibson acquired the iconic electric guitar amplifier brand, Mesa Boogie. [ 90 ] [ 91 ]
Factories [edit ]
Interior of Gibson, Inc. factory on Parsons Street. 1936 All Gibson-brand guitars are presently made at three facilities, depending on the type of guitar. Solid consistency electric guitars such as the Gibson Les Paul and the Gibson SG are made in Nashville, Tennessee at Gibson USA and the Gibson Custom Shop. Semi-acoustic guitars such as the Gibson ES Series were made in Memphis, Tennessee at Gibson USA. Full acoustic guitars such as the Gibson J Series are made in Bozeman, Montana. The Nashville and Bozeman facilities are off-limits to visitors. As of March 2021, Gibson has started working on 25,000 sq. ft. expansion of the Bozeman facility. [ 92 ] All Gibson instruments are made in USA. 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.”[93]
104 East Main, Kalamazoo, MI
1899–1902
This was Orville Gibson’s residence, and he built instruments on the 2nd floor of this location.[93][94]
114 East Main, Kalamazoo, MI
1902–1906
The “Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co, Ltd.” was established in 1902.[93] This building, said to be infested with cockroaches, was probably the former Witmer Bakery.
114 East Exchange Place, Kalamazoo, MI
1906–1911
Located quite close to the previous location, in Kalamazoo’s business district.
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.
225 Parsons St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007
1917–1984
Also located next to railroad tracks, this facility had major expansions in 1945, 1950, and 1960.[98] Various brands were produced there, including Gibson, Epiphone, (1957–1970)[99][100] 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.[101] 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.[102] In 1985, Heritage Guitars began production, renting part of this facility.[103]
416 East Ranson, Kalamazoo, MI
1962–?
Located six blocks south of 224 Parsons St., according to Julius Bellson’s book, this building housed the Gibson Electronics Division. The building is still standing as of 2020.
Corner of Fulford and Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI
1964–1970
Located on the east side of Kalamazoo, according to Julius Bellson’s book, this 60,000 sq. ft. building known as Plant 3 was the home of amplifier production, the String Division and pick-up production from 1964–1970. The building is still standing as of 2020.
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.
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
2000–2018
This was Gibson’s facility for production of their semi-hollowbody electric guitars. This facility shared the same building as Gibson’s Retail Shop and Beale Street “Showcase” location.[105]
1894 Orville Way, Bozeman, MT, 59715
1989[106]– present
This facility is dedicated to acoustic guitar production.