Gibson

Gibson, founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is one of the most iconic and influential guitar manufacturers in history. Known for its craftsmanship, innovation and association with legendary musicians, Gibson has played a central role in shaping the sound of modern music.

Orville Gibson, a luthier and inventor, began crafting mandolins with carved, arched tops, a technique he later applied to guitars. The company’s early focus on acoustic instruments evolved dramatically in the 1930s and 1940s, with the introduction of innovative archtop models like the L-5 and the Super 400. However, Gibson’s true revolution began in 1952 with the launch of the Les Paul model, developed in collaboration with guitarist and inventor Les Paul.

The Les Paul, with its solid mahogany body, carved maple top and powerful humbucking pickups (introduced in 1957), became a benchmark for electric guitars. Its tonal warmth, sustain and versatility made it a favourite among guitarists across genres. Other groundbreaking models include the semi-hollow ES-335 (1958), the futuristic Flying V and Explorer (1958), and the SG (originally called the Les Paul SG) in 1961.

Gibson guitars have been integral to the work of legendary musicians. Jimmy Page wielded a 1959 Les Paul Standard to define the thunderous riffs of Led Zeppelin. Eric Clapton’s Beano Les Paul created the fiery tones of the Blues Breakers era, while Slash’s Les Paul became synonymous with Guns N’ Roses’ hard rock anthems.

Jeff Beck used Les Pauls for some of his most iconic work, from the ‘Yardburst’ he bought in London in 1966 to the iconic ‘Oxblood’ depicted on the cover of Blow By Blow. Artists such as Chuck Berry, with his iconic ES-355, and B.B. King, who famously played his beloved ‘Lucille’ (a modified ES-335), further cemented Gibson’s legacy in rock and blues.


GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1954 AND LATER

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL MODEL, KNOWN AS 'THE OXBLOOD'

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1959

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL STANDARD

GIBSON GUITAR INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 1983

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL STANDARD '59 REISSUE

A SEMI-HOLLOWBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES-355 TDC

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, CIRCA 1967

GIBSON GUITAR CORPORATION, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2021

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL STANDARD 'GOLD TOP'

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, CIRCA 1959, THE LATER NECK 1972

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL, KNOWN AS 'THE YARDBURST'

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1955

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1953

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, 1986

AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, J-200 CELEBRITY

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, 1985

AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, J-200 CELEBRITY

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1958

A SEMI-HOLLOWBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES-335 TDN

GIBSON GUITAR CORPORATION, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2003

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL HISTORIC LP-57, CUSTOM SHOP STINGER SERIES

GIBSON GUITAR CORPORATION, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 1991

A HOLLOW BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES175 DN

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1959

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL CUSTOM

GIBSON INCORPORATED

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL, KALAMAZOO, MI., 1960

GIBSON INCORPORATED

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, FLYING V, KALAMAZOO, MI., 1959

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, 1988

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL CUSTOM

GIBSON GUITAR CORPORATION, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2008

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, JEFF BECK OXBLOOD LES PAUL, ARTIST'S PROTOTYPE #1

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 1985

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL STANDARD CUSTOM SHOP REISSUE

GIBSON GUITAR CORPORATION, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2001

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL REISSUE 1959 HISTORIC

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 1985

AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, J-200 ANNIVERSARY, CELEBRITY

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1993

AN ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR, CHET ATKINS CE

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1993

AN ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR, CHET ATKINS CEC

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1960

A SEMI-HOLLOWBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES-335 TDN

GIBSON GUITAR CORPORATION, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 2005

A SEMI-HOLLOWBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES-335 TDN, ’59 HISTORIC

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, CIRCA 1981

A NYLON STRING SEMI SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, CHET ATKINS CE, CUSTOM SHOP EDITION

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1960

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL SPECIAL, TV

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, 1981

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL HERITAGE SERIES ELITE

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1958

AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, COUNTRY WESTERN

GIBSON INCORPORATED

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL, KALAMAZOO, MI., 1960

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1958

A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES-350T

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1953

AN ELECTRIC ARCHTOP GUITAR, SUPER 400 CESN

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1959

AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, COUNTRY WESTERN

GIBSON INCORPORATED, NASHVILLE, 2009

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL 57 HISTORIC GOLD TOP

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1958

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL SPECIAL

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1956

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL CUSTOM

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1973

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, 1963

AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, EVERLY BROTHERS, J-180

GIBSON INCORPORATED

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, LES PAUL CUSTOM, KALAMAZOO, 1959

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, CIRCA 1970-1972

A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, CUSTOM L-5 CES

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, 1958

A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES-175 N

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, CIRCA 1956-1957

A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, ES-5 SWITCHMASTER

GIBSON INCORPORATED

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, FLYING V, ASCRIBED AS THE EX-ALBERT KING, KALAMAZOO, MI., 1958

GIBSON INCORPORATED

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, FLYING V, KALAMAZOO, MI., 1958

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, CIRCA 1960

A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, SUPER 400 CESN

GIBSON INCORPORATED, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, CIRCA 1963

AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR, EVERLY BROTHERS J-180