Gibson Guitars have been around since the end of the 19th century. Founder Orville Gibson was born in 1856 in Chateaugay, New York  the son of a British immigrant. During the late 1800's The Gibson company was known for their Mandolin's made of aged dry wood believed to be superior to freshly cut wood. Crafting his style Orville carved his mandolin's like the arch top violins. This style was very well accepted and using deeper longer body cuts the Gibson mandolin became a popular instrument influencing the later creations of the Gibson guitars and Gibson electric guitars of later years. In 1902 with some investors Orville founded the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing company in Kalamazoo Michigan. Orville battled a disease called Endocarditis and in New York in 1915 he died in a sanitarium. The Gibson Guitars that were made in the early years were called arched tops from the design used by Orville in the early mandolin days. From the L-4  1920'S model to the king of the flattops, the 1952 J-200 model. Gibson Guitars was clearly becoming a premiere acoustic instrument.

In the big days of JAZZ MUSIC The classic L-5 and the SUPER-400 were a style designed for big sound. A style that had become attractive and comfortable to play for many musicians to come. But over the years the demand for acoustic jazz guitars waned  as the electric guitar took over.  A few years earlier other guitar company's started to make solid body guitars. As the popularity of these solid body electrics became popular Gibson remembered a young man by the name of LES PAUL. One of the first solid body electric guitars made by Gibson Electric Guitars, the LES PAUL model  was inspired by the legendary LES PAUL in 1941. While Gibson was making their version of the semi hollow body electric guitar, Les Paul was experimenting with a solid body electric guitar. Gibson was making electric guitars like the 1937 ES- 150.The (ES) Electric-Spanish was an arch top F-hole guitar with a single pickup. Les Paul was using a railroad tie solid piece of wood with a wire string attached and a single pickup. Les Paul took a prototype of his solid body electric guitar called THE LOG to GIBSON. Gibson Electric Guitars launched the first LES PAUL model in 1952 called the Gold Top. THE LES PAUL model was a solid gold into 1954 and by 1958 the popular gold sunburst model came on the scene.

With the LES PAUL electric guitar, Gibson Electric Guitars have become a mainstay in the industry. A style that  became a classic hit with guitarists and predominantly became a rock and roll staple. The Gibson Les Paul is made in various forms today and remains an icon in the Gibson Electric Guitars Catalogue. The 1958 model THE LES PAUL STANDARD was identical to the GOLD TOP except for its classic three-toned sunburst finish that let the maple wood rise to the top in stunning effect. In years to come Gibson Electric Guitars made other popular models such as the S-G(1961). The S-G was a lighter version of the Les Paul that had a double cutaway and a whammy bar. Gibson Electric Guitars also made a DOUBLE NECK S-G model(EDS-1275) with a twelve string and a six string neck.

 

Striking images of LED ZEPPELIN'S JIMMY PAGE with the Gibson LES PAUL and the DOUBLE NECK Gibson S-G has inspired many young people to seek out these lovely axe's made buy Gibson Electric Guitars. Other popular Gibson Electric Guitars were the Les Paul  JUNIOR(1954) , The Les Paul SPECIAL-(1958) which was made with the original double cutaway that inspired the lighter Les Paul S-G model. Among rock & rollers other odd-shaped models were popular. (1964) MELODY MAKER ,The (1958) FLYING-V, (1963-65) REVERSE FIREBIRD,THE NON-REVERSE FIREBIRD (1963-69),(1978) GIBSON ARTIST RD,(1980) GIBSON EXPLORER,(1980) GIBSON MODERNE,(1982)VICTORY MVX,and the (1983) CORVUS III. These later models were not as popular as the GIBSON LES PAUL.

Non the less Gibson Electric Guitars remains today one of the most popular guitar makers in the world today. This site is full of cool Guitar industry products and links to satisfy the Gibson Electric Guitars enthusiast. Our dedication to the interest of Gibson Electric Guitars and the industry as a whole will hopefully keep you coming back to this site. This site will also feature facts and information on professionals using Gibson Electric Guitars and related products. We hope this site is a focal point in your search  for the ultimate in Gibson Electric Guitars and it's relation to the music industry.

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