Gibson Electric Guitar History

Gibson is one of the best and longest lasting guitar companies in the world. Orville Gibson himself, the founder of Gibson Corporation, was a musician and woodcrafter who enjoyed making mandolins and other instruments back in Kalamazoo Michigan. He would work on them continually until he found the perfect shape and eventually patented the mandolin design in 1898 that we see as the single piece carved sides with a single piece neck.

It was in 1902 that he started his own company to market the mandolin and eventually the guitar. He did well for himself, but it was really in the 1920's that the Gibson company started innovations for both the guitar and mandolin design. Soon they became the leading manufacturer of arch top guitars known at the time as the Gibson L5 model. Just a few years later in 1936 they came out with an electric version of a guitar called the ES-150 which is considered by some to be the first commercially successful electric guitar, although it was not technically the first one made.

Following 20 years of success with his company, Gibson then decided that something needed to be done to have some of the success that the Fender Telecaster had been having. So he decided to make a solid body guitar, even if he never personally thought it would ever take off. Les Paul, the famous musician and pioneer of the solid body electric guitar, was very influential in the guitar although he was asked for very little input in what would be known as the Gibson Les Paul guitar. Les Paul was asked to sign a contract to endorse the guitar but that was about it. He did ask that the tail piece to the guitar would be changed but as for his only contribution he is well know along with this guitar.

Released in 1952, The Les Paul guitar paved the road for Gibson. There were a number of new designs that came out in the late 1950's and Gibson was flying high as one of the most innovative guitar companies in the world. They introduced the humbucker pickup as well as the oddly shaped Gibson Explore that was an instant hit. The Les Paul started to be offered with different shapes and in several different models and has since become a classic.

In the 10 years between 1974 and 1984, Gibson relocated their production plant from Kalamazoo, MI to Nashville, TN where they stand today. The Gibson guitar company was bought by a new company which is largely responsible for keeping the Gibson Company afloat. New production facilities have been opened and Gibson has seen a huge resurgence in sales. They have become extremely innovative and even put out the "Robot Guitar" which can tune itself in less than 10 seconds. As for the company, you can always expect new things from this long lasting company, because with a name like Gibson you can always count on reliability and quality made guitars that stand the test of time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1499696