The Gibson Guitar Corporation was founded in 1902 in Kalamazoo, Michigan by Orville Gibson as "The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd." and was a maker of mandolin instruments. Gibson invented archtop guitars by using the same type of carved, arched tops found on violins. By the 1930s, the company was also making flattop acoustic guitars, as well as one of the first commercially available hollow-body electric guitars, used and popularised by Charlie Christian. It was bought by Chicago Musical Instruments in 1944, which was then acquired by the E.C.L. conglomerate that changed its name to Norlin Inc. This was seen as the beginning of an era of mismanagement.
Gibson sells guitars under a variety of brand names and built one of the world's most iconic guitars, the Gibson Les Paul. Many Gibson instruments are among the most collectable guitars. Gibson was at the forefront of innovation in acoustic guitars, especially in the big band era of the 1930s; the Gibson Super 400 was widely imitated. In the early 1950s, Gibson introduced its first solid-body electric guitar and in 1952 began producing its most popular guitar to date; the Les Paul, designed by Ted McCarty and Les Paul.
After being purchased by the Norlin corporation in the late 1960s Gibson's quality and fortunes took a steep decline until early 1986, when the company was acquired by its present owners. Gibson Guitar was a privately held corporation owned by its chief executive officer Henry Juszkiewicz and its president David H. Berryman up to 2019 when it filed for Chapter 11 Bankrupsy protection. Gibson emerged from Chapter 11 in Septemebr 19 with J C Curleigh at the helm and with ex Normans Rare Guitars Manager Mark Agnessi as Brand Ambassador.
Gibson sells guitars under a variety of brand names and built one of the world's most iconic guitars, the Gibson Les Paul. Many Gibson instruments are among the most collectable guitars. Gibson was at the forefront of innovation in acoustic guitars, especially in the big band era of the 1930s; the Gibson Super 400 was widely imitated. In the early 1950s, Gibson introduced its first solid-body electric guitar and in 1952 began producing its most popular guitar to date; the Les Paul, designed by Ted McCarty and Les Paul.
After being purchased by the Norlin corporation in the late 1960s Gibson's quality and fortunes took a steep decline until early 1986, when the company was acquired by its present owners. Gibson Guitar was a privately held corporation owned by its chief executive officer Henry Juszkiewicz and its president David H. Berryman up to 2019 when it filed for Chapter 11 Bankrupsy protection. Gibson emerged from Chapter 11 in Septemebr 19 with J C Curleigh at the helm and with ex Normans Rare Guitars Manager Mark Agnessi as Brand Ambassador.
|
TITLE:
THE GIBSON LES PAUL BOOK A COMPLETE HISTORY OF LES PAUL GUITARS AUTHOR: TONY BACON & PAUL DAY PUBLISHER: BACKBEAT BOOKS DATE: 1999 PAGES: 96 COVER: HARDBACK with DUST JACKET PHOTOS: COLOUR, BLACK & WHITE ISBN: 1871547598 |