Orville Gibson, the founder of the Gibson Guitar Corporation, started making mandolins in 1894. From the beginning, Gibson established himself as a quality instrument builder who added his own innovations. His mandolins were modified in such a way that they had a richer sound.

Before Gibson could really watch the success of the company take off, namely their guitars, he died of leukemia in 1918. However, the legacy of innovation did not end with his death. The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company, now called the Gibson Guitar Corporation, started to build guitars a little differently than other manufacturers all throughout the 20s and 30s.

In 1936, Gibson launched what is considered by some to be one of the first electric guitars that achieved wide spread acceptance. The electric Spanish style guitar merged design elements of a Spanish guitar and turned it into an electric.

One of their most famous guitar styles is the Les Paul. The story of the legendary Les Paul guitar starts in 1952 when the company worked with the accomplished guitarist, Les Paul, to create this signature model. They discontinued the style after some time but resurrected it in the late 60s.

The company came under new ownership due to some financial difficulties. They had some financial difficulty and looked to the new leaders to move the company in a positive direction. Henry E. Juszkiewicz, David H. Berryman and Gary A. Zebrowski not only saved the company, but they are also the reason why Gibson is still so successful.

Almost all of Gibsons acoustic guitars can be classified in one of seven categories. These are the Super Jumbos, the Jumbos, the Round Shoulder Dreadnought, the Square Shoulder Dreadnought, their Small Bodies guitars, the Signature Artists Series, and their custom guitars. For more information on the different models, visit the website at gibson.com.

There are also a good number of artists who love the Gibson line of instruments. In fact, the list is so extensive that they needed to categorize them in alphabetical order spanning multiple pages. Some of these artists include Aisa, Akihito, Gavid Degraw, Gunner Nelson, Les Paul, and Alex Lifeson of Rush. For more artists visit the site.

Here is what people have to say about their Gibson Acoustic guitars.

About the Gibson Gospel

A lot of guitar bang for the buck. I cannot imagine playing anything else. No desire to upgrade or to see what else is out there. I am fully satisfied with the gospel. If it was lost or stolen I would find me another after a nice long cry. This is the only acoustic guitar I own, and, hopefully ever will. Its absolutely great. It just kind of sits there begging to be played, and who am I to deny.

Another about the Gibson Gospel

Great soundless boxy, rhythmic and classic for playing in the band or solo flatpick strumming than J45, but fuller bottom end, better projection and string articulation, as expected with longer scale. Big projected, balanced sound for strumming (richer and less trebly/tinny than Taylor 310 and 410) and better for fingerpicking and capo work than J45. If you could pick a single guitar for the night, Id prefer it to the J45 and 310 for live unaccompanied stuff. With B-band, very versatile when run through the board. For the priceabout as well rounded a dred as you can find.