Started in 1894 by Orville Gibson as a mandolin company, Gibson has grown throughout the decades into the world’s foremost manufacturer of acoustic guitars. Through endless innovation and meticulous dedication to quality, the luthiers at Gibson have handcrafted some of music’s most recognizable instruments. Gibson acoustic guitars have been heard on some of the most famous songs in history. From its humble roots in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to its state-of-the-art acoustic craftory in Bozeman, Montana, Gibson remains dedicated to producing playable works of art.

Today, Gibson makes every acoustic guitar by hand in its state-of-the-art craftory located in Bozeman, Montana. True to its roots, Gibson carries on the tradition of acoustic instruments that dates back to the 1890s. The world may have changed since then, but Gibson acoustic guitars retain the clear, rich sounds of their predecessors, and Bozeman has proven to be the perfect place for Gibson luthiers to create and produce some of the most beautiful guitars in the world.

What makes a Gibson a Gibson? In part, attention to detail and uncompromising standards, from the fretboards to the bodies and everything in between. Each Gibson acoustic guitar features a compound dovetail neck joint fitted with hot hide glue. This process allows the neck to become a tone-generating part of the instrument—not just an attachment to hold the strings. The hot hide glue transfers vibration more effectively than modern adhesives and gives Gibson the warmth and midrange that is not found in other modern-built instruments.

Every aspect of a Gibson acoustic guitar is purposefully built with a particular range of sounds in mind. These sounds are only enhanced by our quality construction and attention to detail, especially with regard to tops and bracing. The domed top creates tension, much like a speaker cone, that gives definition to every note. This technique adds a lot of complexity to the build process but is the only way to get the tonal results we, and our customers, desire. Scalloped bracing inside accentuates lows, mids, and highs evenly.

No detail on any Gibson acoustic guitar is overlooked, even down to the type of finish we use, which is nitrocellulose lacquer. Nitrocellulose is a more organic and breathable lacquer that requires a lengthy application process, with multiple layers, over several days. But this hard work pays off: it will always get thinner over time as it evaporates and melts into the wood, creating a unique instrument that will age gracefully over time, will sound richer and sweeter over time, and will get better and better as the guitar ages.

The J-45™ is Gibson’s best-selling acoustic of all time. Nicknamed “The Workhorse” and first introduced in 1942, this iconic acoustic has become the cornerstone of its round-shoulder, dreadnought line. World-renowned for its full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection, the J-45 has been refined to carry this legacy to new heights.

Since 1937, Gibson has produced the SJ-200, affectionately known as the “King of the Flat-tops.” With an unmatched combination of boisterous projection and unparalleled tone, the SJ-200 has graced the stage with countless musical legends throughout the decades. It remains one of the most iconic guitar models still in production.

First produced in the early part of the 1900s, the Gibson L-00 looms large in the world of small-body acoustic guitars. Often described as having a “perfect” tonal balance, the L-00 delivers classically rich Gibson sounds in a package that is not only comfortable to play, but also beautiful to behold.

The first square-shouldered dreadnought ever produced by Gibson, the Hummingbird™ has become one of the most sought-after guitar models in history—thanks in part to its astonishing versatility. From fingerpicked ballads to pounding rock rhythms, the Gibson Hummingbird capably projects its rich, deep tones no matter the style of music being played and does so with a beautifully adorned pickguard.