- GIBSON
- chevron_right GIBSON ACOUSTIC IDENTIFYING FEATURES: HEADSTOCK LOGO
The most consistent and easily found feature that goes across all models of Gibson production is the logo, or lack of one, found on the peghead. The very earliest instruments made are generally found with a star inside a crescent design, or a blank peghead, and labels inside the body. This lasted until approximately 1902.
From 1902 to the late 1920s, "The Gibson," inlaid in pearl and placed at a slant, is found on the peghead. In the late 1920s, this style of logo was changed to having "The Gibson" read straight across the peghead as opposed to being slanted. Peghead lettering was done in silver stencil from the mid-late 1920s, then were white silk screened until 1942, when it changed to gold. Pearl logos were also different.
Flattop acoustics production began during 1926, and these instruments generally do not have "The" on the inlay (they just have "Gibson" in script writing). By about 1931-32, this was the established peghead logo for Gibson. Just before WWII, Gibson began making the lettering on the logo thicker and this became standard on most pre-war instruments. Right after WWII, the styling of the logo remained but it became slanted once again.
In 1947, the logo that is still in use today made its debut. This logo has a block styling with the "G" having a tail, the "i" dot is touching the "G," the "b" and "o" are open and the "n" is connected at the bottom. The logo is still slanted. By 1951, the dot on the "i" was no longer connected to the "G." In 1967, the logo styling became even more squared (pentographed) with the "b" and "o" becoming closed and the "i" dot being removed.
In 1970, Gibson replaced the black tinted piece of wood that had been used on the peghead face with a black fiber that the logo and other peghead inlay were placed into. With the change in peghead facing came a slightly smaller logo lettering. In 1972, the "i" dot reappeared on the peghead logo. In 1981, the "n" is connected at the top of the "o." There are a few models through the years that do not follow this timeline (i.e.: reissues and limited editions), but most of the production instruments can be found with the above feature changes.
From 1902 to the late 1920s, "The Gibson," inlaid in pearl and placed at a slant, is found on the peghead. In the late 1920s, this style of logo was changed to having "The Gibson" read straight across the peghead as opposed to being slanted. Peghead lettering was done in silver stencil from the mid-late 1920s, then were white silk screened until 1942, when it changed to gold. Pearl logos were also different.
Flattop acoustics production began during 1926, and these instruments generally do not have "The" on the inlay (they just have "Gibson" in script writing). By about 1931-32, this was the established peghead logo for Gibson. Just before WWII, Gibson began making the lettering on the logo thicker and this became standard on most pre-war instruments. Right after WWII, the styling of the logo remained but it became slanted once again.
In 1947, the logo that is still in use today made its debut. This logo has a block styling with the "G" having a tail, the "i" dot is touching the "G," the "b" and "o" are open and the "n" is connected at the bottom. The logo is still slanted. By 1951, the dot on the "i" was no longer connected to the "G." In 1967, the logo styling became even more squared (pentographed) with the "b" and "o" becoming closed and the "i" dot being removed.
In 1970, Gibson replaced the black tinted piece of wood that had been used on the peghead face with a black fiber that the logo and other peghead inlay were placed into. With the change in peghead facing came a slightly smaller logo lettering. In 1972, the "i" dot reappeared on the peghead logo. In 1981, the "n" is connected at the top of the "o." There are a few models through the years that do not follow this timeline (i.e.: reissues and limited editions), but most of the production instruments can be found with the above feature changes.