Luthier Orville H. Gibson was born in 1856 in Chateaugay, NY. Little is known about his early life except he had two brothers and two sisters. He eventually moved west to Kalamazoo, MI. The first time he was listed in Kalamazoo was 1881. He worked at several jobs and ended up at a restaurant in 1893. By 1896, Gibson had established his business as an instrument manufacturer. Orville applied for a patent for his mandolin in 1895 while he was still employed at a restaurant. Mandolins had been around for several years up to the point of Orville's design, but he introduced two new styles that changed the world of mandolin's such as the model A and model F. His patent was approved February 1, 1898 and Orville was in business as a mandolin maker shortly thereafter (and guitars were not far behind).
In 1902, five men that became the board of directors came along with some interest for stock in the company that were the men responsible for getting Gibson to where it is today. In 1903 after several meetings and problems, Orville bailed out and sold his stock of the company. From this point on until his death in 1918, Orville earned a monthly salary for royalties, but he had no further design or help in the company. Essentially the only thing that Orville had to do with Gibson was the name.
The first "official" models to be produced by Gibson appeared circa 1902, and the first catalog was in 1903. Mandolins were what Gibson did for exclusively for only a few short years. Not many years after they started producing the harp-guitar and eventually the guitar. By the 1920s, Gibson was producing mandolins, banjos, and guitars. Between mid-1922 and late 1924, Lloyd Loar designed Gibson mandolins as well as the Virzi Tone-Producer. Mandolins from this era are generally regarded as Gibson's best models, and any instrument associated with the "Loar" name will command an even higher premium.
Gibson has produced mandolins continuously since they started in the early 1900s, but the line was nearly dead in the early 1980s. In order to boost production of mandolins, Gibson bought the Flatiron company in 1987 and moved all mandolin production to their facility in Bozeman, MT. In 1997, Gibson moved mandolin production to Nashville, TN where they are currently produced by Original Acoustic Instruments as a sub-division of Gibson. For more information, visit Gibson's website or contact them directly.
Instruments currently manufactured by Original Acoustic Instruments (OAI) in Opryland Mall, Nashville, TN since 1997. Previously produced in Kalamazoo, MI between 1896 and 1984, Nashville, TN between 1984 and 1987, and in Bozeman, MT between 1987 and 1997. Distributed by the Gibson Guitar Corp. in Nashville, TN.

GIBSON Mandolins Models

GIBSON Model EM-100/EM-125 Image

GIBSON Model EM-100/EM-125

- symmetrical A-style body shape, ebony fingerboard with dot markers, tortoiseshell pickguard, single blade pickup, oblong housing of pickup, two knobs on the sides of the bridge, available in Sunburst finish, mfg. 1938-1943.

GIBSON Model H Image

GIBSON Model H

- symmetrical A-style body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with colored rosette, 20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, paddle shape peghead, four-per-side tuners, available in Golden Orange or Brown finish, mfg. 1902 only.

GIBSON Model A Image

GIBSON Model A

- symmetrical body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with colored rosette, 20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, paddle shape peghead, four-per-side tuners, available in Golden Orange or Brown finish, mfg. 1902-1933.

GIBSON Model K Image

GIBSON Model K

- symmetrical A-style body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with colored rosette, 20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, paddle shape peghead, four-per-side tuners, available in Golden Orange or Brown finish, mfg. 1902 only.

GIBSON Adam Steffey Signature Model Image

GIBSON Adam Steffey Signature Model

- two-point F-style body shape, based on the Gibson F-5, sitka Spruce top, eastern hard-flamed maple back and sides, two f-holes, top and back white body binding, eastern hard-flamed maple neck, bound 20-fret ebony fingerboard, bound snake...

GIBSON Model J Image

GIBSON Model J

- symmetrical style-A body shape, carved top and back, top body binding, 17-fret fingerboard with dot inlay and slight treble side extension, round soundhole with two rope-patterned rings, no pickguard, maple bridge, trapeze tailpiece and p...

GIBSON Model F Image

GIBSON Model F

- three-point body, oval soundhole, top body binding, pickguard, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended and dot inlays, scroll-style peghead with veneer, available in Golden Orange finish, mfg. 1902 only.

GIBSON Model F-2 Image

GIBSON Model F-2

- two- or three-point body style, oval bound soundhole with two wood rings, top body binding, pickguard with stylized inlay, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended and dot inlays, scroll-style peghead with star and crescent inlay, avai...

GIBSON Model EM-150 Image

GIBSON Model EM-150

- symmetrical A-00-style body shape, carved and bound back and top, unbound Charlie Christian pickup, pickguard with single-ply binding, knobs on opposite sides of bridge, available in Brown or Golden Sunburst finish, mfg. 1936-1971.

GIBSON Model H-1 Image

GIBSON Model H-1

- symmetrical various wood types, oval soundhole with two wood ring inlays, pickguard, top and back body binding, ebony fingerboard with dot inlays and binding, paddle-shaped peghead with inlays, four-per-side tuners, available in Golden Or...

GIBSON Model K-1 Image

GIBSON Model K-1

- symmetrical A-style body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with two wood ring inlays, pickguard, top and back body binding, ebony fingerboard with dot inlays and binding, paddle-shaped peghead with inlays, four-per-side tuners, av...

GIBSON Alrite/Style D Image

GIBSON Alrite/Style D

- symmetrical body, flat-top and back, round soundhole, ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, ebony bridge, elevated pickguard, white plastic binding and wood inlay around top and soundhole, no logo on headstock, available in Golden Orange fini...

GIBSON Model A-0 (A-Junior) Image

GIBSON Model A-0 (A-Junior)

- similar to the Model A, except has less appointments with no body binding and black binding around soundhole, available in Dark Brown finish, mfg. 1919-1933.

GIBSON Alan Bibey Limited Edition Image

GIBSON Alan Bibey Limited Edition

- F-5 Master Model body style, spruce top, maple back/sides/neck, ebony fingerboard with MOP dot inlays, traditional headstock with flowerpot inlay, fully bound tortoise body/neck/headstock, gold hand engraved tailpiece, gold plated hardwar...

GIBSON Model A-00 Image

GIBSON Model A-00

- symmetrical body shape, maple back and sides, carved top, oval soundhole, glued-on pickguard, top body binding, ebony fingerboard with dot inlays, available in Brown or Sunburst finish, mfg. 1933-1943.

GIBSON Model EM-200/Florentine Image

GIBSON Model EM-200/Florentine

- two-point F-style body shape, solid mahogany body with carved top, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, single P-90 Soapbar pickup, laminated beveled-edge pickguard, metal bridge, scroll style peghead with crown inlay, four-per-side tuner...

GIBSON Model H-2 Image

GIBSON Model H-2

- symmetrical A-style body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with binding, pickguard with ornamental inlay, ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, top and back single body binding, paddle-shaped peghead with inlay, four-per-side tuners,...

GIBSON Model K-2 Image

GIBSON Model K-2

- symmetrical A-style body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with binding, pickguard with ornamental inlay, ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, top and back single body binding, paddle-shaped peghead with inlay, four-per-side tuners,...

GIBSON Doyle Lawson Signature Model (Model BGDL) Image

GIBSON Doyle Lawson Signature Model (Model BGDL)

- F-5 body style, solid spruce top, figured maple back/sides/neck, ebony fingerboard with MOP dot inlays, traditional headstock with flower inlay, fully bound body/neck/headstock, gold tailpiece, gold hardware, Cremona Sunburst finish, mfg....

GIBSON Model F-3 Image

GIBSON Model F-3

- three-point body, oval bound soundhole with two wood rings, top border with white and green rope type, top body binding, pickguard with stylized inlay, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended and dot inlays, scroll-style peghead with...

GIBSON Model F-4 Image

GIBSON Model F-4

- two- or three-point body, oval bound soundhole with two wood rings, top body binding, top border with white and green rope style, pickguard with stylized inlay, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended and dot inlays, scroll-style pegh...

GIBSON Model K-4 Image

GIBSON Model K-4

- three-point F-style body shape, oval bound soundhole with two wood rings, top body binding, top border with white and green rope style, pickguard with stylized inlay, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended and dot inlays, scroll-styl...

GIBSON Model H-4 Image

GIBSON Model H-4

- three-point F-style body shape, oval bound soundhole with two wood rings, top body binding, top border with white and green rope style, pickguard with stylized inlay, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended and dot inlays, scroll-styl...

GIBSON Model A-1 Image

GIBSON Model A-1

- symmetrical body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with two wood rings, ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, paddle shape peghead, four-per-side tuners, available in Golden Orange or Brown finish, mfg. 1902-1918, 1922-27, and 1933-19...

GIBSON Model F-5 Image

GIBSON Model F-5

- two-point body style, f-holes, triple bound body and pickguard, two-piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended, bound peghead with The Gibson logo and flowerpot inlay, silver hardware, four-per-side tuners, features Mas...

GIBSON Model K-5 Image

GIBSON Model K-5

- similar to the L-5 guitar body, birch back and sides, raised pickguard, 24-fret fingerboard with extended treble side and dot inlays, guitar style peghead, four-per-side tuners, nickel hardware, 16 in. wide body, available in Sunburst fin...

GIBSON Sam Bush Signature Model (Model BGSB) Image

GIBSON Sam Bush Signature Model (Model BGSB)

- F-style body, solid spruce top, figured maple back/sides/neck, 21-fret ebony fingerboard with block inlay, triple white binding, four-per-side tuners, flowerpot peghead inlay, gold hardware, available in "Sam Bush" Sunburst lacq...

GIBSON Model H-5 Image

GIBSON Model H-5

- two-point F-style body shape, f-holes, triple bound body and pickguard, two-piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended, bound peghead with "The Gibson" logo and flowerpot inlay, silver hardware, four-per-side...

GIBSON Model A-2 (A2-Z) Image

GIBSON Model A-2 (A2-Z)

- symmetrical body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with two wood ring inlays, pickguard, top and back body binding, ebony fingerboard with dot inlays and binding, paddle-shaped peghead with inlays, four-per-side tuners, available...

GIBSON Model C-1 Image

GIBSON Model C-1

- symmetrical body, flat-top, mahogany back and sides, oval soundhole, painted on pickguard, clamshell tailpiece cover, ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, logo on peghead, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1932 only.

GIBSON Model M-6 Mando Guitar Image

GIBSON Model M-6 Mando Guitar

- symmetrical A-style six-string body, spruce top, maple back/sides/neck, ebony extended fingerboard with no inlays, top ivoroid binding, tuned parallel tone bar, three-per-side tuners, fleur-de-lis inlay, nickel plated hardware, available...

GIBSON Model A-3 Image

GIBSON Model A-3

- symmetrical body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with binding, pickguard, ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, top and back single body binding, paddle-shaped peghead with inlay, four-per-side tuners, available in Golden Orange or...

GIBSON Model F-5L "The Fern" (Model BGF5) Image

GIBSON Model F-5L "The Fern" (Model BGF5)

- similar to the F-5 except is a reissue based most closely off of the 1925 design, spruce top, maple back/sides/neck, ebony fingerboard with treble side extension and dot inlay, abalone fern headstock inlay, triple bound body, double bound...

GIBSON Model F-5G (Model BGFG) Image

GIBSON Model F-5G (Model BGFG)

- similar to the F-5L, except is not as elaborate in design, double bound top ivoroid, reproduction flowerpot inlay, tuned parallel tonebar, nickel plated hardware, 4-per-side tuners, available in Cremona Sunburst finish, mfg. 1993-current.

GIBSON Model A-4 Image

GIBSON Model A-4

- symmetrical body shape, various wood types, oval soundhole with binding, pickguard with ornamental inlay, ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, top and back single body binding, paddle-shaped peghead with inlay, four-per-side tuners, availabl...

GIBSON Wayne Benson Limited Edition Image

GIBSON Wayne Benson Limited Edition

- F-style body, solid spruce top, figured maple back/sides/neck, 21-fret ebony fingerboard with12th fret Benson signatureinlay, ivoroid side binding, small pickguard, four-per-side tuners, flower peghead inlay, gold hardware, available in &...

GIBSON Tenor Lute/ TL-1 Image

GIBSON Tenor Lute/ TL-1

- four-string body, A-style body, carved back and top, f-holes, elevated pickguard, raised fingerboard with no extension and dot inlays, banjo-style peghead with "The Gibson" logo, single binding on top, features a Master Model la...

GIBSON Model F-5L Bill Monroe Image

GIBSON Model F-5L Bill Monroe

- similar to the F-5L, except has a black line on the side of the binding as opposed to the top and is signed by Bill Monroe on a label, limited edition run of 200 instruments, mfg. 1991-96.

GIBSON Model A-5 Image

GIBSON Model A-5

- Florentine two-point symmetrical body shape, maple back and sides, oval soundhole, beveled-edge pickguard, rosewood fingerboard with extended treble side with dot inlay, clamshell tailpiece cover, scroll style peghead with crown inlay, fo...

GIBSON Model A-5L/A-5 (Model BGA5) Image

GIBSON Model A-5L/A-5 (Model BGA5)

- similar to the A-5, except has the same construction style as the F-5L with an A style body, fingerboard is raised off top, flowerpot peghead inlay, and gold hardware, available in Cremona Sunburst finish, mfg. 1988-present.

GIBSON F-5 Master Model (Model BGF5MF) Image

GIBSON F-5 Master Model (Model BGF5MF)

- similar to the F-5 models, except is the highest standard production mandolin made by Gibson, features spruce top, maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended and dot inlay, tuned parallel tonebar, flowerpot inlay in...

GIBSON Model A-5G Image

GIBSON Model A-5G

- similar to the A-5L, except has a single bound top, unbound fingerboard and peghead, and features fleur-de-lis inlay, available in Sunburst finish, mfg. 1988-1996.

GIBSON Model A-9 (Model BGA9) Image

GIBSON Model A-9 (Model BGA9)

- symmetrical body shape, Sitka spruce top, maple back/sides/neck, two f-holes, ebony fingerboard, top black binding, four-per-side tuners, standard headstock with Gibson logo, nickel plated hardware, Satin Vintage Brown finish, mfg. 2002-p...

GIBSON Model F-5 Goldrush (Model BGF5GR) Image

GIBSON Model F-5 Goldrush (Model BGF5GR)

- two-point F-style body shape, spruce top, AAA flamed maple back and sides, two f-holes, black and white body binding, compound dovetail neck joint, flame maple neck, black and white bound 23-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, b...