Gibson return to Guitar Village
One of the most prestigious guitar manufacturers in history, the Gibson company was founded by Orville Gibson in 1902 and started out life building mandolins. Gibson introduced its first archtop guitar in the early 1920s and, with the popularity of jazz bands increasing, focused production on archtops models. Gibson entered the electric guitar age in the mid-1930s introducing a lap steel followed by an Electric Spanish (ES) model and by the end of the decade began introducing flat top acoustics. In 1952 Gibson enlisted recording star Les Paul resulting in one of the most iconic solid body guitars ever produced. Gibson engineer Seth Lover designed the Humbucker in 1957 which appeared on their top line models. 1958 saw the first Sunburst finishes on their Les Paul models, they also introduced three new “Modernistic” models, the Explorer, Flying V and Moderne and, the soon to become very popular, semi hollow ES-335. After discontinuing the Les Paul model, Gibson released the SG model in 1961 with the early models still bearing the Les Paul name. To this day Gibson remain the premium guitar brand continuing to collaborate, supply, inspire and evolve with musical royalty from all walks of life.
Guitar Village has been a Gibson dealer for decades stocking both new, vintage and pre-owned models. Notable Gibsons to pass through our doors over the years have included a Jimmy Page Aged & Signed Number One, Gary Rossington Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix Flying V and Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates. The Guv’nor’s real passion is vintage guitars and we have been fortunate enough to get hold of some real gems over the years including a Gibson ES-335 1963, ES-335 1961, 1952 Gold Top Les Paul , 1933 L-1, 1927 L-3 and a 1976 Explorer to mention a few. Check out our gallery section for more models sold through the shop. We have also worked in close with Gibson over the years getting involved in artist relations which have included backstage access on the Gibson tour bus at various festivals. We have also supplied guitars to artists like Eric Clapton, The Kings Of Leon, Keith Richards, BB King, Green Day, Stereophonics as well as the Million Dollar Quartet musical to name but a few.
After a few years of questionable business decisions, Gibson are back on form with a focussed line up of guitars spanning their classic models while retaining their spirit of innovation. New CEO, James “JC” Curleigh, has been appointed to revive this legendary brand’s reputation.
The Original Collection
Offering the chance to experience a piece of Gibson guitar heritage. No gadgets or gizmos here just models built as they were intended back in the Golden Era of guitar manufacturing.
- Les Paul Standard 50’s – Vintage 50’s neck profile, non-weight relieved mahogany body with flame maple cap, Burstbucker pickups, Vintage Deluxe tuners and ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Gold Top, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Tobacco Sunburst. 50’s P90 Gold Top version also available.
- Les Paul Standard 60’s – Slim 60’s neck profile, non-weight relieved mahogany body with flame maple cap, Burstbucker 61 pickups, Grover Rotomatic tuners and ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Iced Tea, Bourbon Burst, Unburst.
- Les Paul Special/Junior – Vintage 50’s neck profile, P-90 Dog Ear pickups, Vintage Deluxe White Button tuners, wraparound bridge. Available finishes: Special TV Yellow, Junior Tobacco Sunburst.
- SG Standard 61 – Slim Taper neck profile, Burstbucker 61 pickups, Vintage Deluxe Keystone tuners, ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge, Vintage Cherry finish. Available in Stop-Tail, Maestro Vibrola and Sideways Vibrola options.
- SG Special/Junior – Slim Taper neck profile, P-90 pickups, Vintage Deluxe White Button tuners, compensated wraparound bridge. Available finishes: SG Special – Faded Pelham Blue, Vintage Sparkling Burgundy; SG Junior – Vintage Cherry.
- Explorer – Slim Taper neck profile, Burstbucker 2 & 3 pickups, Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, Antique Natural finish.
- Flying V – Slim Taper neck profile, Burstbucker 2 & 3 pickups, Grover Rotomatic “Kidney Bean” tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, Antique Natural finish.
- Firebird – Slim Taper neck profile, Firebird Mini Rhythm & Lead pickups, Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Cherry, Tobacco Burst.
The Modern Collection
Building on the classic designs that made Gibson the premier guitar brand. Built like the iconic originals these guitars feature some modern appointments including coil-tapping pickups, phase and pure bypass options, and weight-relief bodies.
- Les Paul Modern – Asymmetrical Slim Taper with Modern Contoured heel, Burstbucker Pro Rhythm & Lead pickups, Grover Locking Rotomatic Keystone tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Faded Pelham Blue, Sparkling Burgundy, Graphite.
- Les Paul Classic – Slim Taper neck profile, Burstbucker 61 Zebra pickups, Grover Rotomatic “Kidney Bean” tuners, ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Translucent Cherry, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Honey Burst, Ebony.
- Les Paul Studio – Slim Taper neck profile, 490R & 498T pickups, Grover tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Wine Red, Tangerine Burst, Smokehouse Burst, Ebony.
- Les Paul Tribute – Rounded neck profile, 490R & 490T pickups, Vintage Deluxe Keystone tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Satin Iced Tea, Satin Honey Burst, Satin Tobacco Burst, Satin Cherry Sunburst.
- Les Paul Special/Junior Tribute DC – Slim Taper neck profile, P-90 pickups, Vintage Deluxe White Button tuners, compensated wraparound bridge. Available finishes: Worn Ebony, Worn Cherry, Worn Brown, Blue Stain
- SG Modern – Asymetrical Slim Taper neck profile, Burstbucker Pro Rhythm & Lead pickups, Grover Locking Rotomatic Keystone tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Trans Black Fade, Blueberry Fade.
- SG Standard – Rounded neck profile, 490R & 490T pickups, Grover Rotomatic “Kidney Bean” tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Heritage Cherry, Ebony.
- SG Tribute – Rounded neck profile, 490R & 490T pickups, Vintage Deluxe Keystone tuners, aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. Available finishes: Vintage Cherry Stain, Natural Walnut.
- Flying V B-2 – Slim Taper neck profile, Dirty Fingers Rhythm & Lead pickups, Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, Satin Ebony finish.
- Explorer B-2 -Slim Taper neck profile, Dirty Fingers Rhythm & Lead pickups, Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, Satin Ebony finish.
The Acoustic Collection
Gibson know a thing or two about building acoustics with the first models being introduced in the early 1900’s. The current range includes some classics models such as Super Jumbo models like the Gibson SJ-200, square-shoulder models like the Gibson Hummingbird, round-shoulder models like the Gibson J-45 and small-body models like the Gibson L-00. More modern models include the Gibson Songwriter range and the new Gibson G-45 which offers players an affordable range of acoustics.
Gibson Custom Shop
Gibson Custom Shop began life early on in the companies history when Gibson began working with artists like Nick Lucas, Roy Smeck and Les Paul. The 1990s into the current decade proved to be a significant period in the Gibson Custom Shop history when it began producing collectable guitars like the Jimmy Page Number One and Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates. The current range includes models like ’50s & ’60s Les Paul Standard Reissue, Juniors and Specials in VOS Reissues and Standard Reissues, 60’s SG Standard Reissues, Ebony Gibson Customs available in a Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V & SG Versions, and various versions of the Gibson Les Paul Axcess including a Joe Perry “Gold Rush” Les Paul Axcess.