Step Inside Gibson’s Acoustic Guitar Craftory

Gibson Acoustic factory finishing area

Gibson TV, the iconic, American instrument brand’s award-winning, worldwide online network–features original series about music and culture from the world’s best storytellers. Gibson TV has premiered the second season of the show titled “The Process”–the award-winning, landmark documentary series which offers a captivating exploration into the making of Gibson guitars.

Shot on location in Bozeman, Montana, Season 2 of “The Process” is a 14-episode series which takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes look at the physical process of guitar-making. Directed by Todd Harapiak (Content and Gibson TV, Director) and Mark Agnesi (Director of Brand Experience, Gibson Brands), “The Process” features in-depth interviews with the artisans who handcraft Gibson acoustic instruments, uncovering how and why these makers create the world’s most-loved guitars.

“We are excited to bring ‘The Process’ Season 2 to music fans around the world, showcasing how we craft our acoustic guitars,” says Cesar Gueikian, Gibson Brands President. “The Gibson TV team has been working on this project for over a year to capture this intricate process in detail. During Season 2, we’ll be highlighting several features that make a Gibson acoustic guitar unique, such as the Gibson dovetail neck-to-body joint (with no bolts) which makes the body and the neck of the guitar become one, allowing the vibration to travel freely from the headstock, into the strings, through the neck and straight into the body. We continue to use hide glue which absorbs into the wood cells and becomes part of the wood making the neck of the guitar a tuning fork. Viewers will learn that the Gibson ‘flat tops’ aren’t really flat and that there is a reason for that! And many other exceptional features that make Gibson guitars stand out!”

“The Process” Season 2, Episode 1 titled “Tops Backs and Sides,” premieres Today. Watch as Gibson TV takes viewers inside the world-renowned Gibson Acoustic factory in Bozeman, Montana where Robi Johns, (Senior Product Development Manager, Gibson Acoustic), and Don Ruffatto, (Product Development Manager, Gibson Acoustic) walk through the beginning steps of crafting acoustic guitars in a factory that does more handwork than any other major manufacturer.

Gibson acoustic guitars in the binding process

Since Orville Gibson started making instruments in the late 1800’s, Gibson acoustic guitars have been played by the most talented and influential music artists since the beginning of recorded music, and they continue to shape the sound of music today. In Bozeman, Montana, Gibson carries on a tradition of acoustic instruments that dates back to the 1890’s. The world has changed, but the art of crafting acoustic guitars has stayed the same: Gibson acoustic guitars deliver a clear, rich sound from carefully chosen tonewoods crafted to improve with age, with the Gibson dovetail neck joint, hide glue, domed tops, nitro-cellulose lacquer a more organic, breathable lacquer that requires a long process of application, and multiple layers that create a unique instrument that will age gracefully over time, all made in Bozeman, MT, USA.

Gibson recently doubled the size of its world-renowned acoustic guitar facility in Bozeman. With more manufacturing space, expanded Gibson Acoustic Custom Shop capabilities, and a new artist showroom, the modernized facility enables Gibson to increase production of its world-renowned acoustic guitar models (J-45, Hummingbird, Dove, SJ-200, and more) and expand innovative offerings such as the new Gibson Generation Collection, while at the same time continuing the tradition of quality made in USA.

Explore Gibson Acoustic guitars on Gibson.com, HERE.

Catch up on all episodes of Gibson TV’s “The Process” Season 1 which features Gibson USA, the main Gibson electric guitar factory, located in Nashville, TN, HERE. Watch and share all Gibson TV original shows streaming for free on Gibson.com HERE; subscribe to Gibson TV on YouTube and be notified when new episodes become available HERE.

About Gibson TV:

Gibson TV, the iconic, American instrument brand’s first-ever, award-winning worldwide online network features original series from the world’s best storytellers. Gibson TV is all about guitars, music, and culture, and Gibson TV offers some of the most interesting music-related original content that you’ll find anywhere. With exclusive interviews with some of the world’s most influential musicians, close-up looks at famous music venues and awe-inspiring guitar collections, instrument setup and maintenance tips, factory tours and in-depth views of the guitar making process, discussions about the craft of songwriting with the songwriters themselves, behind-the-scenes looks at the recording process, and even guitar lessons from some of the world’s most beloved players, Gibson TV appeals not only to guitarists and other musicians, but music lovers of all types. Subscribe to Gibson TV .

About Gibson:

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 128 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, and KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Experience more at Gibson.com and on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Gibson App, Gibson Garage, and Gibson TV.