Gibson USA Factory Tour — See How they Build a Les Paul!

Go behind the scenes and see new Les Pauls, SGs, Explorers and more at the famed guitar outfit’s newly consolidated Nashville facility.

Premier Guitar last toured Nashville’s Gibson USA factory in 2012, so we recently went back inside for a tour of today’s facility. Guided by master luthier Jim DeCola and chief merchant officer Cesar Gueikian, John Bohlinger put on the safety goggles to get a full rundown of how the entire manufacturing process works, starting at the rough mill. We see how Gibson’s skilled builders handle intricate body work, route channeling, binding, neck fitting, finishing, and everything in between.
In 2018, the ES model production line moved from Memphis back to Nashville, so all electric Gibson guitars are now made in Music City (acoustics are made at a factory in Bozeman, Montana). Fun fact: The Gibson factory still uses machinery from the original plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. So the sides of a 1958 ES-335 were pressed by the same machine that presses a 2019 ES-335’s sides. Technology does the heavy lifting, but humans are still integral to the lutherie process, wrapping binding in specific sequences, aligning and gluing parts, spraying finishes, and more.

#gibson #guitar #factory

[mercedesescobarmusic]

2:36 : "there's just stacks of bodies everywhere". The only context where that is not a terrifying remark XD

[mark-dietz]

Im sitting here playing my 2019 LP standard as I watch. I see good and bad comments, but Ive gone over mine very closely and its perfect! I play it through a fender tube amp and it is an incredible sounding guitar. Expensive, yes, but it was my once in a lifetime new purchase of an iconic guitar. Cool to see where and how it was built!

[budgetguitarist]

John is the BEST. Tall, goofy, authentic, honest, and he is a great player. Most importantly, more than almost anyone else, he knows how to ask a question and then let the person talk as much as they want. If anyone wants to know how to do any kind of interview, watch John. Best in the business.

[Julius_Seizure]

Much like Apple, Gibson is a textbook example of how to turn a company around. JC and Cesar have really hammered home quality control and now Gibson is back on top. Bravo, Bravo!

[calsurflance]

I have been playing guitar for 53 years, owned 14 guitars, currently down to 5. I still own the
1979 Les Paul Deluxe I purchased new. It is the constant in my evolving humble collection and has always been flawless.
Well done Gibson!
Thanks John.🎸👍

[bwall]

Loved this! Though I live in Nashville, I've never been to the factory. And, I think I'm safe, my wife doesn't watch Rig Rundowns. I currently have 47 guitars. But, I need just one more!

[seanmurphy]

Honestly the guy doing the tour knows his stuff. Great video!

[DDWyss]

"Machines make good guitar parts, but people make good guitars." That really says it all!

[cole-kaos]

Im happy to see the good people who built my amazing guitar. Gibson is a gift America has given to the world. All you guys in that factory are true rock stars. I got one Trad and five other friends.

[bishlap]

Blondie really knocked that burst out in a matter of seconds, impressive. I've watched many youtube luthiers struggle for hours w/ paint, she was - spray/change color. DONE.

[tedkellison]

This is fun! So cool to see how much human hands are still involved in the process! The first time I visited the old Parsons Street plant (Kalamazoo) the process was very similar - the machining is far more advanced and accurate, the new place is cleaner, but the people look to be just as skilled - the binding scrapers, the gal running the spray guns - not for the novice or faint of heart! And that great old 335 side bender was in daily use then too! Thanks for filming this!!

[blkjakk]

That lady that sprays the sunburst is a true artist.

[timfowler]

As a guitar and manufacturing nerd, I LOVE this!!!!

[kamilkowalczyk]

"Stacks of bodies everywhere" - that was pretty death metal

[xjohn]

Have a 2019 Gibson USA Les Paul. so well made you can feel the quality. sounds amazing plays amazing. very satisfied.

[edwardjons]

Why the hell did they go ‘authentic’ when this is all the PR they ever needed? Great video!

[mookytc]

Some hard working folks in the video. Thanks John and PG.

[jasonkerr]

My 2019 61 Reissue SG is amazing. Perfect setup and playability. Welcome Back, Gibson!

[peterulrich]

I love this, I have 7 Gibson Guitars, always been a loyal fan. Seeing the craftsmanship that goes into making them is special.

[briansavage]

I used to work there before they turned finally assembly into an assembly line. We used to have our own benches and would install all the hardware on each guitar we handled. Now it's like a Chinese widget factory where one guy puts on one part all day long. That place is incredibly loud and dusty too, and we regularly worked 11-12 hour days to hit our number. When I was there we would pump out 400-600 guitars a day. That number is much higher now. Can you imagine flooding the market with 12, 000+ guitars a month? It makes me wonder where they all go.
I used to dream of working there but the novelty wore off quick. That was a grueling factory job with no sort of glamor attached to it at all. I burned out after 4 years. It was draining.