Orville Gibson fashioned his earliest known instrument, a 10-string mandolin-guitar, 130 years ago in 1894. The native of Franklin County, New York would go on to found the Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1902. Today the greatest guitarists the world over play on a Gibson. Today the house of Gibson is bringing out a special 130th anniversary edition to celebrate the anniversary: the Gibson Custom J-45TM Orville Artisan 130th Anniversary, featuring elegant inlays on an iconic Gibson model. The inlays of mother-of-pearl and abalone were inspired by some of the early harp guitar designs made by Orville Gibson and it commemorates a longstanding tradition of artistry that has existed at Gibson from the very beginning.

The Gibson Custom J-45TM Orville Artisan 130th Anniversary, a limited edition guitar with its precious inlays. Photo Gibson. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette. Right: Carefully handcrafting the Gibson Custom J-45TM Orville Artisan 130th Anniversary guitar. Photo Gibson. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette

This limited edition J-45 enjoys the « Harp Lady » inlays throughout the fingerboard and headstock and some of Orville Gibson’s early harp guitars were finished in a similar way with an ebony top and natural Unitone back and sides. This guitar is elegant but not only. The Gibson J-45 was first released in 1942 and would become known as the workhorse of acoustic guitars and since has been used in everything from early country-western to modern pop music. And it is one of the most recorded acoustic guitars in the history of music. So this iconic model has been outfitted with extremely complex inlay work that draws its inspiration from some of Orville Gibson’s earliest harp guitars. And it is a tribute to fine artistry and craftsmanship.

The Gibson Custom J-45TM Orville Artisan 130th Anniversary, a limited edition guitar, front and back. Photos Gibson. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette

Crafted in Bozeman, Montana, in the Custom Shop, this guitar features delicate inlay work throughout the entire instrument from the small details in the ebony bridge to the complex inlay work on the fingerboard. Complex inlays continue throughout the headstock with the extended “Harp Lady” design, an abalone Gibson logo, and an abalone border around the bound headstock. The pick guard features an inlaid abalone border with a special “130” inlay displayed on the corner of the pick guard. A mother-of-pearl truss rod cover, engraved “Anniversary” in script font, covers the adjustable truss rod on the front of the headstock. To complete the anniversary details, a special 130th Anniversary label is placed in the sound hole. Mother-of-pearl and abalone are among the most precious of materials and are frequently used in the making of high jewellery pieces.

This limited-edition Gibson Custom J-45 Orville Artisan 130th Anniversary celebrates 130 years of making some of the most iconic guitars in the world. Included with this guitar is a deluxe hardshell case (black with a plush purple velvet interior) with a Gibson 130th Anniversary Certificate of Authenticity. It has been brought out in a limited edition of 30 guitars and is made with the great woods of mahogany and ebony. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette
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