At The Heart of It: A Look Inside the Gibson Memphis Factory

The history and legacy of Gibson Guitars runs deeper than many of us know. It runs through the veins of generations of people around the world, and through the rivers that wrap around the Mississippi delta. It is rich in craftsmanship and inspiration, and has forever been a source of innovation. The work that Gibson's founders put in over 100 years ago is still applied today to help create the legendary guitars that have come to rule the world.
Gibson is more than a guitar. It is the people who build the guitar. It is the city that inspires the guitar. It is the music that permeates the Memphis air and inspires people to chase the creative spirit through days unknown and songs unsung. Gibson Guitars is also more than a corporation. It has grown into the company it is today because of cities like Memphis, Tennessee -- rich with its own legacy and history. Without the people who play the guitars and the people who build them, Gibson would be only a name. And it is through all of us that Gibson will be remembered.
Site: wildwoodguitar...
Facebook: on. 11aLDN5

[@pattycatlover]

the background music is too high, it's uncomfortable trying to hear what he's saying.

[@VictoryGuitarShop]

He is talking about Hide Glue as we see a neck being glued with Titebond, what gives?

[@guitarflyer172]

Titebond has a hide glue formula they sell

[@cattnipp]

he was talking about heating real hide glue in pots - its pure misleading advertising@@guitarflyer172

[@cattnipp]

6:19 they are clearly using yellow glue. He never actually says, "we use hide glue in the guitars." He just talks about hide glue. He DOES say we "still use a lot" of the yellow glue in our guitars. So, its carefully worded slight-of-mouth, so typical in corporate American advertising.

[@stevehughes1510]

Thanks for this Wildwood. Went through the Memphis facility in 2011 and just received my M2M 335 from Nashville in July, a great guitar. Cheers.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

This factory closed last year. Moved to Nashville

[@endabortions956]

The finished product is so beautiful.

[@dougmor1]

I have a Memphis 335 Studio. Great guitar, plays like a dream (quote from my fussy guitar tech). I've read a lot of negative things about Gibson, but my recent purchases have been great. I also read they are selling Memphis factory. Hope not, economics aside, I love having Gibson in Memphis, due to its great musical history.

[@doukdouk2550]

There's some bad ones out there but i really think that most negative comments about Gibson are trolls. I have a Gibson Les Paul studio Sweetwater usa exclusive and wow! This one is going to the grave with me. Best guitar I have ever owned, she's named Maria after the hurricane that destroyed my beautiful island Puerto Rico. I hope Gibson makes it through this shit hole their in.

[@freedomisslavery2107]

Memphis, the city that Elvis made famous.

[@dekalbes335]

What about Custom Shop ES. ? Nashville?

[@mikemayfield7716]

I love all my 335s

[@sebastiantabordachacon396]

X2

[@utahprepper8925]

I had no idea that my 2018 Memphis-made 335 Figured Natural was assembled with hide glue.

[@cattnipp]

It probably wasn't. 6:19 they are clearly using yellow glue. He never actually says, "we use hide glue in the guitars." He just talks about hide glue. He DOES say we "still use a lot" of the yellow glue in our guitars. So, its carefully worded slight-of-mouth, so typical in corporate American advertising.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

I love you Gibson.

[@2skyland]

At 9:23 he says "the best finish is no finish but that doesn't work..." so any advice on caring for a satin-finished 335? And can leaving a nitro-finished guitar in the case for long periods of time damage the instrument since the thinning agent continues to evaporate? I'm wondering if it does something to the unfinished inside of something like a 335 or affects the electronics in some way if the fumes or whatever they are can't escape from the case.

[@DSmith.Productions]

Loving my '64 Reissue ES345 in Olive Drab up here in Canada! What a gorgeous instrument, THANK YOU GIBSON MEMPHIS!

[@makepizzagreatagain7911]

Fender makes some great guitars.

[@philc4520]

Love it man. Awesome video!

[@Chargerd77]

awesome thanx 4 posting

[@yestoES355]

F

[@jazzydog]

Cool!!.

[@randelbasilio2206]

wondering what are the qualifications to be a worker in that factory. :)

[@benallmark9671]

To have a great friend or close family member, otherwise you’re beat.

[@looking_33]

@@benallmark9671 considering it hasn’t existed for several years, i’m not sure that would help you.

[@sanborns]

Sweet ...

[@1040ecapja]

1:39 Edit: looking closely it is a GIBSON Lucille.

[@rf8409]

Sure is, I saw it when I visited.

[@buddyollie7400]

jo sg Duh...it says BB King

[@1040ecapja]

yeah, well, i wondered if it was an Epi or Gibson. The truss rod cover, being metallic gold, looks like it could be either 3-screw or 2-screw. No visible logo... But then what little is seen of the headstock does look more Gibsonish upon closer inspection.

[@MrFreeTheWeed2010]

I need to get one

[@Jowls2024]

All this attention to detail and insight, yet very few players. I can't wait to own one!

[@LilSirAxolotl]

45 secs in I'm so ready to dive into this corporate lifestyle and do lots of yoga and stuff So much info and the Chinese do this as well for less? Amazing!

[@malthus101]

"It's my story and I'm sticking with it!" aka, everything he just said was total bullshit: "the glue makes a difference to the sound" Oh yeah? Take an electric guitar, give it some random pickups, some random guitar settings, put it through one of a dozen amps, via some unknown cables, then through some pedals, some effects, through a PA system at a venue with different acoustics to the last, and get someone good or bad to play it..... "hey! I don't like this sound! the glue used was obviously not hide glue! B U L L S H I T.

[@daveycmusic5150]

It's a shame to have such talented people build such terribly designed guitars. Total crap since inception.

[@GestapoPussyRanch]

The whole place can be yours for 17 mil!

[@bobvdussen4138]

Tell that too Orvile Gibson from Kalamazoo Michigan