2002OAIcatalog

G I B S O N O R I G I N A LA C O U S T I C I N S T R U M E N T S

T h e C o r n e r s t o n e o f L e g e n d a r y S o u n d .

T H E G I B S O N B L U E

A small town in Michigan is where Gibson’s history began. Today, Gibson offices and manufacturing facili-

ties span the globe. Gibson’s most unique facility is perhaps the bluegrass manufacturing facility in Nashville,

Tennessee. An exceptional vision by Gibson’s President and Chief Executive Officer Henry Juszkiewicz has

brought Gibson’s Original Acoustic Instruments (OAI) division to our most important customer — you.

The OAI manufacturing facility, contained within The Gibson Bluegrass Showcase, is the first of its kind in

the United States. The state-of-the-art facility is located in one of the Mills Corporation’s shopping and enter-

tainment venues — Opry Mills. The uniqueness of this concept is that the you can actually view the instru-

ments being made. The factory tour

reveals the craftsmanship and tal-

ented individuals behind the mak-

ing of the world’s finest bluegrass

instruments.

Located directly across from the

world famous Grand Ole Opry, The

Gibson Bluegrass Showcase factory

tour is available Monday through

G R A S S S H O W C A S E

Our facility also houses a state-of-the-art

stage, sound, and lighting system with

theatre-style seating, full service restaurant

and bar that is available for rental. Recent

events have included television and video

shoots, showcasing of new talent, fan club

events, parties and charity events.To inquire

about renting The Showcase phone us

at 615.514.2200 ext 2244. And, you never

know when you might catch an impromptu

jam session going on.

Gibson customers are fascinated by the

workmanship and quality that goes into

each Gibson instrument.

Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you would like more information concerning Gibson’s OAI manufacturing

facility or one of Gibson’s quality instruments, please check us out at www.gibson.com or contact us at

1-800-4-GIBSON.

From start to finish, every Gibson banjo, Dobro®, and mandolin is carefully handcrafted at The Gibson

Bluegrass Showcase. Truly a unique concept in showcasing the craftsmanship that is a part of the Gibson

legacy. Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments — the cornerstone of legendary sound. The Gibson Bluegrass

Showcase — the national home of a true American genre of music. All very simply — legendary.

H O W T H E L E G E N D B E G A N

Gibson, a name that for over 100 years has defined quality, craftsmanship, innovation, and legendary sound.

This tradition began in 1894 with one man’s dream in a home workshop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The leg-

endary man was Orville Gibson. With no formal training to limit his vision, Orville created an entirely new

style of mandolin and guitar, with carved tops, arched like the top of a violin. His creations were so different

and revolutionary that he was granted a patent on his mandolin design in 1898. By 1910, Gibson mandolins

had become so popular that they virtually replaced all previous styles of fretted instruments. Always striving

to be innovative, Gibson later introduced banjos into the Gibson line of acoustic instruments. A Gibson orig-

inal acoustic instrument could be found in almost every performers hand of the era.

Since those early days, Gibson has continued the tradition of original advances in design, quality construc-

tion, and craftsmanship. The Dobro® line of instruments was added to the Gibson family to complete the

line of acoustic instruments.

Gibson’s Original Acoustic Instruments have become the very cornerstone of legendary sound.

S I M P L Y L

E G E N D A R Y

O r v i l l e G i b s o n

T H E L E G E N D C O N T I N U E S

Today the market is flooded with a variety of acoustic instruments. The Gibson name

still can be found making history in the hands of legendary performers. Legends

like Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, J.D. Crowe, Josh Graves, Tom Swatzell,

and Al Perkins have been making groundbreaking music for years. And

they’ve always done it on Gibson instruments. Legends like these choose

Gibson instruments because they know they can rely on our consistent

craftsmanship, exceptional playability and legendary tone year after year.

The grand traditions Orville Gibson first set continue at Gibson —

and so, the legend continues for the generation of the 21st Century.

New artists and legends alike play Gibson Original

Acoustic Instruments. Shouldn’t you?

M A N D

G I B S O N M A N D O L I N S

“The Gibson,” for over 100 years, has defined the word mandolin. Starting with the original design of the

F-style mandolin it remains the only one true mandolin despite the many copies on the market today. With

original advances in design and construction, Gibson has remained the choice of musicians the world over.

All Gibson mandolins are hand-built to precise graduations, specific tap-tunings, hand-fit dovetail

neck joints, superior wood selection and hand-stained thinly applied finishes. The result is an instrument

of impeccable fit and finish with unsurpassable tone and built in the grand tradition we first set.

Gibson mandolins are not only the definitive mandolin to purchase, they are an invest-

ment. Gibson instruments consistently retain their resale value, and over time, actually

increase in value. If one looks at the number of professional mandolin players and com-

pares the number of Gibson mandolins to all other brands, Gibson outranks the com-

petition in number and tone. Become one of the elite — own a Gibson.

Gibson F-5 Master ModelLoar Reissue

Gibson Sam Bush Signature Model

Sam Bush

O L I N SGibson F-5L “Fern”

Gibson F-5G

Gibson A-5L

M A N D

Gibson F-9

Gibson M-6

I N T R O D U C I N G T H E S L E E K F - 9 A N D T H E G U I T A R I S T S C H O I C E — T H E G I B S O N M - 6

The F-9’s no-frills design gives it a sleek look that is unique among traditional mandolins, with black binding

on the top of the body, no fingerboard inlay and a Vintage Brown finish — a hand-stained light chocolate

color with an extremely thin satin lacquer outer coat. The F-9 has all the design features that gave the F-5 its

legendary tone, including a hand-fitted dovetail neck joint, solid maple neck, sides and back, solid spruce top,

and a hand-tuned tone chamber.

The Gibson M-6 features an A-style mandolin body with a short-scale guitar neck that makes every guitarist

an instant multi-instrumentalist. The M-6 is tuned an octave higher than a standard guitar, so that the high

E-string matches the highest open string on a mandolin. Guitarists can get the tone of a mandolin without

having to adapt to a different tuning.

O L I N S

U N S U R P A S S E D C R A F T S M A N S H I P

Every Gibson and Flatiron mandolin has received the

greatest care and hand attention to detail possible. Every

one is a work of art with tone and playability to match.

Our craftsmen have hundreds of hours of training in the

art of wood selection, carving, binding, inlay, fretting,

set-up and playing of the instruments. No other

instrument manufactured today has the

loving care put into each Gibson mandolin.

E A R L S C R U G G S B A N J O S

Earl Scruggs is credited for pioneering the three-finger banjo

style now accepted as “the method” of playing the instrument.

Earl’s style has been one of America’s great contributions to

the music world. Earl’s banjo has evolved over the years, just as

Earl has. Each model in the Earl Scruggs line features figured

maple, a beautiful lacquer finish, and multiple binding.

Gibson is proud to be the exclusive manufacturer of the only

banjos worthy of Earl’s name.

Earl Scruggs 49 Classic

B A N

Earl Scruggs Standard

Earl Scruggs

J O SEarl Scruggs Golden Deluxe

Earl Scruggs Flint Hill Special

Earl Scruggs Special

B A N

Standard Banjo — RB-75 J.D. Crowe

Standard Banjo — RB-3


S T A N D A R D B A N J O S

Gibson has been a world leader in acoustic instrument design since Orville Gibson

redefined fretted instruments in the 1890s. For over 100 years, players have sought to

own an original Gibson. We are proud to continue to offer our banjos with the origi-

nal metal composition for the tone ring, hand-engraved metal parts, and traditional

construction.J. D. Crowe

Standard Banjo — RB-3 Wreath


Standard Banjo — Granada Flying Eagle or Hearts & Flowers

J O S

T H E G I B S O N R B

Keeping in Gibson’s fine tradition of excellence in craftsmanship, the birth of a new banjo has arrived. The

Gibson RB banjo has the same exceptional tone and quality as the Mastertone line of banjos, but at a more

affordable price. Based on tried and true Gibson designs, this instrument is an excellent addition to the

Gibson family of instruments.

B A N

Gibson RB Banjo

H A N D - C R A F T E D Q U A L I T Y

Each Gibson banjo neck is hand-rolled

by one of our quality craftsmen making

each and every banjo we produce “unique.”

J O S

M O R E T H A N A C E N T U R Y O F T R A D I T I O N

One of many groups that tour The Gibson Bluegrass Showcase watch in fascination as a Dobro®

neck is hand-rolled by one of Gibson’s talented Dobro® builders. Each and every Gibson instrument

is hand-fretted just like they were more than a century ago.

D O B

T H E S Q U A R E N E C K S E R I E S

Originally designed for Hawaiian music, the squareneck Dobro® evolved into another unique sound for

country and bluegrass music. Played with a slide bar on the lap, or specially strapped for playing upright, the

squareneck has the bluesy and mournful sound of which every player dreams.

Squareneck Series — 60 D Classic

Squareneck Series — F-60

Squareneck Series — 27 Deluxe

R O S

N A T U R A L P E R F E C T I O N

Great care and attention to detail

is used in the crafting of each and

every Dobro® with quality checks

at every stage of production —

resulting in beautiful perfection

of sound, tone and looks.

Roundneck Series — DM33C California Girl (back)1

D O B

Roundneck Series — DM33H Hawaiian (front)1

Roundneck Series — DM33H Hawaiian (back)1

T H E M E T A L B O D Y S E R I E S

Dobro® metal body resophonic guitars produce the sound of the Delta Blues — soulful, crying, and heartfelt

music directly from the spirit of the river. Gibson Dobros® are faithfully reproduced to capture the original

American sound. Stamped and hand-welded, etched with beautiful art patterns and plated, these instru-

ments are a true work of art in look and sound.

Roundneck Series — DM33G Gator (back)1

Roundneck Series — DM33S Sailboat (back)1

Roundneck Series — DM33D Dobro D (back)1

R O S

1Etched design2Engraved design

Roundneck Series — The Dobro Shield (back)2

D O B

Roundneck Series — The Chrysanthemum (front)2

Roundneck Series — The Lily of the Valley (back)2

Roundneck Series — The Rose (back)2

R O S

A T T E N T I O N T O D E T A I L

Attention to detail is the key to a great instru-

ment. Every Dobro® must go through twenty

quality control steps to make the final grade.

Every employee is a resophonic player and this

shows in the end product. The best made,

played by the best — Dobro®.

Roundneck Series — The Chrysanthemum (back)2

1Etched design2Engraved design

Roundneck Series — DW90

D O B

Roundneck Series — DW90 Cutaway

Roundneck Series — DWF60

T H E R O U N D N E C K S E R I E S

Dobro® resophonic guitars are also available in a standard guitar neck configuration. Get that famous

Dobro® sound while playing a regular style guitar. Every guitarist can play a resophonic guitar with no

special training and can broaden their sound without years of practice in learning a new instrument.

R O SDobrolektric

Mississippi VooDoo

D O B

Artist Series — The Jerry Douglas

Artist Series — The Al Perkins

Artist Series — The Josh Graves

T H E A R T I S T S E R I E S

The Dobro® guitar owes its popularity to the wide variety of styles pioneered by many great musicians. We

are proud to offer the collector these limited edition models, designed and signed (also available unsigned)

by the world’s most influential Dobro® guitarists. All models available with square or roundnecks.

Artist Series — The Brother Oswald

R O SArtist Series — The Tom Swatzell

Jerry Douglas Josh Graves Al Perkins Tom Swatzell Brother Oswald

S P E C I F I

G I B S O N M A N D O L I N S

MODEL

F-5 MasterModel

F-5LFern

A-5L

F-5G

Sam Bush Model

F-9

M-6

COLOR

Hand-rubbedVarnish

Cremona Sunburst*

Hand-stainedFern Sunburst**

CremonaSunburst**

CremonaSunburst; Top,Shaded Sides,

Back & Neck**

Bushburst**

Satin VintageBrown

Heritage CherrySunburst, TransRed, Trans Blue,Trans Green**

BINDING

Double BoundIvoroid

Double BoundWhite

Double BoundIvoroid

Double, Top Bound

Ivoroid

Double BoundWhite

Top Bound Black

Top BoundIvoroid

INLAY

MasterFlowerpot

Abalone Fern

ReproductionFlowerpot

ReproductionFlowerpot

Flowerpot

Gibson Script

Fluer de Lis

TONE BAR

Tuned Parallel

Tuned Parallel

Tuned Parallel

Tuned Parallel

Tuned Parallel

Tuned Parallel

Tuned Parallel

HARDWARE

Silver PlateHand-engraved;

ReproductionBridge

Gold PlateHand-engraved

Gold PlateHand-engraved

Nickel PlateHand-engraved

Nickel PlateHand-engraved

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

FINGER REST

’20s StyleReproduction

Doublebound

Doublebound

——

——

——

——

CASE

’20s StyleRectangular

Deluxe Hardshell

RectangularHardshell

Shaped Hardshell

Shaped Hardshell

Shaped Hardshell

Shaped Hardshell

Shaped Hardshell

B A N J O S

MODEL

Earl ScruggsStandard

Earl Scruggs 49 Classic

Earl ScruggsGolden Deluxe

Earl ScruggsFlint Hill Special

Earl ScruggsSpecial

Standard BanjoGranada

Standard BanjoRB-3 Standard

Standard BanjoRB-3 Wreath

Standard BanjoRB-4

Standard BanjoRB-75 J.D. Crowe

Standard BanjoRB-250

Gibson RB

COLOR

Exact Replica,Amber Brown**

Exact Replica,Amber Brown**

Exact Replica,Antique Amber

Brown**

Antique RichAmber Brown**

Exact Replica,Antique Amber

Brown**

Rich AmberBrown**

AntiqueMahogany Red**


Antique Walnut**


Mahogany**

Natural, VintageBrown, Oxblood

BINDING

Multiple

MultipleAntique

MultipleAntique

Multiple

MultipleAbalone

Multiple

SingleAntique

SingleAntique

MultipleAntique

SingleAntique

Single

Black

INLAY

Hearts &Flowers

Bow Tie

Hearts &Flowers

Hearts &Flowers

Hearts &Flowers

Hearts & Flowers

Standard

Wreath

Flying Eagle

Style 75

ModifiedStandard

Snowflake

WOOD

FiguredMaple

FiguredMaple

FiguredMaple

FiguredMaple

FiguredMaple

Highly FiguredMaple

Mahogany

Mahogany

Walnut

Mahogany

Mahogany

Figured Maple

HARDWARE

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

24k Satin GoldEngraved

24k GoldEngraved

24k GoldEngraved

24k GoldEngraved

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

CASE

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

ShapedHardshell

* Denotes Hand-brushed Original Style Varnish Finish** Denotes Lacquer Finish

Colors shown in this catalog are presented as accurately as possible. Due to variations and limitations in photographic and lithographic processes, actual colors may vary.Gibson reserves the right to change specifications without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please check our products out on the internet at www.gibson.com.

C A T I O N S

D o b r o s c o n t i n u e d —

MODEL

DM33 CaliforniaGirl Roundneck

DM33 Dobro DRoundneck

Gator Roundneck

SailboatRoundneck

The RoseRoundneck

The Lilly of theValley

Roundneck

Dobro ShieldRoundneck

TheChrysanthemum

Roundneck

DWF60Roundneck

DW90Roundneck

DW90CCutaway

Roundneck

Dobrolektric

MississippiVooDoo

COLOR

Etched ChromePattern




Engraved ChromePattern




Darkburst

Vintage Sunburst,Trans Red, Trans

Blue, Trans Green,Trans Black, Natural

Vintage Sunburst,Trans Red, Trans

Blue, Trans Green,Trans Black, Natural

VintageSunburst

Heritage CherrySunburst, Sunrise,

Vintage Brown

BINDING

Non-bound

Non-bound

Non-bound

Non-bound

Non-bound

Non-bound

Neck

Neck & Headstock

Non-bound

Double Bound

Double Bound

Single Bound

Tortoise ShellBody

COVER PLATE

Fan

Fan

Fan

Fan

Fan

Fan

Fan

Fan

Fan

Poinsettia

Poinsettia

Poinsettia

Poinsettia

D O B R O S

MODEL

The Jerry Douglas

The Josh Graves

The BrotherOswald

The Tom Swatzell

The Al Perkins

F-60 Squareneck

60 D ClassicSquareneck

27 DeluxeSquareneck

DM33Roundneck

COLOR

Natural Mahogany

Sunburst

Sunburst

Dark CherryBurst

Trans Black

Darkburst

VintageSunburst

VintageSunburst


BINDING

Neck & Body

Single BoundBody

Single BoundBody

Neck & Body

Neck & Body

Non-bound

Single Bound

Neck, Body &Headstock

Non-bound

COVER PLATE

Fan

Fan

Fan

Engraved Fan

EngravedPoinsettia

Fan

Fan

Poinsettia

Fan

RESONATOR

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

HARDWARE

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Gold Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Chrome

BODY

Mahogany

Maple

Maple

Maple

Maple with f-hole

Figured Maple

Figured Maple

Figured Maple

Chromed Brass

CASE

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

RESONATOR

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

Spider

——

HARDWARE

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate

Nickel Plate;Bridge TransducerPickup; P-90 Neck

Pickup

Gold Plate;VooDoo Magic

Pickups

BODY

Chromed Brass

Chromed Brass

Chromed Brass

Chromed Brass

Chromed Brass

Chromed Brass

Chromed Brass

Chromed Brass

Figured Maple

Figured Maple

Figured Maple

Figured Maple &Mahogany

Mahogany withFigured Maple

Top

CASE

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

Slimline DeluxeHardshell

DeluxeHardshell

T h e C o r n e r s t o n e o f L e g e n d a r y S o u n d .

The Gibson Bluegrass Showcase • 161 Opry Mills Drive • Nashville, TN 37214 USA • 1.800.4.GIBSON • www.gibson.com© 2002 Gibson Guitar Corp.

J e r r y D o u g l a s

S a m B u s h

J . D . C r o w e

A l P e r k i n s

E a r l S c r u g g s

J o s h G r a v e s

S I M P L Y L E G E N D A R Y

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2002OAIcatalog