| Today, Gibson has announced 100 Years of Gibson Flat-Tops, a year-long, celebration honoring a century of storied Gibson acoustic instruments, the passionate and talented people who handcraft them, and the iconic artists who have used them to shape popular music. From campfires and front porches to the world’s biggest stages, Gibson flat-top acoustic guitars have provided the soundtrack to generations and continue to inspire the next wave of songwriters and performers worldwide. Through four chapters and an exciting array of new guitars, this centennial both celebrates a remarkable history and affirms the Gibson commitment to the players and songwriters who will define the next century. Manufactured for over four decades by a dedicated team under the big skies of Bozeman, Montana, the Gibson Acoustic division blends time-honored methods with modern innovation, so every Gibson flat-top feels familiar, inspiring, and ready to be a musical companion for many lifetimes. The arrival of the first Gibson flat-tops a century ago was the springboard for the development of some of the most famous and most-heard musical instruments in history, and it’s impossible to imagine the landscape of popular music without the J-45™, L-00, SJ-200™, Hummingbird™, Southern Jumbo, and the Dove™. 100 Years of Gibson Flat-Tops highlights the emotional connection that players feel with Gibson acoustic guitars—a sound so many of us grew up with that was discovered in a parent’s dusty record collection, heard on television, or even encountered with the heirloom acoustic guitar that waited in the corner of the room until it became an obsession. Watch the premiere of the first video in the 100 Years of Gibson Flat-Tops series on Gibson TV, narrated by country legend Emmylou Harris, and featuring appearances by Gibson artists Brett Tomberlin and Syd Taylor HERE. Explore all Gibson and Gibson Custom acoustic guitars HERE. |
| On April 28th, the Gibson Century Collection acoustic guitars, first previewed at the NAMM Show in January will arrive. As Mat Koehler, Gibson Vice President of Product commented during his presentation at the show, “We are reclaiming the acoustic revolution we sparked exactly one century ago. Back in 1926, we began making our flat-top L-1, using the same body shape as an archtop. What resulted from that little change? Oh, just seven unique acoustic platforms and the beginnings of Delta blues, country music, bluegrass, folk, and Americana.” |
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| The Gibson Century Collection of acoustics will premiere on April 28. Above (L-R): the Century Collection 12-Fret acoustic J-185, L-00, and J-45. The 100 Years of Gibson Flat‑Tops story will continue across Gibson.com, the Gibson Gazette, social channels, and more—inviting fans around the world to share their own Gibson acoustic stories. Stay tuned in the months ahead for additional updates, including exciting new product launches tied to the celebration. |
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| An artisan handcrafts the body shape of a Gibson acoustic at the craftory in Bozeman, Montana. CHAPTER 1: “A CENTURY IN THE MAKING”APRIL-JUNE 2026 The first chapter of the 100 Years of Flat-Tops story traces how Gibson flat‑top acoustics became the instrument of choice across every genre of music and provided the soundtrack to a century of trailblazing popular music. It also showcases the Century Collection, a beautiful assortment of 12-fret Gibson acoustics channeling the minimalist elegance of early 20th-century design. |
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| An artisan handcrafts a Gibson acoustic in Bozeman, Montana. CHAPTER 2: “ICONIC BODY SHAPES”JULY-SEPTEMBER 2026 Chapter 2 dives into how Gibson acoustic silhouettes like the J-45 and L-00 became both sonic and visual benchmarks in guitar making and popular music, tracing how their aesthetics and their unforgettable tones evolved in response to players’ needs and the demands of the stage and studio. |
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| An artisan handcrafts a Gibson acoustic guitar in Bozeman, Montana. CHAPTER 3: “A UNIQUE RECIPE”OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2026 Chapter 3 takes audiences inside Gibson’s acoustic craft to reveal the shared DNA that defines our flat-top sound: traditional dovetail neck joints, radiused tops, and meticulous handwork refined over a century in service of feel, projection, and musicality, in conjunction with the latest innovations in pickup technology to transfer Gibson acoustic tone onto stages worldwide. Through a deep dive into our craftory processes, this chapter shows what sets Gibson flat‑tops apart and why the recipe is still all-important. |
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| An artisan handcrafts a Gibson acoustic guitar in Bozeman, Montana. CHAPTER 4: “THE NEXT 100 YEARS”JANUARY-MARCH 2027 Centered on the craftory in Bozeman, Montana, Chapter 4, “The Next 100 Years,” highlights player- focused innovation and quality-of-life improvements, demonstrating how a century of craftsmanship and modern technology have come together to inspire the next era of music. Over the past 100 years, Gibson acoustic guitars have evolved in response to the needs of artists, and this chapter looks ahead to how that evolution will continue through the next century of music. |
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