The classic Gibson guitars used by the great musicians of the past and the present, may come from its current Nashville home, but the guitar’s roots are actually in the Michigan city of Kalamazoo. The Gibson guitar factory in Kalamazoo holds a special place in the history of American guitar making. Founded in 1917, the Kalamazoo factory produced some of the most iconic guitars of the 20th century, including the Les Paul, the SG, and the Flying V.
Throughout the years, the Kalamazoo factory was home to many talented luthiers and designers who helped to shape the sound and look of Gibson guitars. One of the most notable figures was Ted McCarty, who served as Gibson's president from 1950 to 1966. Under his leadership, the company introduced several groundbreaking guitar models, such as the ES-335 and the Explorer.
During World War II, as men were sent off to war, many factories turned to women to fill the labor shortage. The Gibson Kalamazoo factory was no exception, hiring over 100 women to work in their production line. However, what sets the Kalamazoo factory apart is the fact that they also secretly made guitars for the war effort. Known as "Kalamazoo Gals," these women worked on producing guitars that were sent overseas to entertain the troops. It was a well-kept secret that only recently came to light when a group of researchers and historians uncovered the truth.
The guitars made during this time were of exceptional quality, as they were made with the same precision and craftsmanship as Gibson's standard models. In fact, some believe that these guitars were even better, as they were made with a unique blend of materials due to wartime shortages.
In the late 1970s, Gibson decided to consolidate its operations, close the Kalamazoo factory and move production to Nashville, Tennessee. In the 1980s, the factory buildings were sold to a company called Heritage Guitar, which continued to produce guitars under the Kalamazoo name for several years. Today, the site is home to a variety of businesses and organizations, including a technology company, a microbrewery, a theater group, and a community center. The original Gibson factory buildings have been renovated and repurposed, and they now house a range of businesses and community organizations. There are rumors that Gibson's former Kalamazoo factory will soon become a Hard Rock hotel.
Despite the changes that have taken place over the years, the legacy of the Kalamazoo guitar factory lives on. In recent years, the Kalamazoo factory has become the subject of renewed interest, with collectors and guitar enthusiasts seeking out vintage Gibson guitars made in Kalamazoo. The factory's history has also been the subject of several books and documentaries, helping to preserve its legacy for future generations of guitar players and fans.
