gibson factory tour
- Thread starter J.K.
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: gibson factory tour
I heard from a guy in Nashville that Gibson wasn't doing factory tours for the public anymore. Call & check.
I heard from a guy in Nashville that Gibson wasn't doing factory tours for the public anymore. Call & check.
jmh151
Active member
Re: gibson factory tour
I haven't heard of anyone getting Gibson factory tours except the press and celebrities (endorsees).
If you're in the Nashville area, Gibson has that showcase in the Nashville mall. There's an area where you can see some instruments getting built and repaired- which is kinda like watching the elves in Santa's workshop make toys. Then they have a store which is a joke- they charge full list price. They did have some cool limited edition guitars, but mixed in with them were some guitars that were just plain abused. That's in Nashville though.
I haven't heard of anyone getting Gibson factory tours except the press and celebrities (endorsees).
If you're in the Nashville area, Gibson has that showcase in the Nashville mall. There's an area where you can see some instruments getting built and repaired- which is kinda like watching the elves in Santa's workshop make toys. Then they have a store which is a joke- they charge full list price. They did have some cool limited edition guitars, but mixed in with them were some guitars that were just plain abused. That's in Nashville though.
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: gibson factory tour
I went on a tour of the Memphis factory a few years ago. It's worth seeing provided you remember that the tour guide doesn't know diddley about guitars, let alone making them.
Frankly, I bought a Heritage 535 after the Gibson factory tour. I got the idea that the setup guys/girls were the only people in there who even knew what a guitar sounded like. Then again, maybe my nephew was getting on my nerves too...
Chip
I went on a tour of the Memphis factory a few years ago. It's worth seeing provided you remember that the tour guide doesn't know diddley about guitars, let alone making them.
Frankly, I bought a Heritage 535 after the Gibson factory tour. I got the idea that the setup guys/girls were the only people in there who even knew what a guitar sounded like. Then again, maybe my nephew was getting on my nerves too...
Chip
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: gibson factory tour
I heard that they closed that a couple years ago too. I was there 4 years ago & it was pretty small, mainly for tourists, everybody working in the (little) shop was behind glass. They had a few guitars in glass display cases for sale, with some t-shirts, mouse pads, coffe cups, & other stuff. It was too small to pass for a real factory tour. Guess that didn't really generate enough business (no surprise). The big draw in that mall was the Bass Pro Shop.
I heard that they closed that a couple years ago too. I was there 4 years ago & it was pretty small, mainly for tourists, everybody working in the (little) shop was behind glass. They had a few guitars in glass display cases for sale, with some t-shirts, mouse pads, coffe cups, & other stuff. It was too small to pass for a real factory tour. Guess that didn't really generate enough business (no surprise). The big draw in that mall was the Bass Pro Shop.
Hoss
Joyfulnoiseologist
Re: gibson factory tour
i was there around a year ago (nashville) and they had a decent store there...they build mandos and banjos and acoustics and etc there...the had an ok supply of guitars there too...electric/acoustic/basses...not a giant showroom by any means but around a dozen LP's and so forth
i was there around a year ago (nashville) and they had a decent store there...they build mandos and banjos and acoustics and etc there...the had an ok supply of guitars there too...electric/acoustic/basses...not a giant showroom by any means but around a dozen LP's and so forth
J.K.
New member
Re: gibson factory tour
thanks for the input. it looks like the memphis factory tour is still going on. i found a review that was written a couple of months ago - but calling is still an excellent suggestion. also, it would appear that sunday is not a good day to go as there may not be any luthiers there (may apply to saturday too).
if i do end up going, i'll post my impressions.
thanks for the input. it looks like the memphis factory tour is still going on. i found a review that was written a couple of months ago - but calling is still an excellent suggestion. also, it would appear that sunday is not a good day to go as there may not be any luthiers there (may apply to saturday too).
if i do end up going, i'll post my impressions.
bob7point7
New member
Re: gibson factory tour
I was in Memphis over Labor Day and took the Gibson Factory tour. It was on Sunday so noone was working, but it was still worth it to see the plant and to see all those ES guitars in various stages of completion. The store they had was pretty disappointing though.
-Bob
I was in Memphis over Labor Day and took the Gibson Factory tour. It was on Sunday so noone was working, but it was still worth it to see the plant and to see all those ES guitars in various stages of completion. The store they had was pretty disappointing though.
-Bob
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: gibson factory tour
I'm not sure that it would be worth going to if no one is working but that's up to you.
The store had some nice guitars but the prices were just stupid (i.e. list).
Chip
I'm not sure that it would be worth going to if no one is working but that's up to you.
The store had some nice guitars but the prices were just stupid (i.e. list).
Chip
JumpMarine
18 watts of Mayhemologist
Re: gibson factory tour
They must have changed it since I was there a few years back. There were easily 50 different LP and SG's hanging out to play.
They must have changed it since I was there a few years back. There were easily 50 different LP and SG's hanging out to play.
jmh151
Active member
Re: gibson factory tour
Same here. It was kinda like the land of misfit toys- they had about 50 different (each) Les Pauls, SG's, semi hollows, explorers, etc.. The coolest was their wall of 30 or so Gibson Banjos- I just can't find a banjo in NY and have to mail order one (it's good for those summer barbecues).
They had a stage and theatre there for special events too. However, the entire place just looked like a waste of overhead and money. Gibson's corporate headquarters was in Nashville- it seems they put all their offices in one building in Nashville, but build the guitars in Memphis- which is at least a 4 hour drive. Not that efficient if you ask me. Little things like these may be the reason Gibson's prices are so high.
Like someone else said, the Bass Pro Shop is the cooler attraction in that huge mall- not to mention one store dedicated to cowboy/western gear
Same here. It was kinda like the land of misfit toys- they had about 50 different (each) Les Pauls, SG's, semi hollows, explorers, etc.. The coolest was their wall of 30 or so Gibson Banjos- I just can't find a banjo in NY and have to mail order one (it's good for those summer barbecues).
They had a stage and theatre there for special events too. However, the entire place just looked like a waste of overhead and money. Gibson's corporate headquarters was in Nashville- it seems they put all their offices in one building in Nashville, but build the guitars in Memphis- which is at least a 4 hour drive. Not that efficient if you ask me. Little things like these may be the reason Gibson's prices are so high.
Like someone else said, the Bass Pro Shop is the cooler attraction in that huge mall- not to mention one store dedicated to cowboy/western gear
