With NAMM finally kicking off at the end of this week, Gibson has made official announcements about what fans of the brand can expect to see at the convention and hitting the market throughout this year. One of the most interesting unveilings was that the company is renewing its focus on acoustic instruments and will be releasing a bevy of new acoustic guitars under new model families.
"2020 brings a renewed focus on our acoustic guitars, just like we did with our electric guitar portfolio, applying the same principles of craftmanship," said Gibson's Chief Merchant Officer Cesar Gueikian. "We are recalibrating our acoustic portfolio into Original and Modern Collections and launching an Acoustic Custom Shop with Historic and Modern Collections. Our acoustic guitars have defined sound for 126 years and we intend to leverage that heritage and bring new iconic instruments to the hands of new generations of players."
The new Gibson Acoustic Custom Shop, based in Bozeman, Montana, offers a robust Historic Collection featuring some of the company's iconic models from 1930s to the '60s. Models include a 1942 Banner J-45, 1942 Banner Southern Jumbo, 1934 Jumbo, 1936 Advanced Jumbo, 1939 J-55, 1952 J-185, 1957 SJ 200, 1960 Hummingbird, Pre-war SJ 200 Rosewood, and more.
In contrast, the new Acoustic Custom Shop Modern Collection sees Gibson blending classic, stalwart designs with modern-day improvements—better materials and bodies designed for comfort, with slim-taper necks and flatter fingerboards for easy-playing and better feeling. New models on offer from this collection include a J-45 Deluxe Rosewood, Songwriter Chroma with Quilted Maple, Hummingbird with Custom Koa, and more.
Meanwhile, Gibson Acoustics is continuing to invest in its more affordable but still USA-made G (or, Generation) line of acoustics "built by the same hands that make the J-200 and J-45s." These instruments are meant to appeal to younger, newer generations of guitar players who might not have the budget for a main-line USA-made Gibson, and the line is now expanding to include two more models with solid Sitka spruce tops, walnut backs and sides, and sharp finishes: the G-45 Studio ($999 USD) and G-45 Standard ($1,200 USD).
Be sure to check back soon for more information on when these models will be available. For more news and coverage of the NAMM convention, click the orange banner below.