Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Gibson Gospel Guitar


The Gibson Gospel guitar originated in 1971 and was manufactured at Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory. These were the days of a spiritual awakening throughout North America, commonly called The Jesus Movement. Perhaps that was the impetus behind the creation of the guitar and this guitar was designed to be a deep sounding vocal backup instrument. I've played my friend Terry Fisher's Gibson Gospel and I concur. It does have an excellent, big sound.

The Gibson Gospel guitar was designed with a flat top, had square shoulders, arched back, a solid spruce top, maple neck,with laminated maple back and sides and had a tortoise style body binding and pick guard. These original guitars were only available with a natural finish. The headstock featured the image of a Dove below the Gibson logo.

The guitar came with a unique laminated arched back that had no back bracing. This type of back has been a feature on several other guitars. Guild used the arched back on at least one model and Framus of Bavaria used it on most of their acoustic instruments. The arched back provided its own support, so there was no need for bracing. 

The consumer focus of the guitar was for accompanying  Christian music. As I previously mentioned, this era was known as the Jesus Revolution. A Gibson advertisement bears this out by showing a typical Christian coffeehouse singer of the era testifying about why the instrument was his choice.

added cover plate
Whatever the target audience was, the Gibson Gospel acoustic guitar was also an excellent instrument choice for bluegrass, folk, country music and even blues.


In 1992 Gibson again offered the Gospel acoustic model. The reissue defers compared to the original. Gibson chose mahogany over maple for the reissue. 

The new version of the Gospel guitar has multiple white binding, solid mahogany sides and back. The unbound maple neck was topped with a rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays. The braces were scalloped like those on the more expensive models. 

 The Dove logo remained on this instruments head stock.

This time it also was adorned with black pick guard that was not as large or fancy as the original. Finishes were offered in either natural or sunburst.


In 1994 Gibson produced a 100th Anniversary Model 
Gospel Guitar.
©UniqueGuitar Publishing (text only)




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36 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 3, 2010 at 2:35 AM

    Bought a 93 Gospel last year, the action was superb reminded me of an old SJ i had. Soundwise it has great deep Gibson tone, i have a Larrivee and that sounds great and has a modern kinda LowdenBreedlove texture to it, but if you want that old school gibson sound this has it.I think the Gospel didnt take off because it was only manufactured again the 90's and there is a snobbery with Gibsons, if it had a fancy scratchplate i think collecters would be buying them up, but luckily its a great guitar that is almost undiscovered in the Gibson world.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 5, 2010 at 5:36 PM

    I would love to own one of the '70s versions, beautiful in the maple with ebony fretboard. I have heard there are ageing issues with the tortoise shell binding chipping away. Has anyone else heard or seen this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 19, 2016 at 1:59 PM

      Yes! I bought one today! From 1973. Only played an hour, but really satisfied so far! It also has a cross burned into it.. Don't think its done in a factory, but worth mentioning :)

      Delete
    2. UnknownJune 19, 2016 at 3:22 PM

      Yes! I bought one today! From 1973. Only played an hour, but really satisfied so far! It also has a cross burned into it.. Don't think its done in a factory, but worth mentioning :)

      Delete
    3. UnknownFebruary 4, 2018 at 5:49 PM

      Yes I am an original owner of a 74 gospel,I bought it brand new in summer of 75, despite all the negative comments about the norlin yrs. this guitar has always been bright and punchy, however it does have the notorious cracking binding problem. That's been going on for at least 25 of the 43 yrs I've had it. I'll take this guitar to my grave !

      Delete
  3. Ian CartwrightSeptember 26, 2010 at 1:11 PM

    I had a 1974 Gospel which I bought for around $500 from Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan in 1995. I sold it in 1998.

    It was a great guitar. I had no issues with the binding.

    ReplyDelete
  4. kamagra gelMarch 14, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Thanks, I don't really like guitar music but I found guitars interesting and how guitarrist touch they guitar, is like a relationship.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. seccoJuly 20, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    I bought a gospel new in about '75 I think and have been playing it constantly for close on 36 years and it still is a great sounding guitar with good action even with a few bruises. It's part of the family ,thats what Gibson is about, longevity!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJuly 29, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Today I purchased what I think is a beautiful 1995 Gibson Gospel Guitar and case. The guitar has an all natural finish with Grover gold deluxe tuners. I purchased the guitar for my sons upcoming twenty fifth birthday. I'm curious how to tell if the guitar is truly a 1995. Either way, I know my son will love it.
    The sticker inside the guitar reads,
    Style A/N,
    Gibson Gospel,
    Number 90753029.
    Can someone out there possibly verify what year this guitar was made, or any other pertinent info.
    Thanks Much!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 7, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    From Gibson website:

    Your guitar was made at the
    Bozeman Plant , MA, USA
    March 16th, 1993
    Production Number: 29

    That's Montana not Massachusettes

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousOctober 31, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    This Blog is flawed from the start, The information on the dates and availability of the Gospel is incorrect. The Gospel was available in more colors than natural, the serial number system got all screwed up when Gibson moved from Michigan to Nashville. The only thing you can be sure of is that if you have a 70's Gibson Gospel, it was made by on of the finest luthiers Gibson ever had, because the good luthiers would not move to nashville because they knew that the integrity of Gibson was about to get flushed for profit. I do own a 72 Gospel from Kalamazoo, and it is in very good condition, but even at that the cellulose binding does chip. it is a layered material so the chips may be tiny, but care has to be taken to prevent damage.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 10, 2016 at 7:24 PM

      You are correct, I also have a Sunburst Gospel made in the Kalamazoo plant. I've owned since the late 70s and it has traveled the world with me during my 30 year Army career. Still plays and sounds great.

      Delete
    2. UnknownJune 19, 2016 at 3:19 PM

      How do I care for the cellulose?

      Delete
    3. UnknownJune 19, 2016 at 3:22 PM

      How do I care for the cellulose?

      Delete
  9. viagra precioJanuary 5, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    Nice post I like your site very well and I continue visit on this site for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  10. DickJuly 12, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    I bounght a Gospel in 1972 and have had it ever since. Love it. Not a scratch on it after 40 years. The natural Maple has wonderful character.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    I have a gibson Gospel style #VS or V5 serial 91813011 handed down. Can someone tell me if it is an original or a reissue and the approximaate value,excellant condition.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousNovember 24, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    Nice guitar site
    keep up the amazingly wonderful work !!

    The Gibson Gospel guitar has amazing sound quality. And sounds great after 20 years.

    anyways come visit me if you get a chance at http://gwwilliamsacousticmusicministry.com/

    Thanks GW Williams

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousNovember 24, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Hope this address helps GW Williams Acoustic Music

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 12:43 AM

    Hello i have a gibson gospel serila number 601779 it has custom inlays by paul echols and was made in the kalamazoo plant it also has micheal inlayed in the headstock and ibthink this was once micheal conlons guitar a famous maui artist ... thats just a guess on who owned it maybe someone out there can help me tell me what it is worthHello i have a gibson gospel serila number 601779 it has custom inlays by paul echols and was made in the kalamazoo plant it also has micheal inlayed in the headstock and ibthink this was once micheal conlons guitar a famous maui artist ... thats just a guess on who owned it maybe someone out there can help me tell me what it is worth can i post pics on here

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousApril 30, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Can anyone tell me what model tuning machines were used for a 1972 Gospel. I would like to replace them.

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    My Gospel was made at the Kalamazoo Plant in Feb 1980. Bought it brand new with gospel on truss rod cover and "custom fit" Gibson hard case. Still have it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Brownie guitarSeptember 8, 2015 at 12:04 PM

    I bought my Gibson Gospel Brand new around 1974. serial no A 401266
    I still have it today and it is near perfect condition.
    Sounds better now than ever
    It still remains the best ever guitar that I ever bought.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousMay 2, 2016 at 6:26 PM

    I am looking at a 1973 "gospel" #06142053, was it made in Kalamazoo?...have original case, natural color, good condition, no "chipping", minor scratches.......what is value?

    ReplyDelete
  19. AgemaiaAugust 7, 2016 at 3:13 AM

    Hi, I can buy one 1994 Gospel 100th anniversary with some changes in pickguard and electronics (hummingbird type and lrbaggs under the saddle). Has this guitar solid top, back and sides as the 1992 reissue one? By the way, it has not the dove logo, instead Gibson name, logo below and a thick point below the logo.

    Thanks for your attention.

    Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2016 at 6:51 PM

    i have a Gibson Gospel 1973/74 maple and ebony Paul Echols made Acoustic with grocer tuning keys/machine heads bought over 30 yrs ago.. does anyone know the current value for these? it is fair condition.. not great condition

    ReplyDelete
  21. marcusohara@aol.comFebruary 7, 2017 at 7:10 PM

    I appreciate all the feedback. Occasionally I re-read my articles and make corrections when necessary. I did correct the date as I have found that Gibson made this guitar as early as 1971. However I cannot corroborate the original Gibson Guitar being offered in any color other than a natural finish. Subsequent versions from the late 1990's were offered with a sunburst finish.

    ~Marc O'Hara

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  22. Terry afisherFebruary 11, 2017 at 1:24 PM

    I bought my Gospel, which Marc mentions, Fall, 1973. I was told the Gospels came only in the natural, blonde finish. I never researched to see if that was true. One other friend owned one and it also was blonde. The reissues I saw did not have the same back and, yes they were in different colors. I did not care for the one reissue I actually played. Mine was made in Kalamazoo. Still has the original sticker in the sound hole. It's been a great guitar, holds its tune even during a two hour concert. At different times I've had unique issues. During a two year period the g string kept breaking. No longer does that. I had the bridge replaced twice but that was due to my playing style, which tends to be percussive. It's been a fabulous guitar, great mid-range tone.

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  23. PatrickFebruary 18, 2018 at 11:12 AM

    I have a 93 the serial # is 93143013 when I look it up its listed as built on Nov 10 1993 in Nashville but the label says Bozeman Montana, also there is no back bracing and the back and sides look more like maple that mahogany ???
    Any help would be appreciated
    Thanks
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  24. Gibson GospelJuly 16, 2019 at 9:09 AM

    I purchased my Gibson Gospel (reissue) new in the Fall of 2000 from Musician’s Friend for $1000. It was manufactured on March 22, 2000. It is an amazing guitar and I do not plan on parting with it. It has a quality sound with balanced tone - not too trebly. People often comment to me about how loud the guitar sounds, and I think this is due to the arched back. I've read online reviews critical of the 1970's Gospels because the back and sides were maple laminate. The sides of my Gospel reissue are definitely solid mahogany, but it is difficult for me to tell if the back is laminated or not. I've read differing opinions online. Regardless, I think laminating would be the only practical means of producing an arched back, so if a laminated back was used, it was done by Gibson for the purpose of creating an arched back and not to cheapen the quality of the guitars in any way (that's what Epiphone is for). I would like to play on one of the 1970's versions to make a comparison to the reissues.

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  25. PatrickJuly 16, 2019 at 12:32 PM

    I had a 1993 reissue and the back was one solid molded piece . I had it checked out at Ernie King music in Wingham and by L&M in Guelph Ontario, they both agreed that it was solid although they had no idea of how it was done. The sides were solid as well.

    Thanks WPK

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  26. Gibson GospelJuly 16, 2019 at 1:53 PM

    Thank you Patrick! That is great to know. I wouldn't mind if the back was laminate, because the sound of the guitar is still so good, but I like to know the specs. Thanks for answering that question for me!

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  27. UnknownApril 30, 2020 at 6:57 PM

    I bought mine new in 1977. The year it was made. All blonde with ebony fretboard. I wore it out (G,B,E) frets about twenty years ago and it started buzzing so I don't play it much anymore. There's supposedly a great guitar shop in Mobile, The Guitar Spa, been meaning to take it in for a fret job. The guitar is so sweet sounding. I play mostly an HD-28 now, but also have a D-35, and Hummingbird Custom Shop. I have a nice Strat I bought in new in 97 and hope to own another Goldtop someday; a non weight-relieved 59 reissue.

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  28. BethJuly 2, 2020 at 7:49 PM

    I have an original 71 dove that I am selling. I invested in reworking the tortious. It is now replacew with modern materials because tortious is endangered. It is in excellent condition. Let me know if it is of interset to anyone. Asking 1200.00 of B.O. Beth hindaboo@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete