Tune up with a Gibson

A poster in the Memphis gift shop says it all: "Inspiring cries of `turn-the-damn-thing-down' since 1952."

The thrill is gone," goes one of B. B. King's most famous songs played on his guitar, Lucille. Well, the thrill is back in Memphis. Because I'm about to see where Lucille was made.

At The Gibson Beale Street Showcase I accompany tour guide Jimmy Ogle as he leads a group of music fans through the factory where these famed instruments are sanded, buffed, painted, and strung.

In this 90,000-square-foot factory, one block south of Beale Street, we music fans learn about the painstaking craftsmanship that goes into making a Gibson guitar.

"Gibson is the second largest manufacturer of musical instruments. The first is Yamaha," says Jimmy during the 25-minute tour through 16 different workstations.

We learn that only electric guitars are made in Memphis, though the gift shop here also sells mandolins, Dobros, and banjos-all crafted in Nashville. The guitars, made of either maple or mahogany, come in 19 models and 8 colors.

We watch as the body of one instrument is sanded and glue is applied. Then it's wrapped in binding to dry for eight hours. Each step in the process is meticulously completed. "There are no seconds with Gibson," explains Jimmy. "If the guitar is not up to par, they cut it up in pieces and throw it away."

A sander scrapes off extra glue after the drying is finished; then the guitars, hung upside down on a circular clothesline apparatus, are spray painted in a dust-free room. The colors sound like Memphis music-Beale Street blue, sunburst, cherry, ebony, wine red, bullion gold. "And they did a special purple one for Macy Gray," says Jimmy.

We watch as the piece is then thoroughly cleaned and electronics are installed. Finally, the guitar is tuned.

"We do about 90 a day," says Jimmy of the shiny new Gibsons. "It takes around 21/2 weeks to make one from start to finish, and it goes through 20 to 25 sets of hands. Each one is different, and they are all handmade."

He lists famous satisfied customers, such as Madonna, Eric Clapton, and Gatemouth Brown. And lastly he shows us the one B. B. King has brought in for repair-- the famous Lucille, lying quietly in her case just waiting for the master's touch. It's a piece of musical history. It's a thrill.

WANDA BUTLER

The Gibson Beale Street Showcase: 145 Lt. George W Lee Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103; (901) 544-7998 or www.gibson memphis.com.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Aug 2002
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