The Orville Gibson Guitar and Mandolin
A New Web Site Illustrating the Development of the Early Vintage Gibson Guitar and Mandolin
Created by Folk and Roots Music Photographer Robert Corwin
Featuring Instruments from the Phyllis, Jerry, and Robert Corwin Collection
Hand carved by Orville Gibson Arch Top Guitar and F Style Mandolin
Please note: This web site has not been publicly announced yet, and is a work in progress, with lots of holes and place holders.
Not all sections are complete - many have not even been started yet. Not all links work. If you've stumbled on this site,
feel free to enjoy what's here, and check back for further additions if you wish, knowing it will take some time before the site is finished.
And, for the time being, let's please keep this web site our little secret, between you and me!
The Gibson Mandolins and Guitars
Made by Orville H. Gibson
1898 Orville H. Gibson Style O Archtop Guitar
Hand Carved by Orville Gibson
Formerly of the Chinery Collection
Illustrated on p. 14 of Chinery
Illustrated on p. 20, 70, 71 of Boston Museum of Fine Art "Dangerous Curves"
The early Orville guitar has no braces whatsoever on either the hand carved top or back, and no neck block, only a hole leading to the hollow space in the heel of the neck.
1900 Orville H. Gibson Style F Mandolin
1901 Orville H. Gibson Style A Mandolin
Instruments Made by
Gibson Mandolin - Guitar Mfg. Co. Ltd.
1904 Gibson Style O
Early Gibson Company version of the Style O, quite possibly built by Orville or under his supervision while he was training the new workers to follow his designs.
Still with carved back and sides with no braces, and rims constructed from one solid piece of walnut.
Serial Number 2625
The early Gibson Co. guitar also has no braces and no neck block, and a hole leading to the hollow space in the heel of the neck.
1906 Gibson Style F2 Artist Mandolin
Serial Number 3959
1906 Gibson Style L1
Early Gibson carved arched top and arched back Style L1 guitar with slotted headstock.
Serial Number 5486
1907 Gibson Style O
Serial Number 5779
The 1907 18" Gibson Style O has a bridge plate which extends to the sides of the guitar.
The 1907 18" Gibson Style O has no braces whatsoever on the back of the guitar, only a center strip, but extremely tall braces on the top of the guitar, forward and back of the soundhole, plus a thin strip behind the bridge plate.
1907 Gibson Style O
Serial Number 7872
This example has unique supports inside the guitar on either side, running from front to back, and a bridge plate which is long, but not extending to the sides.
1926 Gibson L1
The first flat top Gibson, still with arched back.
To see Robert's new web site illustrating the development of the post-Orville Gibson Guitar, visit:
oldgibson.com
To see Robert's new web site illustrating the development of the Martin Guitar, visit:
vintagemartin.com
To See Robert Corwin's Classic Photography of Folk and Roots Musicians, visit:
robertcorwin.com
For Information on Photography for
Exhibition, Publication, CD's, Promotion, Web Pages, Tour Books,
to Purchase Photographic Prints, or
To Contact Robert with Questions About An Early Martin Guitar:
e-mail: Robert Corwinentire site copyright ©1998 through 2012 Robert Corwin/Photo-Arts. All rights reserved.