The Gibson Guitar Factory

Did you know…?

FFL is in the same building once occupied by Gibson Guitars in Kalamazoo, Michigan!

Orville Gibson started the company in 1902, and guitars were manufactured in Kalamazoo until 1985. During World War II, Gibson hired women to take over the floor operations. Known as the “Kalamazoo Gals”, they made the high-quality “Banner” style acoustic guitars, which are some of their most sought-after instruments today.

Gibson guitars are massively popular across many music genres and have been played by thousands of popular musicians across the years, including:
B.B. King
Joan Jett
Jimmy Page
John Lennon
Pete Townshend
Keith Richards
Bob Marley
Woody Guthrie
…and many more!

Guitars are still being made at 225 Parsons Street! A few of the Gibson luthiers (guitar makers) stayed in Kalamazoo, starting Heritage Guitars in 1985. They craft high-quality, world-class guitars in the Gibson tradition.”Only a Gibson is Good Enough.”