Gibson has been a significant force in music since 1894, when founder Orville Gibson created his first known instrument. His innovative carved top design transformed the mandolin and guitar landscape, resulting in louder, more durable, and more playable instruments—an enduring legacy for Gibson. To commemorate its 130th anniversary, the company has introduced the J-45 Orville Artisan 130th Anniversary Limited Edition. This special guitar blends the classic J-45 “Workhorse” with artistic details that reflect Orville Gibson’s renowned craftsmanship, with only 30 units produced during this anniversary year.
“This Custom Anniversary model honors Orville Gibson’s legacy of building instruments that excel in performance while also elevating them to the realm of fine art,” said Robi Johns, Sr. Product Development Manager for Gibson Acoustic Guitars.
Over the past 130 years, Gibson has been instrumental in creating some of the most powerful moments in pop culture through its groundbreaking instruments. The J-45 Orville Artisan showcases the high level of artistry from the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana. More than 100 pieces of elegant shell inlay embellish the fretboard and peghead, drawing inspiration from Orville Gibson’s early harp guitar designs from the late 1800s. This limited-edition guitar features mother-of-pearl and abalone “Harp Lady” inlays throughout the fingerboard and headstock, along with an abalone Gibson logo and an abalone border around the bound headstock. The pickguard showcases an inlaid abalone border with a special “130” inlay at its corner, while a mother-of-pearl truss rod cover, engraved with “Anniversary” in script, protects the adjustable truss rod on the headstock. Each guitar is marked with a special 130th Anniversary label in the sound hole, indicating its individual number (1-30). This design recalls Orville Gibson’s early harp guitars, which often featured a similar Ebony top and natural Unitone back and sides. A deluxe hardshell case, complete with a Gibson 130th Anniversary Certificate of Authenticity, accompanies the guitar.
The Gibson Custom J-45 Orville Artisan 130th Anniversary Limited Edition is available exclusively at the Gibson Garage in Nashville and London, as well as online at gibson.com/en-US/page/gibson-custom-j-45-orville-artisan-130th-anniversary-limited-edition.
This limited-edition guitar is not just an instrument; it is a testament to one of the most iconic names in guitar design. The intricate inlays combined with the J-45’s rich history make the Orville Artisan a unique piece of Gibson’s legacy.
Originally released in 1942, the Gibson J-45 earned the nickname “workhorse” for its practicality and versatility. Its round-shoulder design and shorter scale length have made it a staple in genres ranging from early country-western to contemporary pop music. The classic spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides creates a well-balanced instrument that complements a singer’s voice beautifully. While the J-45 has seen minor developments over the years, its core ethos remains unchanged, making it one of the most recorded acoustic guitars in music history—a fitting tribute to celebrate 130 years of Gibson with a landmark acoustic model showcasing intricate inlay work inspired by Orville Gibson’s earliest harp guitars.
