Gibson Flat-Tops
    The making of archtop guitars are where Gibson's traditions can be traced back to.  During the late 1920s moving into the 1930s however, the company began to take into serious consideration flat-top acoustics.  It was the growing influence of Martin guitars and their "Dreadnought" shaped instruments introduced in the mid-1930s, which undoubtedly impacted on Gibson's decision. 

    The launch of the 1928 Gibson Nick Lucas flat-top was one of the first guitars entitled after a musician.  With the country musician in mind, the SJ200 (or J200) with its showy flat-top, was Gibson's top-of-the line1937 flat-top acoustic guitar, made specially for one of Hollywood's earliest singing cowboys, Ray Whitley, who suggested to Gibson a number of concepts that could be introduced to enhance the guitar's bass sound.  The 200 before much longer, proceeded straight into general production.  More simply designed acoustics were made by Gibson using their own logo and also with their inexpensive Kalamazoo marque.

Side and Back
    Gibson used rosewood for the sides and back of the prototype and production models.  After the second world war, the company transferred to maple for the sides and back.

Gibson J45
    With this model Gibson attempted to compete with the popular Martin "Dreadnought" acoustics  although the model was a cheaper model from Gibson's developing flat-top "Jumbo" range.

1962 J106E
    Both George Harrison and and John Lennon of the Beatles, each owned a J160E and it was used on a number of classic Beatles recording during the 1960s.  Gibson's J160E was introduced in 1954 to provide a close enough version of amplified acoustic guitar from its on-board single-coil pickup and related controls.  It was still possible to use the guitar without amplification and it was frequently miked-up to integrate the acoustic and pickup sounds.  The J160E was withdrawn from production in 1977.

1963 Everly Brothers
    It was very rare so see the pop vocal duo on stage without their special Gibson acoustics, which was in production from 1962 to 1973.  The guitar was easily recognizable from its curved scratchplates, which on subsequent models were reduced in size.

Gibson's Dove
    Launched in 1962 as the second in their acoustic line, below the J200.  Its features include a spruce back and sides, and a distinctive, exotically decorated sratchplate.