The Gibson Garage: A Comprehensive Look at the Flagship Store for the Iconic Guitar & its famous Vault.

Whether you're well-versed in the world of guitars or not, Gibson is a well-known brand and has played a critical role throughout music history. If you ever have an opportunity to step foot in the Vault, you'll leave with a great appreciation for those guitars.

As soon as you walk in to Gibson Garage you can just feel that it is more than just a store, it's a celebration of Gibson's rich history, a hub for live music and musical exploration, and a destination where guitar enthusiasts' dreams can come true. Whether you're a professional musician, an amateur guitarist, or just a music lover, a visit to the Gibson Garage is sure to be a cool experience.

As an iconic American company that has been a cornerstone of the music industry for over a century, Gibson is synonymous with handcrafted, high-quality guitars played by countless renowned musicians throughout the decades. When one thinks of legendary guitar manufacturers, Gibson immediately comes to mind.

Being at Gibson Garage, it feels like a celebration of Gibson's rich history, a hub for live music and musical exploration, and a destination where guitar enthusiasts' dreams can come true.

It is no surprise then, that the opening of the Gibson Garage in 2021 in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee has become a must-visit destination for guitar enthusiasts and fans alike. This unique 8,000-square-foot retail space serves as the flagship store for the Gibson brand, offering visitors an immersive experience that celebrates the rich history and innovation that has defined the company.

Located in the vibrant Cummins Station development, in downtown Nashville, just a short walk from the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame, the Gibson Garage is a true guitar lover's paradise. Upon entry, one is struck by the sheer scale and scope of the space, which features an extensive collection of legacy-rich Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer guitars. From custom models to one-of-a-kind originals and artist collaborations, the Garage showcases the full breadth of Gibson's offerings.

Beyond the impressive inventory, the Garage also boasts a number of unique features that elevate the experience. The store's main showroom is complemented by a dedicated "Vault" area, where exclusive visitors can explore Gibson's legendary acoustic instruments, including models like the J-45, Hummingbird, and J-200. Additionally, the Garage hosts a variety of events and live music performances, providing an engaging and interactive time for guests & music lovers of all kinds.

Whether you're in the market for a new instrument, seeking to immerse yourself in the rich history of Gibson, or simply looking to experience the vibrant energy of Nashville's thriving music scene, a visit to the Gibson Garage is an absolute must. If you have the opportunity to meet and speak with Mark Agnesi, he is the mecca of Gibson information and a pleasure to hear his fascinating stories and incredible knowledge.

For those who can't make it to Nashville, Gibson Garage offers a virtual 3D shopping experience where customers can explore and shop the store online. For those seeking something unique, the store's Made-to-Measure program allows customers to collaborate with Garage Pros to design their dream guitars. You can even schedule an online consultation with their Repair & Restoration experts if you need guidance. This free service matches players with Gibson's team of professional techs in real-time to cover basic tune-ups for any instrument they manufacture.

I find that a cool addition.

They feature a 1907 Harp Guitar in the Acoustic Room that was built by the Orville Gibson. The main display case under the marquee sign, which showcases Gibson's history—is refreshed monthly—it ranges from vintage acoustics & mandolins, artist prototypes, and Certified Vintage guitars.

On a given day, the Gibson Garage boasts over 400 guitars on hand, most of which are featured on the Garage floor, creating an unparalleled shopping experience for guitar enthusiasts and music lovers alike.

Tucked behind a stage and velvet curtain in Nashville's Gibson Garage is a place unlike any other — a musician's wonderland. At the end of a dimly lit hallway is a space fit for VIPs and musical sensations. A seemingly ordinary bookcase sits in a lounge often used for hosting musicians and artists. Behind these shelves, however, are nine of Gibson's rarest, most sought-after guitars.

Referred to as the Vault, the space is not open to the public. In fact, simply knowing about its existence and asking a Gibson Garage team member about it does not guarantee access. "[Entry] is really on an invitation basis," says Mark Agnesi, Director of Brand Experience at Gibson. "If there's a kid … [who] reminds me of me when I was 12 years old, I [would] love to take that kid back and give them a chance to play an original '59 Les Paul. [I would love to] let them experience what they've been reading about on the internet for the last couple of years."

The Vault inside the Gibson Garage includes a chandelier from the same era as the vintage 1950s electric guitars on display. The true stars of the show hang in glass cases on the walls. While these guitars are occasionally rotated out, two in particular never leave the Vault as they're some of Gibson's most prized possessions (if not the brand's most prized possessions).

The main one is a 1958 Korina Flying V that Gibson purchased in the 1990s. When Mark first started at Gibson in 2019, not only was the Flying V the first guitar he played in his new role, but it was one of the brand's only vintage electric guitars in its possession at the time. "The thought of the Vault evolved around [this] guitar. [We thought,] 'We have to show this off, and we really need to own our history,'" adds Mark. "When we were building the Garage, storytelling was a major part of the whole experience … In order to really tell the story right, we need to own our history. That is what started us down the path of putting the Vault collection together."

The 1958 Korina Explorer. Otherwise known as "Big Ed," is a priceless instrument known for its history and pedigree, serving as one of the rarest, most desirable guitars. "Big Ed is the guitar we're probably the proudest of just because of how rare that guitar is and how important it is to Gibson's history," explains Mark. Only 19 '58 Korina Explorers exist, and this one, in particular, was brought into the Gibson headquarters in a brown bag. Brand executives immediately knew they had something critical to the Gibson story on their hands. The guitar was first owned by blues guitarist "Big Ed" Thompson and was passed along to other notable musicians throughout the years, including Rick Vito of Fleetwood Mac.

"Big Ed is probably the most documented guitar," says Mark. "We know the entire chain of ownership, and we have photos of that entire chain of ownership. It's been on magazine covers and book covers, and it's been in museums. Of the 19, that guitar is what it is, and that's enough. It's all about the story."

Mark says he found two other guitars for the Vault, and they're extra special to him because they were instruments he sold while working at Norman's Rare Guitars in Tarzana, CA. The first is a 1940 Rosewood SJ-200. With only about 100 in existence, this is a top-of-the-line, pre-war Gibson guitar. "If you were a big singing cowboy — a Gene Autry or one of those guys — that was the guitar you had," says Mark of the instrument's history.

Another new addition to the Vault is a 1924 Lloyd Loar L-5. While most Lloyd Loar guitars were in a "Cremona sunburst finish," this specific guitar stands out among collectors and guitar fans because it's the only one in existence that was finished in the Gibson factory in black. "This is one of one in factory black, and we didn't have a Lloyd Loar L-5 in our collection," adds Mark. "To have a one-of-a-kind is pretty cool."

When Mark added these two guitars to the Vault, two others had to be removed, which leads to the question: what happens to guitars when they leave the Vault? "When guitars leave the Vault, they normally come to the other Vault, which is upstairs in HQ," says Mark. "Here, we have a few hundred pieces stored, and that's the real Vault. This is more of a showcase vault."

While guitars in the Vault sit in display cases, they're still taken out often and used for their intended purpose: to make music. Recently, Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam took the Flying V on stage to play a few songs during their respective performances. Musicians who play at the Garage itself will often go back into the Vault to pick a guitar to play on the store's stage as well. "The great part about owning these things is letting them continue to make music," Mark adds.

In addition to guitars, the Vault contains three amps that have played a critical role in Gibson's history. One is a Mesa/Boogie Number Eight owned by Carlos Santana and used when he sat in with The Rolling Stones during a studio session. That amp inspired Keith Richards to want a Boogie amp as well, which now also resides in the Vault. The third amp is from former Gibson CEO Ted McCarty's Kalamazoo, MI, office.

Whether you're well-versed in the world of guitars or not, Gibson is a well-known brand and has played a critical role throughout music history. If you ever have an opportunity to step foot in the Vault, you'll leave with a great appreciation for the brand and its contributions to music. The Gibson Garage is a must-visit destination for any guitar enthusiast, offering a glimpse into the storied past and bright future of this iconic brand.

Zeuses Muses Media

Anna Manis