So I was in Memphis this weekend...

[Widowmaker]

to run the St. Jude marathon/half-marathon with my wife. As luck would have it we stayed right across the street from Gibson Memphis. It's a really cool place and you can play all the expensive guitars you want. I played a camo ZW Les Paul and I gotta say it was a killer axe. If ya got 4 grand and an itch for a metal LP you can't go wrong with the Zakk. We also went on a factory tour but with it being Saturday there were no workers present. If you didn't know Memphis builds all the semi-hollow Gibsons and one LP(which one escapes me now). Enjoy!

[Cygnus X1]

That is too cool!
Dumb question...what are the wraps on those bodies, and why?

[Widowmaker]

canvas strapping to hold the binding on as it dries

[MacBeth]

My first thought as I looked at the pics was maraud... but they probably wouldn't like that...

[shobet]

That looks cool!

[sonicsamurai]

wow awesome...looking at all the white ones hanging at funny angles (2 picsa bove the strapped hollowbodies) i assume they're either drying the paint or setting the neck....but why the wierd angle? the seem to be tilted forward at the bottom and to the right...

[markD]

was the only amp they had an epiphone amp? is that what they use to tone test their guitars?

[atilla]

How did the run go for you two? My goal for the year is to get my half-marathon time to 1:45.

[MetalMedal II]

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!

I didn't know about this facility. I thought all current gibbys were made in Nashville.

[Newc]

wow awesome...looking at all the white ones hanging at funny angles (2 picsa bove the strapped hollowbodies) i assume they're either drying the paint or setting the neck....but why the wierd angle? the seem to be tilted forward at the bottom and to the right...

Most likely to conserve space on the rack. The top of each one would be behind the bottom of the one in front of it, so they overlap slightly.

Judging by the clamps on the neck, I'd say they were setting the necks. They're white because of the primer.

I read in Guitar World a few years ago that they were opening a shop in Memphis, but didn't really know what kind of shop it was going to be.

Might check out the employment opportunities there since I'm so close

[gfunk333]

Thats SG supreme is killer!

Is the showroom strictly for show?

Or do they sell guitars for full MSRP? lol

[Widowmaker]

How did the run go for you two? My goal for the year is to get my half-marathon time to 1:45.

We both PR'd me-1:47 and she at 2:10

Good luck in your training!

[Widowmaker]

Thats SG supreme is killer!

Is the showroom strictly for show?

Or do they sell guitars for full MSRP? lol

They're for sale at MF prices IIRC.

The white look is due to my flash. Those guitars were still raw wood.

[atilla]

We both PR'd me-1:47 and she at 2:10

Good luck in your training!

Congrats! I need all the luck I can get...

[tmmsjm]

They are for sale, one of two Gibson showcases - the other is in Nashville. So you stayed at the Westin, I take it? They have Gibsons that you can take to your room to play. Unless you've got something better to do...