If you’re a music enthusiast passing through Nashville, the Gibson Garage is a must-visit destination. Established in 2021, this flagship location of the iconic guitar brand offers an unparalleled experience for guitar lovers, and Mark Agnesi, Director of Brand Experience and Gibson TV producer, is your guide to its hidden treasures.
Agnesi, during a VIP tour of the venue, unveils some of the venue’s best-kept secrets, including a vault housing some of the rarest guitars globally. He also shares anecdotes about famous faces who’ve graced the venue, including Michael J. Fox and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.
Every electric Gibson guitar is crafted in Nashville, while acoustics are meticulously created in Bozeman, Montana. Agnesi explains that this geographical split is due to the climatic variations that can impact acoustic guitars, especially regarding temperature and humidity.
The main showroom is a visual and auditory delight. It features 200 guitars rotating overhead, demonstrating the final step of the guitar-making process. Rather than adorning the walls with guitars, the designers chose this unique conveyor method.
In addition to the revolving guitars, another 200 instruments are scattered throughout the space, which also houses a custom shop. Agnesi emphasizes that everything is available for purchase.
Among the standout models, Agnesi showcases Miranda Lambert’s signature guitar, “the Bluebird,” inspired by her song of the same name and based on the Hummingbird model. Chris Stapleton and Elvis Presley also have their signature models.
Explaining the penchant for bird-themed guitars, Agnesi shares, “We had a woodworker in the 1960s who was an avid birdwatcher, so there’s the Bluebird, the Hummingbird, the Dove, the Sparrow, the Blackbird, the Raven.”
Gibson, founded by Orville Gibson in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, will celebrate its 130th anniversary in 2024. In its storied history, the Gibson Garage in Nashville holds a unique position as the only place where customers can personally select wood for crafting their custom Les Paul guitars. Another location is set to open in London in the near future.
Agnesi emphasizes the commitment to creating historically accurate recreations of specific guitars by year. He highlights Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett’s model, a replica of his 1960 Sunburst Les Paul, known as “Sunny.”
Notable artists have frequented the Gibson Garage, with Darius Rucker performing to benefit the National Museum of African American Music and Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine conducting a signing event for veterans through Gibson’s philanthropic division, Gibson Gives.
Agnesi recalls his favorite moments with legends like Robert Plant and Michael J. Fox. Robert Plant, fondly known as “Uncle Bob,” visited on the anniversary of Led Zeppelin VI’s release. Michael J. Fox, who played “Johnny B. Goode” on the Gibson Hummingbird in the cult classic “Back to the Future,” holds a special place in Agnesi’s heart as his inspiration for playing the guitar.
While musicians and VIPs often enjoy the private artist’s lounge with the hidden “Vault” containing guitars collectively worth millions, the rest of the Gibson Garage welcomes the general public. Visitors can admire the wooden works of art, even trying their hand at playing, whether or not they’re in the market to buy. The store also boasts a wide selection of Gibson brand merchandise for those looking to take home a souvenir.
Open from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, the 8,000-square-foot space regularly hosts live music performances and daily events. It’s also available for private events, making it an ideal choice to impress any music-loving guests. The Gibson Garage offers a glimpse into the world of Gibson guitars and serves as a fitting tribute to the brand’s rich history and its enduring impact on the music industry.
