Some Kalamazoo History

[FredZepp]

Guitar historians, archivists, and researchers have written about entrepreneurs and leaders in the music business. Books have shown hundreds of photos of Gibson vintage guitars. Skilled laborers have been mostly overlooked.

The skill of Gibson's woodworkers came from the training established by Orville Gibson, Sylvo Reams, and Lewis Williams. It was a rigorous tradition. Great woodworkers were not born, they were created at the factory. The fact Gibson was in Kalamazoo was extremely important! It was a mid-sized city full of industrious, hard-working people with a proud history of working with their hands, whether in lumber, celery farming, copper mining, paper milling, or other industries.

 

Gibson built a system of self-audit, where each employee was an inspector. It had traditional inspectors, as well, but it was the individual workers who were responsible for quality workmanship. If an employee underachieved, he or she would hear about it, not only from supervision, but from co-workers. Employee self-worth was based on recognizable quality work. Sure, there was plenty of good-natured kidding on the factory floor, but behind it was an understated sentiment that you were lesser if you can't do the job right.

 

In the McCarty/"Golden" Era, there was a lot of pride on the factory floor. Opportunity abounded. Workers who wanted more responsibility were often given it, and they could advance to supervisory roles if they wanted. Supervision did not necessarily mean a larger paycheck, but it signified a level of accomplishment and skill. To some, that was important, while others preferred their daily routine in which they could stay effective.

 

A great system and great people made great woodworkers, and they were provided the best tools, the best raw materials, and a great work environment. An oft-heard sentiment in the '50's was the Gibson was a friendly place to work, where everybody knew everybody else. Even in a so-called union shop, people crossed classifications if needed. If a certain activity or line was caught up, it wasn't unusual for workers to go to the next department to offer help. "I'd even sweep the floor if that's what needed done," said one former employee.

 

Under McCarty, Gibson had a true work ethic. People helped each other, they cared about the next guy, they cared about the product, and they cared about the company.

That's what McCarty wanted. His favorite quote was always, "People make the company."

 

edited from " Gibson Guitars: Ted McCarty's Golden Era"

 

 

It seems that Heritage inherited more than just the building and the equipment ..... the great people that make the company

[ronalr]

Great stuff Fred...you are an encyclopedia of music info

[Connor]

Interesting historic insight into an iconic company. Judging from the workmanship on these two guitars I just bought, I would tend to agree with you. This kind of quality doesn't just happen.

[hiro]

wow, how the mighty have fallen (gibson) . . . that's a great work environment that Heritage inherited .