Gibson Garage in Nashville, Tennessee.Photo:Gibson Garage
Gibson Garage
A stop at theGibson Garageis a must for any music lover rolling through Nashville.
Gibson Garage in Nashville, Tennessee.Gibson Garage
Starting off in the main showroom, Agnesi shows off one of the location’s major highlights. “There are 200 guitars that go around the space,” he shares of the Garage’s guitars rotating overhead. “This is how the guitars come out after finishing at our factory.”
Gibson Garage in Nashville, Tennesee.Gibson Garage
Instead of trying to line the walls with guitars “like every other guitar store in the world,” Agnesi says they decided on the conveyer.
There are another 200 guitars scattered throughout the space, which also features a custom shop. “Everything is nicely organized. And everything’s for sale.”
Agnesi points outMiranda Lambert’s new signature guitar model, the Bluebird, “which is based on the Hummingbird, but she also has a song called ‘Bluebird.’ so that served as the inspiration.”
Gibson Garage Nashville.Gibson Garage
Chris Stapleton’s signature model came out earlier this year, along with anElvis Presleysignature model.
“Many of our guitars are bird-themed,” Agnesi explains. “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 Garage in Nashville, Tennessee.Marisa Sullivan
Marisa Sullivan
Over 125 years later, the Gibson Garage in Nashville is the “only place in the world where a customer can come and hand-select wood to create their own customized Les Paul,” Agnesi says, noting that there will be two locations once the Gibson Garage in London opens up early next year.
As for notable names who have stopped in,Darius Ruckerperformed last summer to benefit the National Museum of African American Music and Megadeth rockerDave Mustainedid a signing in June for veterans through Gibson’s philanthropic division, Gibson Gives.
“My two favorites I’ve given tours to areRobert Plant— on the anniversary ofLed Zeppelin VIcoming out,” Agnesi shares of the legendary performer, who is affectionately known as “Uncle Bob” to those in his inner circle.
Agnesi’s other all-time favorite?Michael J. Fox, who was in town in May for an event held at Belmont University to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research.
Artist’s lounge at Gibson Garage in Nashville, Tennessee.Marisa Sullivan
“Michael J. Fox is the reason I started playing guitar as a kid,” Agnesi fondly recalls.
For the four years it has been posted to Universal’sYouTubepage, the iconic guitar scene has garnered over 60 million views.
The Vault at Gibson Garage in Nashville, Tennessee.Gibson Garage
Though musicians and VIPs are often entertained in the private artist’s lounge, where the secret “Vault” protecting rare guitars collectively worth millions is located, the rest of the Gibson Garage is open to the public.
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Guests can peruse its wooden works of art and try out their guitar skills even if they’re not ready to buy. The store also features a ton of Gibson brandmerchto scoop up for souvenirs on the way out.
The 8,000-square-foot space, which is open from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, offers intimate live music performances and events daily. It is also available to book for private events bound to impress any music-loving guest.
source: people.com
