GIBSON GUITAR FACTORY - Memphis

I was telling my ultra cool hairdresser about these field trips all over the Dixie. He loved the idea and as he is super hip (looks like Johnny Depp with huge eyebrows) suggested that we visit the Gibson Guitar factory.

We drove all the way to downtown Memphis and signed up for the tour. The guided tours take place every hour. While waiting for the tour to begin, we cooled our heels in this huge lobby area. No one seems to have ownership of this space, as it was super dusty under all of the pianos that were randomly on display there. I was surprised that there were no guitar displays or info about what we might encounter on our tour. The only guitars on display were in the gift shop.

The tour takes you onto the manufacturing floor – no rails to keep you safe here, only some massive eye protectors. The din from the machines made it hard to hear the tour guide. There were no accompanying text explanations and because I can’t read lips, we had to surmise what that CNC machine was doing.

Because neither my son nor I are interested in guitars or music, the tour was a nice diversion but would have meant more to someone who was an enthusiast. But my son did come up with a great idea if he does not find a job soon, he will open a factory making something random and then offer factory tours for a small fee. This way even if the product bombs, there will still be some income.

Recommendation: Only for guitar or manufacturing enthusiasts.

Click here for the Gibson Guitar Factory