Gibson Dove
Encyclopedia
The Gibson Dove is a flattop Steel-string acoustic guitar
made by Gibson Guitar Corporation
. First made in 1962 in Kalamazoo, Michigan
, it was Gibson's second square-shouldered dreadnought (based on the Martin D-style dreadnought), after the introduction of the Gibson Hummingbird
in 1962. Both guitars have solid spruce tops and engraved pickguards. The Dove has solid maple back and sides instead of the solid mahogany used for the Hummingbird, and the Dove has a longer scale length (25.5" vs 24.75"). The Dove's longer scale length and maple back and sides make it a louder, brighter guitar than the Hummingbird. The double parallelogram fingerboard inlays, the two doves on the bridge, and the dove on the pickguard are mother of pearl. The Dove has factory installed active electronics powered by a 9-volt battery. The original Doves had Gibson's tune-o-matic bridge. While the tune-o-matic bridge seemed like a technological improvement at the time, the metal bridge had negative effects on tone and volume. The Scotty Moore web site has photos of several different Dove bridge types; tune-o-matic, adjustable, and fixed. In 1968 the internal bracing of the Dove was made heavier; while this made a sturdier guitar that was less likely to be returned to Gibson for warranty work, the volume of the guitar was reduced and the tone suffered. In 1985 Gibson's new owners began to address the quality issues that were affecting the company's products and reputation. By 1992 production of Gibson acoustic guitars was shifted to Bozeman, Montana
. While until recently Gibson said the Dove was the "Legendary 1962 model with all the original details!" , in 2007 the Dove became one of Gibson's Modern Classics. Among the features of the Modern Classics are "Big Sky" radiused fingerboard edge, bone nut, and Tusq saddle. Since it's been stated that“'The Modern Classics are designed for the contemporary player...we are convinced these are also the most playable acoustic guitars available today'...[and have] The industry’s lowest action and finest playability ”,
these new model Doves will be easier to play but have a bit less volume and projection than the older models (although the improved nut and saddle materials may offset that somewhat). For a number of years the Dove has been a Custom Shop instrument available in special limited runs.
, Epiphone
also make their own Dove. It is available in natural and black, and at one time cherry. Again, like the Hummingbird It is also made with cheaper woods and manufactured in China, but features the same design fretboard inlays, bridge and similar pickguard, but features no real mother of pearl. It also features Grover tuners, rather than the unbranded tuners featured on cheaper Epiphone models.
Steel-string acoustic guitar
A steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound...
made by Gibson Guitar Corporation
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
. First made in 1962 in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, it was Gibson's second square-shouldered dreadnought (based on the Martin D-style dreadnought), after the introduction of the Gibson Hummingbird
Gibson Hummingbird
The Gibson Hummingbird is an acoustic guitar model/series produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.Unlike the other flat-top Gibson acoustics, the Hummingbird was Gibson's first square-shoulder dreadnought, similar to the dreadnoughts produced by C.F. Martin & Company...
in 1962. Both guitars have solid spruce tops and engraved pickguards. The Dove has solid maple back and sides instead of the solid mahogany used for the Hummingbird, and the Dove has a longer scale length (25.5" vs 24.75"). The Dove's longer scale length and maple back and sides make it a louder, brighter guitar than the Hummingbird. The double parallelogram fingerboard inlays, the two doves on the bridge, and the dove on the pickguard are mother of pearl. The Dove has factory installed active electronics powered by a 9-volt battery. The original Doves had Gibson's tune-o-matic bridge. While the tune-o-matic bridge seemed like a technological improvement at the time, the metal bridge had negative effects on tone and volume. The Scotty Moore web site has photos of several different Dove bridge types; tune-o-matic, adjustable, and fixed. In 1968 the internal bracing of the Dove was made heavier; while this made a sturdier guitar that was less likely to be returned to Gibson for warranty work, the volume of the guitar was reduced and the tone suffered. In 1985 Gibson's new owners began to address the quality issues that were affecting the company's products and reputation. By 1992 production of Gibson acoustic guitars was shifted to Bozeman, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. While until recently Gibson said the Dove was the "Legendary 1962 model with all the original details!" , in 2007 the Dove became one of Gibson's Modern Classics. Among the features of the Modern Classics are "Big Sky" radiused fingerboard edge, bone nut, and Tusq saddle. Since it's been stated that“'The Modern Classics are designed for the contemporary player...we are convinced these are also the most playable acoustic guitars available today'...[and have] The industry’s lowest action and finest playability ”,
these new model Doves will be easier to play but have a bit less volume and projection than the older models (although the improved nut and saddle materials may offset that somewhat). For a number of years the Dove has been a Custom Shop instrument available in special limited runs.
Dove Performer Ebony Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Recently, Gibson introduced a new limited edition Dove Performer model. Hand crafted in Bozeman, MT, the Dove performer is designed to be louder than its predecessors, with carved and scalloped top bracing in a 1930's style advanced pattern. The Dove Performer is a cutaway Dreadnought with the Dove's traditional Sitka spruce top, solid maple back and sides and white bound ebony fingerboard. It also features a Fishman Prefix T Pickup and an Ebony Nitrocellulose lacquer finish.Doves in Flight
The Doves in Flight is a more highly ornamented and expensive Dove. There are multiple mother of pearl doves on the pickguard, a flight of mother of pearl doves on the headstock, and dual mother of pearl dove inlays on the fingerboard instead of parallelograms.Elvis Presley Dove
The Elvis Presley Dove is an ebony coloured Dove with a black pickguard. This is based on the 1969 custom Dove that Elvis Presley used in the early 1970s. For those seeking the Ebony finish of the Elvis Dove, the Dove Performer has a similar look.Epiphone version
Much like the Gibson HummingbirdGibson Hummingbird
The Gibson Hummingbird is an acoustic guitar model/series produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.Unlike the other flat-top Gibson acoustics, the Hummingbird was Gibson's first square-shoulder dreadnought, similar to the dreadnoughts produced by C.F. Martin & Company...
, Epiphone
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
also make their own Dove. It is available in natural and black, and at one time cherry. Again, like the Hummingbird It is also made with cheaper woods and manufactured in China, but features the same design fretboard inlays, bridge and similar pickguard, but features no real mother of pearl. It also features Grover tuners, rather than the unbranded tuners featured on cheaper Epiphone models.
Journals
- "The Lifeson chronicles: the guitarist's view of Rush's famous tunes" by Blackett, Matt - Guitar Player 0017-5463 August 2002, v36 i8, p71
- "Expletives undeleted! Zakk Wylde's brewtal music for heavy hangovers" by Cleveland, Barry - Guitar Player 0017-5463 March 2004, v38 i3, p48
- "Guitar-playing Harvard man turns Gibson around" by Kevin Maney - USA Today 02/21/2006
Further reading
- Eldon Whitford , David Vinopal , Dan Erlewine (c1994). Gibson's fabulous flat-top guitars : an illustrated history & guide. GPI Books. ISBN 0879302976