, Tenn....April 14, 2008...Gibson Guitar, the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology announced that David Harvey, master musician and producer has joined the Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments Division (GOAI) as master luthier.  David is a highly accomplished musician and expert luthier whose work in preserving great instruments of the past with fine workmanship is considered a legacy in the industry.

David Harvey grew up in a musical family, mentored by his father mandolin great, Dorsey Harvey. His interest in mandolin construction, repair and restoration began as a direct result of his father's obsession with the intonation challenges on his 1953 Gibson F-5. Years later Harvey spent a great deal of time with master luthier John Ramsey in Colorado Springs, CO. While in Colorado David also built mountain dulcimers. He honed his skills in all facets of instrument construction and production repairs. After his time in Colorado, David took on an official apprenticeship with a violin builder and eventually opened and managed About Music located in Indianapolis, Indiana. His work there earned him warranty repair and restoration status with all major stringed instrument manufacturers.

After a move to Nashville in 1995 where he took a position at National Guitar Repair, his extraordinary reputation continued to earn accolades throughout the industry. His expertise in repair and setup made him highly esteemed among Nashville's "A-List" musicians. His clientele includes or has included Chris Thile, Bobby Osborne, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Buck White, Alan Bibey, Roland White, Hershel Sizemore, Ronnie McCoury, Stuart Duncan, Aubrey Haynie, Mark O'Connor, Alison Krauss, Glen Duncan and many more.

Harvey is also the creator and manufacturer of David's Jubilee Polish, an instrument polish. He has produced the highly acclaimed and IBMA nominated "Moody Bluegrass - A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues" for Rounder Records. David's musical career has taken him to the stage and studio with such names as Red Allen, Larry Sparks, Wild & Blue, Larry Cordle, Harley Allen and the fabulous Claire Lynch.

In David's new role he will oversee the mandolin production and be an active participation in all quality control matters. David will also conduct clinics and dealer events throughout the country and will play an integral role in the presence of Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments in the Bluegrass community worldwide.

Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar and the Gibson Robot Guitar represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro,  Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press.

CONTACTS:
Caroline Galloway           GIBSON                (440) 338-3469            caroline.galloway@gibson.com

Maureen O'Connor          Rogers & Cowan (310) 854-8116            moconnor@rogersandcowan.com