Tuesday August 12th, 2003

Gibson's Chet Atkins classical electric guitars move to Montana

Gibson's Chet Atkins CE and CEC solidbody acoustic guitars are now crafted in the mountains of Bozeman, Montana, by the acoustic specialists at the Gibson Montana division. Gibson Montana has achieved international acclaim for the exceptional acoustic sound of such famous models as the SJ-200, Advanced Jumbo and Hummingbird.

"Players and fans of classical, nylon-string guitars demand an absolutely true acoustic sound, and our Gibson Montana luthiers are the experts in pure acoustic tone," says Henry Juszkiewicz, Gibson Chairman and CEO. "In the clear mountain air of Montana, all the intricate nuances of a guitar's tone can be heard. It's the ideal place to build the Chet Atkins CE and CEC guitars."

Chet Atkins was not only a world-renowned guitarist, he was also an innovative guitar designer. He came to Gibson with the prototype for a solidbody electric guitar with an acoustic sound - the first of its kind - and the Gibson Chet Atkins CE and CEC models debuted in 1982. The instruments are nylon-stringed classical guitars with a solid body and a piezo-electric pickup. The CE has a fingerboard width (measured at the nut) of 1 13/16 inches; the CEC has a conventional classical guitar nut width of 2 inches.

The solidbody design, which features "tone chambers" to enhance acoustic performance, allows the guitar to be turned up to higher volume without feedback. Such noteworthy guitarists as Earl Klugh and Willie Nelson were early players of the CE and CEC.

For more information about the Gibson Chet Atkins CE and CEC models go here, call Gibson Customer Service anytime at 1-800-4GIBSON or send us an email.