100 Years of Gibson Flat-Tops: Ilse DeLange and her Gibson Custom L-00

Multi-platinum-selling Dutch recording artist sits down with Gibson at Spark Music Studios in the Netherlands for a special acoustic performance and conversation

Ilse DeLange is in a good place. A household name in the Dutch music scene and enduringly popular in Europe, DeLange signed to Warner Music in Nashville as a teenager. In the years since, she established herself as a multi-platinum-selling recording artist, winning nearly 50 music awards (including two CMAs), headlining countless festivals and arena shows, and reaching number one in 14 countries with “Calm After the Storm,” a song she performed, co-produced, and co-wrote, which finished in second place in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. She also appears as a coach on The Voice of Holland, alongside other television roles, including a stint as a cast member in season six of the hit US TV show, “Nashville.” 

After recording in all the major music cities around the world, today DeLange is back home in the Netherlands and based in the legendary Spark Music Studios, which she acquired three years ago. When you step inside, Spark still resonates with the pop history made between its walls—over the years David Bowie, Prince, Radiohead, Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, and many more stars have recorded there. Now it’s home to Ilse’s own recording projects, including her forthcoming new album, Sunrise, and the new talent she mentors and helps develop. 

As part of a new series in celebration of 100 years of Gibson flat-top acoustic guitars hosted by Gibson Europe social channels, we paid Ilse DeLange a visit to discuss her longstanding relationship with small-body Gibson acoustics. This included her Gibson Custom 1933 L-00 Reissue with a Light Aged Ebony finish—a current favorite for writing and recording—and the vintage 1965 B-25 that wears the battle scars of life with her on the road.

“This L-00 is a very dear guitar to me,” Ilse tells us. “If you look around in my studio, there are mostly small-body guitars. I always play a B-25 and this L-00 is close to that. I've seen this guitar being played by great, great songwriters. I was in Nashville, actually, when I picked this up. Immediately it just spoke to me. I just hit a chord and it's like, ‘Yeah, I need you.’”

In the exclusive video above, Ilse performs a solo acoustic version of a brand-new song entitled “Nashville,” using her beloved L-00. It’s a breathtaking performance and a love letter to a city with which she’s had a long relationship—and one that continues to provide her with musical inspiration. Follow Gibson Europe’s Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky channels to see and hear more. 

Find out more about Ilse DeLange and her music. Shop small-body Gibson acoustic guitars.