Gibson Guitar

Gibson guitars are manufactured using a combination of globally sourced materials and U.S.-based assembly. While Gibson advertises its instruments as “Made in the USA,” many of the components—especially tonewoods like rosewood and ebony—are harvested from countries such as Madagascar, India, and Brazil. These woods have historically been linked to illegal logging and deforestation. Gibson’s Nashville and Montana facilities handle much of the final assembly and finishing, but the company has faced criticism for its environmental practices—including two raids under the Lacey Act for importing illegal wood. Entry-level Gibson-affiliated models (e.g., Epiphone) are produced in factories in Asia, where labor costs are lower and oversight is minimal.

The Gibson supply chain involves:

• Forestry in the Global South, where exotic woods are harvested,
• Shipping to U.S. factories for milling and assembly (or to Asian factories for lower-end models),
• Final assembly in the U.S. (or full production overseas for Epiphone),
• Distribution via multinational logistics networks, and
• Retailers in Canada, such as Long & McQuade, Amazon, or boutique dealers.

The process relies heavily on international trade agreements and weak regulation in source countries, allowing Gibson to maintain production at scale while protecting its brand as a premium American product.

The power balance is heavily skewed in favour of Gibson as the corporate seller. The producers of raw materials and labourers in source countries have little bargaining power, often operating under poor working conditions with low wages. Gibson, by contrast, controls intellectual property (designs, trademarks), global marketing, and pricing. While the brand celebrates craftsmanship, it benefits most from the globalization of its supply chain—externalizing environmental and labor costs while centralizing profit and control.

Yes—there’s a need for greater supply chain transparency and stricter enforcement of environmental protections like the Lacey Act and CITES. Gibson should adopt and disclose ethical sourcing certifications and partner with suppliers that uphold fair labor standards. Consumers and retailers in Canada can push for change by demanding sustainability disclosures and supporting brands that are committed to ethical production. Strengthening trade policies that hold corporations accountable for environmental and labor practices abroad is also essential to rebalancing power.

Ellwood, W. (2015). Globalization: Buying and selling the world (4th ed.). Between the Lines. https://www.perlego.com/book/2875004/globalization-buying-and-selling-the-world-pdf

Lewis, R. (2017). Gibson Brand Transforms Guitar Making Into a Diverse ‘Musical Lifestyle’ Firm. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-gibson-brands-guitar-henry-juszkiewicz-20170618-htmlstory.html

Rainforest Action Network (2011). Gibson Guitars is Playing Politics to the Detriment of Jobs and Forests.  Rainforest Action Network.  https://www.ran.org/the-understory/gibson_guitars_is_playing_politics_to_the_detriment_of_jobs_and_forests/