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Gallery: Gibson's Nashville Factory after the flood

By Matthew Parker
published 23 August 2010

The flooded Gibson factory
The submerged Gibson plant in early May.
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

The flooded Gibson factory

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Damaged SGs and Les Pauls.
Just a few of the guitars ruined by the flood.
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

Damaged SGs and Les Pauls.

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Ouch...
Any guitars exposed to the potentially harmful floodwater and humid conditions were destroyed.
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

Ouch...

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Broken machines
It wasn't just the guitars, the machinery didn't escape the devastation either.
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

Broken machines

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Wet work
Most luthiers don't expect to wear wellies to work.
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

Wet work

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
A new relic effect? Err, nope...
Gibson brought in a dedicated team of cleaners to clear the plant of contaminated dust in the later months.
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

A new relic effect? Err, nope...

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
The workers
Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz said, "It's amazing how connected the employees are with this plant… They had been hit personally."
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

The workers

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Getting back on track
Production started to get back underway in July.
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

Getting back on track

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
The production line starts rolling
They're nicer without the muddy stains aren't they?
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

The production line starts rolling

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Up to speed again
Hanging the guitars is part of the finishing process - not a precaution against future floods!
(Image credit: Sandy Campbell)

Up to speed again

Many of you may have heard about the disastrous floods that brought Nashville to its knees in May of this year, but – as the home of Gibson Guitars – the flooding of the Tennessee state capital had a major impact on the guitar industry too.

These pictures, taken by Gibson's staff photographer Sandy Campbell, illustrate some of the damage that befell the manufacturer's US headquarters. Beware though, these make painful viewing…

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker
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Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

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