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Orville and Orville by Gibson Guitars:

Top of the tree..

I’m not entirely sure how “Orville” guitars got their start in Japan, but it is safe to say that Gibson saw that there was a potential for profit in the Japanese market and went after it. Seeing Fender’s success with a Japanese division only must have spurred them on. The brand Gibson was already taken in Japan so they chose the first name of the Gibson Corporations founder - Orville Gibson - Production Started in 1988 with the Orville by Gibson guitars equipped with USA pickups. In 1990 the Japanese pickup version joined the lineup and was named Orville . During this time OBG extended the range to include 58 and 59 re issues. Production continued until 1995 although some 1996 guitars can be found as stocks were wound down. For a couple of years after this Epiphone took over the name but are essentially the same guitars.

These guitars were made in the FujiGenGakki plant alongside many other brands. ( Including Fender Japan strangely enough ) Orville by Gibson were also made in the Terada Plant to relieve the pressure caused by the Fender line and these carry G or K prefix on the serial numbers.

The “Orville” guitars were equipped with Japanese replica PAF pickups of exceptional quality. Both pickups are equal in my opinion and model for model other differences are very small .

This is the best dating and identification chart we have seen so with the courtesy of the unknown author have added it.

Mfg. Years	Serial # Example	Making Sense...	Notes...

1988-1989
S/N Type 1

FYYPPPP
J884016

Made by Terada factory in
1988, production # 4016.

*The "J" in this model #
denotes the use of Japanese pickups.

1989-1998
S/N Type 2

FYMMPPP
105437

Made by FujiGen factory in
May of 1991,
production # 437.

*This example has no letter
at the beginning, which was the way FujiGen made their models.

1989-1993
S/N Type 3

F YYPPPP
K 026154

Made by Terada factory in
1992, production # 6154.

*** The serial numbers were
ink-stamped onto silver
stickers attached to the
backs of the headstocks. If
you see no serial number on your Orville, the sticker was likely removed.

1989-1998
'57 & '59 Les Paul Reissues
and the '61 SG Reissue
S/N Type 4

FY MPPP
G3 07415

Made by Terada factory in
July of 1993, production #
415.

There is a space between
the year and the
month/production #.

1989-1998
'57 & '59 Les Paul Reissues
and the '61 SG Reissue
S/N Type 5

FY PPPP
G2 5478

Made by Terada factory in
1992, production # 5478.

There is a space between
the year and the
month/production

Our Opinion:

Produced at the Fuji Gen and Terada Factorys our opinion is that there is no real quality difference from the two factories . The techniques such as the long tenon joint are shared only with the Gibson USA Historic series. A fujigen Orville or OBG is everything you expect a high end Gibson to be. In our opinion if you can't stretch to the money asked for high end USA Gibson then this is as close as you will get...Tipped to actually exceed Gibson USA prices for these reasons and for increasing rarity. There is a model range but even the basic Standard models are brilliant musical instruments,

Useful Links - Click to open-

Wikipedia Orville

1996 Joe Perry Signature Orville

WOW

Just when you think you know all about Orville Guitars something like this comes along. I could have put this under Orville or the Super Rare section. This is essentially a Gibson Signature Historic Series Joe Perry Les Paul made at Fuji Gen .The USA made equivalent retailed at £4500. This one is in mint condition and stunning. The only question is how on earth could the previous owner part with it. You need to hold this to fully appreciate it.

Orville by Gibson ES355

Sublime

It really doesn't get any better. This is the Orville by Gibson 1995 model ES355 in completely mint condition with case ( Not Shown ) . Full 1959 style with the wider neck which is beautiful and the USA Gibson Pickups which produce all the sweet 335 tones we know and love.

Hand on heart I really have not played a nicer guitar.

Orville by Gibson 59

Flametop NOS

We believe this to be a 59 re issue but not 100% on that but it has all of the indicators. A fabulous flamed top that is not the cheaper photoflame , braided vintage wiring, long tenon neck joint and original USA made gibson PAF humbuckers . Certainly one of the high enders , so 90% certain .

It was made in the Japanese Terada factory in September 93 and was number 22 on the production run . There is a common misconception that Terada Orvilles were not the same quality as Fujigen models . This is nonsense of course and model for model they are exactly the same . The quality control by Gibson was universal and this was one of Orville by Gibsons top of the range models.

To make this even more special it is NOS ( New Old Stock ) without a mark on it and the plastic protection on the plastic bits hasn't even been removed - Just amazing - It even has it's brown hardcase with pink lining.

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