2026 officially marks 100 years since Gibson made its first flattop acoustic guitars. To celebrate, Gibson, Inc. is releasing new instruments. Two newly released guitar models are the Songwriter Recording Artist and the Songwriter Recording Artist EC.
The “Songwriter” title goes back to 2003 when Gibson officially launched the model. However, its roots come from the earlier “CL” or “Century” guitar models that date back to the 1990s.
These Songwriter guitars are quite unique. They have a distinct body shape with a slim waist and square shoulders. Company literature promoting the new Songwriter Recording Artist guitars refers to them as having a “modern dreadnought body design.”
Gibson’s literature claims the “tonal advantages of these instruments come from the Advanced Jumbo models produced in the 1930s.”
Each Songwriter Recording Artist guitar is handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, and features an advanced X-braced top using thermally-aged Sitka spruce. The backs and sides are made of rosewood. Their 25.5 inch scale mahogany neck features a round profile and bound ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl diamond eye inlays. As to be somewhat expected, Grover tuning machines and a bone nut and saddle are included. The saddle sits in a neat-looking ebony belly-up-style bridge with fancy inlaid mother-of-pearl arrow heads that point toward the exterior of the body. Each guitar also includes TUSQ® bridge pins, a wide abalone rosette, and a custom line tortoise pickguard.
In general, the EC, or cutaway version, features the same appointments as the standard Songwriter Recording Artist. Both include a built in L.R. Baggs HiFi system that uses bridge plate sensors and a preamp inside the instrument to deliver clear acoustic sound with minimal feedback. The HiFi system also allows the player to have access to soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls that should be nearly invisible to others.
The guitars are available in either a Rosewood Burst or Antique Natural finish, and each comes with a hardshell case. All models retail for $4,999 and can be purchased from authorized Gibson dealers, Gibson.com, and Gibson Garage locations.
For more information, please visit Gibson online.
