Gibson Guitar Factory

Across the street from the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum [1] is the Gibson Guitar Factory (145 Lt. George Lee Ave., 901/544-7998, ext. 4080, www.gibson.com [2]), one of three in the United States. The Memphis [3] plant specializes in the semi-hollow-bodied guitar, and a wide range of models are on sale in Gibson’s retail shop.

For $10, you can get an hour-long tour of the factory floor and see guitars being made, from the shaping of the rim and panels to the painting and buffing of the finished product. Tours leave Monday–Saturday every hour on the hour 11 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday noon–4 p.m.

Tours can sell out, so it is a good idea to buy your ticket in advance, especially during the busier summer months. Most factory workers leave by 3 p.m. and have the weekends off, so plan ahead if you want to see the factory floor in full swing.