Gibson Guitars
Founded by Orville Gibson in 1902 the Gibson Mandolin – Guitar Manufacturing Co. have been a leading manufacturer of instruments by consistently offering new designs and technology to the marketplace. Now known as the Gibson Corporation, Gibson own brands such as Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger Baldwin and Dobro.
Gibson was first known for their mandolin, acoustic and arch top guitars, before teaming up with Les Paul to design one of the most famous guitars of all time. Gibson are now pushing current design trends by offering innovations like their self-tuning Robot guitars.
All Gibson guitars feature a Nitrocellulose finish, which is much thinner than a polyurethane finish and allows for maximum resonance from the instrument.
The Les Paul Standard Traditional features a Mahogany Body with an A grade figured Maple top and the 57 Classic and Classic Plus pickups, which combine to give the fat, singing tone guitarists have loved since the late fifties. Regarded as one of the most versatile guitars on the market, the Les Paul can be heard in almost any genre of music. The Standard Traditional is built to the same specifications as the classic Les Paul’s. The 57 classic and classic plus alnico pickups are medium output and provide full warm clean tones; meaty dirty rhythm and cutting lead tones.
The Les Paul Studio features a lightweight chambered Mahogany body with a maple top and a rosewood or ebony fret board. The Les Paul Studio shares the 490R and 498T pickups with the Les Paul Custom. Whilst the Les Paul Studio is s
The Les Paul Jr was originally launched as a student model with a single P-90 pickup and slab mahogany body. However the Jr quickly outgrew its student tag as blues and rock players found that it’s tone and simplicity perfect to cut through any situation.
The SG Standard is a legend in the rock world. Used by seminal players like Angus Young, Tony Iommi and Frank Zappa. The SG has unparalleled upper fret access even when compared to modern day shred guitars. The SG Standard’s thin mahogany body gives a well-balanced sound that has the right amount of cut and warmth. The SG Standard features a bound neck; trapezoid inlays and covered pickups.
The SG Special is excellent value, featuring the same construction as the Standard without some of the frills. The SG special has an unbound rosewood fret board with dot inlays. The pickups are uncovered 490T and 490R, which give the classic sixties tone.
The Gibson Flying V was first introduced in the 1950’s and has been a favourite of players in the rock; blues and metal genres. Featuring high output 496R and 500T pickups the Flying V screams through a distorted amp. The Flying V has been played by greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Michael Schenker and Lonnie Mack.
The Gibson Explorer was way ahead of it’s time when released in the late 1950’s. Its angular and asymmetrical body didn’t gain acceptance until the late 70’s. It has become a staple of rock and metal due to its high output pickups and throaty tone. The Explorer found fame in the hands of players like James Hetfield and The Edge.
The ES-335 is one of the most classic Gibson designs. Its mahogany semi hollow body design allows for warm hollow tones at volume with minimal feedback. Players such as Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton and Alex Lifeson have used the ES-335 in blues, jazz and rock.
The ES-137 is an all maple hollow body with a tone block under the bridge and bridge pickup. This gives the ES-137 a snappy solid body tone on the bridge pickup and warm hollow jazz tone from the neck pickup. This makes the ES-137 equally capable as a jazz or rock instrument.
Epiphone was founded in 1873 by Anastasios and Epaminondas Stathopoulas and were the main rival the Gibson until the 1950’s. In 1957 Gibson purchased Epiphone and they now produce both original Epiphone and entry-level versions of Gibson designs.
Epiphone Casino was designed to rival the ES-335 but has several notable differences. The Casino has a support under the bridge making it a true hollow body and has P-90 single coil pickups. The Casino was a favourite of John Lennon and has become a popular choice in the indie rock scene.
