Introduction
Gibson electric guitars have been an integral part of music history, with players ranging from iconic figures such as Eric Clapton to modern-day artists like Ed Sheeran, relying on its body and touch to create the perfect sound. Many people would probably say that Gibson electric guitars have the ability to set itself apart from other brands. But as times change, Gibson guitars have faced stiff competition from other brands, so the question lingers: is Gibson still the king of electric guitars?
In this blog post, we will take an in-depth look into Gibson electric guitars. We will weigh the pros and cons, and then compare Gibson to its competitors. The aim of this blog is to provide a detailed assessment of Gibson’s strengths and weaknesses.
Table of contents:
I. What makes Gibson guitars standout?
1. The Body
2. The Neck and Fretboard
3. The Electrics
II. Gibson Alternatives
1. Fender
2. PRS
3. Music Man
III. Gibson’s Best Electric Guitars
1. The Gibson Les Paul
2. The Gibson SG
3. The Gibson Explorer
IV. Conclusion
V. FAQ
What Makes Gibson Guitars Standout?
1. The Body
The Gibson electric guitar’s body has become the hallmark of the brand. A Gibson’s body is made of the highest quality wood and finished with the well-known nitrocellulose lacquer. With attention to detail in the placement of the cutouts and curves, the guitar’s overall weight and balance are just right, making it easy to play. The body design provides ample surface area around the strings, resulting in superior resonance.
Moreover, the thickness of the body provides sustain for notes, and the sound coming from the guitar is said to have a lot more depth than other guitars. The thicker the body, the more likely one can sustain notes for longer periods. Gibson Electric guitars are known to have thicker bodies than their competitors, which is why musicians rave about the sound quality they can produce.
2. The Neck and Fretboard
Guitar manufacturers put a lot of attention on the fretboard, and Gibson is no exception. Gibson has designed its fretboards with rounded edges that provide exceptional comfort while playing. Additionally, the material used on the fretboard is of high quality, contributing to excellent sound production. Most Gibson guitars have a 12-inch radius fretboard, making it easy to play chords and bends. The high-quality wood used for the neck provides stability to the guitar and helps ensure that the guitar will last long.
Another strength of the Gibson neck is the truss rod installed within it. This feature gives a player some control over the neck’s tension, allowing for adjustments to be made to suit playing style or climate.
3. The Electrics
The electrics of an electric guitar play a crucial in producing the guitar’s sound quality. Gibson has always been able to balance it’s electrics to generate a deep, rich, and warm tone with less noise than that produced by other guitars. The body’s solidness ensures minimal resistance to the strings, allowing them to transmit their vibrations to the pickups linked with the guitar’s output.
Gibson is also known for its versatile range of pickups that come with most of their electric guitars. The two common types of pickups that Gibson offers are Humbuckers and P90s. Humbuckers are good for producing sound, offering a higher output sound, and are used for heavy genres such as rock or metal. P90 pickups, on the other hand, sound brighter and more balanced with a lower output, making them the perfect choice for blues or jazz tones.
Gibson Alternatives
1. Fender
Fender electric guitars are one of Gibson’s biggest competitors. While Gibson’s strength is in the design of the guitar’s body, Fender’s strength lies in the guitar’s tone. Fender’s solid-body guitars’ straightforward style gives a range of bright, clear, and crisp tones that appeal to a broad range of musicians.
The Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, for example, are considered by many to be the head of the pack when it comes to tone. The Stratocaster’s three single-coil pickups provide crisps, clear and bell-like tones, while a Telecaster’s two single-coil pickups transmit sharp and cutting tones. Fender guitars are great for jazz and country music but can also be used for rock, blues, and heavy metal.
2. PRS
Paul Reed Smith (PRS) electric guitars are another brand that competes with Gibson guitars. PRS guitars are known for their unique appearance, with a highly regarded Korean tiger jaw bone inlay at the 12th fret. PRS designs guitars with modern features such as vibrating hardware, fixed bridges, and quality electronic components.
PRS guitars are also known for their versatility in sound. They are highly appreciated for their broad range of sounds, from warm jazz tones to hard rock and heavy metal tones. PRS gained popularity when Carlos Santana started using these guitars.
3. Music Man
Music Man is another brand that has been successful in giving Gibson a run for their money. Music Man is known for designing guitars with highly advanced and innovative features that have helped them gain enormous popularity.
Music Man electric guitars have clean and well-articulated sounds, which appeals to players who want to create a high-end sound. The company’s offerings won them a huge fan base, especially amongst musicians playing rock or blues. At the heart of the Music Man electric guitar is the “Silent Circuit,” which reduces the hum that is usually present in other guitars’ pickups.
Gibson’s Best Electric Guitars
1. The Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul is one of the most iconic electric guitars in history. The Les Paul boasts a body made with high-quality wood, commonly mahogany, and a maple top. It has been around since the 1950s and was initially designed as a jazz guitar. However, Les Paul later popularized it amongst rock and blues guitarists.
The Les Paul delivers a warm, deep sound that is quite versatile. It boasts of humbucker pickups that come with two volume and tone controls. The Gibson Les Paul is considered to be the guitar used by Jimi Hendrix, Slash, and Jimmy Page to name a few.
2. The Gibson SG
The Gibson SG is another Gibson electric guitar model that has maintained its place amongst rock guitarists. The design of this guitar is known for its slim fretboard and double cutaway design, making it easier to play. The SG has a body made of mahogany, and it has two humbucker pickups that deliver crisp and harsh sounds.
The Gibson SG is famous for being the guitar played by AC/DC guitarist Angus Young. He has commented several times on the guitar’s durability, stating that the SG has never broken down in all their years of touring.
3. The Gibson Explorer
Designed in the 1950s, The Gibson Explorer is another guitar model worth mentioning in Gibson’s electric guitar line. The guitar has a unique body style that is more striking than most guitar models, something that makes it stand out. The Gibson Explorer also boasts of humbucker pickups that deliver a warm,
Conclusion
After reviewing all the factors mentioned, it is evident that Gibson is still the king of electric guitars. Gibson electric guitars are known for producing high-grade sound quality, are made with the best materials, and have a sturdy design. Gibson offers a range of guitars that cater to different genres of music. Then again, every guitar manufacturer has its strengths and weaknesses.
FAQ:
Q. Are Gibson electric guitars expensive?
A. Yes, Gibson electric guitars can be expensive. They are often priced higher than other guitar brands due to the quality of materials used and the attention to detail placed on their designs.
Q. What is the difference between a Gibson and a Fender electric guitar?
A. The core differences between Gibson and Fender electric guitars is in their body design and sound. Gibson guitars have a thicker body, providing a more substantial and warmer sound, while Fender guitars have a thinner body, offering bright, clear and crisp tones.
Q. What makes Gibson’s electrics unique?
A. Gibson’s electrics are unique because they balance the sound’s depth, richness, and warmth while maintaining minimal noise. Gibson also has a wide range of pickups from which to choose, from the Humbuckers and P90s, providing versatility in sound.
Q. Who are some famous guitarists that play Gibson electric guitars?
A. Some of the most famous guitarists who play Gibson electric guitars are Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Slash, and Angus Young.
In conclusion, Gibson electric guitars are still the king of electric guitars. Throughout history, it has proven itself as one of the best brands in the market, and it continues to do so. While there may still be some Gibson alternatives that are seen as highly competitive, when it comes to the overall quality of expertise and sound, Gibson outranks them all.
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