Brand Overview
Gibson Electric Guitars
Gibson Brands, Inc., an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and professional audio equipment from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, has significantly influenced the music industry. The company was founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson
You can’t talk about electric guitar without talking about Fender and Gibson. The SG, the Les Paul, the Explorer. Gibson has a lot of iconic models. But for me it is its Les Paul that truly take the crown as its best overall model.
— Chris Horten, ELECTRIKJAM
Gibson Guitars
Quality & Build
★★★★
Selection of Models
★★★
Pricing Tier
High-End
Best For
Pros & Lawyers / Dentists
Best Model?
Latest Gibson News & Reviews
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Gibson Confirms Slew of Jimmy Page Signature Models For 2024
Gibson Announces Signature Guitar Partnership with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page Gibson has announced a new partnership with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page that will see the development of a series of signature models bearing Page’s name. So if you’re bank account wasn’t completely scorched by Adam Jones’ 1979 Gibson Les Paul and you’re a fan…
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Gibson Just Dropped A SLEW of New Guitars For 2024
Gibson just released 11 new guitars, including the new 1959 ES-355 Reissue which, in the word’s of the brand, is the undoubted “belle of the ball” If you got deep pockets and persistent penchant for all things vintage, you’re going to really dig what Gibson just launched. From new ES and Les Paul Studio models…
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Adam Jones Gibson Les Paul Custom: The $15K Collector’s Dream
The Adam Jones 1979V2 Les Paul Custom is now discontinued and is one of the hottest collectors items on the guitar market. Here’s everything you need to know… If you want to get your hands on Adam Jones’ Gibson Les Paul Custom, you’re going to need seriously deep pockets. The now discontinued model – there were…
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Dave Mustaine Signature Kramer Vanguard Review: 3 Models Primed To Shred!
The new Dave Mustaine Signature Vanguard is one of several models the Megadeth guitarist has chose to endorse since his move to Gibson. But how does it compare to the Epiphone models? Is it worth the price tag? Today we check it out! Dave Mustaine Signature Kramer: Old School Cool! It is rare to find…
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The Gibson Brand May Be in Trouble-Here’s 3 Reasons Why
The Gibson Brand name has been around for 121 years, officially. But myopic views, lawsuits, and lifestyle appointments may be running the name into the ground. Today we look at 3 reasons why Gibson needs to change. The Gibson Brand: An American Heritage It seems like the Gibson brand is almost always in the news…
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What Is The Most Famous Electric Guitar? Exploring 2 Different Legends
There are so many electric guitars out there these days, but what is the most famous electric guitar? Today we dive into history and look at 2 guitars that changed the world forever. What Is The Most Famous Electric Guitar? That can be a tough question to answer, since there are so many famous electric…
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P90 Pickups: A Guide (Tone, Genre, Pros & Cons)
Plenty of guitarists have used P90 pickups over the years, so why aren’t they more popular nowadays? Here’s everything you need to know about P90 Pickups in one complete guide… A Quick History of The P90 Pickup… When it comes to pickups on your guitar, nothing divides opinion like the humble P90. First used in…
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The Best Guitars We Reviewed In 2022: A Definitive List
It hasn’t been the busiest year for guitar production, but we have our picks for the best guitars of 2022 that cover all kinds of budgets! So let’s take a look at the best axes for rocking, no matter how fat your wallet is! Best Guitar 2022 Choosing The Best Guitar Whether or not you…
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Is A Gibson Les Paul Worth It? My 2 Cents…
A proper Gibson Les Paul will set you back THOUSANDS of dollars. They’re great guitars sure, some of the best on the market. But is a Gibson Les Paul worth all that money? Let’s find out… Everybody knows the Gibson Les Paul. Whether a Custom, Junior, or a Standard, Gibson’s Les Paul has been a…
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6 Epic Guitar Brands That AREN’T Gibson or Fender
If you’ve got $600 to $1000 to drop on a guitar, and you don’t want a Gibson or Fender, here are six amazing guitar brands you need to be looking at – they’re all brilliant… When you think of a guitar, an electric one, most players imagine a Fender Strat or a Gibson Les Paul. Gibson…
Overview
Gibson Brands, Inc., an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and professional audio equipment from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, has significantly influenced the music industry.
The company was founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson and has been a key player in the development of the modern mandolin and electric guitar.
History
- 1894: Orville Gibson began crafting mandolins, setting the stage for what would become one of the most iconic guitar brands.
- 1930s: Introduced the jumbo body acoustic guitar, enhancing volume and bass response, ideal for the ensemble playing of the era.
- 1952: The launch of the Les Paul model marked Gibson’s entry into the solid-body electric guitar market, a collaboration with guitarist Les Paul.
- 1974: The company ventured into innovative designs with the headless Steinberger guitar.
- Present: Gibson continues to innovate and produce a wide array of stringed instruments, catering to diverse musical genres and artists.
Iconic Models
- Les Paul: A cornerstone of electric guitars, favored by artists like Slash and Jimmy Page.
- SG: Known for its distinctive cutaways and robust sound, used by Angus Young and Tony Iommi.
- Flying V: Recognized for its unique shape and versatile sound, played by Jimi Hendrix and Kirk Hammett.
- ES-335: The semi-hollow guitar that offers a blend of warmth and clarity, chosen by Chuck Berry and B.B. King.
- J-45: A staple in the acoustic guitar world, used by Bob Dylan and John Lennon.
- Hummingbird: Acclaimed for its rich tone and projection, used by Elvis Presley and Sheryl Crow.
Notable Artists
Gibson’s legacy is enriched by the diverse range of musicians who have chosen its instruments to craft their sound, from blues legends like B.B. King to rock icons such as Jimmy Page, country stars like Johnny Cash, and folk musicians including Bob Dylan.
Subsidiaries and Products
- Epiphone: Offers more accessible versions of Gibson’s classic designs, maintaining quality while being budget-friendly.
- Kramer: Specializes in electric guitars known for their appeal to hard rock and metal musicians.
- MESA/Boogie: Acquired by Gibson, MESA/Boogie is renowned for its high-quality guitar amplifiers.
- KRK Systems: A subsidiary producing professional studio monitors, catering to audio production professionals.