Gibson

History of Gibson

Since 1902, Gibson have produced a wide range of guitar designs that have gone on to become classics. Their first major breakthrough in electric guitar design came in 1935 with the Gibson ‘Electric Spanish’, now affectionately known as the ES series.

However, their most successful innovation came in 1952. Enlisting the help of renowned musician Les Paul, together they created a solid body electric guitar to rival Fender’s Stratocaster model. As they say, the rest is history.

Apart from the ES and Les Paul models, Gibson continued to innovate by releasing a number of other distinguishable electric guitar designs in the following years. The most noteworthy of these include the Flying V, Explorer, SG and Firebird models, which remain in their catalogue. These guitars continue to be updated for a modern audience, yet still maintain the heart and soul of the early releases.

Throughout the years, Gibson has also offered a range of high-quality acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars, including the popular J-45 and Hummingbird models. 

The Gibson Range

Gibson has acquired a number of companies over the years, most notably Epiphone; producing affordable and officially-licensed versions of Gibson guitars. Gibson also owns legendary '80s brands Kramer and Steinberger.

The Les Paul lineup starts with the no-frills Studio, Tribute and Junior models; 100% made in the USA despite their affordability. The flagship Les Paul Standard line includes the Standard '50s and '60s guitars, while the Modern range offers contemporary players tweaked versions of the iconic formula.

Gibson has split their SG range in a similar way. The SG Tribute models are stripped-back rock workhorses, while the P90-loaded SG Specials provide punchy tones in an elegant form. The SG Standard line is also split into two, with the Standard '61 guitars boasting old-school Maestro tremolos.

Useful Links

Want to know more about our Gibson offerings? Check out the links below for more info:

• Choosing the Best Les Paul
• What's the Difference Between Les Paul Models?
• Guide to Gibson Semi-Hollow Guitars
• How to Buy a Limited Edition Gibson Guitar
• Gibson Baked Maple Fingerboard Guide