Gibson USA is an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and consumer and professional electronics. The company was founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson.
Founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Introduced their first electric guitar, the ES (Electric Spanish) series, in 1936
Iconic guitars include the Les Paul, SG, Explorer, and Flying V
In 2018, the company filed for bankruptcy but emerged with new ownership and management in 2019
Fender is an American manufacturer of guitars and other musical instruments. The company was founded in 1946 by Leo Fender.
PRS is an American manufacturer of high-end electric guitars. The company was founded in 1985 by Paul Reed Smith.
Ibanez is a Japanese manufacturer of guitars and other musical instruments. The company was founded in 1908 by Hoshino Gakki.
A classic solid-body electric guitar with a mahogany body and maple top, known for its warm tone and sustain
A slim-bodied electric guitar with a double-cutaway design, known for its fast playing neck and high gain capabilities
A semi-hollow electric guitar with a center block, known for its versatility and rich, warm tone
A radical electric guitar design, featuring a V-shaped body and pointed headstock, known for its high-gain capabilities and edgy looks
A futuristic electric guitar design, featuring an angular body and pointed headstock, known for its aggressive sound and looks
The Les Paul has a thicker body and a carved top, while the SG has a thinner body and a flat top. The neck joint is also different, with the Les Paul having a set neck and the SG having a glued-in neck.
It depends on the model, but Gibson guitars often come with their own branded pickups or pickups from third-party manufacturers like Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio.
This is subjective and depends on the individual. Gibson guitars are known for their high quality and iconic designs, but there are also many other great guitar brands at different price points.
The most expensive Gibson guitar ever sold is the 1959 Les Paul Standard 'Holy Grail' which sold for $9.9 million at auction in 2020.
Gibson guitars are primarily made in the USA in their factory in Nashville, Tennessee. They also have factories in Bozeman, Montana and Memphis, Tennessee.