Gibson Guitars: Explorations in Innovation

The tradition of quality associated with Gibson guitarshas not decreased, although many musicians probably
dates as far back as the late 1800s when Orvillewish the price would decrease! Classic Gibson
Gibson started the company with his skill and interest inacoustic guitars such as the SJ200 and the
the guitar. Probably one of the keys to the success ofHummingbird are still as popular as when they were
the company then and now is its tangent forfirst introduced, although most people purchase them
innovation. This innovation continued through economicas collector's items.
hardship, which saw the introduction of the L-5, ES-150,Electric guitars were made to play rock music, right?
electric guitar. While the company originated as aThis message couldn't get any clearer with Gibson's
manufacturer of mandolins and guitars, it was therelease of a replica of the guitar associated with
design of the ES-150, the company's first electric guitarAngus Young of AC/DC. Usually when makers of
that hailed them to the top of the list of guitarguitars reproduce a classic, they tend to add additional
manufacturers. The innovation in the companyfeatures that actually take away from what was so
originated with guitarists such as Lloyd Loar and Lesgreat about the original. The Angus Young Signature
Paul, whose ideas were used to create some of theSG is basically a mirror image of the classic guitar.
company's most innovative designs.The list of famous individuals who have counted on
Reviewing the Original Gibsonsthe traditional quality and innovation of Gibson guitars is
The Les Paul Standard is by far the most popular oflong. This relationship is probably due in part to the
all Gibson guitars. It was way back in the early 1950sGibson company's solicitation of professional guitarists
that it was introduced as the company's premier solidto assist in designing innovative Gibson guitars. Who
body electric guitar. Today the Les Paul Standard haselse knows more about what "serious" guitarists want
several variations, including the Les Paul Standardthan the professionals who push them to their limits?
Faded, Les Paul Standard Double Cut, Les PaulCelebrities that have been longtime fans of Gibson
Standard Limited Edition, and Les Paul Standardguitars include Paul McCartney and Jimmy Page. Aside
Premium.from the outstanding pickups, Gibson guitars for
While many guitar manufacturers find ways to cutelectric guitar lovers are generally custom-made to
corners to assemble guitars as fast as they can,order. It is probably the case that the Gibson electric
Gibson continues its tradition of hand making eachguitars feature some of the most unique styles and
guitar it produces. The Gibson acoustic is the classicdesigns. The Gibson Firebird Studio Electric, L4 CES
tradition of guitars. Gibson continues to make theArchtop, and the Gibson Zakk Wylde Les Paul electric
classic acoustic guitars in natural wood. It's probablyguitars prove that there are no limits in the how Gibson
the case that if you learned how to play the guitar inis able to allow a guitarist to explore the creative limits
elementary school, that your music teacher had anof Gibson guitars.
inventory of Gibson guitars. The value of these guitars