Gibson Guitars have been a very influential component of the Guitar Industry now for well over 50 years. Orville Gibson was the first name by the major guitar label. In 1890 he was known as a mandolin maker who specialized in making carved archtop instruments. Gibson used these same skills in the first archtop acoustic guitars of the 1920s.
One of the first developments initiated by Gibson Guitars was the adjustable truss-rod that lies inside the neck. This remains in almost total use today as it gives strength to the neck and also allows you to adjust the relief of the neck.
The very interesting shape of the f-holes in the hollow body guitars was also a feature of Gibson Guitars as was the floating pick-guard. This immediately defined the look of the early archtop acoustic guitars.
Gibson Guitars did a lot of researching in the 1930s of how they could amplify the guitar's sound. They finally released the ES or electric spanish line of hollow bodied semi-acoustic guitars. The word Spanish is only to isolate this style from the lap style of guitars that was widely played at the time.
With the increasing popularity of electric or amplified guitars, the top end of the finger board could now be heard. Gibson Guitars had the idea to introduce the cut away stlye in the body shape. This was to be forever used in future electric guitars and many acoustic guitars and led to the world of the lead guitar hero.
Gibson's first majorly successful electric guitar was the es-175. It was also slightly different in that it had a pointed cut away. In 1950, with Fender's new Broadcaster guitar, Gibson was under pressure to produce it's first solid body guitar. This resulted in the issue of the Les Paul Standard electric guitar.
In the early 1950s, it was not only Fender and Gibson Guitars who were putting research into the concept of the solid body guitar. Bibsby guitars were also carrying out some work as were Rickenbacker and National.
Les Paul was one of the foremost guitarists of the time. His real first name was Lester. Paul had himself been tinkering with the idea of solid body guitars. His first concept model was referred to as the log guitar. He approached Gibson Guitars with his ideas in the 1940s but was rejected outright. Once Fender released the Telecaster, Gibson went back to Les Paul and asked him to work with them.
The world was ready for solid bodied guitars for a number of reasons. The construction process was much simpler and more reliable than than that of the acoustic guitar bodies. Another feature was that the acoustic body tended to alter the true sound. The solid body guitar did not do this and it had the added benefit on greatly increasing the sustain of the natural sound. The other major benefit with the new world of amplification was that the acoustic guitar bodies tended to have much more of a problem with feedback than the solid body guitars.
In response to Fender's early success in the solid body acoustic market, Gibson Guitars put out the Les Paul Standard in 1952 for the price of $210. Les Paul agreed to use, promote and have input so he signed a 5 year contract in return for %5 of sales.
Gibson Guitars like all companies appreciated the need to move with new products. In 1958, Gibson introduced the sunburst appearance of the Les Paul Standard which proved very popular. This guitar in particular is now a collector's item. 1958 was also the year, that Gibson added the extra cutaway to the body shape of the Les Paul Junior and Les Paul Standard. This would soon lead to the SG model which simply stands for Solid Guitar.
1958 was the year that also saw Gibson Guitars respond to the guitar world's growing interest with the look of guitars where previously they had been more interested in how it sounded and what it was like to play. Gibson introduced the radical shaped Flying V and the Gibson Explorer. Gibson Guitars have enabled themselves to remain a player in the music industry over many years and many of its models are now regarded as Classics.
About the Author:
Author: Terry Booth has always been keen on Gibson Guitars since being given his first instrument, (a Japanese Les Paul imitation) as a 10 year old. Visit Terry's website GuitarPlayersWorld.com
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Title: Gibson Guitars - Interesting Facts for Guitar Players
Author: Terry Booth
Keywords: gibson guitars,play guitar,guitars,guitar,musical instruments,play music,learn music,music,hobbies,family
Word Count: 699
Category: Arts & Entertainment:Music
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