Gibson guitars are globally recognised for their legendary quality. Additionally, Studio 1 Vintage Guitars distinct body shapes have made them renowned.
Mahogany is the preferred material for Gibson electric guitar bodies and necks due to its excellent sound-carrier properties and rich resonance and sustain properties.
Les Paul
Studio 1 Vintage Guitars Les Paul is among the best-known Gibson guitars. Distinguished by its double-cutaway mahogany body with an arched maple top and mahogany neck featuring rosewood fingerboard and trapezoid inlays, as well as its comfortable playing comfort and easy access to higher frets, it remains one of the world’s best-selling instruments today.
Les Paul guitars first hit the market in 1952. Although similar to its predecessors, these new models featured a stop bar tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge instead of its truss rod cover. By 1954, however, Gibson introduced its Les Paul Custom model with its luxurious cosmetics, multi-ply binding and gold hardware; initial models sported two P-90 single coil pickups (humbucking pickups were still under development at this time).
From 1957 to 1962, Gibson’s Les Paul featured Seth Lover’s PAF humbuckers, which solved feedback issues caused by single-coil pickup designs. Since then, they have used different pickup configurations on this instrument.
SG
Gibson’s main solid-body guitar, the SG, is distinguished from its Les Paul counterpart by featuring sharper edges and features, including shorter fretboards that allow players to access higher notes more quickly. It was popular among hard rock and heavy metal guitarists such as Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, Scott Gorham, and Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy.
Not only does an SG have its distinctive look, but it is also lighter than its Les Paul counterpart due to the neck being set farther into the body and pickups closer to its neck; this makes changing the tone and volume on the fly much simpler, something many guitarists appreciate.
An additional advantage of an SG guitar is its affordable cost, making it an excellent option for beginner rock musicians just starting yet providing a similar sound to its Les Paul counterpart. They also work well for blues and other more laidback rock styles.
Studio 1 Vintage Guitars has quickly become one of the most beloved guitar models worldwide. Still being produced today, its timeless shape and style remain popular choices among musicians from around the globe.
ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 semi-hollowbody guitar has become one of the most acclaimed instruments since its introduction. The versatile hollow body has a resilient tone, standing up well against heavy pedal stacks. As the first instrument that connected hollow-bodied archtops with solid body electrics, this instrument continues to be popular with blues, jazz and rock guitarists.
The 335 features a centre block that enables players to achieve sustain and acoustic resonance without compromising its high-end response; guitarists can bend strings higher up the neck without fear of feedback – this innovation has become one of its hallmark features and major contributors to its popularity and longevity.
Gibson introduced the ES-335 in 1958 and quickly found success among guitarists. Its signature features of f-holes and solid centre block nodded back to jazz box heritage while offering unique hybrid features that bridged classic and innovative features: F-holes softened the tone after the initial attack while the solid centre block increased sustain and clarity; this combination was ideal for blues music as practised by BB King himself.
Explorer
The Gibson Explorer is an iconic guitar designed for rockers. Boasting a mahogany body and three single-coil pickups that offer an array of sounds, its toggle switch can activate either bridge or neck pickup separately or both together for maximum flexibility. Furthermore, its comfortable neck features a slim taper to make playing easier – though those preferring thicker necks may find another suitable guitar more suited.
The Explorer guitar is ideal for players seeking an authentic look and feel at an accessible price. Though heavier than its Les Paul counterpart, its distinctive shape and features set it apart. Another benefit is finding budget-friendly replicas – ideal for beginner guitarists and modern tone lovers looking for Epiphone Explorer replicas! All three offer identical features but at more competitive pricing.