Gibson guitar models represent a wide array of semi-hollow and solidbody designs perfected over decades by the firm. Each has its character and sound, yet all share an inherent sonic magic. Semi-hollow designs produce overtones that may cause feedback in certain instances – perfect for rock, metal and blues styles like distortion. Solidbody models provide a quick response but lack the warmth and sustain of semi-hollow designs.
The Gibson guitar models collection boasts an extensive range of iconic instruments, such as Les Paul, SG, Explorer and Flying V. Gibson separates their new guitars into Modern and Original Collections; Modern Collection guitars allow more freedom in terms of design while Original adheres to a stricter blueprint set by golden age predecessors – giving rise to more tonal variance and modern features such as coil tapping.
Gibson LP Classic
As the epitome of Les Paul guitars, the Classic offers timeless finish options with classy cream binding and zebra Burstbucker pickups, making it the favourite choice of many professional guitarists, such as Jade Puget from AFI, Frank Iero from My Chemical Romance and Chris Burney from Bowling for Soup. Its elegant yet simplistic aesthetic has also earned its popularity among professional players like Jade Puget from AFI, Frank Iero from My Chemical Romance and Chris Burney from Bowling for Soup. Additionally, its modern touches include a weight-relieved mahogany body with a slim taper neck profile; push-pull pots allow users to tap coil-tapping, further broadening tonal palette expansion for further expanding tonal options – these classic design elements help make this timeless design.
Gibson’s ES-335
As the star of their ES series, Gibson’s 335 stands as an industry-standard in f-hole models. Perhaps its most iconic version was used by George Harrison during his psychedelic Beatles era records, featuring an ash body equipped with Burstbucker Pro humbuckers for impressive tonality suited perfectly for high-gain rock and metal music.
SG Explorer
Although less well-known than its Les Paul counterpart, the SG is no slouch regarding tone. It was constructed of sturdy mahogany construction with its unique nine-ply neck-through-body construction and featured its iconic shape. Famous guitarists from AC/DC’s Angus Young to Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi have donned it with their unique styles for added flair.
Gibson Flying V
For guitarists with more experimental tastes, the Gibson guitar models Flying V is an excellent alternative to Les Paul. Featuring an eye-catching V-shaped body carved from one piece of mahogany and featuring V-shaped pickups arranged around its edges for increased resonation, its V shape tends to emphasise overtones and lead notes while adding harmonic complexity that’s ideal for high gain and distorted guitar styles. You can even opt for P90 pickups, which balance single-coil smoothness and chaos!
Les Paul
The Les Paul is one of the most iconic and sought-after Gibson electric guitar models, beloved for its signature sound and elegant form. Available as replicas from its 1950s Goldtop predecessors, modern reissues with upgraded electronics or customised to your exact requirements, or custom designed just for you, this timeless model provides powerful yet versatile sounds that won’t go out of fashion any time soon.
Les Paul Model’s History
Production Les Pauls first debuted for sale in 1954, targeting beginning or student guitarists. In reducing costs, many features found on more costly Standard and Custom models were left off – this included having an unbound rosewood fingerboard with dot-shaped position markers and an integrated bridge/tailpiece unit similar to what could be found on a Goldtop guitar.
Les Paul Guitar Models
The Les Paul Standard model of the guitar features a set-in neck with a glued-in maple centre strip, rosewood or ebony fingerboard and the classic combination of PAF humbucker pickups and either a stop tailpiece or Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, along with four knobs (two volume/two-tone), three-way pickup switch, chrome hardware and four knobs (2 volume/2 tone). It is available in various finishes and remains one of the most desirable vintage-style guitar models today.