What The Name on Your Headstock Really Means:

 

If you're a guitar lover, you probably have your favorite brands and models that you admire and want to own one day, Fender, Gibson, Dean Maybe, But do you know the history and lineage of these iconic guitar makers? Do you know WHY the "GIBSON" name means so much versus "EPIPHONE" which based on looks make the same guitars. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the major guitar brands, their origins, their key models, and some of the influential guitarists who play them, and for the real guitar nerds, we're going to do a deep dive into every major brand to highlight everything in future posts, this is just a quick overview list to reference later and get the complete newbies up to speed.

FENDER:

Fender is arguably the most well-known guitar manufacturer of all time. Without Leo Fender's influence on the wonderful world of guitars, amplifiers and basses, the landscape of music would look very different – it certainly wouldn't be as colorful. Having been responsible for the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar with their legendary Broadcaster, Fender has cemented itself as one of the most important music brands to ever exist. Some of their iconic models include the Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, and the Mustang. Fender guitars are known for their versatility in tone, their sleek design, and their reliability. That doesn't just stop with Guitars, Fender also makes legendary basses and amplifiers Such as the Jazz Bass, Precision Bass, The Princeton, The Hot Rod Deluxe, and the more modern Mustang Series of Amplifiers. Some of the famous guitarists who play Fender guitars are Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, John Frusciante, and Kurt Cobain.

SQUIRE:

Squier is a subsidiary of Fender that produces more affordable versions of Fender guitars. Squier was originally a string manufacturer that was acquired by Fender in 1965. Squier guitars are often used by beginners or intermediate players who want to get a taste of the Fender sound without breaking the bank. Squier guitars are also popular for modding and customizing, as they have many interchangeable parts with Fender guitars. Some of the popular Squier lines are the Bullet, the Affinity, and the Classic Vibe, and the Contemporary series. They offer the same models as fender for the most part, with lower quality woods and import parts. 

GIBSON:

Gibson is another legendary guitar brand that has shaped the history of music. Founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson, Gibson started out as an acoustic guitar maker in 1894 that later ventured into electric guitars in the 1930s, He became incorporated and built the Business as it bloomed. Gibson invented archtop guitars by constructing the same type of carved, arched tops used on violins. By the 1930s, the company was also making flattop acoustic guitars, as well as one of the first commercially available hollow-body electric guitars, Gibson guitars are known for their rich and warm tone, their iconic shapes, and their high quality. Some of their famous electric models include the Les Paul, the SG, the Flying V, The Firebird, and the ES-335. Gibson guitars are often associated with rock, blues, and jazz genres. Some of the influential guitarists who play Gibson guitars are Jimmy Page, Slash, Angus Young, B.B. King, and Chuck Berry.

EPIPHONE:

Epiphone is a sister brand of Gibson that produces more affordable versions of Gibson guitars. From the 1930s through to the early 1950s, Epiphone produced a range of both acoustic and (later) electrified archtop guitars that rivalled those produced by Gibson and were the instruments of choice of many professionals; a smaller range of flat-top guitars were also produced, they were bought by Gibson in 1957 to make an import line for beginners or intermediate players who want to experience the Gibson sound without spending too much money. Epiphone guitars are also popular for modding and customizing, as they have many interchangeable parts with Gibson guitars. Some of the popular Epiphone models are the Casino, the Dot, and Copies of Gibson Models like The Les Paul, SG, 335, and more. They often have a good feeling but the quality and sound difference between an Epiphone and a Gibson are Obvious when you feel both.

PRS:

PRS stands for Paul Reed Smith, who is the founder and mastermind behind this guitar brand. PRS was established in 1985 as a boutique guitar maker that aimed to combine the best features of Fender and Gibson guitars. PRS guitars are known for their stunning aesthetics, their innovative design, and their versatile sound. Some of their famous models include the Custom 24, the McCarty, and the SE series. PRS guitars are often used by professional musicians who play various genres of music. Some of the notable guitarists who play PRS guitars are Carlos Santana, John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, and Dave Navarro.

G&L:

G&L is a guitar brand that was founded by Leo Fender after he sold his original company to CBS in 1965. G&L stands for George Fullerton and Leo Fender, who were partners in this venture. G&L guitars are considered to be the continuation of Leo Fender's legacy, as they use many of his original designs and innovations. G&L guitars are known for their high quality craftsmanship, their vintage vibe, and their modern features. Some of their popular models include the Legacy, the ASAT, and the Comanche. G&L guitars are often used by musicians who appreciate Leo Fender's vision and style. Some of the famous guitarists who play G&L guitars are Jerry Cantrell, Elliot Easton, and Peter Frampton.

RICKENBACKER:

Rickenbacker is a guitar brand that was founded in 1931 by Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp. Rickenbacker is credited with producing the first electric guitar, the Frying Pan, in 1932. Rickenbacker guitars are known for their distinctive shape, their jangly tone, and their history. Some of their iconic models include the 330, the 360, and the 4001 bass. Rickenbacker guitars are often associated with pop, rock, and folk genres. Some of the legendary guitarists who play Rickenbacker guitars are John Lennon, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Johnny Marr.

IBANEZ:

Ibanez is a guitar brand that originated in Japan in the 1950s as a copycat of American guitar brands. Ibanez later developed its own identity and style, becoming one of the leading guitar brands in the world. Ibanez guitars are known for their sleek design, their fast playability, and their diverse sound. Some of their famous models include the RG, the S, and the JEM. Ibanez guitars are often used by musicians who play metal, rock, and fusion genres. Some of the influential guitarists who play Ibanez guitars are Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, and Tosin Abasi.

ESP:

ESP stands for Electric Sound Products, which is a guitar brand that was founded in Japan in 1975 by Hisatake Shibuya. ESP started out as a custom shop that catered to professional musicians who wanted high-end guitars with unique, contemporary features. ESP guitars are known for their aggressive look, their powerful sound, and their quality. Some of their famous models include the Eclipse, the Horizon, and the KH-2. ESP guitars are often used by musicians who play heavy metal, hard rock, and punk genres. Some of the notable guitarists who play ESP guitars are Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Alexi Laiho, and George Lynch.

TAYLOR:

Taylor is a guitar brand that was founded in California in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. Taylor is one of the most respected acoustic guitar makers in the world, known for their innovative design, their superb craftsmanship, and their bright sound. Some of their popular models include the Grand Auditorium, the Grand Concert, and the Grand Symphony. Taylor guitars are often used by musicians who play folk, country, and pop genres. Some of the famous guitarists who play Taylor guitars are Taylor Swift, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, and Zac Brown.

MARTIN:

Martin is a guitar brand that was founded in New York in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is one of the oldest and most prestigious acoustic guitar makers in the world, known for their traditional techniques, their exceptional quality, and their warm sound. Some of their iconic models include the D-28, the D-45, and the OM-28. Martin guitars are often used by musicians who play blues, rock, and Americana genres. Some of the legendary guitarists who play Martin guitars are Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Ed Sheeran.

DEAN:

Dean is a guitar brand that was founded in Chicago in 1976 by Dean Zelinsky. Dean is known for producing electric guitars with radical shapes, such as the ML, the V, and the Razorback. Dean guitars are known for their edgy look, their heavy sound, and their durability. Some of their famous models include the Dimebag Darrell signature series, the Michael Schenker signature series, and the Dave Mustaine signature series. Dean guitars are often used by musicians who play metal, hard rock, and thrash genres. Some of the influential guitarists who play Dean guitars are Dimebag Darrell , Michael Schenker, Dave Mustaine, and every 15 year old metal head at some point. Dean has changed ownership but they still make killer guitars, and Dean Zelinsky has since started his own brand under his own name making high quality hand crafted instruments. There is also a rumored "Dimebag Hardware" Lineup of guitars coming that he had a part in designing and building. 

WRAPPING UP PT. 1:

There you have it! A list of most major guitar brands, a small description and history, a few key models and influential guitarists who play them. I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new about these amazing instruments, this is the first post of many in this series. Look out for more brief over-views and full deep dives into individual brands and models. Do you think I left something out? Have a Question or Suggestion for future content? Feel free to leave them below. And if you're looking for a new guitar to add to your collection, check out some of these brands and see which one suits your style and budget best. Happy playing!