guitar-manufacturers

"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. Known for their bright and shimmery tone – and equally eye-catching finishes – the versatile sound of guitars such as the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster and Jaguar is perfect for everything from blues and indie to alternative rock, punk, jazz, and just about anything else. So, if you're looking for an adaptable guitar that's steeped in history, then look no further than Fender."

"Fender amplifiers are legendary and celebrated for their clean tones and versatility. They have defined the sound of blues, rock, and country music, making them a staple for musicians worldwide. Popular models include the original tweed units such as the Blues Junior, Hot Rod Deluxe, and Bassman, followed later by black-clad units such as the Twin Reverb and Princeton. Fender has always been a little more reserved than its hard rock counterparts, and it is best known for its combo amplifiers, which align with the brand's image for producing practical, workhorse instruments that put performance first."

"Gibson guitars need no introduction. They’re the royalty of the electric guitar realm and for a good reason."

"With a little over a century in the guitar business, it will come as no surprise that Gibson has been responsible for some of the most influential guitars ever produced. From the seductively beautiful Gibson Les Paul to the indulgent semi-hollow king, the ES-335, as well as the J-45, SG, Flying V, Explorer and Firebird, Gibson has cultivated a legacy that will easily stand for another 100 years."

"Gibson acoustic guitars offer a strong and robust mid-range that is perfect if you are playing in a band and need your acoustic to be heard over loud drums, pianos or enthusiastic vocals."

"There is a plethora of guitarists whose names evoke images of them with their Gibsons."

"As much as [Led Zeppelin's] hard hitting beats and powerful guitar riffs embodied the era when rock and roll hit its peak, Jimmy Page in his leather pants embedded with dragons holding up his double neck Gibson and belting out the solo to the epic "Stairway to Heaven" is an image to put to the music. As iconic as the double neck is his Gibson Les Paul, which he used to mesmerize audiences from Earls Court in London to Madison Square Garden in New York in tunes like "Whole Lotta Love" and "Kashmir"."

"It duckwalked across countless stages in the hands of Chuck Berry, produced some of the most iconic riffs in the Guns N’ Roses catalog and hung dangerously low on Joan Jett’s hips for decades. And while Gibson’s future is up in the air following the company’s filing for bankruptcy protection earlier this week, there is no erasing the the 124-year-old guitar maker’s titanic place in rock history."

"Ibanez, the shredder's weapon of choice. [...] Ibanez are renowned for their fast-playing necks and super-strat style designs – with the likes of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Stanley, Nita Strauss and Mick Thomson counted as Ibanez loyalists. Ibanez guitars tend to focus on playability, with wide and often flatter neck profiles, high-output pickups and trem systems. So, if you are seeking to indulge in the more extreme areas of guitar playing, from super-fast legato licks to down-tuned riffage, then Ibanez may just be the best guitar brand for you."

"From modest origins as a provider of custom replacement guitar parts, Electric Sound Products has grown into a leading light in the dark, murky world of metal guitars. [...] With ESP being such a respected name in metal, you'd expect some of the biggest artists in the genre to rely on these guitars to achieve their gut-wrenching tones. Everyone from Metallica frontman and down-picking legend James Hetfield to Megadeth's shredder-in-chief Dave Mustaine, as well as Alexi Laiho, Bill Kelliher, Max Cavalera, and Will Adler, all have signature models through the guitar brand."

"Overachieving from the beginning, ESP has been dedicated to great sound and exclusively electric guitars and basses since. This focus on the craft makes them one of the greatest electric guitar brands, as they’ve spent years perfecting the process. ESP has plenty of impressive stock electric guitars with stunning performance, or mimic favorite artists by ordering a custom-made guitar."

"If there is a guitar brand that is best known for its exquisite build quality and stunning custom finishes, it's PRS. [...] Paul Reed Smith has [become] a pioneer of modern manufacturing techniques, creating guitars that perfectly balance form and function."

"The superiority of the PRS lies in the fact that each guitar is produced with the highest-quality maple, and every little detail is considered during the production of their electric guitars. The second puzzle piece is its design features, significantly adding to its playability. We’re talking about the 24-fret design, which allows for more expressive playing, as well as the locking tuners and tremolo system, which the brand actually patented. The result is a fantastic guitar that can hold anything from clean to overdriven sounds, from warm to aggressive leads."

"In the late 1970s, Jackson was there to help usher in a new breed of guitar player – the glammed-up hair metal virtuoso. Priding themselves on high-performance instruments that would allow players to achieve new heights on the instrument, Jackson quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the shred guitar game. By the middle of the '80s, the once small Southern California guitar repair shop was now at the forefront of the pointy headstock, gassed-up super guitar movement – and today, their instruments are just as popular as ever with modern metalheads such as Misha Mansoor, Mark Heylmun, Chris Broderick and Rob Caggiano all having signature models."

"Music Man is one of the legendary instrument brands that helped shape the future of electric guitar and bass. Today many players count on Music Man to express themselves. Everyone from St. Vincent to John Petrucci, Steve Lukather and Albert Lee aren't seen too far away from their beloved Music Man signature models."

"Most known for their rich and retro tone [...] Martin is one of the most famous and long-lasting family-owned brands in American history and easily one of the most influential forces in the guitar industry. The acoustic guitar giant has a legacy that stretches back close to 200 years and is responsible for shaping how everyone else builds and designs acoustic guitars. From popularizing X-bracing to inventing the iconic dreadnought shape, Martin is one of the most important guitar brands to ever exist."

"Taylor is a forward-thinking company that produces some of the finest six-strings available today. Recognized as a flat-top trailblazer with strong and passionate views on sustainability, Taylor offers modern players a contemporary guitar that feels and sounds just as good as it looks. Taylor is beloved for their crisp, contemporary tone. These guitars deliver a singing upper mid-range that can cut through even the densest of mixes."

"While most see Guild as a traditional brand, they were innovators in their time. Guild was the first to manufacture a dreadnought with a cutaway. The famed D-40C gave players access to notes that were simply out of reach before, and well, the rest is history. Guild guitars are beloved for their full-bodied, well-balanced tone that perfectly compliments a vocal – so singer-songwriter, take note."

"Robert Godin began making guitars by himself in Quebec, Canada, and after a relatively short time, has grown the company to one of the biggest manufacturers of acoustic guitars in the world."

"Best for playing live, Takamine is probably most known for pioneering electric-acoustic technology, and for being one of the first companies to offer acoustic guitars that could be plugged into an amplifier. The development of the under-saddle Palathetic pickup will go down in history as a massive moment for the acoustic guitar. This new pickup allowed acoustic players to achieve a natural and realistic amplified sound and with quickly embraced by many of the biggest names in the late '70s."