A Talk on Gibson, the Heavyweight of the Guitar World

Hello everyone! It’s Kaoru the composer!

Have any of you ever heard of the musical instrument brand Gibson?
It’s a name that guitarists and bassists are very familiar with, and it's also quite well known among the general public—so I’m sure many of you have heard of it.

Gibson is especially renowned as a maker of electric guitars, standing as a top brand alongside Fender in terms of popularity and influence.
Among its famous overseas users are Edward Van Halen, Eric Clapton, and Elvis Presley.
In Japan, you’ve probably seen pros like Takahiro Matsumoto (B’z), Kazutoshi Sakurai (Mr.Children), and Toshihiko Takamizawa (THE ALFEE) playing Gibson instruments as well.

So in this article, I would like to take a closer look at Gibson and introduce some of my recommended models!

■ What is Gibson?

Gibson’s origins trace back to Orville Henry Gibson, a skilled craftsman who began building mandolins in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

A few years later, in 1902, the company is now known as "The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd.", and it was officially established as a sales and manufacturing company.
In other words, Gibson is a long-established brand that had already begun crafting mandolins and guitars over 100 years ago, even before the guitar became widely popular.

From the 1920s through the 1930s, Gibson played a major role in the evolution of guitar design. One especially significant milestone was the introduction of the L-5 model that was designed by Lloyd Loar, an engineer and master builder at the company during that time. The L-5 became a major hit and it helped solidify Gibson’s position as a leading maker of archtop guitars.

Then in 1952, Gibson teamed up with American guitarist and inventor Les Paul to develop a solid-body electric guitar.
This resulted in the creation of the now-legendary Les Paul model, which quickly gained popularity and became a standard in the world of electric guitars, and it stands alongside Fender’s Stratocaster as an iconic and foundational instrument.

By the late 1950s, Gibson introduced a number of now iconic models such as the Explorer and Flying V, both of which are still widely played in today’s music scene.

At the time, these guitars featured extremely innovative and futuristic designs that stood out dramatically in the musical landscape.

In addition to these models, Gibson also released many other legendary products, including the semi-acoustic ES-335 and the humbucker pickup.
The high quality and originality of these instruments attracted some of the world’s top guitarists, further boosting the brand’s popularity and prestige.

More recently, Gibson has expanded beyond guitars into lifestyle wear, accessories, and more.

■ The Iconic Gibson Les Paul – Key Features

The Les Paul is one of Gibson’s flagship models and shares the spotlight with Fender’s Stratocaster as one of the most beloved electric guitars of all time.
While the Les Paul comes in many variations depending on the year of manufacture and model type, there are several consistent features that define its identity. Let’s break them down:

○ Design

One of the most distinctive design features is the single cutaway—a scoop on one side of the body that allows easier access to higher frets.
The overall body shape is smooth and rounded, offering a sleek, elegant appearance. But it’s not just about looks—the design also serves a purpose: it’s engineered to efficiently transmit the neck’s vibrations into the body, which enhances resonance and sustain.
The joint between the body and neck is constructed by inserting the neck into a carved-out slot in the body, where it’s then glued and firmly fixed—this classic set-neck construction contributes to the guitar’s warm tone and strong sustain.
Another signature detail is the uniquely shaped pickguard, which adds both style and functionality.

Scorelay Japan / LP PG Black Acrylic Shape-B – Floral Engraved

A decorative pickguard that can be easily swapped out to customize your Les Paul’s look. Small changes like this add to the fun of owning one.

○ Sound

Les Paul guitars are equipped with a type of pickup, or devices that convert string vibrations into electrical signals—known as humbuckers.

Humbuckers offer the following key characteristics:

• High output and powerful sound
• Excellent compatibility with distortion effects
• Reduced noise and hum

While humbuckers slightly suppress the guitar’s natural high-end frequencies, they emphasize the low end, making them a perfect fit for metal, hard rock, and other heavier genres.
Les Paul guitars are equipped with two pickups, one near the neck and the other near the bridge. These pickups can be selected or blended using a switch near the controls, allowing the player to change the sound character on the fly.

Unlike the single-coil pickups found on Stratocasters or Telecasters, humbuckers have completely different characteristics. This difference is one of the key reasons why some guitarists prefer Gibson over Fender—and vice versa.
It’s an important factor to consider when buying a guitar, so it’s definitely worth keeping in mind.

Recommended Gibson Products at Sound House

GIBSON / BURST BUCKER TYPE 1 ZEBRA

A pickup that preserves the classic humbucker tone while offering slightly lower output that makes it easier to control.
It captures subtle nuances with high precision, allowing for expressive, dynamic playing.

Personally, I think it’s a perfect fit for players who frequently use techniques like bending, hammer-ons, and other expressive moves.

GIBSON / ASSD-WHT THE SPLIT DIAMOND

A cool leather strap engraved with Gibson’s traditional diamond inlay design.
Because this strap is made of leather, it’s highly durable and becomes more flexible the more you use it.
Also, since it’s wide, it helps to distribute the weight across your body, making it less tiring to play.
The back is made of non-slip suede material.
The length is adjusted using a slit system, so it won’t slip out of place!

By the way, there’s also a black version:

GIBSON / ASSD-BLK THE SPLIT DIAMOND

Both are simple designs, so they’re likely to match any guitar!

That concludes the explanation of Gibson and recommended products.

They still offer many more items, so go check them out!

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