Gibson has a wide variety of models. Some, such as the Les Paul, are classics that stay true to tradition, while others, such as the Modern collection, offer more contemporary features and finishes.
Fender’s success with the Esquire and Broadcaster meant Gibson president Ted McCarty needed a response. Enter Les Paul – the first solid-body electric guitar.
The SG
In our opinion, the SG is Gibson’s most underrated guitar. It’s a mahogany single-cut model with a simple set-up featuring a solitary dogear P-90 pickup and a single volume and tone control. It may not seem like much, but this Gibson guitar packs a punch and can produce a vast range of sounds if you back off the volume or tone control and let it breathe. It’s an excellent guitar for beginners looking to expand their sonic palate without breaking the bank.
The SG is a bit different to Les Paul in design. It has a double-cutaway body that lacks the maple top that Les Pauls has, making it lighter in weight. It also has a slightly more slim C-shape neck, which is more comfortable for smaller players. It is an important aspect to consider when shopping for a Gibson guitar, as it can make a big difference in the overall feel of the instrument.
Another significant difference between the SG and Les Paul is that the neck pickup cavity on the SG does not overlap the body as on a Les Paul. It is an important design feature as it prevents the neck from being prone to breakage when playing hard.
Although it may not look as fancy as a Les Paul, the SG is a highly versatile guitar. It’s been used by many rock musicians, including Angus Young (AC/DC), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) and Slash. It is due to the SG’s ability to effortlessly deliver a tone that can go from sweet to snarling, making it a favourite of many rock guitarists.
The V
The V, or Flying V as it is sometimes referred to, was first introduced in 1958 and combines the shape of jet aircraft fuselages with the body of a Les Paul Standard. Initially, the V used a distinctive African wood known as Korina (now renamed Limba), lighter and more flexible than mahogany, and loaded with a pair of Gibson’s humbucking pickups. Sales for the V did not meet expectations, so in 1982, Gibson made several changes to the model to increase production cost efficiency and use up existing inventory. These included removing the more expensive ‘boomerang’ pickups and replacing them with the conventional humbucker that was already a feature of the Explorer and Moderne series guitars.
The Flying V remains an iconic design, albeit a slightly out-of-the-way one. In guitars, its shape is arguably second only to the Stratocaster in terms of being recognised by most electric guitarists worldwide. While its appearance screams hard rock, the V has also proved sonically versatile and has been used by musicians in various genres and styles, including heavy metal, jazz, and blues.
More recently, the guitar has become associated with Grace Potter and her band, the Nocturnals. The American singer-songwriter’s soulful vocals and stellar guitar playing on her signature Gibson Flying V have established her as a classic rock icon.
Flying Vs often feature a set neck construction, giving them a great deal of sustain and resonance. Their tone is full and rich with a lot of low-end punch, which translates well through high-gain amplifier settings, making them an excellent choice for classic and modern rock styles.
The V is also a very lightweight Gibson guitar, and despite its distinctive appearance, it is not difficult to play. Several guitarists have favoured the instrument, most notably Jimi Hendrix, who owned three Vs (including a psychedelic painted version) and Albert King, Wishbone Ash’s Andy Powell and Michael Schenker from UFO. Aerosmith’s Joe Perry also has a V in his arsenal, as does Lenny Kravitz and Foo Fighters guitarist Dave Grohl.
