It's not surprising that one of the best guitar makers of all times have countless guitar players voluntarily endorse their brand. The word "Gibson" evokes the images of a legendary performance in nearly any type of setting. They are coveted guitars by all players of all skill sets, from the very bottom to the very top. Whether it's the abundance of concerts or famous recordings, many of the notes that made music history were played on Gibson guitars by innumerable legends from various genres.
Blues legend Robert Johnson famously plucked a Gibson. Though his career output was limited to fewer than forty songs, he vastly influenced the many American and British players of the sixties and beyond, most notably Eric Clapton. He's possibly one of the reasons slide and finger-picking blues is so associated on Gibson. The image of Johnson nattily dressed up in suit and fedora smoking a cigarette while holding his Gibson in his lap is etched in the minds of all guitar players. Other legends include none other than B. B. King, Jeff Beck, and Muddy Waters!
The folk singers and songwriters utilizing Gibson's catalogue was no less impressive. The demi-god of folk Bob Dylan played a variety of models all throughout his career. Before him were the Guthrie's, Arlo and Woody. Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe played on Gibson Banjos and mandolins respectively, testifying to the companies' wide-ranging prowess. Sheryl Crow uses Gibsons now, as did George Harrison and Paul McCartney of Beatles fame.
There's no shortage of jazz leaders who bopped on Gibsons: Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Grant Green, and Wes Montgomery. The Gibson arch-top is iconic for jazz players and fans alike. They expect to still see it in the clubs and to hear it on new and old records. They were the first company to perfect the arch-top, and for years it was miles ahead of any other. It likely still is, and playing on the new and old ones is a real treat-as is listening!
But perhaps Gibson is best known for their Les Paul-a guitar made and played by its namesake and a long list of guitar heroes: a brief summary can include: Keith Richards, Slash, the Edge, Jimmy Page, Paul Stanley, and Neil Young. These guitars possess a crunch that is somehow at once polished and raw, mellow and yet dirty. It's hard to imagine a guitar that can be said to be the quintessential emblem of electric blues, heavy metal, and lighter more popular forms of rock, but this is a rare quality found in the Les Paul. An idea of its range can be understood by considering Gibson furnished players from AC/DC's Angus Young to Bob Marley.
Ultimately, if you eliminate the musicians who relied on Gibson instruments day to day, you no longer have music history. The picture isn't merely altered, but irrevocably torn asunder. Gibson produces terrific student and semi-professional guitars, but they're rightly considered the benchmark for rock stars. Reviewing the names makes it clear this has almost always been the case.
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