Many people coming to us for Melbourne guitar lessons want to know which of the two legendary brands is better.

Gibson or Fender, which one should I buy?

In my opinion, both companies make great guitars. That said, neither one is perfect and both have strengths and weaknesses which I will outline in another blog. So, my answer to the above question is – you don’t have to buy either.

It is an undeniable fact that Fender and Gibson dominate the guitar world and have done so for the last 70 or so years. All the other guitar companies make guitars that are either direct copies of Fender or Gibson models, or are on very similar lines to either a Fender or a Gibson in construction. Many of those ‘other’ guitar companies however also make very fine instruments, so your search for your ultimate guitar should not be limited to just Fender and Gibson.

Other American companies like PRS, Heritage (the old Gibson) and Suhr, to name but a few, also make very fine guitars. Japanese companies like LTD, Ibanez and Yamaha likewise make very fine instruments in Japan. I would put my Yamaha SA2200 made in Japan up against any Gibson ES335!

Back in the 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s guitarists didn’t have the choice of guitars that they have today. Back then, the USA Gibson and USA Fender guitars were very well made, but the Japanese guitars that came on the market were not of the quality they are today. Today people are spoilt for choice. Japanese built guitars are now excellent guitars. So too are many of the guitars made in Taiwan, particularly those that were made in the 80’s.  South Korean made guitars are also very good guitars and very reasonably priced. Even some of the Chinese guitars are quite reasonable……though not as good and the Japanese, South Korean or Taiwanese guitars.

Perhaps we should all take a note from Tina S, who is one of the world’s greatest guitarists. Tina plays a Vigier guitar…. Made In France! Tommy Emmanuel plays Maton guitars made in Australia. Paul Gilbert plays Ibanez, as does Steve Vai. Carlos Santana plays PRS.

Want to know more about guitars, or enroll in a guitar lesson?

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