Summary |
Fender, Gibson, and Gretsch are three of the most renowned guitar-building companies in the world, and they each have a long and storied history. Fender, founded in 1946, is widely considered to be the leader in electric guitar production and has made some of the most iconic and influential guitars in the world. Gibson, founded in 1894 and based out of Nashville, TN, is known for its classic and beloved guitars, such as the Les Paul, SG, and ES-335. Finally, Gretsch, founded in 1883 and based out of Brooklyn, NY, is renowned for its hollowbody guitars, such as the White Falcon and Country Club.
Fender guitars are usually built with alder and maple, while Gibson guitars are usually made out of mahogany and maple. Fender guitars tend to be sleek and modern looking, while Gibson guitars have a more classic look and feel. Fender guitars tend to be more suitable for rock and blues music, whereas Gibson guitars suit more genres, from jazz to pop.
Gretsch guitars are built with maple and are known for their country and western twang. Gretsch guitars also often come with their signature Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, as well as their distinctive G-brand headstock inlay. Gretsch guitars are also popular for producing jazzier tones, as well as a vintage sound.
Fender, Gibson, and Gretsch are three of the most renowned guitar manufacturers in the world and have made some of the most iconic and influential guitars in the world. Fender, founded in 1946, is widely considered to be the leader in electric guitar production and their guitars often have a sleek and modern look. Gibson, founded in 1894, produces classic and beloved guitars, such as the Les Paul and SG, and are usually made out of mahogany and maple. Lastly, Gretsch, founded in 1883, is renowned for producing hollowbody guitars and are known for their country and western twang, as well as their signature Bigsby vibrato tailpiece. Ultimately, all three companies have made some of the most renowned and sought-after guitars in the world, and each guitar has its own unique sound and feel that has made it an iconic part of musical history.
Fender, Gibson, and Gretsch: A Brief History
The three most well-known guitar manufacturers in the world, Fender, Gibson, and Gretsch, have been around for decades. Fender began in Fullerton, California in 1946 with the introduction of the first solid-body electric guitar, theTelecaster. Founded by Leo Fender, the company quickly grew to become an iconic brand known around the world. In 1952, Gibson Guitars was established in Kalamazoo, Michigan and released the Les Paul guitar model. Gibson was the first company to introduce the world to the iconic humbucker pickups, making it a leader in the guitar industry. Gretsch was founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch and quickly grew to become one of America's oldest and most beloved guitar companies.Fender and the Telecaster Electric Guitar
The Telecaster was the first solid-body electric guitar to be mass-produced and was released by Fender in 1946. Renowned for its simplicity and playability, the Telecaster quickly gained popularity in the music industry for its versatility and ease of use. Not only did it become a favorite of guitarists such as Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Bruce Springsteen, but it also led the way for the development of other Fender models such as the Stratocaster and Jazzmaster. The Telecaster is considered to be the benchmark for all electric guitars, and its design and sound have been imitated by many companies and musicians over the years.Gibson and the Legendary Les Paul
In 1952, Gibson Guitars was established in Kalamazoo, Michigan and revolutionized the guitar industry with the release of the legendary Les Paul guitar. The Les Paul is renowned for its iconic humbucker pickups, which produce a thick, warm tone that has been used by some of the most famous guitarists in history, such as Jimmy Page and Slash. The Les Paul also spawned many other Gibson models, such as the SG, ES-335, and Firebird. The Gibson Les Paul continues to be one of the most sought-after guitars in the world for its timeless design and incomparable sound.Gretsch: A Long and Storied History
Gretsch was founded in Brooklyn, New York by Friedrich Gretsch in 1883 and quickly grew to become one of America's most beloved guitar manufacturers. Gretsch guitars have been used by some of the most iconic guitarists in rock 'n' roll, including Eddie Cochran, Brian Setzer, and Chet Atkins. Gretsch is known for its distinct “Gretsch sound,†a warm, twangy tone that is distinctively Gretsch. The most popular Gretsch models today include the Gretsch White Falcon, the Gretsch Jet, and the Gretsch Electromatic.The lights shine brightly. The air is filled with anticipation. The crowd is cheering, yelling, panting, anxiously awaiting the first note. There you are, clad in leather. Your heart is pounding; the sweat is glistening on your brow. One hundred thousand people are there to see you. You raise your pick in the air; the crowd collectively holds its breath. Dramatically, you strum the chords and electrify the night.
Blackie, affectionately named by owner Eric Clapton, is the world's most expensive guitar, going for close to $1 million. The guitar, which was crafted circa 1956, was played throughout the 1970's and 1980's in the studio and in concerts. I bet Blackie has more stories than all of the LawCrossing members put together.
Made by Clapton himself, Blackie is composed from different Stratocasters. All parts blend together in perfect harmony. Just think, this musical masterpiece can be in your very own hands. You'll be the envy of all your friends, and of every Clapton fan in the world. You can play the same guitar played by a legendary musician. But do you even know how to play the guitar?
Time for LawCrossing Guitar Lessons 101. First, let's go over the parts of the guitar. There's the fret board, also known as the neck of the guitar. The ever-important strings are as follows: the thinnest one on the bottom is the E string; next is the B string, followed by the G string (not to be confused with an article of clothing constantly thrown at rock stars); next are the D and A strings. The top string is also an E, but is the next octave higher. Both E strings have the same note, but because the top one is thicker, it has a higher bass.
You tune the guitar using the tuning keys. To play the guitar, simply strum the guitar using your fingers or a pick. Produce different notes by holding down the strings on the fret board while strumming. Piece of cake.
Until you get to the whammy bar, properly called the tremolo bar. In time, you might become skilled enough to hold both a pick and a whammy bar in your hand at the same time. Holding down the whammy bar while strumming bends the notes. The whammy bar is the most sound-altering tool of the guitar. There are sounds you can only make with the whammy bar. With enough practice, you might master the art of the whammy bar and rank with the likes of Jimi Hendrix.
Okay, so all of this is pretty elementary, but even the best guitarists were beginners at one time. Just as the best attorneys were once law students. And with a legendary guitar in one hand and a law degree in the other, you're sure to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — or at least LawCrossing's Law Stars Hall of Fame.