Gibson Solid Body Electric Guitars

You don't have to be a guitar aficionado to know that Gibson is the premier name in guitar manufacturing. Founded in 1902, Gibson has been responsible for over a century of sonic revolutions in popular music, and with their gorgeous solid body electric guitars, they helped to usher in rock and roll music, changing the world forever.

Gibson has always thrived by not just keeping up with the competition, but by setting the pace and getting the jump on trends in music and equipment. This unparalleled drive has helped Gibson to become the go-to choice for some of the world’s most recognized musicians. We're talking about some serious legends like Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page Slash, The Edge, Marc Bolan, Johnny Thunders, Dave Davies, Angus Young, and Ace Frehley, as well as modern rockers such as Billie Joe Armstrong, Dave Grohl, and Justin Hawkins. With names like these all using Gibson, it's little wonder that you want one of your own.

Gibson makes electric guitars for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a first time buyer, Gibson has the instrument you need. If you're not sure exactly where to begin your quest for a new Gibson, you're best bet is to check out some of our top rated options. The 2014 Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, for example, is one of Gibson's most popular models. This classic features some great, modern upgrades, such as Chrome 490R/490T pickups and cryogenic treated fret wire for longer life and corrosion resistance. Another bestselling option available here is the 2014 SG Standard Electric Guitar. You'll definitely recognize this guitar from the time it has spent on some of the biggest concert stages the world has ever seen. It features 57 classic pickups with coil splitting, a mahogany body, and an SG slim profile neck that help to make this six string a must play.

Gibson is a company that is rich with history. By expanding their horizons, while staying true to their legacy, Gibson has developed a lineup of solid body electric guitars that players all over the world are itching to get their hands on. From the basement, to the club, to the studio, and beyond, you'll want to take your Gibson with you everywhere you go.

Gibson solid body guitars made their debut with the original Les Paul in 1952, which was among the first electric guitar models mass-produced with a solid body design. At the time, it garnered a lukewarm reception that led to its redesign into what has since become the Gibson SG. Eventually, the music community came to see the Les Paul for the masterpiece it was and it resumed production in its original style, alongside the SG as well as Gibson's more exotic designs from the late '50s and early '60s: the Explorer, the Firebird and the Flying V. All of these guitars are still available today, and the years have only added more variations - which means there's a Gibson here for everybody.

The cult status of the Les Paul easily marks it as the flagship in Gibson's lineup, and it's built in more than enough sub-models to prove that. The anchors of the series are the Les Paul Standard, Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Traditional. If you're interested in an off-the-shelf Les Paul, these options are a good starting point. On the other hand, if you would prefer a guitar aimed at simpler tastes, the Les Paul Studio may be the one for you. Or, for those of us who value authentic vintage character or uniqueness above all else, there are collections like the True Historic, Historic Reissue, Collector's Choice and Limited Edition Les Paul - as well as a series of Musician's Friend originals designed through Gibson's "Made to Measure" program.

The Gibson SG is nearly as classic as the Les Paul. Although it was originally intended to replace its older brother, it became popular in its own right and stayed a favorite of musicians like Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Tony Iommi even after the Les Paul was reintroduced. From there, the body shapes only get more outrageous, from the unmistakable profile of the Gibson Explorer to the iconic neck-through body of the Gibson Firebird and, of course, the true-to-its-name Flying V. These instruments are usually fitted with dual humbuckers, although specific pickups vary from one guitar to another, offering plenty of different tonal options. Like all Gibson solid body guitars, they're fast and comfortable to play, and each model is backed by an impressive résumé of rock legends ready to show you exactly what these instruments are capable of.