Selecting the “right” guitar for beginners

Guitars range in price from the “cheap” imports to the Gibson Custom Shop models that I play. Guitars can even range beyond to the custom instruments made by “world class” luthiers (makers of string instruments). Read more

Gibson ES-175 - My choice electric

Gibson’s famous archtop electric, the ES-175, is the guitar of choice for those wishing to create that smooth jazz guitar sound. Found in the hands of many artists, the instrument’s sound is produced by the larger resonant soundbox. The “f holes” allow sound to re-enter the instrument and that resonance is transfered to the strings–thus the sustain and the “smooth” sound favored by Jazz players. Though many different types of music can be and is played on the Gibson 175, the instrument sings in the more lyrical musical venues. Read more

GIBSON SJ-200 - A “big sound” for all styles!

Gibson’s SJ-200 is the “King” of the Flat-Top Guitars. SJ means “Super Jumbo” and the design produces a super sound. My personal instrument came from the Gibson Custom Shop in Montana, and has beautiful koa wood on the back and sides. The fretboard is white-bound, as is the body and headstock. The guitar features the classic 25.4″ Gibson scale. The top is spruce, the neck is maple (with a dark center strip) and the fingerboard is ebony with pearl crown inlays. Gibson has kept the vintage look with the tortoise plastic engraved pickguard and the open moustache rosewood bridge with 4 pearl rectangular and 2 dot inlays. the purfling is alternating black and white. The black peghead with pearl logo and crown inlay is enhanced with the custom shop decal on the back. Read more