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Other music forums => Musician's Corner => Topic started by: Joost on December 11, 2009, 01:55:13 PM

Title: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Joost on December 11, 2009, 01:55:13 PM
I don't really care about the sound cause I'm not able to hear the difference anyway, but purely based on the way they look it's definately Gibson for me. IMO, the SG and Les Paul are by far the best looking guitars.

I never cared for Telecasters and Strats. For some reason I've always thought of Fender as the guitar for serious (and wannabe serious) musicians and Gibson as the guitar for people who just want to "rock out". And those have always been more appealing to me.

(http://www.guitarinstructor.com/images/blogBeckClaptonLive.jpg)
vs.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2402350837_e821c3f6d9.jpg)

See what I mean? :) Imagine the guy on the second pic playing a light blue Strat... I think it would look odd.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: emmi_luvs_beatles on December 11, 2009, 10:18:51 PM
I like both, but I chose Fender because I can play them easier and (from what I've played, at least) they have a lower action. But I really shouldn't say their my favorite now because my Parentals have bought me a Hofner for Christmas ;D :P
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on December 14, 2009, 02:14:06 AM
If based purely on looks, then I'd choose Gretsch.  

I own several guitars:

   1959 Gibson ES5 Switchmaster (Antique Sunburst)
   1963 Gretsch Country Gentleman
   1967 Gretsch Country Gentleman
   1969 Martin D35
   1990 Guild JF30-12
   2004 Jerry Jones Coral Sitar

The handsomest is the 1963 Country Gent...

(http://oi36.tinypic.com/330y6at.jpg)

And, of course, it has that early Beatles sound.   :)

(Edited because of picture server change)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: sewi on December 14, 2009, 04:35:47 PM
Fender for me.I have one cheap model-but no real Fender.I like how Gibson look but I prefer Fender.I think its sound is more versatil.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on February 07, 2010, 12:44:01 PM
Ive always been a Strat fan, you dont need any other guitar IMO (I can make a strat sound like a Les paul but not vica versa))
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: HarriGirl_44 on February 08, 2010, 01:29:55 AM
I prefere Fender.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Quarrygirl on October 24, 2010, 08:39:44 PM
Gretsch for me - my first big purchase in my life was my Duo Jet and I wouldn't have spent that amount of money on anything other than a Gretsch
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: 7 of 13 on February 17, 2011, 07:02:28 PM
I like both, but I chose Fender because I can play them easier and (from what I've played, at least) they have a lower action. But I really shouldn't say their my favorite now because my Parentals have bought me a Hofner for Christmas ;D :P
;D wow ;D my hat is off to you. man that is beautiful.  ;yes
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: 7 of 13 on February 17, 2011, 07:09:05 PM
i would say Fender. but having said that i have noodled around on a gibson les paul once, friend of a friend thingie, must say that guitar is everything everybody says about it. it was unplugged, but still like heaven.

ladys and gentlemen meet my dream guitar

(http://www.epiphoneacoustic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/-97122904427549730.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: An Apple Beatle on April 11, 2011, 07:01:35 AM
Most things Fender have remained in my life. My 76 Precision Bass, the Fender Rhodes is one of my all time favourite instruments and the Fender Twin amp always is a dazzler. My friends telecasters and strats are always up to task and very versatile.

I used to love watching Paul Weller of the jam strutting his SG and I do also like the Gretsch and Epiphone....Fender is more about music and perhaps Gibson is more about guitars is my theory. Acoustically, I love my Ovation Custom Balladeer. Much better than a Takemine G series I used to own. :)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Bobber on April 11, 2011, 07:09:06 AM
I had a Rickenbacker in my hands the other day at the guitar shop. That was a terrible instrument to play!
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: An Apple Beatle on April 11, 2011, 07:18:09 AM
^  ha2ha....They are so rubbish! Worst 12th fret throb I have ever heard.   ;)  ;D

Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: peterbell1 on April 11, 2011, 09:54:48 AM
I had a Rickenbacker in my hands the other day at the guitar shop. That was a terrible instrument to play!


Really? I love 'em!
I've got a Roger McGuinn 12-string 370-12RM, and a 6-string 360-6. Both fireglo models.
They do take some getting used to because they have quite a narrow neck - especially the 12-string, where the strings are very close together.
But I have never had any problems with fret buzz on either of my Rics. And they sound great when doing 60s-style music. No good for fancy guitar solos or playing loud rock music etc, but great for getting that 60s sound (or for music by bands that copy the 60s sound, like REM or Tom Petty).

Getting back to the Fender vs Gibson debate. I agree that Strats are very versatile, more versatile than a Gibson, but I don't think a Fender will ever match up to the Gibson sound for playing louder rock music.
And Gibson Les Pauls and SGs look way better than a strat, IMO.
I do like the look of Fender Telecasters though. If I bought a Fender it would have to be a Tele.
But I'll stick with my Rics and my Gibson SG and Les Paul!!

PS - just a comment about Gretsch... although Pete Townshend of The Who is most associated with playing Gibson SG during the late 60s and a Les Paul throughout the 70s, he actually used a Gretsch Chet Atkins model in the studio to get the rock sound you hear on songs like Won't Get Fooled Again. His Gretsch is behind many of The Who's great rock recordings, from Who's Next onwards ...
(http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/images/equipment/guitar/rm/77_rmstudio_gretsch_2.jpg)

He went on to use Tele and Strat-type models from the 80s onwards and his sound has never matched up to the classic 60s and 70s Who sound


Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Quarrygirl on April 28, 2011, 04:58:52 AM
Since my last post on here, I've actually bought a Strat (a sage green Mexico 2002) and I have to say, it's utterly delicious to play! A nice mid-range Fender which hasn't been out of my hands in the last month or so.

Can't beat the feeling of getting a new guitar  ;)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on April 30, 2011, 03:52:18 AM
Here are my 3 Bass guitars, I'll take a pic of my 6 strings soon

(http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af268/nimrod_photos/IMG_0085.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 30, 2011, 04:17:49 AM
^

That's a nice selection of bass guitars you have there, nimrod.  The Precision Guitar looks very handsome.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on April 30, 2011, 07:37:23 AM
^

That's a nice selection of bass guitars you have there, nimrod.  The Precision Guitar looks very handsome.

Thanks HG, that precision is actually a Fender Jazz  ;D of the fretless variety..
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 30, 2011, 09:56:55 PM
None-the-less, it's a handsome bass.  I see the difference in the shape of the body now.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: An Apple Beatle on May 03, 2011, 06:22:07 AM
Thanks HG, that precision is actually a Fender Jazz  ;D of the fretless variety..
Nice array sir...Is the fretless for Jaco Pastorious licks? ;)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Quarrygirl on May 06, 2011, 08:40:18 PM
Here's my sage green Fender Strat in the background  8)

(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg187/nicola1976edinburgh/guitarsforview.jpg)

Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 06, 2011, 09:36:22 PM
Here's my sage green Fender Strat in the background  8)

([url]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg187/nicola1976edinburgh/guitarsforview.jpg[/url])





That, too, is a nice collection.  What would you like to get next, Quarrygirl?
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on May 06, 2011, 09:58:14 PM
Here's my sage green Fender Strat in the background  8)

([url]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg187/nicola1976edinburgh/guitarsforview.jpg[/url])




nice..

thats like a sweet shop for me  ;D
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Quarrygirl on May 07, 2011, 11:50:56 AM
I'm not sure what I would go for next  ??? So many guitars, so little time! I have a few others which it just wasn't possible to photograph, but the ones in the photo are:

Simon and Patrick cedar topped 12 String
Tanglewood 335 copy (from around 1994) and simply the nicest neck of any of these
1999 Epiphone Black Beauty Les Paul
2002 sage green Fender Strat (mexican)
Epiphone 'Inspired by Lennon' Casino
Hofner 1961 Congress
Gretsch Duo Jet 1990
Gretsch 5210 Ltd Edition with pin stripes
Gibson J200 Studio (the nicest playing acoustic I've ever played and the newest addition to the collection!)

Not pictured is a 2008 Taylor 110 acoustic, Squier Precision Bass, Sitar, Mandolin, Uke, Florida nylon strung acoustic (my first guitar  :-* ) and a Marlin Strat copy which was my first electric that I got when I was about 12. It used to have a black body, but one summer break from school I got bored and went a bit stars and stripes MC5 style with it  ;sorry

I do have a bit of an unsatisfied ache for a Ricky bass, although I think buy one of them is a few years off as I really do need to move and make some room for all my music bits and pieces. I would also love a Country Gent or a White Falcon as it was the WF that first really made me want to play guitar and for me, still remains the 'ultimate' desirable guitar.

I'm a firm believer that adulthood is a chance for you to have the things you wanted when you were a kid. I don't have, or want, children, but I always wanted great guitars, and now I'm definitely a GAS sufferer. I always want to buy one, and say I'll p/x or sell one of the others to pay for it, but it never happens like that. I can never say 'goodbye' to them! Once I can add a Country Gent or the White Falcon, then the collection if complete.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 07, 2011, 08:57:31 PM
Once I can add a Country Gent or the White Falcon, then the collection if complete.

Does the Country Gentleman have to be an original 1962 or 1963?

Gruhn Guitars has this 1964 Country Gent in their inventory:

(http://www.gruhn.com/photo/EG3229.jpg)

It's very similar to my 1963 but it has a Super'tron rhythm pickup instead of a Filter'tron and does not have the stairstep tuners.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Quarrygirl on May 08, 2011, 06:11:23 PM
It doesn't have to be an original for me - happy with something with a few miles on the clock and suitably broken in. The other thing I would have liked, is a guitar from the year I was born, 1976. I thought it would be quite cool to age with something at the same time.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 09, 2011, 04:08:26 AM
Gruhn Guitars is always a good source for early Country Gents:  http://www.gruhn.com/ (http://www.gruhn.com/)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Quarrygirl on May 11, 2011, 06:03:43 AM
I have looked at buying from the States and importing over here - US prices still make it worth considering even with the customs duty. Maybe someday I'll have one!  ;)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 11, 2011, 11:49:12 PM
I bought a 1967 Country Gent from Gruhn too.  Both were conservatively graded.  I'd say the 1967 is NM and the 1963 is EXF.  My luthier agreed.  I don't consider plating wear a factor.

They price their guitars sensibly.  If there's a particular model and year you want, email them to get on their "Want List." 
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 12, 2011, 12:24:33 AM
Oh, by the way, I replaced the original bar bridges with Gibson Tune-O-Matics.  The original bridges reside in the cases.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 27, 2011, 01:46:47 AM
The other thing I would have liked, is a guitar from the year I was born, 1976. I thought it would be quite cool to age with something at the same time.

Stay away from Gretsch guitars from that era.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on June 01, 2011, 02:54:56 AM
as promised, my 6 strings

(http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af268/nimrod_photos/IMG_3206.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: peterbell1 on June 01, 2011, 05:54:19 PM
as promised, my 6 strings

([url]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af268/nimrod_photos/IMG_3206.jpg[/url])


Very nice!
Is that third one a Godin? I had one of those but in a dark blue flame effect. It was a lovely guitar, very versatile and great to play, but it wasn't really me so I got rid of it and got myself a Gibson SG.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Quarrygirl on June 01, 2011, 07:31:08 PM
Stay away from Gretsch guitars from that era.

Yeah, I know. It wouldn't be a Gretsch  ;)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on June 02, 2011, 11:36:59 AM
Hi Peter yes its a godin sd22 from Canada, it a lovely guitar and has the added bonus of a built in tuner (wish the strat had one)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: 7 of 13 on June 17, 2011, 09:42:55 PM
those guitars look sweet nimrod, nice collection, you don't need to explain it.  
 ;yes
 
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on June 21, 2011, 10:46:23 PM
My VOX AC30CC2X arrived today...


(http://i56.tinypic.com/sq1n5i.jpg)


Kevin's responsible for this.   ;D
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on June 22, 2011, 10:59:42 PM
as they say in Northern England ' built like a brick sh*thouse'

nice one Barry  ;)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on June 23, 2011, 11:10:14 PM
They say that here in New Jersey too.  ;)

Thanks, Kevin.
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: peterbell1 on June 24, 2011, 05:05:25 PM
My VOX AC30CC2X arrived today...


([url]http://i56.tinypic.com/sq1n5i.jpg[/url])


Kevin's responsible for this.   ;D


Very nice!
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on June 24, 2011, 11:55:57 PM
Thanks, Peter.  I'm having a great time with my 1963 Country Gentleman plugged into this amp!  I was fortunate to find this model as it was discontinued about a year and a half ago.  It was VOX's reissue of the original early 1960s VOX AC30 amplifier with two 12" Celestion “Blue” AlNiCo speakers as used in the original AC30 combo.

So Kevin, the ToneLab is currently tucked away in my closet as I get familiar with this new amp.  Are you enjoying your ST?
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on June 25, 2011, 10:34:35 AM
I dont have it yet Barry I bought from USA, its a long way to Brisbane  ;D
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: nimrod on September 24, 2011, 11:27:04 PM
New toy to play with  ;)

(http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af268/nimrod_photos/IMG_0273.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: peterbell1 on October 12, 2011, 10:22:07 PM
I'm not a bass player, but that's NICE!!
Title: Re: Guitarists: Fender or Gibson?
Post by: An Apple Beatle on June 15, 2012, 05:38:14 PM
mmmm a jazz.  :)