User:Andrewa/Rivalry between Fender and Gibson
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Throughout their long, storied histories, Fender and Gibson have often been rivals in the production of electric guitars, basses, and related products. The choice between the two companies is founded on music style as the two companies each offer distinct sound, creating a unique purpose for both instruments. Fender guitars focus on providing a crisper feel, with emphasis oriented towards treble, partly created by a single coil pickup, while Gibson leans towards a smoother, rounder sound that is partly created by a humbucker.
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[edit] Background
The electric guitar was necessitated by the need to amplify traditional guitars; brass instruments easily drowned them out in bands of the day. Rickenbacker, with the "Frying Pan", would be the first to commercially produce an electric guitar; however, Fender and Gibson are the two most successful companies, and have tried to capture portions of the opponent's market share repeatedly.
The traditions of each marque differ notably on several issues:
- Philosophy: By 1950, when Fender entered the guitar business, Gibson had been building instruments for over 40 years. Gibson was a well-established workshop whose highly skilled craftsmen applied traditional lutherie methods to create a comparatively low number of very well-made instruments. Upstart Fender, on the other hand, used the latest in assembly line methods and technology to produce a much higher output of guitars. This is not to say that Gibsons were "better;" Fender's assembly line minimized the variations between individual instruments, yielding very consistent results. Because Leo Fender based his designs on readily available standard sizes of lumber, the individual wooden parts were cut by machine, and production was substantially greater, Fender's instruments could be sold at a much lower price than Gibson models. The viewpoints of the two companies was contradictory in nearly every way—Gibson would handcraft exquisite guitars with hollow bodies and sell them to the established "serious" musicians who could afford to pay top dollar for a playable work of art, while Fender used its assembly line to churn out a huge number of solid guitars that were subsequently purchased by cowboys and rock 'n' rollers. Many of the differences in materials illustrated below arise from the opposing methods of construction.
- Pickups: Gibson invented the humbucker, Fender concentrated on single coil.
- Body styles: Fender concentrated on solid bodies, Gibson also developed the semi-acoustic based on their existing archtops.
- Body woods: Most Fenders have alder, ash or basswood bodies, while Gibsons favour mahogany (sometimes with a maple top) on solid body instruments and maple laminates on hollow bodies.
- Neck woods: Fenders have maple necks with maple or rosewood fingerboards. Gibsons have mahogany necks with rosewood or ebony fingerboards.
- Fretboard inlays: Fender uses dot inlays, Gibson uses isosceles trapezoids on the LP's and SG's, but dot inlays on other models.
- Neck joint: Gibsons use traditional set necks, which are glued to the body using a dovetail joint. Fender pioneered the bolt-on neck—a misnomer since it actually uses large wood screws, not bolts.
- Scale length: Fender's standard scale lengths are 25.5" for guitars and 34" for basses, while Gibson tends to the shorter 24.75" and 30.5", respectively. The longer Fender scale yields a bright attack and long sustain, while Gibson's shorter scale gives a rounder, more mellow tone. The short scale also gives an advantage to players who play more complex chords because the frets are closer together and the strings require a lighter touch due to their lower tension.
- Tremolo arm: Fender developed integrated mechanisms routed deep into the body of the guitar and an essential part of the design, while Gibson concentrated on optional tailpieces with mechanisms mainly above the belly.
- Head style: Gibson tended to retain the three-a-side head, Fender standardised on six-in-line.
These each define a prototype of each marque's more successful models, represented for example by the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster, and provide talking points for enthusiasts on both sides. However both marques have long also offered a range of models in the opposing traditions, including variants of these prototypical models.
[edit] Pickups
In the public view, the companies have traditionally been divided into "Gibson, the humbucker brand" and "Fender, the single-coil brand".
By the mid-1950s, Fender had established itself as a trusted maker of solidbody guitars. Fender's Telecaster had essentially created the market, and his Stratocaster, though nowhere near the immense popularity it would come to enjoy in later years, was garnering its own share of respect; Buddy Holly's 1957 debut album cover prominently featured a sunburst Strat.
Gibson's Les Paul, with a pair of single-coils, comprised Gibson's contribution to the market. However, Gibson had a plan; instead of merely trying to compete with Fender via a similar model, it would create a new pickup that reduced the noise inherent to single-coils. Seth Lover, a Gibson engineer, was given the job of designing the new hardware. By connecting two single-coils in opposite electric and magnetic polarity (often mistakenly referred to as "out of phase"), he invented the humbucking pickup. His patent was filed June 22, 1955. By 1957, his "PAF" (Patent Applied For) pickups had been made a part of the Les Paul. The humbucker would go on to be the key to Gibson's solidbody success.
In 1967, Fender hired Lover away from Gibson to make humbuckers for Fender's new models. Lover's original patent had not expired yet, so his new designs featured two staggered groups of three visible poles, instead of the traditional line of six. The pickups would be used on a variety of models, such as the 1976 Starcaster (gone by 1980) and the Telecaster Deluxe (1972 or 73-1981), but never garnered the same results as his original PAFs.
[edit] Solidbodies
Undoubtedly the most heated competition between the two companies has been in the realm of solidbody electric guitars.
In 1950, Leo Fender released what would be known as the Telecaster, the first mass-produced solidbody electric guitar.
In 1952, Gibson released its flagship Les Paul (at this point with two single-coil pickups), named for the guitarist and engineer Les Paul.
In 1954, Fender, realizing that the competition was growing, released his legendary Stratocaster.
In 1961, when Gibson temporarily discontinued the Les Paul, it was replaced by a new "Les Paul", later renamed the SG.
[edit] Basses
Fender has long dominated the electric bass market, with its 1951 Precision Bass and 1960 Jazz Bass. Gibson has made multiple models, such as the Les Paul Bass, Thunderbird, and EB series, but has never matched Fender's models for sales and longevity.
[edit] Hollowbodies
Serving as a counterpoint to Fender's grip on the bass market is Gibson's long dominance over the electric hollowbody market. The ES (electro-Spanish) series, especially the 1958 semi-hollowbody ES-335, have been leaders for many years, going back to the ES-150. One of Fender's aims for many years has been to release a successful hollowbody, but attempts such as the mid-sixties Coronado and the higher quality 1976 Starcaster have failed. In 2003, Fender signed agreements with famed hollowbody maker Gretsch giving Fender control over most of Gretsch's production.
Gibson were able to build their hollow-body range based on their existing range of archtop guitars, of which they were the inventors. This influence can also be seen in their solid body guitars, for example in the arched top of the Gibson Les Paul. Fender had no such traditions, and based their body shapes loosely on spanish guitars, shapes which required far more radical modification to produce a solid-body guitar, but which had flat tops as does the Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jaguar, and most other Fender electric guitars.
[edit] Amplifiers
The instrument amplifier market is diverse, with makers such as Marshall owning significant portions of sales; however, between Fender and Gibson, Fender has traditionally been far ahead in amp sales, with models such as the Twin Reverb and Bassman.
[edit] Artists
One asset a guitar/amp can have is the adoption by a well-known musician. This is certainly true of Fender and Gibson; their flagship models can attribute much success to their use in the hands of the guitar heroes of the 1960s.
The Beatles had long used a variety of guitars and basses (including Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Höfner and Gibson, but notably excluding Fender) for their famous early-sixties tours; however, in 1965, as they swore off live shows and moved into the studio, George Harrison and John Lennon each found a Stratocaster; Harrison was seen in 1967 with a distinctive psychedelically custom-painted "Rocky" Strat. Harrison would also play a Rosewood Telecaster for the Let It Be project. Paul McCartney was an avid user of a reverse strung right-handed Fender Esquire/Telecaster from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on. Sir Paul also played a Fender Jazz Bass occasionally. The Beatles did, however, use Gibson guitars as well; Harrison and Lennon utilized electric/acoustic J-160E models, and Harrison also played an SG (later given to Pete Ham of Badfinger) and a Les Paul (a gift from Eric Clapton).
Jimi Hendrix's arrival on the scene, with his Stratocasters (strung upside-down for left-handed use), had an immense effect on the popularity of the Stratocaster. As a Fender salesman named Dale Hyatt once remarked, "As a matter of fact, I think Jimi Hendrix caused more Stratocasters to be sold than all the Fender salesmen put together." However, in later years, Hendrix would use a 1968 stock model Gibson Flying V (external link) (which he hand-painted) in the studio.
Rush's guitarist Alex Lifeson, however, owns one Fender Telecaster, five Gibsons, and one Epiphone 'Masterbilt' guitar, including one double-necked 6/12-string and three Les Pauls.
Between 1960 and 1968, the Gibson Les Paul was put out of production, to be replaced by the Gibson SG. However, when artists such as Mike Bloomfield and Eric Clapton took up late 50's Les Pauls, the model's popularity jumped, and was subsequently reintroduced. Clapton would also use the SG in his Cream days. However, Clapton, for his landmark 1970 Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, possibly due to Hendrix's influence, began to use a sunburst Stratocaster, nicknamed "Brownie". He later assembled "Blackie" from the components of several vintage Strats, which he would use for many years, until the introduction of his own signature Eric Clapton Stratocaster. On the same album that featured Clapton's adoption of the Strat, a guest guitarist by the name of Duane Allman contributed some of his best known slide guitar on a Les Paul.
Jimmy Page has used a variety of guitars from both companies. For his early studio recordings with Led Zeppelin, he used a Fender Telecaster (for example, the solo in "Stairway to Heaven" and most of their first album); on the other hand, in the latter days, he often used Gibson, such as a distinctive SG doubleneck (the EDS-1275, that he used for live performances. Since 1970 he has been using mainly 1959 Gibson Les Paul, which he describes as his favourite.
Pete Townshend and John Entwistle of The Who played Rickenbacker instruments in their early days, but both were commonly seen with both Fender and Gibson guitars and basses throughout their career. Townshend favored the Gibson SG and Les Paul models during the late 60s through the 70's. He has played a modified Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster model, almost exclusivley, since 1988. The Fender Precision Bass was Entwistle's favored weapon until 1973, when he switched briefly to Gibson Thunderbird basses before ultimately progressing to custom-built instruments.
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd uses Fender Stratocasters almost exclusively. His main two Strats are a 70s black body with a rosewood-slab neck (which was replaced with a Charvel one-piece maple neck for The Wall tour, and now has a 1957 reissue maple neck), sporting a black pickguard and white pickup covers, switch tip and knobs, and a red 1984 '57 reissue body with maple neck and white pickguard, equipped with EMG pickups and tone controls. However, Gilmour has been known to use Gibsons occasionally, for example a 1955 Goldtop model with single coil pickups for the solo on "Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2" on the aforementioned Wall album. Roger Waters, Pink Floyd's bassist, also prefers Fenders, using two Precision Basses. He also uses a Rickenbacker 4001S occasionally. Original Pink Floyd guitarist Syd Barrett used Fender Telecasters and Esquires for most of his electric work, although he also used a Stratocaster, a Jaguar, and a Danelectro DC-2 at times.
Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath has always favored his custom made SG with 24 frets and the Tony Iommi signature pickups which were hand wound for Tony and recreated by Gibson. Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler preferred Fenders, primarily the Precision Bass.
Ritchie Blackmore formerly of Deep Purple and Rainbow and currently in Blackmore's Night uses Fender Stratocasters almost exclusively. He is one of the first guitarists to use a scalloped fretboard. He has used a Gibson ES-335, notably on the Deep Purple song "Child In Time"
Neil Young's electric guitar of choice is a 1953 Les Paul goldtop that has been painted over in black. The guitar is aptly nicknamed "Old Black". However, Young has also been known to use Fender guitars on occasion, and uses Fender amplifiers almost exclusively.
Guitarist Slash of Guns N' Roses has used a Gibson Les Paul in most of his studio recordings. He uses a Gibson EDS-1275 as well. However, he does own several Fender Stratocasters, but is not known for playing them.
John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a solo artist in his own right is a virtually exclusive Fender user, wielding primarily either a 1962 sunburst Stratocaster,1963 Telecaster custom and on occasion a hollow bodied 1955 Gretsch White Falcon. He does use Gibson guitars, like a SG Custom (Fortune Faded) and a 1969 Les Paul custom.
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana often used either a Fender Mustang or a Fender Jaguar. He even designed a guitar, the Fender Jag-Stang, which is a hybrid of the Mustang and Jaguar. He also had claimed that he preferred Fenders over Gibsons, and that there weren't any Gibson guitars he liked.
Yngwie Malmsteen a prominent solo artist known for his fast speed and neo-classical riffs, uses Fender Stratocasters almost exclusively. Fender has produced an Yngwie Malmsteen signature model Stratocaster since 1990, complete with Yngwie's unique scalloped fretboard. He endorsed Aria for a small while before his deal with Fender. For his acoustic work, he plays Ovation models.
Stevie Ray Vaughan legendary blues/rock artist who emerged in the late 1970s and blues icon of the 1980s, used exclusively Fender Stratocasters for recording and performing. His 1963 Fender Stratocaster fitted with a 1962 neck, nicknamed "Number One" or "First Wife," was synonymous with the "texas blues" sound, a genre of blues music attributed to Vaughan. Vaughan owned several Fender Stratocasters of which appeared throughout his live performances. Fender introduced the Stevie Ray Vaughan signature model in 1992.
Heavy metal guitarists are not known for their use of either brands (beyond early bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple). One noteable exception is that all three of Iron Maiden's main guitarists - Janick Gers, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith use a Stratocaster out of preference, though Smith claims the best guitar he ever owned was a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop.
The recent revival in riff-rock bands such as Velvet Revolver, The Datsuns, The Darkness, Alkaline Trio and Stereophonics has given the Gibson Les Paul and SG a clear presence in music videos. On the opposite end of the spectrum the Fender Stratocaster has been a staple of the re-emerging blues movement, seen in the hands of old hands like Buddy Guy and Robert Cray, as well as newer faces like Eric Gales and John Mayer, all with customized designs.
[edit] Trivia
A 1989 action/sci-fi film Cyborg has 3 rival characters that are obviously named in reference to guitar manufacturers:
- Gibson Rickenbacker: Gibson, Rickenbacker
- Fender Tremolo: Fender, Tremolo arm
- Marshall Strat: Marshall Amplifiers, Fender Stratocaster
[edit] References
- Bacon, Tony (2000). 50 years of Fender (Half a Century of the Greatest Electric Guitars). San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-621-1.
Category:Guitar manufacturing companies Category:Comparisons Category:Rivalry
