Gibson Guitar Customization: Renowned Artists and Their Signature Styles
The stringed symphony of Gibson guitars has resonated through the pages of history, depicting a captivating journey intricately intertwined with some of the greatest music legends. Since Orville Gibson’s humble beginnings in Kalamazoo, Michigan, his creations have fueled the evolution of music itself and spearheaded an era that redefined acoustic and electric guitar craftsmanship.
Much of Gibson’s fame and influence in the music industry springs from its remarkable range of customization, which intrigued a legion of celebrated artists to create their own unique Gibson masterpieces.
This deeper connection between musicians and their instruments has manifested into an unforgettable legacy of sound and style, shaping the face of music and culture. As exciting as it is, it’s essential to understand the conversion of this iconic piece of wood, wire, and artistry into an extension of a musician’s creative journey.
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History of Gibson Guitars
Gibson Guitars: A Potted History
Gibson Guitar Corporation, founded in 1902, is among the world’s most reputable guitar, banjo, and string instrument manufacturers. Orville Gibson, a luthier and founder, began the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The company’s initial focus was mandolin production. However, due to the growing demand for guitars, Gibson shifted its focus, developing iconic Gibson guitar models such as the Les Paul and the SG.
Signature Features of Gibson Guitars
Gibson guitars gained popularity due to their unique characteristics and superior quality. These traits include the use of high-quality tonewoods, a “set neck” design (where the neck and body are joined with a dovetail or mortise-and-tenon joint and glued rather than bolted-on), and the patented humbucker pickup design that substantially reduces the hum and unwanted noise that are typical of electric guitars.
Gibson’s Iconic Models
The Gibson Les Paul, SG, Flying V, and ES-335 are some of the most iconic guitar models in the industry, known for their robust sound. These models have been replicated countless times and remain popular among rock and blues musicians. The individuals creating these guitars have left an indelible mark on the music industry’s history.
The Gibson Les Paul, first sold in 1952, was a collaboration with the famous musician Les Paul. It’s known for its thick, heavy sound—often called the “Les Paul growl.” The SG, Gibson’s best-selling guitar of all time, is loved for its striking double-horned design and lighter build. The Flying V and ES-335 are famous for their innovative designs that departed from the era’s more traditional guitar body shapes.
The Enchanting Symphony of Gibson Guitars: Dive into Iconic Sounds
Custom Gibson Guitars: Artists Making Their Mark
Custom Gibson guitars became highly sought after as artists took the beloved instrument and added their personal touches. Many rock ‘n’ roll stars, country heroes, and blues legends have had their custom Gibson guitars become almost as famous as they are.
The modifications artists made – from unique finishes to personalized inlays, alternative pickups, and hardware – allowed them to extract the sound and style they desired from their guitar of choice.
One of the most notable customizations was that of Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, who had his Gibson Les Paul painted with a psychedelic design in the late 1960s. B.B. King’s Gibson Lucille – a modified ES-355 – became legendary in the blues world. King removed the F-holes to reduce feedback, added a TP-6 fine-tuning tailpiece, and made Lucille’s fretboard ebony for a smoother feel.
Tracing Gibson’s Impact on Music History and Culture
Gibson guitars have played an undeniably pivotal role in the soundscape of popular music history. Over the years, their rich tones, innovative designs, and outstanding construction quality have won the hearts of musicians worldwide, ranging from seasoned professionals to passionate hobbyists. With an impressive enlisting of music legends endorsing the brand, Gibson has firmly planted its roots in the annals of guitar and music history.
The unique relationship Gibson shares with its musicians extends beyond just manufacturing their guitars. Always eager to satisfy artists’ specific desires and needs, Gibson has exhibited a continual commitment to customization, further solidifying their reputation. This symbiotic connection continues to fuel the evolution of Gibson’s instruments and the artists who use them.
Famous Artists Who Customized Their Gibson Guitars
Signature Melodies: Artists’ Customizations on Gibson Guitars
One cannot miss mentioning explicit Gibson devotee Jimmy Page, who is famously recognized as the dynamic lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin. Gibson guitars have been his go-to choice throughout his career, and his instrument adjustments have notably defined his unique style.
Gibson Les Paul is his famous associate, whom he fine-tuned with a three-way switch, enabling him to shift between different tonal options, from crystal clear to grungy overtones. A push-pull knob feature was introduced to coil-split his humbucker in the bridge position, adding to his tonal variety.
Emerging from the iconic band Kiss, Ace Frehley designed his Les Paul Custom with an extra humbucking pickup, contrary to the usual two. His signature move was adding a “lightning bolt” finish that became his stage symbol, with the added pickup aiding him in producing a distinctive tone that made his solos stand out.
Another artist who maintains a covetable relationship with Gibson is Slash from Guns N’ Roses. He has artistically customized numerous Gibson guitars throughout his career, adding his personal touch to each one. He is known for replacing the standard Gibson pickups with Seymour Duncan Alnico II humbuckers in his Gibson Les Pauls. This change significantly enhances Slash’s renowned tone, propelling many of his greatest hits.
Among the finest pairings, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood from Rolling Stones have modified their Gibson guitars uniquely. Richards favors a five-stringed Gibson Hummingbird, while Wood prefers a Gibson L6S uniquely modified to suit his style. Wood had the body contoured, the neck re-profiled, and standard pickups exchanged with custom P-90.
Punk-rocker Billy Joe Armstrong from Green Day has his junior model, the famous Gibson Les Paul. His variant comes with a H-90 pickup, essentially a humbucker designed to fit into a P-90 pickup casing. This innovative modification allows Armstrong to maintain his signature punk tone, curbing the usual hum accompanying a high-gain tone.
Noticing the unique Gibson Les Paul Standard of 1959 owned by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons wouldn’t be a challenge as it stands out with its rare sunburst finish and exclusive tone. He has dubbed the guitar “Pearly Gates,” it was modified with a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickup at the bridge position, bringing an iconic blues-rock tone to ZZ Top’s music for decades.
Neil Young’s “Old Black” is a customized 1953 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop donning a dark shade. It is modified with a Bigsby tremolo and replacement pickups: a Firebird mini-humbucker in the neck position and P-90 at the bridge, accompanied by an additional toggle switch to diversify the tonal options.
Gibson guitars have always been favored by musicians and guitar enthusiasts alike. Their outstanding performance and limitless customization options allow artists to make the instrument reflect their distinctive sound and style. With the flexibility to replace pickups, tweak knobs, and switch operations, and add a personal touch of aesthetics, each Gibson guitar becomes a unique representation of its owner.
Spotlight on Noteworthy Gibson Guitar Customizations
“Lucy”: Eric Clapton’s Cherished Gibson Les Paul Custom
The distinctive “Lucy,” a cherry red Gibson Les Paul custom gifted by legendary George Harrison, is the brainchild of Eric Clapton. This iconic guitar stands out for its special modifications, uniquely enabled by guitar tech Roger Giffin, who fortified it with sped-up pickups. Clapton pursued a crisp yet rich tone, so he perfected a dual series-wired humbucker configuration, which enhanced the mid-range tones. This personal touch eventually led to the unique sound heard on timeless hits like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Jimmy Page’s number two Gibson Les Paul
Jimmy Page’s number two, Gibson Les Paul, is a prime example of an artist using modification to define their sound. The guitar was spec’d by Page himself, with the neck based on measurements from his original 1959 Les Paul Standard. Its push-pull knobs on volume and tone pots were designed to split the humbuckers into single-coil pickups, giving Page a shimmery, thinner tone when necessary to cut through the heavy walls of sound.
Keith Richards’ 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard “Keith Burst”
Keith Richards’ 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, often called the “Keith Burst,” is another iconic customized Gibson guitar. The original PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups were replaced with humbuckers to deliver a powerful kick needed for open-G tuning, a signature move in Richards’ playing. He also removed the 6th string, another modification to accommodate his unique approach to playing.
Zakk Wylde’s Gibson Les Paul Custom “Bullseye”
Zakk Wylde, famous for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, has a unique Gibson, the Les Paul Custom “Bullseye.” Extended for endurance with EMG 81/85 active pickups and heavily modified with his stand-out black and white bullseye design, this guitar showcases the dual customization techniques of aesthetic changes and sound enhancement.
Slash’s Gibson Les Paul Standard
The Gibson Les Paul Standard is the guitar Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash is known for playing. He made several modifications to it, including using Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbucker pickups. These pickups helped Slash achieve a warm, sustained tone. He also made the guitar lighter in weight for easier handling on stage. Aesthetic modifications include a flamed maple top for an eye-catching appearance and a unique Snakepit logo on the headstock.
Billy Gibbons’ “Pearly Gates” Les Paul
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top is famous for playing his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Sunburst guitar, affectionately called “Pearly Gates.” To meet his specific needs, Gibbons had the guitar modified by fitting it with a PAF humbucker neck pickup to produce deep, muscular sounds and adding a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece. Later, Gibbons held the guitar with custom-wound Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups, giving it a crisp, grinding tone that became his signature sound.
Musicians worldwide have made their Gibson guitars unique by customizing them to suit their sound and style. These customizations can involve changes to the guitar’s construction, aesthetics, or other special modifications that reflect the guitarist’s preferences, playing techniques, and distinctive sounds. This variety of innovations has attracted the attention of many enthusiasts, inspiring them to embark on similar customization paths.
Impact on Music and Culture
A Glimpse into Jimi Hendrix’s Reverse-Strung Gibson’ Flying V’
Among the many artists, one stands out: the rock legend Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix made a unique modification to his Gibson Flying V’ that fueled his fame and impacted his playing style. As a left-handed player, Hendrix reversed the string order of his Gibson, allowing him to play it upside down. This modification gave his sound a particular resonance and added a unique vibe to his chords and tunes. Hendrix’s approach to playing the guitar paved the way for a new generation of guitarists and inspires musicians today.
Les Paul, The Man Who Changed It All
Les Paul, the namesake of Gibson’s iconic model, was not just an accomplished musician, but he was also an innovator. Paul was known for tinkering with his guitars, even going as far as to add extra frets. He said heavier strings for more sustain and tinkered with his guitar’s electronics for better sound output. His changes to the Gibson Les Paul enhanced his performances, revolutionized guitar design, and influenced music history. Les Paul’s impact on the Gibson guitar design is a testament to his legendary status.
Slash and his Gibson Les Paul
Slash’s association with the Gibson Les Paul is unparalleled in the world of guitarists. As the lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, he has significantly changed his Gibson guitars over the years. Slash has primarily focused on modifying the pickups to achieve a fatter and more aggressive tone. His unique sound, partly due to his custom Gibson guitars, is critical to the band’s power and grit. Slash’s ‘Slash’se’for Destruction Les Paul’ is one ‘of the most well-known guitars in rock and roll history.
ZZ Top’s Billy GibbTop’s “Pearly Gates”
Billy Gibbons, “the lead guitarist of ZZ Top, is widely recognized for his personalized Gibson Les Paul guitar, affectionately called “Pearly Gates.” “his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard has been modified and enhanced over the years, including unique Texas-shaped mother-of-pearl inlays on the fretboard and custom-made Seymour Duncan pickups, provide pickups distinct, growling tone. As a result, it produces a unique sound that has played a significant role in ZZ Top’s long-lastiTop’spularity and influence on blues and rock music.
The Edge’s Gibson ExEdge’s
U2’s The Edge is known for his innovative approach to guitar playing, and his primary instrument is a 1976 Gibson Explorer. While not immediately apparent, his Explorer has been customized with a Fernandes Sustainer system installed in the neck pickup. This modification allows for incredibly long-sustaining notes and feedback-controlled effects, central to creating U2’s atmospheric U2 ‘soundscapes. The Edge’s use of guitar customization continues to influence and inspire musicians worldwide.
Countless artists have put their personal touch on their Gibson guitars, customizations that have created signature sounds and significantly impacted the landscape of music. Their deliberate tailoring of Gibson guitars to fit their unique musical and aesthetic preferences initiated waves of influence shaping popular culture and how we engage with music.
Getting Started with Customizing Your Gibson
Delving into the Structure of a Gibson Guitar
Before you start customizing your Gibson guitar, it’s essential to understand its key components. Gibson guitars are well known for their attractive designs, superior sound quality, and functionality. The guitar’s craftsmanship is a combination of elements that are essential to its performance and tonal resonance. The main parts of a Gibson guitar include the body, neck, headstock, fretboard, bridge, and pickup assembly.
Emulating the Greats: Famous Artists and Their Gibson Customizations
To start customizing your guitar, you can take inspiration from famous guitarists who have added their personal touch to their Gibson guitars. One such notable guitarist is Slash from Guns N’ Roses, who uses a Les Paul Standard with his own custom Seymour Duncan pickups. Another is Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, who incorporated an elaborate wiring scheme into his Gibson double-neck guitar EDS-1275, allowing him to create various sonic profiles.
Additionally, don’t forget how some artists, like Keith Richards or Eric Clapton, opted for aesthetic modifications. From hand-painted unique designs psychedelic patterns to personalized engravings, these artists pushed boundaries on guitar customization.
Options for Customizing Your Gibson Guitar
When embarking on your customization journey, the options are nearly limitless. You can make changes to the hardware, internal electronics, or aesthetics.
For hardware, consider looking at the bridge, tailpiece, tuners, knobs, and nut material. Internal adjustments can be made to the guitar’s pickup capacitors – sometimes called the ‘tone stack.’ Finally, changes can include new paint or other finishes, custom pickguards, or even your unique fretboard inlays.
Patiently Plan Out Your Customization Journey
Your personalized Gibson guitar should carefully amalgamate your music aspirations and creativity. Identify your specific needs, be it tonal changes or a visual appeal, and then plan your customization accordingly.
Always remember that patience and planning prevent costly errors or modifications that can degrade the resale value of your Gibson.
Cost Estimates for Customizing Your Gibson Guitar
Costs can range substantially based on the type and scale of customization sought. Sharing an approximation is challenging, considering the variety in price for parts and services. A high-quality pickup set may pay $200-$300 while professional repainting could cross a grand. Additionally, a skilled luthier service for internal modifications may run you several hundreds of dollars depending on complexity.
Don’t get discount. Many modifications, like adding decals or replacing knobs or pickup covers, pickup one very cheaply while still making your Gibson feel refreshing and personalized.
Adopt Best Practices for Gibson Guitar Customization
Remember to adhere to best practices if you’re planning you’re your Gibson. Always retain the original parts removed from your Gibson. This precaution safeguards your guitar’s resale guitar’s needed later. Meanwhile, note that moderate changes can be easily undone, while more invasive ones are not so forgiving.
Always consult a professional for complex changes such as internal wiring, tonal adjustments, or refinishing. Do-it-yourself is enticing, but some procedures require technical expertise to assist with complex customizations.
Learning from the Legends
The Gibson guitars of renowned artists are often seen as extensions of the artists themselves- a testament to their guitar journey. Each artist mentioned has set trends and pushed traditional conceptions of how a guitar should look and sound. Unleash your creativity and individuality while knowing you’re joining great entertainers who’ve made them one string at a time.
Final Thoughts
While personalizing a Gibson might appear challenging and ambitious, it’s anexcitinghat results in a uniquely tailored companion. You’re enhancing your functionality while bringingyour story onto a powerful musical instrument. Keep in mind that you’re not just using a guitar. You’re creating a personalized tool to voice your artistry and passion.
Photo by nicklaz21 on Unsplash
Customizing a Gibson guitar reflects an artist’s personaartist’sure and approach to tune creation, an intimate relationship between the musician and the instrument. Whether it’s B.B. King’sit’sille oKing’sh’s Les PaulSlash’srd, these personalized guitars tell a distinct story, offering us a glimpse into the artist’s soul while painting a richer canvas of the music world.
Wholly, customizing a guitar becomes an act of identity, personality, and signature style. So, as you embark on this DIY journey, bear in mind the lessons of the past, the artists who have gone before you, sitting down with their own Gibson in their lap, dreaming of something new, something revolutionary, something that represents who they are as musicians.
While it may seem daunting at first, the reward lies in the guitar you hold upon completion and in the enriching process it took to create it. A custom Gibson not only enhances the characters of sound but also deepens the bond between an artist and their instrument.
