-Makes guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names
-Been one of the companies that revolutionized the creation of the acoustic and electric guitar and is known as one of the most iconic guitars, the Gibson Les Paul
-Founded by Orville Gibson, who started out making mandolins in late 1890s.
-In the 1940s, Gibson Super 400 was invented. In the 1950s, the first Gibson electric guitar was created. In 1952, the most popular choice of guitar was made, the Les Paul.
-In the 1930s, Gibson explored the idea of an electric guitar. In 1936, they introduced their first "Electric Spanish" guitar, the ES-150.
-In 1949, the ES-175 was made.
-In 1958, the Gibson company made the ES-335. This one has a solid center, giving the tone a longer time.
-In 1968, the Les Paul became popular due to it's use by musicians such as Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Peter Green.
Gibson Users
-Billie Joe Armstrong: Green Day. Les Paul Jr.
-Jeff Beck: The Yardbirds. 1954 Les Paul Standard
-John Entwistle: The Who. EB-2 bass
-George Harrison: The Beatles. Les Paul, ES-345TD
-Tommy Iommi: Black Sabbath. black Custom Shop SG, black SG Standard
-Joan Jett: The Blackhearts. white Melody Maker
-Brian Jones: The Rolling Stones. SJ-200, ES-330, Les Paul Goldtop
-Mick Jones: Foreigner. black Les Paul Custom
-Joe Perry: Aerosmith. ES-335, Les Pauls, Flying Vs, Firebirds, Epiphone Les Paul
-Keith Richards: The Rolling Stones. Les Pauls, ES models. Now has an ebony ES-335, white ES-345, ES-350, ES-175D. Hummingbirds are his preferred acoustic guitar
-Slash: Guns N Roses. EDS-1275, Les Paul
-Paul Stanley: KISS. Flying V, Explorer, Les Paul, SG, 1959 Melody Maker
-Ronnie Wood: The Rolling Stones. Firebirds, Les Pauls, J-200 acoustic on stage.
Fender
-Makes stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and Telecaster.
-Headquarters for Fender is in Scottsdale, Arizona.
-Started by Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender in 1946
Fender users
-Ritchie Blackmore: Deep Purple. Gibson ES-335, Fender Stratocaster
-Keith Richards: The Rolling Stones. Fender Telecaster
-Bruce Springsteen: The E-Street Band. Fender Telecaster
-Mike Dirnt: Green Day. Fender Standard Precision Bass
Instruments
Electric
-Telecaster
-Stratocaster
-Jazzmaster
-Jaguar
-Jag-Stang
-Mustang
Electric Bass
-Precision Bass
-Jazz Bass
-Jaguar Bass
-Bass IV
-Mustang Bass