http://www.yourinstrument.com.au - There are many things to consider in choosing the right guitar. This guide is perfect for the new musician looking for the best guitar to start with and for the experienced guitarist looking for a new style.

1. Top Ten Guitar Manufacturers
Gibson
Founded in 1902, Gibson is the company behind the iconic Les Paul, the unwieldy Flying V, the
dynamic Explorer, and the angular SG. Their guitars are renowned for their warm tone due equally to
their humbucker pickups, and mahogany tonewood.
The famous Gibson tone has made them used widely in punk, metal, and blues, though nearly everyone
from Bob Marley to John Lennon to gospel rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe has played a Gibson.
Folk singer Woody Guthrie's legendary guitar, emblazoned with the slogan “this machine kills
fascists,” was a Gibson L-0. Gibson also produces budget minded models under their Epiphone
imprint.
Fender
If Gibson represents warm, dark tones, Fender is known for their crisp, clean tones. From the
ubiquitous Stratocaster, to the versatile Telecaster, Fender's designs are more or less synonymous with
rock.
The Fender Strat has been the guitar of choice for some of the greatest guitarists in rock history like
Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Tom Morello, and Kurt Cobain. The Telecaster has become the guitar of
choice for many country and blues artists including Buck Owens and Waylon Jennings, praising the
Tele for its bright twangy bridge pickup and warm neck pickup.
Fender is also known for their high quality amps, notably the Fender Twin, and produces budget
models of their classic guitars under their Squier imprint.
Gretsch
Although they've become known for their classic hollow body guitars, Gretsch began in 1883 as a
banjo, drum, and tambourine maker. Gretsch drum kits continue to be prized by drummers. Their iconic
6120, with a large body and f-holes, has become the go-to guitar for rockabilly guitarists.
The Country Gentleman, famously played by George Harrison, Neil Young, and Stephen Stills, became
the guitar of choice for Americana guitarists in the 1960's. Gretsch foundered after being acquired by
Baldwin in the late 60's, and after a decade of decreased quality and diminished sales, was retired in
1981.
The company was reborn in the late 80's under the leadership of Fred Gretsch, nephew of the Fred
Gretsch Jr. who ran the company during its Chet Atkins-endorsed glory days. Today, Gretsch has
regained its reputation and status as one of the best hollow body guitar makers in the world. You can
find them all here: www.yourinstrument.com.au/guitars
ESP
ESP began in the mid 70's as a Japanese manufacturer of replacement parts for Fender and Gibson

2. guitars. Their reputation for quality expanded, and by the mid 80's, they were manufacturing Fender
and Gibson clones for the Japanese market.
Their guitars became sought after by American hard rock and metal guitarists like Vernon Reid of
Living Colour and James Hetfield of Metallica. The company's success invited successful lawsuits
from Fender and Gibson, prompting ESP to modify their designs.
The company's Original series features guitars designed from the ground up for hard rock and metal
guitarists. With sharp edges, particularly on the HR Giger inspired FRX series, loud pickups, and dark,
aggressive tones, these are guitars designed for shredders.
Ibanez
Like ESP, Ibanez has become the instrument of choice for many hard rock and metal lead guitarists.
After an early run of original designs in the late 50's and early 60's, Ibanez became a manufacturer of
Fender, Gibson, and Rickenbacker clones for the Japanese market.
In 1975, Ibanez debuted the Iceman, their first original guitar design in their modern era. An
endorsement from Paul Stanley of KISS in 1977 drastically increased Ibanez's international popularity,
and they quickly became known for both their dark, heavy sound, and their playability.
Ibanez has courted relationships with technical lead guitarists like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, and is one
of the only guitar makers in the world to produce 7 and 8 string guitars.
Paul Reed Smith
Luthier Paul Reed Smith began making guitars by hand as a teenager. He won an endorsement from
legendary guitarist Carlos Santana in 1980, earning him the clout and capital to found PRS Guitars in
1985.
Crafted from mahogany with a maple top with custom built electronics and pickups, PRS Guitars are
the largest boutique guitar maker. Their designs are inspired by Gibson's classic designs, with either a
single or double cutaway, and impeccable handmade craftsmanship.
Dean
Dean guitars are immediately recognizable by their angular headstock. Their Gibson-inspired designs
include the classic Cadillac, the jagged ML, the Flying V-inspired V series, and the Explorer-inspired
Z.
Their guitars feature mahogany tonewood with a rosewood fingerboard, and set-neck construction.
Dean guitars have been favored by the late great Dimebag Darrell, who designed his own take on the
ML shortly before his death, Michael Schenker of the Scorpions and UFO, and Dave Mustaine of
Megadeth.
Washburn
Unlike many guitar makers who have a small number of distinctive models, Washburn Guitars
produces over 300 guitar models including hollow bodies, Les Paul and Explorer-inspired instruments,

3. and their signature Parallaxe series, played by Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin.
Many Washburn guitars are equipped with the Buzz Feiten Tuning System to ensure correct intonation
across the whole neck, and fine-tuning knobs on the bridge.
Many models also feature Voice Contour Control which allows the player to switch between dual coil
and single coil modes. Fender, Gibson, and Gretsch all have a sound, but Washburn does it all.
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker was the first company to manufacture an electric guitar in 1931. Their so-called “Frying
Pan” kicked off the electric guitar revolution that continues today.
The company became synonymous with the British Invasion when members of The Beatles and The
Who played Rickenbackers on their earliest recordings. Rickenbacker's bright, jangly sound became
sought after in the 1980's by new wave and indie rock bands inspired heavily by Roger McGuinn of
The Byrds.
Guy Picciotto of post-hardcore pioneers Fugazi played a Rickenbacker 330 to contrast against the
darker tones of Ian Mackaye's Gibson SG.
Danelectro
While most guitar makers on this list are known for their high quality construction and rich, expressive
tone, Danelectro guitars are known for their personality resulting from their low cost plywood
construction and lipstick pickups.
Danelectro's initial run from 1954-1969 produced low cost electric guitars for Sears. Their jangly sound
earned them a reputation with surf rock bands. Discontinued in 1969 after sale to MCA, the company
was revived in the 90's, reissuing many of their classic designs.
Today, Danelectro guitars—or Danos, as they're affectionately called—are praised for their distinctive
sound and retro look. Danelectro guitars have been played by everyone from Tom Petty to Thurston
Moore to Syd Barrett, and even occasionally by Metallica's Kirk Hammett. If Gibson and Fender are
the cool kids in school, Danelectro is the beloved class clown.