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Guitar Brands
B.C. Rich is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. The company was started in 1969 by Flamenco guitar player Bernardo Chavez Rico. The began importing their off-shore line of electric guitars in the early 1980's.
Here is a video comparison between a Gibson Explorer and a BC Rich Wartribe:
Dean Guitars are mostly manufactured off shore, although there are some models made in the USA. Mostly associated with heavy metal music, Dean is a growing company with models in all price ranges.
ESP stands for Electric Sound Products, the original name of the ESP Guitar company. ESP guitars are made in South Korea. Their two main lines are the 'LTD' and the more expensive 'ESP' line. ESP is a growing company that manufactures good quality guitars.
Fender Musical Instruments was founded by George and Leo Fender and they produced their first retailed electric guitars in 1952. Their biggest selling model for several decades has been the Stratocaster, with the Telecaster being the second best selling model. The Fender Stratocaster comes in various models and colors.
Fender guitars are manufactured in California, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea.
G&L Guitars was founded by Leo Fender. G&L stands for George and Leo, and they are the 2 Fender brothers who started Fender Musical Instruments in 1947. Leo sold Fender to CBS in 1964, and the selling agreement prohibited Leo from competing with Fender for several years. By 1980 he was producing guitars under the G&L name. G&L Guitars are highly regarded, and the Asat model is their biggest seller.
Gibson Musical Instruments is the largest guitar manufacturer in the world. The company was established in the USA over 100 years ago. Their biggest selling electric is the Les Paul, which was introduced in 1952 and today includes several models such as the Studio, Standard, Custom, and Supreme. Their second biggest selling electric guitar is the Gibson SG (Solid Guitar) which was introduced in 1960.
Gibson also owns the Epiphone line. Gibson acquired the Epiphone company in 1957.
Godin Guitars is a Canadian based manufacturer of electric guitars. Final assembly is done in the US, so they can be labelled 'Made in USA' for the US market. The quality of Godin electrics is very good.
Here's a video of the New Godin Richmond Dorchester model electric guitar.
Gretsch Guitars is another long time manufacturer of guitars, going back to 1883. In 1985 the descendents of Friedrich Gretsch took over the failed Gretsch company from Baldwin and revived the product line. In 2002 Fender Musical Instruments took over the manufacturing the distribution of Gretsch.
Gretsch has a strong following among country and rockabilly music artists.
All Gretsch products are produced off shore.
Another great American electric guitar company is Hamer Guitars. They have been around since the 1970's, and continue to grow their market.
Here is a video showing off the Hamer Monaco SuperPro semi-hollow electric guitar:
Jackson Guitars is an American company, with most of its production occurring off shore. Their most popular models cater to guitarists who play heavier styles of rock music.
If you like custom electric guitars, here's a maker that has been around for decades: Lado Guitars.
Ovation Guitars is an inovative American guitar manufacturer. Ovation was the first company to produce acoustic guitars with fiberglass "bowl backs". Ovation has recently started their own line of electric guitars. Time will tell whether their new line of electric guitars gains acceptance in the conservative electric guitar marketplace.
Paul Reed Smith is relative newcomer to the electric guitar scene, with production starting in 1985. Paul Reed Smith (PRS) guitars became famous when Carlos Santana began using PRS electric guitars in his performances. The PRS "SE" line is off shore manufactured product. Models with other designations are made in USA.
Rickenbacker Guitars are still popular, and it is not usual to wait several months to receive the Rickenbacker guitar you ordered.
Schecter Guitar Research are manufactured in South Korea. Schecter guitars offer good quality, and several models have spectacular handwork applied to them.
Check out this manufacturer of custom electric guitars, Sparrow Guitar Co. Apparently, their guitar bodies are brought in from China, and the finish and components are applied in Canada.
Taylor is another newcomer to the electric guitar market. Taylor introduced their T5 archtop electric guitar in 2005, and it was a huge success. Today, Taylor offers several solid body guitars as well. All Taylor guitars are manufactured in USA.
Washburn is the name of a 120 year old guitar manufacturer, based in Chicago. Today Washburn is primarily an off shore manufacturer of guitars, with some high end models made in USA.
Yamaha is one of the world's largest manufacturers of musical instruments. Their guitars are not as popular as some of the other instruments Yamaha makes, although they are of very good quality. Yamaha hollow body electric guitars have a strong following.
