The Electronic Guitar Site

Ibanez electric guitars have received quite a following, but a lot of people do not realize that their acoustic line is also well made and sounds great. The company started in 1900 under a different name by Hoshino Gaki in Japan. Though the company began at the turn of the 20th century, they did not start making guitars until 1935.

In general, the company was relatively unknown in the United States until the 60s. Hoshino Gakki partnered with Harry Rosenbloom, an American music shop owner in Pennsylvania. They decided that the name, the Hoshino Gaki Company, did not have what it took to signify success in the West. So, together, they came up with Ibanez, thus making the guitars more marketable based on the name alone.

Some of their early guitars included styles that were modeled after the popular guitars put out by large companies like Gibson and Fender. They were able to find people to use their instruments by offering nearly exact replicas of these brands for inexpensive prices. This helped them get their name out there, but it was not their permanent solution to success.

They no longer model their guitars after the success of others. They currently have their own line of both acoustic and electric guitars and the Ibanez brand is endorsed by some pretty accomplished players. Some of these players even have their own signature models. For example, Steve Vai is a very accomplished solo player and he has his own line through Ibanez which also includes an acoustic model.

Ibanez has a full line of acoustic guitars. These include the acoustic in the Steve Vai signature series, the AE, the Talman, the masa the GA, and the DT. For more information on the acoustic guitar line, visit the website at ibanez.com.

There are also a lot of musicians who love Ibanez guitars in general, and several actively endorse the brand. These include Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Andy Timmons, who are all accomplished solo players. Other guitarists include Terry Balsamo, Adam Blackstone, and Mike DeWolf. For more information on the artists visit the website.

Here is what some people have to say about their Ibanez Acoustic guitars:

About the Ibanez DT 10

Beautiful style and sound!. Great tone quality, nice finish. I started playing the guitar a little over a year ago. I was lucky to get a good deal on my Ibanez, since I did not even know where to begin. I walked into our local music store, stood at the counter, and said, I want to buy a guitar.

About the Ibanez AW100
This is a good guitar with a great sound. It holds up to the Ibanez reputation with a nice feel and an even better sound. It is a very sturdy guitar that can take a lot of abuse even for an acoustic. It has a nice bright sound and a smooth thin neck.

Another for the Ibanzes AW100

Great sound and solid top for this price is exceptional. Great starter guitar. I have played the guitar for about 12 years no so recently I have been in the market, or at least looking and drooling over, a higher end guitar. My recent research has lead me to be quite up to date on several different guitar makers and the individual.

Orville Gibson, the founder of the Gibson Guitar Corporation, started making mandolins in 1894. From the beginning, Gibson established himself as a quality instrument builder who added his own innovations. His mandolins were modified in such a way that they had a richer sound.

Before Gibson could really watch the success of the company take off, namely their guitars, he died of leukemia in 1918. However, the legacy of innovation did not end with his death. The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company, now called the Gibson Guitar Corporation, started to build guitars a little differently than other manufacturers all throughout the 20s and 30s.

In 1936, Gibson launched what is considered by some to be one of the first electric guitars that achieved wide spread acceptance. The electric Spanish style guitar merged design elements of a Spanish guitar and turned it into an electric.

One of their most famous guitar styles is the Les Paul. The story of the legendary Les Paul guitar starts in 1952 when the company worked with the accomplished guitarist, Les Paul, to create this signature model. They discontinued the style after some time but resurrected it in the late 60s.

The company came under new ownership due to some financial difficulties. They had some financial difficulty and looked to the new leaders to move the company in a positive direction. Henry E. Juszkiewicz, David H. Berryman and Gary A. Zebrowski not only saved the company, but they are also the reason why Gibson is still so successful.

Almost all of Gibsons acoustic guitars can be classified in one of seven categories. These are the Super Jumbos, the Jumbos, the Round Shoulder Dreadnought, the Square Shoulder Dreadnought, their Small Bodies guitars, the Signature Artists Series, and their custom guitars. For more information on the different models, visit the website at gibson.com.

There are also a good number of artists who love the Gibson line of instruments. In fact, the list is so extensive that they needed to categorize them in alphabetical order spanning multiple pages. Some of these artists include Aisa, Akihito, Gavid Degraw, Gunner Nelson, Les Paul, and Alex Lifeson of Rush. For more artists visit the site.

Here is what people have to say about their Gibson Acoustic guitars.

About the Gibson Gospel

A lot of guitar bang for the buck. I cannot imagine playing anything else. No desire to upgrade or to see what else is out there. I am fully satisfied with the gospel. If it was lost or stolen I would find me another after a nice long cry. This is the only acoustic guitar I own, and, hopefully ever will. Its absolutely great. It just kind of sits there begging to be played, and who am I to deny.

Another about the Gibson Gospel

Great sound – less boxy, rhythmic and classic for playing in the band or solo flatpick strumming than J45, but fuller bottom end, better projection and string articulation, as expected with longer scale. Big projected, balanced sound for strumming (richer and less trebly/tinny than Taylor 310 and 410) and better for fingerpicking and capo work than J45. If you could pick a single guitar for the night, Id prefer it to the J45 and 310 for live unaccompanied stuff. With B-band, very versatile when run through the board. For the price – about as well rounded a dred as you can find.

Fender® is currently one of the premier electric guitar manufacturers out there. The instrument manufacturing aspect of the company had its beginnings in 1946 when Leo Fender began building them. However, the company actually started in 1938 and was called Fender s Radio Services. He was actually a skilled technician who repaired radios, phonograph players, amplifiers, and other electronic instruments.

His experience repairing amplifiers actually marked the beginning of the Fender® manufacturer as we know it today. As a technician he had first hand knowledge of the design problems and issues. He began building his own amps in an effort to solve some of these problems.

He then partnered with Clayton Orr Kauffman to form a company called K & F Manufacturing Corp. which specialized in various electric devices and instruments (they made and designed them as well as sold them). Together they created an electric Hawaiian steel guitar. It was shortly after this that Fender and Kauffman had different visions for the business. Kauffman wanted to focus more on repair and Fender wanted to focus on the design aspect. This is when Fender started his company, the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Corporation and is now called the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

Fender® played a huge role in creating solid body guitars and making them widely available. One of their most popular models, the Fender® Stratocaster, or Strat for short was the first electric guitar with a solid body. Each year, they expand on their current guitar line while still making those old favorites available.

Now, there are over 26 styles of Fender® electric guitars available. The Stratocaster line has expanded to include special series modeled after celebrity artists such as David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Eric Johnson, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Other models include other Stratocaster models, the Toronado, the Jazzmaster, the Bronco, and the Mustang. For a complete list, visit the official Fender® website.

Fender® also boasts a list of artists who play their electric guitars. These include Sting, Eric Johnson, the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, Yngwie Malmstein, Roscoe Beck, and Robert Cray. For a complete list of artists and their profiles you can visit the Fender® website.

Here is what some users have to say about their Fender® guitars (multiple sources_:

Fender 62 Stratocaster Reissue

The tone is fantastic. you really get those screaming highs and the piano like projection of the low strings is gorgeous. through my line 6 flextone II amp it s just a HUGE tone. great looks. great neck, great pickups, no shoddy parts anywhere!

Fender Deluxe Fat Strat

I love the array of sounds. The Texas special pickups are hot, and between the 5 pickup combinations with a little tweaking on the tone adjustment, i can t think of a tone you can t get out of this guitar. The neck is smooth, and construction is solid. The Floyd Rose tremelo is easy to make quick tune adjustments with.

A bass guitar package is a great gift for the budding guitarist. The bass works closely with the drums to form a songs structure and beat. This makes it an appealing instrument for people, especially with rock music fans and those desiring to be in a band.

There are plenty of bass guitar package choices out there for the electric bass. These packages are designed to include everything your recipient needs to get started playing the base. This includes the electric bass guitar, the amplifier, and other accessories.

Here is some more information on buying a bass guitar package for the new guitarist for Christmas in 2006.

The Choices

In terms of brands, there are several packages to choose from. Check out the packs by Squier, Silvertone, Yamaha, and Ibanez to start out with. Ask your budding new guitarist which guitar makers they like the best. If they do not know, there are several ways you can make a choice. These include having the guitarist test out the different bass guitars in a music shop, purchasing one based on a factor such as cost or the accessories that come with it, or you can simply choose one randomly and hope for the best.

Where to Shop

There are also several places you can purchase a bass guitar package. You can go to a music store or you can shop online. Online is a really great choice because you can often find the best deals. If you are determined to have the new bass guitarist test out the different instruments, they can visit a music store to try them out and then you can purchase them online.

What is in the Pack?

There are two things that are consistent no matter which electric bass guitar package you buy. These are the bass guitar and the amplifier. The amplifier helps generate the sound. There are also other accessories that can be found. For example, in the Ibanez IJSB90 Jumpstart Bassics bass guitar package you will find an Ibanez GSR4 bass guitar, Ibanez 10 Watt amplifier, guitar strap, electronic tuner, a gig bag, picks, a cable, and a pouch for the accessories. The Squier Bass Pak includes a Squier® Affinity Series™ P Bass®, a Fender® Rumble 15 Amp, a strap, gig bag, cable, headphones, and a video.

Bass Guitar Pack

Based on the two examples with the Squier and the Ibanez bass packages, you can see that the two come with slightly different accessories. This is just one thing to consider when looking at all your options. Remember that the best way to purchase one of these as a gift is to simply ask the aspiring bassist which ones they truly prefer. Of course, if you want it to be a surprise you can just make a decision but include the receipt, just in case!

Ibanez is a guitar manufacturer started by Hoshino Gakki in Japan. Back in 1900 when the company first began they were called the Hoshino Gakki Company and they only started making string instruments in 1935.

These early stringed instruments were not known in the West until the 1960s when Gakki paired up with Harry Rosenbloom, a Pennsylvania music shop owner. Together, they decided to give the guitars the name of Ibanez to make it more marketable to a western audience.

By the time the 70s hit, Ibanez began making guitars modeled after popular styles that companies like Gibson and Fender were putting out. Though they were almost exact replicas, they were made with cheaper materials and were therefore inexpensive.

However, Ibanez has changed. They no longer model their guitars after other styles put out by different companies. They have their own makes and models that are endorsed by some pretty high level players.

The newer Ibanez guitars are more modern in design and style. You can find some with interesting shapes and designs. Also, artists such as Steve Vai work closely with the company to manufacture special models with their own artistic flare. (For example, Vais tree of life pattern on the fretboard).

Another modern style element includes the fact that they have slimmer necks and flatter fingerboards than the classic style guitars. This makes doing intricate and accurate speed work a lot easier. Also watch out for different models with different finishes and electronics.

An example of some of the guitars you can find include the Prestige Series guitars, the Vai Signatures, Pat Metheny Signatures, Korn Signatures, Joe Satriani Signatures, and the Andy Timmons Signature guitar. These signature guitars were designed with or by the artists themselves. Other models include the S-Series guitars, special models for left handed players, and the Artcore guitars.

There are also certain artists who use and endorse the brand. These include Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, two highly regarded instrumental rock guitarists who often tour together. Andy Timmons, Korn, Pat Metheny, George Benson, Terry Balsamo of Evanescence, Fran Cosmo of Boston, Marty Friedman, John Scofield, and Matt Roberts of 3 Doors Down.

Here is what some people have to say about Ibanez guitars (source Harmony Central):

I have been playing for about 3 years now and this is my consideration of my first real guitar. I have always played Ibanez, I just like the look, feel and sound of them. If this were stolen I would definitely get another one of these and I plan to replace my GRX170 with another one, yes I want another one call me crazy but I wanna have another guitar with a normal string arrangement on it. I love everything about this guitar, the look, the feel, the sound, it definitely has a character of its own. (Harmony Central User concerning the RG32Q0S)

Takamine Guitars is a Japanese company whose 40+ year history has been dedicated to creating high quality guitars. They are always striving to improve on the traditional notion of the guitar by building instruments that are unique in their excellence.

The company headquarters is currently located in Sakashita, Japan, near a mountain range that bears the companys name- the Takamine Mountains. Over forty years ago it started as a family run guitar making business and has since evolved into a company that develops and builds a score of guitars that are shipped throughout the world.

In order to understand Takamines development and growing popularity, one would need to go back to 1960s Japan. That is a time when playing the guitar and popular music was becoming popular. As more people wanted to take up the instrument, the need increased. Takamine started manufacturing guitars during this time period, largely to meet these needs.

The need grew, and so did their business. As a result of this, they hired Mr. Mass Hirade in 1968 to add skill and creative talent to their team. They needed someone who could help develop and create guitars that would appeal to the changing musical tastes of the nation. One of his biggest contributions was the development of their Classical model, a guitar that achieved great popularity.

Takamine is known for two things- the quality of their instruments (Hirade played a big part in this) and their prices. They have an excellent budget line of guitars that has also achieved some popularity because even though they are inexpensive, they are known to have good quality.

Currently Takimine has around twenty different guitar styles. Some of these are acoustic, some are electric, and some are acoustic/electric styles. These models include the Limited Edition 2006 Series, the Signature Series, the Takamini, the Naturals, the Supernaturals, and the Nashville. The guitars are designed to appeal to a range of tastes style preferences.

Takamine has also gotten some press because of the various artists who play them. In particular, Noal Gallagher of Oasis played a Takamine Guitar during a popular unplugged performance. Other artists include Jon Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesny, Garth Brooks, Brad Davis, Linkin Park, Bjorn Berge, Montgomery Gentry, Christine Kane, and Toby Keith. For more artists visit the website.

Here is what one person has to say about their Takamine guitar:

About the Takamine EAN-10C

The sound of this guitar is what sold me. Balanced across the tonal spectrum. Rich and full a great all around rhythm acoustic guitar. Very easy to play, the guitar does not get mushy when you dig into it. The electronics are superior to anything on the market for live playing, comes with build in tuner as well. Whether I am playing with friends or solo the guitar works. Nice and loud but not overly so, I would have to say excellent for accompanying vocals.

You know you want to get your child a guitar for Christmas. It will help them build confidence and creativity and give them an understanding of music. But with all the choices out there, have you given it any thought which brand you would choose? Not only that, but there are also accessories that you need to buy that go with the guitar.

No matter if you would like to get them an acoustic or electric guitar. There are guitar packs out there for both instruments. Electric guitar packs come with everything your child will need to make a sound including the guitar and amp. Acoustic guitar packs usually come with a strap, gig bag, and other essential accessories. In general, guitar packs are a great value and an excellent way to get a complete beginner started with the instrument.

Behringer Guitar Pack

This pack comes with all the essentials for playing the electric guitar and is a perfect Christmas gift. The pack includes a guitar with a maple neck. It also has three pickups and a vintage style bridge. It also includes the V-Tone GM-108 which is a with a 15 Watt combo amp that has 27 presets for a varied sound. The pack also comes with some picks, a strap, a gig bag, and some how to instructions.

Fender Squire Guitar Pack

Fender is one of those great guitar brands that are an old favorite to beginner and experienced guitarists alike. The Fender Squire Guitar Pack is a guitar starter kit that comes with absolutely everything you need to learn how to play. This includes the Squier Affinity Stratocastor® guitar, a gig bag, a Fender® Frontman 15G amplifier, strap, guitar picks, headphones, instruction book, strings, and a cable.

Ibanez Guitar Pack

Ibanez has two Jumpstart guitar packs, one for acoustic, one for electric. The Ibanez IJV50 Jumpstart Acoustic Guitar Pack comes with the Ibanez V50 acoustic guitar, an electric tuner, gig bag, and a guitar strap. The Ibanez IJS40 Jumpstart Electric Guitar Pack includes the GRX40 electric guitar, the IBZ10 amplifier, headphones, gig bag, tuner, cable, strap, a DVD, an instructional book, picks, and a chord chart.

Choosing a Guitar Pack

Each electric guitar pack comes with a guitar, amplifier, and other accessories that are needed to learn how to play. As someone who is searching for a Christmas gift for a loved one, this is perfect. The guitar requires an amplifier to generate the sound. If you get only the guitar, then you will need to make a separate purchase. This is a simple way to get them started.

When you are new to the world of music, making your choice at the instrument store can be very frustrating. There are many options you can choose from. Technical  terms bring a lot of confusion to the lay person. There is a solution to the problem.

It is of course important to keep in mind how much money you can spend on the purchase of instrument. Quality is definitely also worth considering. Low cost is no guarantee that the instrument you are considering is indeed a decent guitar. Choosing between electric and acoustic, electric guitars seem to take a bigger bite out of your budget because of the other things you will be required to buy:  chords and amplifiers. Reselling it will not work as well as with a more expensive one.

Modern technology is a major asset to those who try to find the right guitar. Visiting several music stores will also reveal some of the real important aspects you need to know when you want to buy a guitar. Again, shun making hasty decisions. Taking somebody with you who has experience with this is definitely a wise decision. Do not forget however that sales people have one major goal: they want to sell to you. Do not be overwhelmed by the smooth talking of a sales man at a music store.

After adequate research it is a good idea to consider several instruments. Try each instrument at a volume you would be comfortable with when you play the instrument at your home. Making a decision based on what you hear when keeping the volume too low is a recipe for disappointment.

Get the right “feel” of the guitar by playing a tune you really love. Try more than just a couple guitars. Even when you think you know what you want it does not mean you are really done with the selection process. Double check all the details of the instrument that is on top of your list by reading reviews.

Most musicians plan on keeping purchased guitar for an extended period of time. The instrument you buy should be one hundred percent your instrument of choice. Research is the key if you want to be a satisfied guitar owner.

If the guitar is a new instrument for you to play, and you are new to the world of music, making your choice at the music store can be very frustrating. There are options you can choose from and those technical terms bring a lot of confusion to the lay person.  There is a solution to the problem.

It is very important to keep in mind how much money you can spend on the instrument. Quality is definitely also worth considering. Cost is no guarantee that the instrument you are considering is indeed a decent guitar. You’re your budget extra in mind when you choose between electric and acoustic. Electric guitars seem to take a bigger bite out of your budget because of the other things you will be required to buy:  chords and amplifiers. Also, do not forget that a cheap instrument loses value faster and reselling it will not work as well as with a more expensive one.

Modern technology is a major asset to those who try to find the right guitar. Research is possible with the click of your mouse so make good use of it. Making a final decision becomes easier once you know what you should be looking for so. Take plenty of time to do it right. Visiting several music stores will also reveal some of the real important aspects you need to know when you want to buy a guitar. Again, shun making hasty decisions. Taking somebody with you who has experience with this is definitely a wise decision when you tour the music stores of your city. Request information by talking to sales people, friends, and experts! Do not forget however that sales people have one major goal: they want to sell to you and make as much profit as possible. Do not be overwhelmed by the smooth talking of a sales man at a music store.

After adequate research it is a good idea to consider several instruments. Try each instrument at a volume you would be comfortable with when you play the instrument at your home. Trying the instrument out at an abnormal low volume like most first time buyers do is not the best idea. The sound is altered when the volume setting is too low and making a decision based on what you hear when keeping the volume too low is a recipe for disappointment.

Get the right “feel” of the guitar by playing a tune you really love. Do not bias your decision by playing something you do not like anyway. Try more than just a couple guitars. More knowledge will lead to a better decision. Do not stop and decide too early and even when you think you know what you want it does not mean you are  really done with the selection process. Double check all the details of the instrument that is on top of your list by reading reviews. The internet will help you with this also crucial step in the purchasing process.

Most musicians plan on keeping a purchased guitar for an extended period of time. The instrument you buy should be one hundred percent your instrument of choice. Feeling comfortable with it and be able to afford it are necessary.. Never buy an instrument on impulse. Research is the key if you want to be a satisfied guitar owner.

Alvarez is a premier acoustic guitar manufacturer that specializes in high quality instruments. Alvarez started building high quality acoustic guitars in 1965. As evidenced by the sound of their instruments, they are very passionate about what they do. They have a reputation for crafting guitars that have exceptional tone and quality, and they do so by hand. Their shop is located in St. Louis, MO.

The Alvarez guitar line as we know it today started with a Japanese luthier named Kazuo Yairi who worked in partnership with an American company to design these guitars. Yairis family is known for creating high quality, hand made instruments. The companys current, skilled luthiers continue this tradition.

Alvarez does not use computers and other high tech devices to help build their guitars. Computer assisted guitars have a very uniform sound across the board. The Alvarez guitars are unique from instrument to instrument. Building them by hand gives each guitar their own character. That is why it is important to find luthiers and other workers who are both skilled and passionate.

They pride themselves on their wood seasoning process. Done correctly, this can be considered the key to the sound. Wood types such as mahogany and rosewood are both air dried and kiln dried for long periods of time- sometimes as much as fifteen years. This aging process helps develop the tone and gives it a rich quality. The guitars are then shaped into their various styles.

Alvarez has a complete line of high quality guitars. Their acoustic guitar styles include the Dreadnought series, crafted in a shape and style similar to other Dreadnoughts, Alvarez classic guitars of various styles and woods, and Alvarez folk style guitars, including some cutaway models. For a complete list of styles, visit their website.

There are also plenty of famous and accomplished musicians who play Alvarez guitars. These include Ani DiFranco, Bret Michaels, Carlos Santana, Graham Nash, Kipp Winger, Laura Clapp, and David Crosby. For an extensive list, please visit their website.

Here are some reviews of Alvarez Acoustic Guitars (source Harmony Central):

About the Alvarez 5054 12 String

Got started more than half a century ago. I m what we now like to call a multi-instrumentalist. Play in half a dozen bands, jazz, blues, metal, punk, Cajun and Irish.

This is a great guitar. The first time you pick it up you immediately recognize that it “has something”. And it ain t just me, I ve had some friends (including some well-known players) try it out and give it a thumbs-up.

I m not saying I would trade my Guild for it, but I ve not come across a comparable second choice. And considering that nowadays this is a sub $400 guitar it s an outright bargain.

About the Alvarez AC 60SC

I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and have owned all types of guitars and gear. I was without a nylon stringed guitar for a while and developed a nylon jones. I began looking for a classical guitar, with a cutaway and built in electronics. I checked out guitars at 2 stores and chose this one for it s acoustic sound. I did not even plug it in at the store. I liked the characteristics in her voice. I came back the next day and traded my steel-string acoustic in on her.

As I said before, this guitar is like a wonderful woman. One that should be treated well and caressed. Playing her should be like making love.

If guitar playing can be that much fun everyone should take it up.