When it comes to guitars, Fender and Gibson are two of the names that are synonymous with the instrument. Without both these brands, the guitar probably would not have become the most popular instrument of the last few decades. From relatively humble beginnings, both brands have become powerhouses in the world of guitars. This does present a conundrum for potential buyers – Gibson vs. Fender: which makes better guitars? Let us put an end to this debate once and for all.
We will consider a few important and relevant metrics to decide which brand makes the better guitars. Based on the overall performance, we will pick the better of the two. The metrics we will be using are quality control, options, value for money, aesthetics, innovation, repairability, tone, and upgradeability. Let’s explore each of these in more detail.
Table of Contents
Gibson vs Fender: Quality Control
One of the most important metrics, not just for guitars but for anything that is sold commercially, is quality control. It is also quite often the most ignored or overlooked metric as well. We all have experienced this in our lives. We have high hopes for a product, only for all the expectations to be shattered due to a defect in the manufacturing, packaging, and/or shipping. The same is true for guitars.
A small percentage of all manufactured goods will develop some form of a defect, and ensuring that these defective pieces do not end up in the hands of a customer is the job of the quality control department. Fender easily wins the battle here as they have better quality control. Gibson, on the other hand, has become notorious for shipping defective guitars to its customers on a regular basis. This can include something as minor as a small defect in the finish to something as significant as cracks in the body of the guitar.
Winner: Fender
>>Also Read: Are Fender Guitars Good?
Options
Fender offers two main options in the form of the Stratocaster and the Telecaster. It also provides a very decent line-up of acoustic guitars. Fender also boasts a large range of more obscure models. Gibson, too, has the Les Paul models, the SGs, and a bunch of other models. Their selection of acoustic guitars is a bit more rarefied. As far as options are concerned, both brands are fairly similar, and we will call this a tie.
Winner: Tie
Value for money
Both Fender and Gibson offer guitars at similar price points for the most part. The upper limit of Gibson’s range is higher thanks to a much bigger range of signature guitars. However, when looking at things from a value point of view, Fender’s most affordable guitars come with fewer compromises when compared to the cheapest Gibsons. The mid-range and high-end guitars are evenly matched. In contrast, many of the really expensive guitars from both camps go over the top in similar shows of ludicrousness.
Then there are the sister brands that offer even more affordable options. Fender’s Squier and Gibson’s Epiphone offer highly affordable guitars, but Fender offers a bit more bang for the buck. This one is close, but Fender edges out Gibson ever so slightly.
Winner: Fender
Aesthetics
This is a highly subjective choice, but objectivly Fender guitars are relatively plain in comparison to Gibsons. They have a very typical aesthetic attached to them that is simple and conservative in many ways. Gibson, on the other hand, makes some of the most beautiful guitars out there. They are visually more striking, and some of their more rarefied guitars, such as Explorers and Flying V’s, add a level of panache that is simply missing in Fender’s line-up. The custom and signature options that are available from Gibson take things to an entirely different level aesthetically, and Gibson wins this round.
Winner: Gibson
Innovation
This is an easy draw not because both brands are innovative but because they are not. It is basically an embodiment of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” and it is hard to argue against such a strategy. While both brands do try to innovate, it is usually something small. Fender will occasionally tinker with its bridges, while Gibson has been fairly laid-back after a couple of failed attempts to innovate with ideas such as the ill-received self-tuning machine heads. Should these brands innovate is a different question, but for now, both are equally bad at it.
Winner: Tie
>>Also Read: Are Gibson Guitars Good?
Repairability
A big topic of discussion in recent times has been the ease with which consumer products can be repaired. While the world, in general, seems to be moving towards things that are too complicated to repair, Fender likes to keep things simple. With a bolt-on neck and easy access to the electronics, repairing a Fender is quite easy. The fact that its construction is more durable makes it less prone to needing repairs in the first place. Gibson’s set neck does make it a bit more difficult to repair. Add to that the propensity of some models to be a bit fragile around the headstock, and you can end up with a pretty hefty repair bill. Fender wins this one.
Winner: Fender
Tone
This is arguable the most controversial metric and perhaps the most important too. It is highly subjective, and hence it is an easy tie. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Fenders are known for their single coil sound, although they have plenty of humbucker guitars as well. Fenders generally possess a tone that is brighter with more emphasis on the high-end of the sound spectrum. Gibsons tend to be darker with a bit more body to them. The guitar that will sound better to you will depend on your personal preferences.
Winner: Tie
Upgradeability
With regards to upgrades, the options are fairly similar for both brands. You can upgrade the pickups and machine heads or tuners. Also, you can change the pots and capacitors and add coil-tapping and coil-splitting options if they aren’t already present. You can change the neck of Fender guitars a lot more easily. Still, you can also simply change the nut and fret wires on both to achieve a relatively similar result. This one is too close to call, so we will call it a tie.
Winner: Tie
Gibson vs Fender – Final Verdict!
With Fender winning three rounds and Gibson winning just one round, it is pretty clear that Fender takes the crown of being the objectively better guitar maker. However, a very important thing to remember is that music. By extension, musical instruments cannot be solely judged objectively. You will find highly revered musicians who swear by either brand and then there are those who use both Fender and Gibson guitars. So, check both guitars in person before making a choice, as all these metrics will fall flat if you can find a guitar that you can connect with on a level that cannot be defined by anything quantifiable.
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