Gibson Guitar, the world’s premiere musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology continues to protect its intellectual property rights and provide consumer protection against the growing problem of counterfeit instruments being shipped from and sold by outlets and individuals in China.

Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson’s digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in more than 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Mich., and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Oberheim, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Take Anywhere Technology, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education,Baldwin, Chickering, J& C Fischer, Hamilton, Sunshine and Wurlitzer. For more information on Gibson Guitar go to www.gibson.com.

Since 1987, the Fender Custom Shop has been a “dream factory,” producing guitars that are to playing what Ferraris are to driving. The skilled craftsmen in Fender’s Corona, Calif., Custom Shop are known worldwide for their artistry in making guitars that range from the fine to the fantastic. Whether it’s building a new custom instrument from the ground up or modifying an existing one, their best is the best. Fender’s finest is the world’s finest.

Fender Custom Shop instruments have been crafted for and with the input of the world’s finest players—names like Clapton, Beck, Burton, Cray, Gilmour, Townshend and Vaughan, to name just a few. One could be yours.

“You can have your guitar built at the same factory where Eric Clapton’s guitar is built, by the same people,” said Mike Eldred, Custom Shop Director of Sales and Marketing. “Nobody else does what we do.”

Fender.com

A Short History Of A Company With A Long History

In 1908 when a company named Hoshino began as a sheet music store and later music products distributor in Nagoya Japan.

By the mid-80´s with the interest in instrumental rock guitar on the rise, Ibanez collaborated with players such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Paul Gilbert and brought out the JEM, JS, RG and S models. Today, present day versions such as these models still considered the standard in hard rock and instrumental rock guitars.

As well known for its jazz guitars as it is for rock, Ibanez has an impressive line of jazz boxes including the aforementioned George Benson models, two Pat Metheny models, and most recently, the new John Scofield signature semi-acoustic.

One final note...Ibanez is also one of the top selling bass companies in the world (in many places the top selling bass). Ibanez first drew attention in the 70´s and 80´s with its neck-thru Musician basses with active electronics. Today, Ibanez offers the huge number of 4, 5, and 6 basses in the Soundgear as well as the basses of the future, the luthite-bodied Ergodynes.

www.ibanez.com

The B.C. Rich Guitar company continues to evolve and deliver high performance guitars and basses with stunning style. From handmade custom guitars to affordable standard import series guitars, B.C. Rich has the right guitar at the right price for every player. Whether through shape, features or performance - no other guitar sounds or looks more like heavy metal than B.C. Rich.

From the outrageous Beast to the infamous Mockingbird and Warlock to the legendary Bich models, B.C. Rich electric guitars have earned their rock-solid reputation on concert stages around the world. That's why influential players have made B.C. Rich guitars their weapon of choice. No other guitar grabs the attention like a B.C. Rich.

When you need vicious tones, consummate playability and drop-dead looks, you need B.C. Rich!

www.bcrich.com

he Jackson guitar company had its official beginnings in 1978. Originally called Charvel Guitar Repair, Wayne Charvel sold Grover Jackson, his partner, his shares of the company. With the shift in ownership, Jackson was not interested in keeping the old name. Thus, Jackson Guitars were born.

From 1979-1986 the company was located in San Dimas, California. They made guitars at this location up until the company merged with IMC, or International Music Corporation. Now, Fender holds the rights to the Charvel label and manufacturers guitars that are very similar to the early models manufactured in the San Dimas location.

Jackson Guitars or probably best known for their Rhoads-V a guitar that they made with the late Rhandy Rhoads, former guitar player for Quiet Riot and later, Ozzie Osborne. Rhandy Rhoads had quite a following, so therefore this guitar was pretty sought after.

Another thing Jackson is famous for are their guitar styles that appeal to heavy metal and thrash artists. In general, the guitar designs are sleek and elegant and only some of these have designs that appeal to the hard metal style of playing.

In general, Jackson guitars resemble the Gibson Explorer. In fact, the resemblance was so striking that Gibson sued them regularly over the copyrights of this style. They also faced lawsuits from Fender. Jackson lost these suits and the design of the guitars changed. Now that Fender holds the rights, design and production of the guitars is restricted to the earlier Charvel styles.

Jackson has a few distinctive styles of guitars. As previously mentioned, the Randy Rhoads style was designed in cooperation with Rhoads and had an asymmetrical body. Other models include the Warrior, the Kelly (similar to the Gibson Explorer, but a little more slender), the King V, and the Kelly Star.

Artists who currently play Jackson guitars include Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Mark Morton of Lamb of God, Kirk Hammet of Metallica, and Derek Green and Anandas Kisser of Sepultura. Former players include Randy Rhoads, the late Robin Crosby of Ratt, and Vinnie Vincent of KISS.

www.jacksonguitars.com

Yamaha began over one hundred years ago when a young entrepreneur named Torakusu Yamaha set out to craft a high-quality reed organ. Before long, the company he founded had not only gone on to manufacture Japan's first piano, it had also gained recognition abroad: In 1904, a Yamaha piano and organ were awarded an Honorary Grand Prize at the St. Louis World's Fair.

From these auspicious beginnings, Yamaha grew to become one of the best-loved manufacturers of musical instruments in the world. And as it grew, the company capitalized on a unique heritage of artisanship and technological know-how to diversify into an astoundingly wide range of products and services.

Today, Yamaha is a leader in businesses ranging from musical instruments and audio & video products to information technology products, new media services, home furnishings, auto components, specialty metals, music education and resort facilities. Yet, true to our musical origins, no matter what business we take on -- or what country we do business in -- we seek to remain perfectly attuned to a set of common values that define the World of Yamaha.

yamaha.com

Jerome Bonaparte “J.B.” Squier, a young English immigrant who arrived in Battle Creek, Mich., in the latter part of the 19th century, was a farmer and shoemaker who had learned the fine European art of violin making. He moved to Boston in 1881, where he built and repaired violins with his son, Victor Carroll (V.C.) Squier. To this day, their violins are noted for their exceptional varnishes, and they command high prices as fine examples of early U.S. instrument craftsmanship. Indeed, J.B. Squier ranks among the best-known U.S.-trained violin makers and is often referred to as “the American Stradivarius.”

In the 1930s, Squier began making strings for the era’s new electric instruments; the company also sold pianos, radios and phonograph records until divesting itself of all string-related products in 1961.

Artist associations have been an important part of Fender from the beginning, not only in terms of brand awareness, but also as part of product evolution. Squier has now entered that arena, too, with the three new Squier Artist Model basses that debuted in April 2007—one apiece from Green Day's Mike Dirnt, Anthrax's Frank Bello and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. In the future, Squier will seek more artists who want to be part of the Fender family and be associated with products that give their young fans an affordable instrument of inspiration and expression.

Squier is Fender—sharing its product platforms, trademarks, standards and iconic designs. Squier is the launching pad for beginners, pointing intermediate and advancing guitarists toward their ultimate goal—owning a Fender! With those goals and others in mind, Squier will continue to offer products with features and prices that deliver truly excellent value, from beginners to hobbyists to working musicians alike.

www.squierguitars.com

The Epiphone story does not follow a straight line. For more than a century, it has twisted and turned through triumph, setback and comeback; hitting both dizzying highs and crushing lows as it winds its way through the ages. The latest chapter, in 2007, finds Epiphone as one of the most successful and respected instrument manufacturers on the planet. The opening chapter begins some 130 years before that, in the workshop of Anastasios Stathopoulo.

In 2007, Epiphone is all things to all players. Working musicians prize the company for its Gibson replicas, offering the quality of the most famous US models at competitive prices. Collectors of vintage guitars snap up the authentic Elitist reissues of the Emperor, Casino and Excellente (and many more). Recording artists turn to the Epiphone US range for quality that rivals any guitar manufacturer in the world, while rock 'n' roll fanatics delight in the company's signature models, which include everything from the Nick Valensi Riviera to the Zakk Wylde Les Paul Customs. Regardless of budget, ability or musical leaning, today's Epiphone line has it covered.

Perhaps even more important, Epiphone has retained the pioneering spirit that was always Epi Stathopoulo's calling card. Whether through the 2006 'Guitar of the Month' scheme (offering a different collector's model each month) or through its unending quest to challenge tradition, this is still a firm that thrives on the risk while always delivering the result. Perhaps David Berryman puts it best. "Gibson is a traditional company, Epiphone is more of a renegade. It marches to the beat of a different drum. Always has." One suspects that it always will.

ESP, short for Electric Sound Products, started as a shop in Japan by Hisatake Shibuya in 1975. At first they just sold replacement parts for the guitar but in 1976 they started making guitars. These products were only found in Japan until the 80s when the replacement parts found their way to the U.S.

Now, ESP is a fast growing company in the guitar industry. Their current line of guitars boasts many celebrity endorsees. These include Lynchs Kamikaze and James Hetfields Truckster model, created in honor of the companys 30th Anniversary. Other models include the AX series, the Standard Series, the Mirage Series, the Xtone Series, and the Signature Series.

www.espguitars.com

IN 1966, AERONAUTICAL PIONEER CHARLIE KAMAN did what few have ever succeeded in doing - he revolutionized the acoustic guitar. Ovation guitars arrived on the scene with their round backs and new ideas. Professional musicians hailed the guitar's performance and purists shook their heads.

Ovation's range also includes several different preamp systmems to compliment their pickups including the OP30, OP24+, OP40, and OP50 systems.

Ovation not only offer guitars, their mandolins, made in the same style as their full size bretheren, are very popular with professional performing musicians thanks to it's level of control on stage.

www.ovationguitars.com