Gibson Brands has been known to the world since 1902 and is one of the oldest music companies founded by Orville Gibson, situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Before the change of its name, it was formerly known as Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Gibson Brands presents top-grade musical instruments, such as basses, string instruments, acoustic and electric guitars. In 1894, Orville Gibson focused on the manufacturing on banjos, harp guitars and mandolins, which is where its first name was formed. It has since then until the present time, produced first-class instruments, with the ability to develop unique guitars.
Its guitars have been used by countless of Gibson fans, be it from a start-up musician practicing for the next gig, to a professional artist preparing for the live performance, one can never be discontent with its instruments.
Artists who used Gibson guitars are the heavy metal guitarist Randy Rhoads who accompanied Ozzy Osbourne, the lead guitarist from KISS, Ace Frehley, and then there’s the lead guitarist for Black Label Society, Zakk Wylde.
Paul Reed Smith Guitars, also simply known as PRS Guitars is a company that manufactures guitars (both bass, electric and acoustic) and amplifiers, founded by Paul Reed Smith himself, in 1985, located in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars burgeoned from its first-rate maple wood tops, admirable efforts put into their craftsmanship, and unique styles. Its guitars have been distributed among several musicians and there are many notable artists who play PRS Guitars.
The award-winning guitarist for 10 Grammy Awards, 3 Latin Grammy Awards and in 1998, he was represented on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is none other than the Carlos Santana, then there’s the lead guitarist and singer of The Fairwell, Zack Myers, and also the guitarist for many bands, the current one is Widespread Panic, Jimmy Herring.
Also read: Dean Guitars Dean Buddy Blaze ML Guitar
A few years ago, in 2001, when PRS introduced its new guitar model, the PRS Singlecut, it was loved by many PRS fans, but a turn of events occurred when Gibson filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against PRS’s owner for its new model because it seemed too similar to his trademarked Les Paul guitars. An order was later made that demanded PRS stop producing this particular model of the guitar by the end of 2004.
The Judge of the Federal District Court ruled out a statement saying that the PRS Singlecut was, in fact, an artificial replica of the Gibson Les Paul guitars. In 2005, the lower court’s verdict was reversed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and ruled out that the Gibson’s suit and be dismissed, thus led to the recommencement of PRS Guitar’s production.
Guitars, in general, have their similarities and differences, especially when it concerns specific features that one company has, but another has something else to offer. Therefore, when it came to PRS Singlecut and Gibson Les Paul guitars, there are more similarities than differences, but nonetheless, it is not a complete clone of Les Paul guitars. Let’s walk through some of the typical features and specifications that these two guitar models have.
Read here: Epiphone Slash Les Paul Standard Plus-Top
Features & Specs: Gibson Les Paul PRS Singlecut
Body type: Solid, Semi-hollow Semi-hollow; Soapbar
Headstock: Big angles (up to 17) Smaller angels
Neck Joint: Set-in Scarf joint
Body Wood: Mahogany (with a touch of maple top)
Swamp ash (only for particular guitars) Mahogany (with a carved maple top)
Neck Wood: Mahogany Maple Mahogany (with maple cap)
Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood; Ebony; Maple; Richlite Rosewood
Bridge: Tune-o-Matic Kluson-style tuners (non-lock)
Bridge Pickup: 2/3 Humbuckers; 2 P-90s Stop-tail
Pickups: 3-way switches Coil-split
Fretboard Radius: 12” 10”
Scale length: 24.75” 25”
Number of Frets: 22 22
As one can see, there are similarities between these guitars, but there are some aspects that are unique only to the PRS. Even though the Local Federal District Court sided with Gibson, the Supreme Court later sided with PRS. The kind of design that PRS used restricts the distribution of its products but it is a good decision for guitar companies to restrict their other companies from using qualities that are almost the same.
However, restrictions can affect the design process of a guitar, which can cause deflation in a company’s worth. Therefore, wouldn’t everyone agree with the declaration that only “an idiot” would ever confuse a PRS Singlecut with a Gibson Les Paul?
You may also be interested in:
Gibson Signature Series Les Paul Standard Flash Drive
Gibson SG Standard with 3 Single Coil Pickups
Best Soldering Irons For Guitar Repair