Rule 11: Is The Manufacturer Innovative?

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Find out if the manufacturer of the instrument originated any of the important innovations it incorporates. Unless the company does their own research and development, they can't be as theoretically sophisticated as they should be. Any guitarmaker can put together and instrument from someone else's parts, but can they perfectly integrate parts with design for optimum sound?

Does the manufacturer build other types of guitars besides solid body electrics? The craft of building carved top and ES style guitars will enhance the manufacturing ability to build solid guitars.

Gibson is the only well-known maker of arch top acoustic electrics. Of the few other makers, none builds enough examples to have Gibson's long term experience and knowledge of wood selection and bracing patterns.

Likewise, Gibson is the only maker with a long established reputation for semi-solid body guitars with carved tops. The Gibson ES line has an incredible reputation with jazz aficionados for warmth and projection.