Image: yoppy, CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Gibson S-1
| Category | Strings (solid-body electric guitar) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Classification | electric guitar |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q3105378 |
Overview
The Gibson S-1 is a solid-body electric guitar produced by Gibson during the second half of the 1970s. It is one of several Gibson models from that decade that broke with traditional Gibson design conventions: it has three single-coil pickups, a bolt-on neck, and a switching system more typical of Stratocaster-style instruments than of Les Pauls or SGs.
Origin & History
In the 1970s, Gibson, like several established American makers, faced strong competition from rivals offering more flexible single-coil designs and from Japanese manufacturers building improved copies. The S-1 represented one of Gibson’s responses: an attempt to provide a Gibson-quality alternative to single-coil guitars from other brands. It was produced for only a few years before being discontinued.
How It’s Played
The S-1 plays as a standard electric guitar. Its three single-coil pickups, combined with a multi-position selector switch, allow several pickup combinations including in-phase and out-of-phase options. The bolt-on neck and slightly thicker body shape distinguish the playing feel from the more familiar Gibson set-neck instruments of the same period.
Cultural Significance
The S-1, like the Gibson Marauder and Gibson Spirit, is generally regarded as a stylistic outlier in the Gibson catalogue. Its commercial reception was modest, and it was discontinued. Today it is collectible mainly among enthusiasts of unusual Gibson production from the 1970s and players seeking an alternative to mainstream Stratocaster-style instruments with a Gibson logo on the headstock.
Related Instruments
- Gibson Spirit – another lesser-known 1980s Gibson solid-body
- – the classic Gibson reference
- – the slim solid-body alternative
- – the dominant three-pickup single-coil design
- Gibson Ripper – another 1970s Gibson experiment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the S-1 a Stratocaster competitor?
In broad terms, yes. It offers three single-coil pickups and a comparable variety of switching options in a Gibson-built instrument.
Does it have a bolt-on neck?
Yes, unlike the set-neck construction of most classic Gibson electric guitars.
Is the S-1 still made?
No. Production ended in the late 1970s and the model has not been continuously reissued.
Image: photograph by yoppy, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
