Anyone who can pick up a guitar and play even a simple chord effectively should be able to agree with me when I say that a guitar is not just a musical instrument; it’s also a work of art. Rarely are things crafted to look as good as they function, but guitars are one of these things. Showmanship is as big a part of the performing arts as talent is, everyone knows that. For a rocker, bluesman, etc… a guitar becomes an extension of themselves; it becomes who they are.

Guys like Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Howe, Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton, and any of the Beatles can be as easily identified by the guitars they play as the sounds of their voices, or what they look like. Sure, a good guitarist can make any axe sound great, but any one of these guys (and millions like them) always has their trusty favorite.

When you’re buying a guitar, there are a few things to questions to consider:

1. How does it feel?
2. How does it make you feel?
3. Does it speak to you?
4. Is it a worthwhile investment?

While I can’t answer the first three questions for anyone - everyone is different - I can tell  you that if you manage to get your hands on a guitar from a manufactuer like Gibson, you might have something that’s not just a worthwhile investment, but a great investment.

In 2007 Gibson has decided to build a new “Guitar of the Week” every week. No matter what the finish, or style of the guitar, Gibson will produce exactly 400 of each. Although that 20,800 “guitars of the week” there still will only ever be 400 of each type. If you can get your hands on one, you might want to hold onto it for a few years; it could be VERY valuable in no time at all.

As it applies to #3 from the list above, part of how a guitar speaks to you is wrapped up in the finish of the guitar. Two guitars, identical in specifications, sound, playabiltiy, feel, etc… could be very different to you based on the finish. It can be a deal-breaker for some. That’s what makes this new program from Gibson so cool. Each week’s guitar is completely different from each other week, and all of them (to date) have been completely different than any normal production model Gibson guitar. This gives the serious player or collector the opportunity to find a guitar that is unique, rare, and beautiful. Because it’s Gibson, there is little doubt that it’s playable and will feel good (depending on your preference for model), and I’ve never met a man who was unhappy with a Gibson purchase. This basically rounds out #’s 1 and 2.

Even if you’re not a serious collector (or can’t afford to be one), check back each week for the newest “Guitar of the Week” and let the luthiers at Gibson stun you with their functional art.