1971: A Year in Guitar History

The early Norlin era. After ECL/Norlin acquired Gibson in 1969, cost-cutting led to "pancake" laminated bodies, three-piece maple necks, and a volute at the headstock joint. These changes are considered a low point in Gibson quality.

The CBS era. After CBS purchased Fender for $13 million in 1965, they prioritized volume over craftsmanship — introducing the larger headstock, heavier polyester finishes, and the three-bolt neck. Quality is generally considered lower than pre-CBS production.

Built by Matsumoku Industrial Co. in Japan — one of the first guitar factories to use CNC mills. These Matsumoku-era Epiphones featured thin finishes and solid construction, and are increasingly collectible.

The "lawsuit era." Ibanez produced near-exact copies of Gibson Les Pauls. In 1977, Gibson's parent company sued for over $6 million. By 1978, Ibanez agreed to stop copying and began developing original designs — a turning point that led to some of the most iconic guitars of the 1980s.

A "Red Label" Yamaha from the original Hamamatsu factory. These hand-selected solid-wood guitars were dramatically underpriced for their quality, undercutting Martin and Gibson. They are now highly collectible.

A transitional-era Yamaha. Around mid-1971, production began shifting from Hamamatsu, Japan to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Red Label guitars exist from both factories in this overlap period.

Built at Yamaha's Hamamatsu custom workshop, which has operated continuously since 1966. These are individually handmade by master luthiers — the same shop that produced the original Red Labels.

Built at Baldwin's Booneville, Arkansas facility. Almost none of the skilled Brooklyn workforce relocated. Two factory fires in 1973 further disrupted production. Chet Atkins withdrew his endorsement in 1979. Production ceased entirely in 1981.

Built at Rickenbacker's Santa Ana, California factory, where they've been for over 60 years. Rickenbacker has never outsourced production — every instrument is built by roughly 60 employees producing only 8,000–12,000 guitars per year.

Features the Hi-Gain pickup, introduced in 1969 to replace the Toaster with a hotter output suited to heavier rock. Vintage reissue models still use the original Toaster design.

Built at Guild's legendary Westerly, Rhode Island factory — widely considered their golden age. While competitors suffered quality dips in the '70s and '80s, Westerly production maintained consistently high standards for 35 years.

Glen Campbell played an Ovation Balladeer on his CBS variety show in 1968, giving the brand national attention. He became one of Ovation's first celebrity endorsers in 1969.

The Mass Hirade era. Master luthier Hirade joined in 1968 and transformed the company from folk instruments to concert-level classical guitars. The "Hirade" sub-brand of high-end classicals bears his name.