Are modern guitars better or worse than Fender/Gibson?

The original guitars were fender and gibson and every other guitar is an adaptation of these two. Have there been any real changes and improvements aside from asthetic qualities in guitars manufactured after the Fender/Gibson models?

If so, are these changes an improvement or a departure?

ANSWER

This sounds like a good topic for a discussion--

How about it? Let's hear opinions!

Lynne