History of the Electric Guitar

The history of the electric guitar is one that began back in the 1930s when it was invented by a man named Adolph Rickenbacker. In contrast, acoustic guitars have been performed for thousands of years. Acoustic guitars provided an excellent starting point for their electronic counterparts. The very first electric guitars were a bit different than the ones we know today. They used tungsten pickups to convert the string vibration into electrical current which then traveled to the amplifier to make sound. Many of them contained holes in the body which are still found today in the semihollow and chambered types of electric guitar.

As the technology of pickups became more advanced, electric guitars were able to be crafted with a solid body as most of them still are today. In the earliest days, many jazz musicians and bands used electric guitars so that the instrument could be heard over the other instruments. Big band groups used instruments in sections like brass and this often would drown out acoustic guitar. The first solid body guitar ever made was designed by Les Paul in 1941. A musician and inventor, the name Les Paul is still synonymous with the electric guitar to this day. The Les Paul guitar was released to the public by the Gibson company under the brand name Gibson Les Paul. This type of guitar is still incredibly popular.

In the later years of the 1940s, another legendary electric guitar was created by Leo Fender. It was first called the Broadcaster, but it is now known as the Stratocaster, another legendary guitar that is still loved and used today. The Stratocaster is second in popularity to the Fender, and is a bit different in design. For one thing, it is lighter and has a different shape from the Fender. Either one of these guitars would please even the most discriminating player.

The history of the electric guitar doesn't end there. There have been a number of great additions over the years, including models by names like Ibanez, Yamaha and Jackson. As technology advances, we're sure to see even more incredible electric guitars being designed and released. For decades, guitarists have captivated our imagination and given us a rich array of music using the electric guitar. Whether you like jazz, swing, rock or blues, you are sure to hear the electric guitar featured in most of your favorite songs!

Copyright 2007 James D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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