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the first electric guitar
On August 10, 1937, the Electro String Corporation was awarded the first-ever electric guitar patent. Invented by G.D. Beauchamp, the instrument was known as the Rickenbacker Frying Pan. The new sound of the electric guitar was a dramatic shift from the strum of the acoustic guitars that had been played for centuries. -
The Rickenbacker "Electro String"
The Rickenbacker "Electro String" guitar was introduced in 1935, marked a pioneering moment in the history of electric guitars. Constructed with a Bakelite body, an early plastic material, it represented an innovative approach to guitar design. It was originally produced by Electro String before adopting the name Rickenbacker. -
The Bigsby-Travis Guitar
Paul A. Bigsby was a pioneering electric guitar artisan,
who collaborated with guitarist Merle Travis to create his innovative chambered solid-body electric Spanish guitar, featuring highly figured bird's eye maple for the body and neck. This instrument showcased neck-through-body construction with a distinctive Florentine cutaway, incorporating pearloid diamond, dot, and block inlays on the rosewood fingerboard. The scroll headstock, with all tuners on one side. -
Fender Broadcaster (telecaster)
The Broadcaster, introduced in 1950, revolutionized the music world despite initial criticism of its design. Fender aimed to create a practical, upright-playing electric Spanish-style guitar that was easy to manufacture and maintain. The result was a solid-body electric guitar with a ash body, blonde nitrocellulose finish, maple neck, and distinctive features. Originally named the Broadcaster, a trademark issue led to a temporary "Nocaster" designation before adopting the iconic Telecaster name. -
The Gibson Les Paul
The Les Paul guitar, introduced in 1952 through a collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the inventive jazz guitarist Les Paul, stands as an iconic model in the electric guitar realm. Les Paul's role as a consultant allowed him to bring his innovative design ideas to Gibson, resulting in a guitar with a solid body, carved maple top, set neck construction, and dual humbucking pickups. -
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, designed in the 1950s, became an iconic electric guitar. Its double-cutaway body, three pickups, and vibrato arm were groundbreaking. Over the years, it underwent modifications, and after Fender's 1985 acquisition, it regained its reputation. Today, the Stratocaster symbolizes musical history. -
Schaffer–Vega diversity system
The Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS), developed in 1975–76 by Ken Schaffer and manufactured by Vega Corporation, was a pioneering wireless guitar system. Adopted by major rock acts like Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Kiss, it addressed issues of signal fades and interference, allowing bands greater mobility on stage. Schaffer's design incorporated "True Diversity," -
The Frankenstrat
The Frankenstrat, is Eddie Van Halen's creation, combining a Gibson's sound with Fender Stratocaster features. It's an early Superstrat with a modified Northern Ash Stratocaster body to fit a Gibson PAF humbucking pickup in the bridge. The guitar has a maple neck, chrome hardware, Rose tremolo, and a distinctive black and white striped design. Displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's. A copy is housed in the National Museum of American History, -
the Jackson
Randy Rhoads' first Jackson prototype, the white pinstriped Concorde, featured a maple neck, ebony fretboard, Stratocaster-style tremolo, and Seymour Duncan pickups. The second prototype had an elongated top horn, black with a gold pickguard, and a fixed tailpiece. Two more prototypes followed, one with a white and gold finish, and another with a black and brass tremolo. Rhoads passed away before their completion -
The Ibanez universe
The Ibanez Universe, developed by Steve Vai, is a seven-string electric guitar, an extension of the JEM series. Introduced in 1990, models like UV7 and UV77 had unique features. The UV777 (1991) was a high-end version with a maple fingerboard. Variations like UV7PWH, UV77MC, and UV7BK were produced until 1997.