Guitars That Changed The World

Great Guitars of the 20th Century

The last century brought with it huge leaps formard in indutrial and technological practices, not least with musical instruments and more specifically the Guitar.  The instruments humble beginnings as an acoustic backing instrument in Jazz and Bluegrass bands with no amplification are a far stretch from the howling, squealing electric instruments we have today.  Yet the basic designs have stayed with us and now, 50, 60 or 70 years laters, are recognizable as the basic foundation upon which most madern guitars are built.

Here are 6 guitar designs from the last century that have made history.


1.  The Gibson Les Paul

Gibson Les Paul Special

Undoubtedly the most iconic guitar of the 20th century almost everyone who is anyone in the world of guitar playing has either has one, used to have one or have used one for its distinct tones its weight and its versatility.


From its humble beginnings as the Les Paul "Log" which Les Paul himself built by sawing in half an epiphone acoustic guitar and inserting a solid peice of 4x4 to which he mounted two single coil pick-ups in the neck.  It has taken over the world stage with performers throughout the rest of the century have hailed it, combined with a Marshall Stack as one of the most awesome sounding instruments ever to be made.


The shape has remained almost identical to the first off the production line with a few refinements over the years.  Many custom models have also been designed for individual guitarists who perhaps wanted custom paint jobs or different pick up or electronics but essentially its the same.


Played by guitarists such as Les Paul, Jimmy Page, Slash and Pete Townsend plus any guitar fan who can afford one I suspect.  Its shape has been copied by many other guitar manufacturers over the years, even the “Guitar Hero” video game has a “Les Paul” shaped controller!

2.  The Fender “Stratocaster”

Fender Stratocaster

The “Strat” as it is commonly known was designed by Leo Fender in the 1950‘s is now one of the most copied and popular guitar designs in the world.   Its unique and revolutionary sweeping curves and offset “devil horn” shape make this guitar instantly recognisable and Is the shape that I’m sure most people think of when thinking of an electric guitar. 

Back in the day the “Strat’s” revolutionary triple single-coil pick-up array and its amazing new tremelo system were hard for guitarist s of the era to ignore. Its design has remained pretty much the same as when it wa s first manufactured except for in 1982 fender introduced the "micro-tilt" neck and truss rod system as well as the bullet strings and tremelo system.  In 1981 The "Strat" appeared in its 2 most well known and quite posssibly the coolest colours- Candy Apple red and Lake Placid blue.

Many legendary guitarists have played the “Strat”, most notably Jimi Hendrix who pushed the instrument to its limits, especially during live shows where he would subject them to various forms of torture to make music like nobody had ever heard before.  Other famous “Strat” players include;  Jeff Beck, Hank Marvin, Richie Sambora, Eric Clapton and many more.

3.  The Gibson “SG”

Gibson SG

onstage or in the studio.  Now after more than 50 years they are still popular among young rock and pop bands.


4.  The Flying “V”



Designed by Gibsons prsident at the time Ted Mcarty and firstt issued in 1958 as part of Gibson's "Exotics" range as part of a plan to help flagging sales, was the most successful of the three it was first released alongide which were the "Explorer" and the "Firebird".  Discontinued after just a couple of years but loved and played by guitarists Lonnie Mack, Albert King and Jimi Hendrix who were looking for an unusal guitar with an overwhelming look and feel was reissued in 1963 and is still one of the coolest guitars around today.

5.  The “Red Special”

Brian May with his Red Special

In this case the Guitar and the Guitarist are inseperable, one without the other would not be the same all out rock legend that is Brian May and his one and only original home built Guitar "The Red Special".  Its very unique look and sound is down to the engineering skills of Brian May and His Father who built the guitar in their workshop from the most basic materials, was designed to specifically respond to feedback with the pick ups set in a solid resin so that they would not squeal and would respond in more the mid frequency range of the guitar. The body of the guitar also has acoustic pockets to give better resonance in the midrange. 


The guitar shape and design were liscenced to GUILD of the U.S.A and BURNS of the U.K guitar manufacturers during the 90's and May used them after retiring the "Red Special" after many years of faithful service.  Brian May now manufactures the "Red Special"  under his own name due  to his concern that he should be the one overseeing its manufacutre (well its his own guitar design so I guess he's entitled!) with the help of his long time guitar tech Pete Malandrone and Barry Moorehouse of  "House" music.

6.  The Ibanez UV 777

Ibanez Seven String Steve Vai Signature Series

First released in 1990 designed by the Legendary guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and built my guitar manufacturers Ibanez.  The “Universe 777“ was the first commercially available 7 string guitar on the market.  Unique in that it had a low “b” string so that even darker and heavier chords could be reached without having to retune and recalibrate a regular 6 string without losing the high “e” string.  Sporting hi tech electronics and hi spec.... well pretty much high spec EVERYTHING!  Including its amazing range of paintjobs.

Vai used this model on tracks from his most memorable work (for me anyway), The album “Passion and Warfare” and has made appearances on all of Vai’s subsequent releases.

Once thought of as something of a novelty, the seven string has now become part of guitar history and is used primarily in metal and by Virtuoso’sfor deeper, heavier sounds and extended range.  The Universe is still available today and has inspired many new guitarists and metal bands to take music that one step further.