How the Guitar Changed Popular Music
From the Beatles strumming heartfelt chords and igniting a global frenzy to the profound echoes of Bob Dylan’s acoustic playing, painting vivid tales of social awakening. The guitar has done far more than just change music - it has become part of our culture and a voice of our collective conscience.
Sitting at the crossroads of blues, country, rock, and folk music, the guitar has been a driving force behind some of the greatest hits in popular music. Its versatility allows it to be played in various genres and styles, making it an essential instrument for artists across generations. The guitar has also been a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and passion - capturing the hearts and minds of millions around the world.
Ten Guitars That Changed the World
Join us as we introduce you to ten legendary guitars that changed the world of music forever. These instruments witnessed the birth of entire music genres, defined the sound of generations, and, in the hands of virtuosos, told stories that words alone could never convey.
Gibson Les Paul
Imagined by Ted McCarty in 1952 with input from guitar designer Les Paul, the Gibson Les Paul is an iconic solid-body electric guitar that quite simply revolutionised the music industry. Its warm, rich tone gave birth to the Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll era, with legendary players such as Jimmy Page, Slash, Joe Perry, and Ace Frehley making it their instrument of choice.
The guitar’s design ingeniously melds form with function. A solid mahogany body with a maple top results in rich, warm tones with sustain for days. The Les Paul’s distinctive look, with its curved body shape and classic sunburst finish, makes it immediately recognisable but also reflects the depth and complexity of its sound.
Musicians laud its playability, facilitated by a rosewood fingerboard and generous cutaways that offer improved access to the higher frets. This makes the guitar as comfortable as it is captivating to play. The guitar has evolved over the years, yet each variation remains true to the original’s spirit, a testament to its timeless design and enduring allure.
Fender Stratocaster
Next, we’ll take a quantum leap from the hefty sustain of a Les Paul to the crystalline notes of a Fender Stratocaster. With its famous triple single-coil pickups and effortless playability, the Strat has been the weapon of choice for six-string virtuosos throughout the years. Its signature contoured body allows for sublime comfort and movement, gracing the skilled hands of icons such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, John Frusciante, and Eddie Van Halen.
Designed by Leo Fender in 1954, the Stratocaster’s unmistakable design has become an absolute classic. Its double cutaway body allows for easy access to all 21 frets, while its tremolo bridge adds a unique touch of vibrato to notes and chords. The sound produced by the Strat’s pickup configuration is known for its bell-like clarity and shimmering brilliance, making it a favourite among blues, rock, and jazz musicians.
But don’t let its clean tone fool you - the Stratocaster is not without attitude. Its versatility allows for dynamic playing styles, from sweet and mellow to hard-hitting and aggressive. With five-way switching options and a tone control knob, the Strat provides endless possibilities for tonal exploration.
Martin D-28
If acoustic clarity is your cup of tea, then the Martin D-28 is your jug. This dreadnought acoustic is a true giant, often regarded as the ultimate bluegrass guitar. Its soundboard of Sitka spruce, paired with rosewood back and sides, gives the D-28 a rich, resonant sound that gets right to the heart of folk and country.
Utilised by legends like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan, the Martin D-28 is genuinely an iconic instrument in its own right. Its distinctive tone, projecting warmth, and epic depth can cut through any arrangement, making it a staple in recordings and live performances.
But what sets the D-28 apart from other dreadnought acoustics is its craftsmanship. Each guitar is hand-built with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring superior sound quality and playability. Moreover, the use of high-quality materials and traditional construction techniques also adds to the D-28’s timeless appeal.
Gibson ES-335
Is the smooth croon of jazz what sets your toes tapping? Then the Gibson ES-335 could be the instrument for you. The slinky, mellow tones of this semi-hollow body guitar were a revelation upon its 1958 debut. The combination of a solid centre block construction and f-holes blend the power of a solid body with the warmth of an archtop, making it the perfect choice for many jazz and blues purists. That said, the ES-335 has been rocked by an incredibly diverse range of players, including BB King, Dave Grohl, Noel Gallagher, and Rush’s Alex Lifeson.
With its ability to handle both the demands of high-volume performance and the subtleties of softer plays, the ES-335 broke down the walls between jazz and blues, hinting at the fusion that was yet to come. At its launch, the guitar’s thin line body was a radical shift from its contemporaries, and its aesthetics bled into a form-follows-function ethos that many contemporary guitars now adhere to.
Rickenbacker 360
For fans of jangling melodies and innovative soundscapes, the Rickenbacker 360 is a must. With its unique, rounded body shape and crisp, chiming tone, the instrument, which initially featured trademark slanted frets, forever changed the alternative and psychedelic rock scenes.
The guitar has been a favourite for a wide range of players over the decades - strummed by everyone from George Harrison to Peter Buck to Against Me!‘s Laura Jane Grace. The 360 features several interesting design picks, including a three-ply walnut and maple neck, a crescent moon cutaway body, and a choice of stereo or mono output.
Apart from its instantly recognisable sound, the Rickenbacker 360 offers a playability and versatility that is hard to find in other electric guitars. Its unique design allows for easy access to higher frets, making it perfect for those who love to play high-energy solos or complicated chord progressions.
PRS Custom 24
The relative newcomer on the block! The PRS Custom 24 might be one of the youngest on our list, but it’s certainly no less influential. With its impeccable craftsmanship, no-compromise approach to tonewoods, and breathtaking finishes, the guitar was designed to appeal to the perfectionist in every guitarist.
First unveiled at NAMM in 1985, the Custom 24 combines the ergonomic design of a double cutaway with the warm, rich tones of mahogany. It also features PRS’s signature Gen III tremolo system and patented PRS 85/15 humbucking pickups. But what sets this guitar apart is its versatility - it can easily deliver everything from classic bluesy riffs to high-powered solos.
But don’t let its modern looks fool you - the PRS Custom 24 also has a timeless appeal. It’s been wielded by legendary guitarists such as Carlos Santana, Mark Tremonti, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and John Mayer, proving it can hold its own against any classic electric guitar.
PRS fans often rave about the guitar’s “sweet spot” between Gibson and Fender tones - a perfect blend of warmth and clarity that makes it a go-to for studio recordings. And with its impeccable construction and attention to detail, the Custom 24 will surely be a cherished addition to any guitarist’s collection.
Gibson Flying V
Tired of playing it safe, Gibson introduced the futuristic Flying V in 1958 to an audience that had never seen anything like it. In truth, its bold arrowhead design is still a shock today, developing into a timeless, attention-grabbing statement.
Gibson’s Flying V was so out there that it divided guitarists; some loved its distinctive style, while others loathed its unconventional shape. Initial sales were poor, and the guitar disappeared from the shelves. However, this bold design couldn’t be ignored and has since become an iconic symbol of heavy metal.
The Flying V’s unique shape and high-output humbucker pickups made it a favourite among metal guitarists looking to stand out on stage with both their sound and appearance. Its sharp edges and aggressive tone perfectly matched heavy metal’s loud, energetic music. While David Davis of the Kinks famously played the original Flying V, the reintroduced model is much more at home in the hands of shredders like K.K Downing, Michael Shenker, Ritchie Faulkner, and Diamond Head/Saxon’s Brian Tatler.
Fender Telecaster
If you’ve ever so much as picked a guitar up before, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard the name Fender Telecaster. And for good reason. This iconic guitar has been in production since 1950 and has become a staple in the music industry, beloved by musicians of all genres.
The Tele’s simple yet elegant design has stood the test of time, remaining largely unchanged since its debut. Its single-cutaway body and iconic headstock have become synonymous with the Fender brand and are instantly recognisable by music lovers worldwide. The Telecaster is a versatile instrument that can handle multiple genres. From rock to country to blues, this guitar can do it all. Its signature twangy tone and smooth playability make it a go-to for many professional musicians.
While the Telecaster may have a vintage look, Fender has continued to innovate and improve upon its sound over the years. With different pickup configurations and modern features like noiseless pickups and S-1 switching, it can produce a wide range of tones to suit any playing style.
Gibson SG
“Distinctive”, “stylish”, and “powerful” are just a few words that come to mind when thinking about the Gibson SG. This iconic guitar has been gracing stages and studios since 1961 and remains a firm favourite among rock and metal musicians.
The guitar’s double-cutaway design is instantly recognisable, with its slim body and pointed horns. Created as a revamped version of the Les Paul model, the SG has become a standalone icon in the guitar world. Famous for its powerful and edgy sound, it’s a trendy choice for rock and metal musicians - famous players include Tony Iommi, Angus Young, Pete Townshend, and System of a Down’s Daron Malakian. With its dual humbucking pickups and mahogany body, the SG delivers a rich, full-bodied tone that can cut through any mix.
But don’t for one second think the SG is limited to one genre. Its versatile sound lends itself well to everything from blues to punk and even jazz. Its comfortable neck profile and smooth playability make it a joy to play for hours on end.
Historically, guitar enthusiasts have lauded Gibson for its high-quality craftsmanship, and the SG is no exception. This guitar is built to withstand the rigours of touring and heavy use, making it a reliable choice for professional musicians. Its solid body construction also helps to minimise feedback, making it a top choice for loud and energetic live performances.
Ibanez JEM
Ibanez guitars are known for their sleek and modern design, and the JEM series is no exception. Designed with legendary guitarist Steve Vai, the Ibanez JEM is a unique and eye-catching instrument packed with features that make it a top choice for virtuoso players.
One of the standout features of the JEM is its versatile humbucker/single coil/humbucker (HSH) pickup configuration, which allows for a wide range of tonal options. This, combined with its fast and comfortable “Wizard” neck profile, makes it a dream to play for those who love to shred. But the JEM isn’t just about flashy looks and speedy playing - its build quality is also top-notch. Made with high-quality materials such as basswood and maple, the guitar delivers a solid, clear tone that can handle any playing style.
The most distinctive feature of the JEM series is its “monkey grip” handle, which allows for easy handling and stage performance. Additionally, the series features a unique “Lion’s Claw” tremolo cavity, which provides for extreme whammy bar action. Combined with the HSH pickups and 5-way switch, in the JEM series, you have a guitar that boasts a versatile sound that can cover a wide range of genres, producing everything from warm and mellow tones to bright and aggressive sounds.
Want to find more? Check out our guitar finder
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, choosing the right guitar can make all the difference in your musical journey. And with the vast array of options available in today’s market, it can be overwhelming to find your perfect match. That’s where our super useful Finder tool comes in!
Our intuitive platform allows you to browse and compare an extensive range of guitars, including the hallowed instruments listed above. Enter your axe must-haves, such as tonewood, pickup configuration, and price range, and find out just how effortless we can make the search for your ideal guitar. Happy hunting!
