Guitar Center

Famous Electric Guitars

There can’t be many people who wouldn’t have loved to become a guitar hero. Standing onstage, legs apart thrashing out power chords and blistering guitar solos loud enough to make peoples ears bleed. And there are a number of truly great electric guitars that have stood the test of time.

One of the most famous electric guitars is the Fender Stratocaster. Originally designed way back in 1954 the Fender Strat was the instrument favoured by the late, great Jimi Hendrix. This is the electric guitar chosen by Pete Townsend of the Who and guitar god Eric Clapton. The Fender Stratocaster continues to be as popular today as it ever was and a whole new generation of guitarists are discovering this great, iconic instrument.

Another well known guitar from Fender is the Telecaster. This excellent guitar preceded the Stratocaster having been first produced as the Broadcaster in late 1949. There are and have been many well known and talented guitarists who like to play Fender Telecasters. One of the most well known is, of course, Keith Richards who takes to the stage with an array of Telecasters, open tuned to a ‘G’ chord for that classic Rolling Stones sound.

If we are talking about classic guitars we must of course mention the fantastic Gibson Les Paul. This is another design classic, first produced back in the 1950s and made ever since. Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds fame, is just one guitarist who chose the Gibson Les Paul. A modern day guitarist who is a great exponent of Les Paul is, of course, Slash of Guns ‘n’ Roses fame.

Since I’ve given a mention to two Fenders its only fair that I should talk about two great Gibsons. I could have chosen the fantastic ES335, a favourite with many great guitarists, including BB King but instead I have chosen the exceptional Gibson SG. This great electric guitar with its distinctive looks was first introduced in the early 1960s initially to compete with the popular Fender Stratocaster. This is the guitar of choice for Angus Young, lead guitarist and songwriter in the Australian rock band ACDC. This is also the guitar used by the great Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath.

Today there are many great electric guitars, but lots of these are copies of these four iconic models which, for me, are the best there is.

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