Prelude
HOT DIGGITY DOG! What the heck dude! Now wait jusโ a doggone minute! This article was not meant to exist but it does. How did that happen? Why zat den? All will be explained in good time. For now, bienvenidos queridos amigos. Willkommen, liebe freunde. Bienvenue chers amis. โEllo maties. What up dawg. Once again, you are genially granted admission to the bizarrely brilliant biosphere of CRAVE Guitars, as we begin the final run up to the end of 2026. Autumn is definitely now with us up here in the northern hemisphere. Itโs usually at this point that I make some sort of wiseโass comment. However, at the time of writing, I donโt have anything worthy of my regular wiseโassโness. Iโm not usually struck mute. I got nothinโ!? I must be losing it (whatever โitโ is). Seems a good time to give yโall a break from my perpetually pretentious and pompous prattle (Ed: keeping the alliterative assonances going, though).
โI just go where the guitar takes meโ โ Angus Young (1955โ)
This Month at CRAVE Guitarsโฆ
Previously onโฆ Part I of the guitar timeline covered the period 5300BCEโ1899 and Part II covered the much shorter but very intensive period, 1900โ1959. Part I had all the prefatory blurb, Part II was largely blurbโless, and this Part III has all the concluding blurb, so there isnโt much need for any surplus blurb this month. Apart from the fact that there was never intended to be a Part III, it should be no surprise that, as there is one, it follows on from Part II. There is genuinely not a lot else to add at this point.
Follow the links below for the preceding two articles in this series should you wish to view/review the story so far (each link opens a new browser tab)โฆ
August 2026 โ A Timeline of Guitar History in 400+ Snippets: Part I
September 2026 โ A Timeline of Guitar History in 400+ Snippets: Part II
As with Parts I & II, no AI was used in researching and writing this article; simply the authorโs feeble neurons, synapses and shedloads of patience. โQuotes of wisdomโ continue the theme of insights into the guitar. Only a small number of hardโearned images again this month.
โIโm just a guitarist in a kickโass rock and roll band. What more could I ask for?โ โ Eddie Van Halen (1955โ)
The Rationale for the Article
Why are we here? No, it is not some philosophical existential enquiry. Sorry. While that is unquestionably an important question to ask, it doesnโt really relate to vintage guitars (or does it?) More prosaically, why is there a Part III when it was originally planned to be a 2โpart saga? Well the draft Part II grew to such an extent that I felt it was too much for readers to absorb in one go, so I split it in two at the last moment (very Hollywood!). So here we are (again) with a revised supplemental conclusion.
As you might expect from the title, Part III is a direct continuation of the previous two articles. It is also the concluding episode. Genuinely this time. Honest. The three parts together set out the long and storied history of the guitar, so no further justification is really necessary.
The guitar had achieved a commanding status that really coalesced during the 1950s with the introduction of mass produced solid body electric guitars coinciding with the advent of rock & roll, reflecting progressive and permissive cultural and social change in America and the UK. The โswingingโ 1960s multiplied that trend manifold and the 1970s continued the astonishing profoundly reformist emancipation of society and the democratisation of popular music that mirrored it (NB. the 1970s were termed โthe โmeโ decadeโ by author Tom Wolfe in his book, โThe โMeโ Decade and the Third Great Awakeningโ (1976), referring to move towards โatomized individualismโ after the communal counterculturalism of the 1960s).
The guitarโs preโeminence has continued well into the 21st Century. Its status, however, is now challenged strongly by digital music creation, production, distribution and sale. In 2026, AI is an additional major new factor, with which the industry is struggling to grapple. AI, though, has no idea whatsoever what a guitar is or how it is played or the delicate nuances nurtured by skilled musicians who spend decades honing their unique expertise. Guitars at the time of writing remain resolutely in the analogue domain. For now.
The guitarโs omnipresent domination may now be under threat, as it has been many times in the past (think of the disco boom of the 1970s and the popโsynth boom of the 1980s, both of which boldly and dismally signalled โthe death of guitar musicโ). The worldโs favourite instrument must continue to adapt if it is to secure a relevant and prosperous future. That is a subject for further debate and this retrospective chronology is not the place for such a discussion.
โThe guitar is the coolest instrument in the worldโ โ Steve Vai (1960โ)
A Timeline of Guitar History: Part III โ 1960โ2026
Here we go then, with the remainder of the 20th Century (1960-1999) and the 21st Century so far (2000โ2026), setting out in the final 200 entries covering the last 66 years of our extensive 5,500โyear historical journey.
As with the last two articles, for those with an attention deficit, the infographic below provides a significantly abbreviated alternative version.
| 1960 | Gibson introduced the Hummingbird squareโshouldered dreadnought flat top steel strung acoustic guitar, with solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. A stylised hummingbird was engraved on the pickguard |
| 1960 | Fender introduced the โBlondeโ series of valve amplifiers, manufactured until the style was discontinued in 1964 |
| 1960 | Fender introduced the offset solidโbody Jazz Bass with a narrower neck to broaden appeal and to complement the existing Fender Precision bass |
| 1961 | The original singleโcutaway Gibson Les Paul was discontinued and an all new Les Paul Standard was introduced by Gibson with a radical doubleโcutaway design that would be renamed the SG in 1963. Les Paul did not approve of the new look, despite his name appearing on the headstock. The original singleโcutaway Gibson Les Paul design would be reโintroduced in 1968 |
| 1961 | Fender introduced the offset solidโbody 6โstring Bass VI (originally just VI). Unusually, it wasnโt a bass or a guitar and neither was it a baritone. The Bass VI had a scale length of 30โ, between a bass and a guitar and was tuned an octave lower than a normal guitarโs standard EADGBE tuning. Like the Jazzmaster, the Bass VI had a vibrato. The model was discontinued in 1975 |
| 1961 | Gretsch updated the 6128 Duo Jet guitar with a double cutaway body, retaining the chambered body and giving the Jet a more modern aesthetic |
| 1961 | Valco introduced the innovative National and Supro guitar lines with hollow resinโbonded fibreglass (ResโOโGlas) bodies |
| 1962 | Marshall Amplification was founded by English drummer and retailer Jim Marshall (1923โ2012) in London, England, UK |
| 1962 | Fender introduced the upmarket Jaguar offset solid body shortโscale (24โ) electric guitar to complement the Jazzmaster that had been launched in 1958 |
| 1962 | Following the Hummingbird, Gibson introduced the Dove squareโshouldered dreadnought flat top steel strung acoustic with solid Sitka spruce top and solid flame maple back and sides. It featured an engraved pickguard with motherโofโpearl dove inlays |
| 1962 | Maestro (a Gibson brand) introduced the FZโ1 Fuzz Tone effect pedal, the first widely available fuzz/distortion guitar effect pedal |
| 1962 | Ernie Ball Inc. was founded by American musician and entrepreneur Roland Sherwood Ball (1930โ2004) in San Luis Obispo, California, USA initially to market guitarโrelated products. The company is best known for its guitar and bass strings |
| 1963 | Gibson hired legendary American Chrysler automotive designer Ray Dietrich (1894โ1980) to style and launch the companyโs Firebird guitar and Thunderbird bass. The innovative โreverseโโbodied instruments featured neckโthrough body construction and new mini pickups. There were four Firebird models I, III, V and VII and two Thunderbird bass models II and IV |
| 1963 | Following the end of an endorsement deal, Gibson officially reโnamed the double cutaway Les Paul as the SG (Solid Guitar). There were four models, the Junior (single P90), Special (dual P90s), Standard (dual humbuckers) and Custom (triple humbuckers) |
| 1963 | Guild introduced the Sโ100 (SGโlike) and the curious Sโ200 Thunderbird solid body electric guitars |
| 1963 | Rickenbacker introduced the iconic 360 hollow body electric guitar. A 12โstring variant, the Rickenbacker 360/12, was made famous by The Beatles and The Byrds in the midโ1960s |
| 1963 | Marshall introduced the legendary JTM45 valve amplifier head, rated at 45W. Alongside the amp, Marshall also introduced the nowโlegendary closedโback 4×12โ speaker cabinet. The JTM45 model was discontinued in 1966 |
| 1964 | Fender introduced the โblackfaceโ series of valve amplifiers, manufactured until the style was discontinued in 1967 |
| 1964 | Fender introduced the short scale (24โ) dual pickup solidโbody electric Mustang โstudentโ guitar with a unique innovative vibrato mechanism |
| 1964 | Larry and Joe Macari founded Sola Sound Ltd. in London. The company made guitar effect pedals and amplifiers that were sold through the Macariโs Musical Exchange shops. Sola Sound made effects for inโhouse brand, Colorsound from 1967 |
| 1965 | Kustom Amplification was founded by Charles A. โBudโ Ross (1940โ2018) in Chanute, Kansas, USA. The brand was notable for its distinctive โNaugahyde tuckโnโrollโ styling used until c.1975. Ross sold Kustom to Baldwin Piano Company in 1972, after which Ross went on to found ROSS effects in 1974 |
| 1965 | American innovator and entrepreneur, Hartley Peavey founded Peavey Electronics in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. Peavey started marketing electric guitars and basses from 1978. Peavey remains one of the largest global musical equipment and pro audio manufacturers |
| 1965 | Fender Musical Instruments was sold to the giant media company, CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) for $13m. The companyโs founder, Leo Fender was barred from competing with his former business for 10 years, after which he was involved with the formation of Music Man in 1974 |
| 1965 | Fender introduced the offset solid body Bass V, the worldโs first commercial 5โstring bass, by adding a high โCโ string. Unusually, it only had 15 frets despite its long 34โ scale. The Bass V was discontinued in 1971 |
| 1965 | Fender introduced the offset Electric XII 12โstring solidโbody electric guitar, the final guitar designed by Leo Fender for the company that bore his name. The model was intended to compete with the popular Rickenbacker 360/12. The Electric XII was discontinued in 1969 |
| 1965 | Gibson introduced the โnonโreverseโโbodied Firebird and Thunderbird bass to replace the โreverseโโbodied models introduced in 1963. The new shape was simpler and cheaper to produce than its predecessor. Fender threatened Gibson with legal action over the Firebirdโs body shape, citing Leo Fenderโs 1958 US patent for offset body guitar design as used on the Fender Jazzmaster |
| 1965 | Ovation was founded by aeronautical engineer and inventor Charles Kaman (1919โ2011), in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Kaman used his technical background to develop the innovative Ovation โLyrachordโ roundback electroโacoustic guitar |
| 1965 | British company Sola Sound introduced its most famous guitar effect pedal, the Tone Bender fuzz, based on the earlier American Maestro Fuzz Tone |
| 1965 | Dunlop Manufacturing was founded by Scottish immigrant to the USA, entrepreneur and businessman Jim Dunlop (1936โ2019) in Benicia, California, USA to sell guitarโrelated products |
| 1965 | Maxon, an effect pedal brand name used by Nisshin Onpa, was established in Tokyo Japan. Maxon famously made effect pedals for Ibanez until 2002 |
| 1965 | Japan started to import significant numbers of cheap guitars into the US market, many of them flagrant clones of established American models. The competition ultimately led to the infamous โlawsuit eraโ scandal of the 1970s |
| 1966 | Fender introduced the short scale (30โ) offset solid body โstudentโ Mustang Bass to complement the Mustang 6โstring guitar |
| 1966 | Ted McCarty stepped down from his role as president of Gibson and acquired Bigsby. McCarty became president of the new company |
| 1966 | The first wahโwah effect pedal was created by Bradley J. Plunkett and Lester Kushner at Warwick Electronics Inc., distributed by Thomas Organ Company and named after trumpeter Clyde McCoy (1903โ1990). The effect was subsequently renamed the V846 VOX WahโWah. A US patent was filed in 1967 and granted in 1970 |
| 1966 | Hiwatt (as Hylight) was founded by British audio engineer Dave Reeves in Surrey, England to build high power valve amplifiers. Reeves was also contracted to build amplifiers for Ivor Arbiterโs Sound City brand |
| 1966 | Fender introduced their first solidโstate amplifiers based on existing successful valve amplifiers like the Twin Reverb and Bassman. Traditional vacuum tubes were replaced by silicon transistors. Fenderโs transistor amps were not commercially successful and Fender discontinued solidโstate amplifier production by 1971 |
| 1966 | Danelectro was acquired by the giant media company MCA Inc. (Music Corporation of America). In addition to the main brand, a budget range of guitars was introduced under the Coral name. By 1969, Danelectro had ceased manufacturing |
| 1966 | The iconic circular Fuzz Face guitar effect pedal was introduced by British entrepreneur Ivor Arbiter (1929โ2005). The Fuzz Face was another adaptation of the Maestro Fuzz Tone. In 1969, the Arbiter name was sold to rival Dallas and the merged company was reโnamed DallasโArbiter |
| 1966 | Yamaha introduced their first madeโinโJapan steel strung acoustic guitar, the FG180 as well as their first electric guitars, the SGโ2/3/7 and the SBโ2 electric bass. Yamahaโs first nylon strung classical guitars were introduced in 1967 |
| 1967 | Having pioneered humbucking guitar pickups at Gibson, American electronic engineer Seth Lover began working for rival company Fender |
| 1967 | Fender introduced the โsilverfaceโ series of valve amplifiers, manufactured until the style was discontinued in 1981 |
| 1967 | Gretsch was acquired by the Baldwin Piano Company. Production lasted until 1981 when Baldwin ceased manufacturing of Gretsch products |
| 1967 | Fender introduced the short scale singleโpickup Bronco โstudentโ guitar with a unique innovative vibrato mechanism The Bronco was the final addition to Fenderโs โstudentโ range that included the Musicmaster, DuoโSonic and Mustang |
| 1967 | Danelectro, recently acquired by MCA, introduced the Coral Electric Sitar developed by session guitarist Vinnie Bell (1932โ2019) to capitalise on the Indian influence on AngloโAmerican psychedelic rock and pop music in the late 1960s |
| 1967 | Guitar manufacturing firms, Valco and Kay Musical Instrument Company merged, only for the resulting business to go bankrupt in 1968 |
| 1967 | Jean Larrivรฉe Guitars Inc. was founded by Canadian luthier, Jean Larrivรฉe (1944โ) in Toronto, Canada to make premium classical and acoustic guitars |
| 1967 | Laney Amplification was founded by musician Lyndon Laney (1948โ2026) in Birmingham, England |
| 1967 | Guitar effect brand Colorsound was established by brothers Larry and Joe Macari in London, England to supplement the existing Sola Sound business |
| 1967 | Thomas Organ Company introduced the Cry Baby Wah effect pedal, basically a copy of the VOX V486 wah. Dunlop Manufacturing acquired the Cry Baby name in 1982 and released the GCB95 Cry Baby Standard Wah |
| 1967 | Shergold Guitars was founded by former Burns of London employees Jack Golder and Norman Houlder in London, England |
| 1967 | Swedish musical instrument manufacturer, Hagstrรถm introduced the worldโs first 8โstring bass guitar (with 4 courses of paired strings), the H8. The shortโlived H8 was discontinued in 1969 |
| 1968 | Effect pedal manufacturer, ElectroโHarmonix was founded by Mike Matthews (c.1942โ) in New York City, USA, initially with the Muff fuzz and Linear Power Booster effects. The original company went out of business in 1984 |
| 1968 | Fender introduced the Telecaster Bass, a variant of the Precision bass, based on the original Precision bass design from 1951. It wasnโt technically a reissue as the model hadnโt previously been called the Telecaster bass |
| 1968 | Following musician demand from the likes of English guitarist Eric Clapton, Gibson reintroduced the single cutaway Les Paul, which had been discontinued in 1961. The classic Gibson Les Paul model has been in continuous production since |
| 1968 | Fender introduced the semiโhollow Telecaster Thinline electric guitar, initially with standard Telecaster pickups and, from 1972, with โwide rangeโ humbucking pickups. The Telecaster Thinline was discontinued in 1980 |
| 1968 | Dan Armstrong (1934โ2004) designed the innovative clear Plexiglas (a.k.a. Acrylite, Lucite, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)) guitar for Ampeg. The instrument featured innovative interchangeable pickups. The model was discontinued in 1971 |
| 1968 | HH Electronics was founded by Mike Harrison in Cambridgeshire, England to build solidโstate amplifiers, PAs, mixers and speaker systems. HH went bankrupt in 1984 |
| 1968 | British company, Orange Amps was founded by musician, electronics designer and retailer Clifford Cooper (1942โ) in London, England |
| 1968 | American guitar manufacturer Mosrite filed for bankruptcy and was finally shut down in 1969 |
| 1969 | Gibsonโs parent company, Chicago Musical Instruments Ltd (CMI), was acquired by South American conglomerate Ecuadorian Company Limited (ECL). ECL then changed its name in 1974 to Norlin Musical Instruments (a contraction of NORton Stevens of ECL and Arnold BerLIN of CMI) |
| 1969 | Mesa Engineering was founded by musician and electronics repair man, Randall Smith (1946โ) in Petaluma, California, USA. The company was famous for introducing Mesa/Boogie Mark and Dual Rectifier valve amplifiers |
| 1969 | Morley was a brand established by TelโRay Electronics Inc., founded by American brothers Raymond and Marvin Lubow in Los Angeles, California, USA to make guitar effect pedals. Uniquely, Morley used photoelectric circuits rather than potentiometers to control the companyโs effects. Chicagoโbased Sound Enhancements Inc. acquired Morley in 1989 |
| 1969 | Alembic Inc. was founded by American/Australian sound engineer Owsley Stanley (1935โ2011) in Novato, California, USA to build highโend electric basses, guitars and preamps |
| 1972 | Although he had been building valve amplifiers for several years, reclusive Howard โAlexanderโ Dumble (1944โ2022), based in Bakersfield, California, USA released his legendary amp model, the Dumble Overdrive Special. All Dumble amps were handโmade personally by Dumble, largely to special order. Only about 300 Dumble amps were made during his lifetime |
| 1969 | Gibson produced their first low impedance electric guitars, the Les Paul Personal and Professional models. They would evolve into the betterโknown Les Paul Recording model in 1971. Low impedance pickups were favoured by guitarist Les Paul for use in the recording studio |
| 1969 | Pignose Amplifiers was founded by Richard Edlund and Wayne Kimbell in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The diminutive Pignose guitar amplifier was a portable batteryโpowered unit, rated at 5W with a single 5โณ speaker |
| 1969 | American effect pedal manufacturer ElectroโHarmonix introduced its most famous product, the Big Muff Pi (ฯ) fuzz pedal |
| 1969 | Willie Nelson acquired โTriggerโ, named after Roy Rogersโ horse. The iconic guitar was a Martin Nโ20 nylon strung classical acoustic guitar purchased after his previous Baldwin guitar had been accidentally damaged |
| 1970 | American writer and businessman, George Gruhn (1945โ) opened the Gruhn Guitars shop in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Gruhn was coโauthor of the industry reference, โGruhnโs Guide to Vintage Guitarsโ (1990, revised 1999) |
| 1970 | The Randall Amplifier Company was founded by Don Randall (1917โ2008) in Irvine, California, USA. Randall had been a manager at Fender in the companyโs early years and was notable for naming the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars |
| 1970 | C.F. Martin & Company introduced the budget Sigma brand guitar range made in Japan to compete with cheap foreign imports into the USA. Production was moved to South Korea in the 1980s. Sigma guitars were discontinued in 2007 |
| 1971 | Seth Lover designed the โWide Rangeโ humbucker pickup for Fender, using unique CuNiFe (copper/nickel/iron) magnets. The โWide Rangeโ pickups were used on the Telecaster Custom, Deluxe and Thinline, as well as the upmarket offset semiโacoustic Starcaster |
| 1971 | Larry DiMarzio (1948โ) founded DiMarzio Inc. (incorporated in 1975) in Staten Island, New York, USA to produce afterโmarket guitar pickups |
| 1972 | The multinational Roland Corporation was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi (1930โ2017) in Osaka, Japan. Roland manufactured electronic musical instruments, as well as musical hardware and software. Roland contributed significantly to the development of the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard for synchronising and controlling electronic instruments |
| 1972 | Ovation introduced the Breadwinner 1251 electric guitar with ergonomic styling, innovative โlyracordโ finish, toroidal pickups and active electronics. The model was discontinued in 1979 |
| 1972 | MXR Innovations was founded in Rochester, New York, USA by Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood. The first effect pedals made were the MXR Dyna Comp, Phase 45, Phase 90 and Distortion+. The company closed down in 1984 |
| 1972 | The BOSS brand was formed as a separate division within the Roland Corporation to manufacture compact guitar and bass effect pedals |
| 1972 | Musitronics Corporation (a.k.a. MuโTron) was founded by former Guild employees, Mike Beigel and Aaron Newman in Rosemont, New Jersey, USA to manufacture effect pedals. The company ceased production in 1979 |
| 1972 | Godin Guitars was founded by Robert Godin in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Godin went on to become the largest guitar manufacturer in Canada |
| 1972 | Fernandes Guitars was formed from its predecessor, Saito Musical Instruments, founded in 1969 in Niizo, Japan |
| 1973 | Cort was founded by Jungโgyu Park in partnership with American importer Jack Westheimer. Cort was based in Seoul, South Korea to mass produce guitars and basses. Production was expanded into Indonesia and China, making it one of the largest global guitar manufacturers. Cort manufactured guitars under its own name as well as for many other brands |
| 1973 | Hamer Guitars was founded by Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig in Wilmette, Illinois, USA. Hamer was widely regarded as one of the first โboutiqueโ guitar builders. Hamer is now part of Fender |
| 1973 | Collings Guitars was founded by American luthier Bill Collings (1948โ2017) in Austin, Texas, USA to build highโend acoustic, electric and archtop guitars as well as mandolins and ukuleles |
| 1973 | Fylde Guitars was founded by English luthier Roger Bucknall (1950โ) in The Fylde, Lancashire, England to build handmade one-off custom acoustic guitars. Fylde relocated to Penrith, Cumbria, England in 1996 |
| 1973 | DOD Electronics was founded by David Oreste Di Francesco and John Johnson in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA to manufacture reliable lowโcost guitar and bass effect pedals. DOD and parent company DigiTech were acquired by Cort in 2022 |
| 1974 | Gibsonโs newly renamed parent company, Norlin Musical Instruments, moved production of Gibson guitars from its traditional home in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| 1974 | Gibson introduced the Marauder solid body boltโon electric guitar with innovative pickups and electronics designed by musician and guitar pickup specialist, Bill Lawrence (1931โ2013). The related Sโ1 was released in 1975 |
| 1974 | Music Man was founded by Forrest White and Tom Walker in partnership with Leo Fender, based in Fullerton, California, USA to make guitars, basses and amps. Music Manโs best known instrument was the Stingray Bass. Music Man was acquired by Ernie Ball in 1984 |
| 1974 | Travis Bean Guitars was founded by American luthier Travis Bean (1947โ2011) and business partner Gary Kramer in California, USA. The company was famous for its solid body guitars with throughโbody aluminium necks. Travis Bean guitars were discontinued in 1979 |
| 1974 | Guitar manufacturer, B.C. Rich was founded by Bernardo Chavez Rico (1941โ1999) in Los Angeles, California, USA. Rico had been building guitars since 1969 |
| 1974 | The Charvel guitar company was founded by Wayne Charvel (1941โ2026) in Azusa, California, USA. Charvel is now owned by Fender |
| 1974 | Gordon Smith Guitars was founded by Gordon Whitham and John Smith in Greater Manchester, England. Gordon Smith was acquired by Auden Guitars in 2015 |
| 1974 | After selling Kustom amps in 1972, Charles A. โBudโ Ross founded ROSS effect pedals in Chanute, Kansas, USA. Early American ROSS pedals included the Compressor, Distortion and Phaser R1. Ross became defunct shortly after moving production to Taiwan in c.1980 |
| 1974 | Taylor Guitars was founded by American luthier and entrepreneur Bob Taylor (c.1954โ) and Kurt Listug in El Cajon, California, USA to make highโquality acoustic and electroโacoustic guitars |
| 1974 | Lowden Guitars was founded by luthier, George Lowden (1952โ) in Bangor, County Down, Ireland to make premium acoustic guitars |
| 1975 | The Harmony Guitar Co. ceased production. Stock was auctioned in 1977 and the brand name was sold off. The brand was resurrected by Singaporeโbased Bandlab Technologies in 2018 and resumed making guitars in the USA |
| 1975 | The ESP Company Ltd. was founded by Hisatake Shibuya (1937โ2024) in Tokyo, Japan to manufacture electric guitars and basses. ESP launched the budget LTD range in 1995 |
| 1975 | The Roland Corporation introduced the Jazz Chorus solidโstate combo guitar amplifier with a builtโin analogue Chorus effect. Models included the famous JCโ120, producing 120W into 2×12โ speakers |
| 1976 | The Santa Cruz Guitar Company was founded by Richard A. Hoover and investors in Santa Cruz, California, USA to make premium grade acoustic guitars |
| 1976 | Dean Guitars was founded by American luthier Dean Zelinsky (1957โ) in Chicago, Illinois, USA to specialise making guitars favoured by heavy metal musicians. Dean Guitars and sister company Luna Guitars filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the USA in midโ2026 following legal action from Gibson |
| 1976 | After leaving Travis Bean, Gary Kramer, with business partner Denis Barardi, founded Kramer Guitars with in Neptune, New Jersey, USA. Early Kramer guitars featured distinctive cast aluminium necks with wooden inserts. Kramer went bankrupt in 1989 and the brand name was subsequently acquired by Gibson in 1997 |
| 1976 | Music Man introduced the innovative solid body electric Stingray Bass alongside the Stingray guitar, both incorporating new humbucking pickups and groundโbreaking onโboard active electronics |
| 1976 | Yamaha introduced the SG2000 solid body double cutaway electric guitar, designed in collaboration with Mexican/American guitarist, Carlos Santana. The SG2000 was effectively the first originalโdesign Japanese guitar to compete with the American Gibson Les Paul |
| 1976 | Seymour Duncan was founded by Seymour W. Duncan (1951โ) and his wife Cathy Carter in Santa Barbara, California, USA to manufacture aftermarket guitar pickups |
| 1976 | The innovative EBow (Electronic Bow) was introduced by Heet Sound at the NAMM Show in the USA. The batteryโpowered hand held device used an electromagnetic field to induce string vibrations, creating a bowed stringโlike effect |
| 1976 | The Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo System (actually a vibrato) was designed by American musician and engineer, Floyd D. Rose (1948โ). The invention was granted a US patent in 1979 |
| 1976 | Schecter Guitar Research was founded by David Schecter in Van Nuys, California, USA initially to make guitar parts and then electric guitars from 1979. Schecter is now owned by Hisatake Shibuya who also owns ESP/LTD |
| 1976 | TC Electronic was founded by Kim and John Rishรธj in Denmark to produce a wide range of professional music audio equipment including guitar effect pedals and studio effects. TC Electronic is now owned by the holding company Music Tribe |
| 1977 | Gibson introduced the innovative RD (Research & Development) series of guitars and basses featuring complex onโboard active electronics designed by synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog (1934โ2005) while he worked for Norlin. The RD line was discontinued in 1982 |
| 1977 | American guitarist Eddie Van Halen created his famous โFrankenstratโ guitar made from a wide range of sources including Schecter, Fender, Floyd Rose, Gibson and others. The guitar, with its distinctive striped finish influenced subsequent โsuperstratโ guitar designs. The EVH brand was formed in 2007 as a subsidiary of Fender to sell electric guitars and amps |
| 1978 | EMG Inc. was founded by Rob Turner in Long Beach, California, USA, to manufacture innovative active guitar pickups. EMG is now based in Santa Rosa, California |
| 1979 | Ibanez introduced the legendary TSโ808 Tube Screamer Overdrive Pro effect pedal, with its distinctive green enclosure and square footswitch. The iconic original model was superseded by the TS9 in 1981 |
| 1979 | Trace Elliot was founded by retailer Fred Friedlein in Romford, Essex, England to make bass amplifiers and speaker cabinets. Trace Elliott is now owned by Peavey Electronics |
| 1979 | Steinberger was founded by Ned Steinberger (1948โ) in Brooklyn, New York, USA to make innovative headless guitars and basses. Gibson acquired Steinberger in 1987 |
| 1979 | Kahler International, Inc. introduced the Kahler Tremolo System (actually a vibrato), invented by Gary Kahler and Dave Storey in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| 1980 | G&L Musical Instruments was founded by George Fullerton (1923โ2009), Leo Fender and Dale Hyatt in Fullerton, California, USA to make electric guitars and basses. G&L were the initials of George and Leo. G&L ceased production in 2025 and Fender (the company) acquired the rights to the brand name |
| 1980 | After leaving Charvel, American luthier Grover Jackson (1949โ) founded Jackson Guitars in Glendora, California, USA. Fender acquired both Jackson and Charvel from the Japanese Akai Musical Instruments Corporation in 2002 |
| 1980 | Vigier Guitars was founded by French luthier Patrice Vigier (1957โ) in Grigny, Essonne, France. Vigier is famous for its unique Excalibur Surfreter Supra Fretless Guitar |
| 1981 | Baldwin Piano Company ceased production of Gretsch instruments. In 1985, Fred W. Gretsch, the original founderโs great grandson and nephew of Fred Gretsch Jr, acquired the Gretsch brand name and offshore production resumed in Japan in 1989 |
| 1981 | Fishman Transducers Inc. was founded by Larry Fishman (1948โ) in Andover, Massachusetts, USA to make pickups, primarily for acoustic guitars |
| 1982 | Fender introduced the budget Bullet series of guitars and basses, designed by luthier John Page (1957โ), head of Fenderโs R&D department. The Bullet series replaced Fenderโs Musicmaster, Mustang and Bronco โstudentโ guitars |
| 1982 | Fender resurrected the Squier brand for its lowerโpriced models of Fender guitars and basses manufactured in the Far East |
| 1982 | Warwick GmbH & Co. Music Equipment was founded by HansโPeter Wilfer (1946โ) in Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany to manufacture bass guitars |
| 1983 | Fender introduced the innovative Fender Elite Stratocaster, Telecaster and Precision models featuring โnoiselessโ pickups and active electronics |
| 1983 | The notโforโprofit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was established. The organisation began inducting artists in 1986. The physical Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum building subsequently opened in 1995 |
| 1983 | While Gibson had produced oneโoff and custom guitars since the 1920s, Gibson introduced its Custom Shop facility within its main Nashville factory. Gibson formally created a separate Custom Shop facility in 1993 |
| 1984 | Hughes & Kettner was founded by Hans and Lothar Stamer in Neunkirchen, Germany to build high gain valve amplifiers and, latterly, solid state amps |
| 1984 | Jackson introduced the archetype for heavy metal โsuperstratโ guitars, the Jackson Soloist, generally based on a modified Fender Stratocaster design. The Soloist was originally designed by American luthier Grover Jackson while he was at Charvel |
| 1984 | Tom Anderson Guitarworks was founded by American luthier Tom Anderson in Newbury Park, California, USA to make highโend electric guitars |
| 1984 | Faltering American guitar, bass and amp manufacturer, Music Man was acquired by Ernie Ball Inc. and renamed Ernie Ball Music Man (EBMM) |
| 1985 | CBS sold Fender to an investor group led by William Schultz (then president of Fender) for $12.5m. Fenderโs Fullerton factory was not part of the sale, so Fender had to open a new flagship factory a few miles away in Corona, Riverside County, California, USA |
| 1985 | Paul Reed Smith Guitars (shortened to PRS) was founded by American luthier Paul Reed Smith (1956โ) in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. PRS guitars were strategically positioned between Fender and Gibson instruments |
| 1985 | Heritage Guitar Inc. was founded by three former Gibson employees in Gibsonโs original manufacturing facilities in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA |
| 1986 | Soldano Custom Amplification was founded by American Michael Soldano (1960โ) in Los Angeles, California, USA to build high gain valve amplifiers. Soldano is now based in Seattle, Washington State |
| 1986 | To save the company from bankruptcy, Gibson was sold to guitar enthusiasts Henry Juszkiewicz and David Berryman. Juszkiewicz ran Gibson until 2018 |
| 1987 | Fender opened a major manufacturing facility south of the US border in Ensenada, Mexico. Mexican Fender guitars and basses were strategically positioned between the Far Eastern Squier and MadeโinโUSA Fender models |
| 1987 | The Fender Custom Shop was established as a division within the companyโs Corona factory by โmaster buildersโ, guitar designer John Page and luthier Michael Stevens to make highโend oneโoff and special order guitars |
| 1987 | Ibanez introduced the Jem solid body electric guitar, typical of the heavy metal โsuperstratโ style of guitars that were popular in the 1980s. The Jem was coโdesigned with American virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai (1960โ) and included artist signature models. Jem guitars featured the distinctive โMonkey Gripโ cutโout handle on the bass side of the body |
| 1987 | G&L Musical Instruments introduced the Stratocasterโlike Comanche guitar model with three innovative Magnetic Field Design ZโCoil pickups. The Comanche represented a significant evolution of Leo Fenderโs original Stratocaster |
| 1989 | National ResoโPhonic was formed by Don Young and McGregor Gaines in San Luis Obispo, California, USA to build high quality resonator guitars based on original National and Dobro instruments |
| 1989 | Bogner Amplification was founded by German immigrant Reinhold Bogner in Los Angeles, California, USA to make highโend boutique valve amplifiers |
| 1990 | Yamaha introduced its Pacifica range of solid body electric guitars generally styled on the Fender Stratocaster. The hugely successful Pacifica range was designed in the USA by Rich Lasner and Leo Knapp |
| 1990 | PRS started using CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines to increase production volumes and improve consistency standards. In the same year, Taylor became the first major company to use CNC machines as part of its acoustic guitar production |
| 1992 | AER (Audio Electric Research) Music GmbH was founded by Udo Rรถsner, Michael Eisenmann and Susanne Janz in Velbert, Germany to manufacture high quality professional acoustic guitar amplifiers |
| 1992 | Breedlove Guitars was founded by Larry Breedlove and Steve Henderson in Bend, Oregon, USA to manufacture high quality acoustic guitars, combining traditional and modern construction techniques |
| 1991 | Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) moved its headquarters from Corona, California to Scottsdale, Arizona, USA |
| 1991 | Industry legend, Leo Fender died of complications from Parkinson’s disease in Fullerton, California, USA at the age of 81 |
| 1991 | DigiTech introduced the innovative Whammy WHโ1 effect pedal that used a foot treadle to manipulate the pitch of a guitar signal |
| 1992 | Mesa Engineering introduced the classic Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier high gain valve amplifier. The Dual Rectifier has become a definitive milestone in heavy rock music |
| 1993 | Parker Guitars was founded by American luthier Ken Parker (1952โ2025) with input from pickup pioneer Larry Fishman, based in Chicago, Illinois to manufacture the unique Parker Fly guitars. In 2003, Parker sold the company to the US Music Corporation. Parker ceased production in 2016 |
| 1993 | The German PLEK was introduced by A+D Gitarrentechnologie GmbH. PLEK was a specialised CNC machine used to setup guitars and basses to consistent and exacting standards |
| 1994 | Reclusive boutique effect pedal builder, Bill Finnegan, from Boston, Massachusetts, USA launched the legendary Klon Centaur guitar overdrive effect pedal. The original model was discontinued in 2008. In 2026, Finnegan took legal action against Behringer for copyright infringement involving the latterโs cloning of the original Klon design |
| 1994 | Paul Reed Smith introduced the PRS McCarty guitar model in recognition of the former Gibson and Bigsby president who had mentored luthier Paul Reed Smith in later years |
| 1995 | Fender exhibited the first relic guitars at the NAMM Show. The divisive and controversial concept of using โrelicโ processes was intended to reproduce, the appearance of ageing and play wear. The faking method had been in development since 1989 and continues to be popular to the current day |
| 1995 | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, designed by Chinese/American architect Ieoh Ming Pei (1917โ2019), based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, opened its doors to the public |
| 1996 | American guitarist, luthier and inventor Howard โBuzzโ Feiten II (1948โ) filed a US patent for the Buzz Feiten Tuning System (BFTS). The system was a means of minimising inherent tuning problems associated with traditional fretted guitars. The patent was granted in 1998 |
| 1996 | Paul Reed Smith moved PRS manufacturing from Annapolis to a new, larger factory in Stevensville, Kent Island, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA |
| 1996 | Line 6 was founded by Susan Wolf, Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic in Calabasas, California, USA to pioneer digital guitar amplifier, speaker cabinet and effect modelling. Line 6 was acquired by Yamaha in 2013 |
| 1997 | Ashdown Engineering was founded by Mark Gooday in Heybridge, Essex, England, formerly chief engineer and MD of Trace Elliott, to build amplifiers, speaker cabinets and effects |
| 1997 | Gibson Music Corp. acquired the bankrupt Kramer brand that had gone out of business in 1989. Modern Kramer guitars are now built by Gibson subsidiary, Epiphone |
| 1997 | Suhr Guitars was founded by luthier John Suhr and Steve Smith after Suhr left his job as Senior Master Builder at the Fender Custom Shop. Suhr Guitars, based in Lake Elsinore, California, USA set out to make premium quality electric guitars |
| 1998 | Line 6 introduced their breakthrough product, the POD guitar amp modeller famed for its red, kidney beanโshaped unit, which featured numerous digital renditions of classic amplifier models, speaker cabinets and effects |
| 1998 | C.F. Martin & Company introduced the XโSeries DXM acoustic guitars, manufactured in Mexico and making extensive use of composite materials rather than traditional tone woods |
| 1999 | Gretsch expanded production with affordable Electromatic and Synchromatic guitars manufactured in Korea. A limited number of premium โmadeโinโUSA custom shopโ guitars were made available to wealthy musicians and collectors. Gretsch Enterprises acquired Bigsby from Ted McCarty in the same year |
| 1999 | Taylor Guitars developed and patented the innovative NT (New Technology) neck joint for the companyโs acoustic guitars |
| 2000 | The Experience Music Project (EMP) was established by Microsoft coโfounder, Paul Allen (1953โ2018) in Seattle, Washington, USA to celebrate musical culture and history. It was renamed the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) in 2016 when it broadened its appeal to include science fiction and fantasy |
| 2001 | Paul Reed Smith introduced the PRS Single Cut guitar model intended to compete headโtoโhead with the Gibson Les Paul |
| 2001 | Ted McCarty, former Gibson president, owner of Bigsby and mentor to luthier Paul Reed Smith died in Twin Falls, Idaho at the age of 91 |
| 2001 | Keeley Electronics was formed by Robert Keeley in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA to build guitar effect pedals. Keeley had built a strong reputation for modifying BOSS and Ibanez effect pedals before developing effects under his own name |
| 2002 | Fender entered into an agreement with the Gretsch family to produce, market and distribute new Gretsch guitars. Fender also acquired guitar manufacturer Jackson and its subsidiary guitar brand Charvel in the same year |
| 2005 | Gibson Music Corp. started a copyright infringement law suit against Paul Reed Smith over the PRS Single Cut guitar model. The litigation failed and PRS subsequently reintroduced the Single Cut guitar |
| 2006 | Fender introduced the Jaguar Bass guitar. It represented a new take on an old design, as there was no โoriginalโ Jaguar Bass to reissue |
| 2006 | Fractal Audio Systems was founded by Cliff Chase in New Hampshire, USA to pioneer highโend digital guitar amplifier modelling. Fractal introduced the digital AxeโFx rackโmounted modelling preโamp and effects processor targeted directly at professional working musicians |
| 2007 | Fender Musical Instruments Corporation acquired Ovationโs parent company, Kaman Music Corporation (KMC), as well as the Hamer Guitars brand. Fender also secured global distribution rights for Takamine Guitars and established the EVH (Eddie Van Halen) guitar and amp brand in the same year |
| 2007 | Gibson introduced the innovative but divisive Robot Guitar automatic tuning system, displeasing many concerned traditionalists and conservatives |
| 2007 | C.F. Martin & Company discontinued the Far Easternโbuilt Sigma Guitar line to focus its resources on the main American acoustic guitar brand |
| 2007 | JHS Pedals, a range of successful guitar effect pedals, was launched by British manufacturer and retailer John Hornby Skewes |
| 2007 | Blackstar Amplification was founded by former Marshall employees Ian Robinson and Bruce Keir in Northampton, England to build amplifiers and effects |
| 2009 | Legendary American jazz guitarist, songwriter, luthier, inventor and Gibson endorsee, Les Paul died of complications from pneumonia in White Plains, New York, at the age of 94 |
| 2010 | The Cumberland River overflowed its banks and caused the Nashville Flood, which resulted in significant damage to Gibsonโs manufacturing facility and inventory in Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| 2011 | German company Kemper GmbH debuted the Kemper Profiler digital processor/amplifier at the NAMM Show, designed by inventor Christoph Kemper to recreate faithfully the sounds of numerous classic amps and speaker cabinets |
| 2011 | Gibsonโs guitar manufacturing facilities were raided numerous times by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) after alleged violations of the Lacey Act (1900) for the illegal importation of protected woods into the country |
| 2012 | Industry legend, Jim Marshall OBE, the pioneer of British Marshall guitar amplifiers, died in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England, at the age of 88 |
| 2013 | The international online marketplace for selling and buying musical equipment, Reverb.com was founded by David Kalt (1967โ) in Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| 2013 | Line 6 digital amp and effects modelling company was acquired by the giant Japanese Yamaha Corporation |
| 2014 | Fender sold Kaman Music Corporation (and its main brand, Ovation) to Drum Workshop. German company GEWA Music acquired KMC in 2020 |
| 2017 | Line 6, famous for its POD products, introduced the innovative nextโgeneration Helix amp modelling and effects processor |
| 2018 | The Songbirds Guitar Museum opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. It was reโopened in 2021 as a nonโprofit organisation and was renamed the Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum |
| 2018 | Taylor Guitars introduced the innovative VโClass bracing for the sound boards of its acoustic guitars. VโClass bracing was perhaps the first major change to acoustic guitar construction in a century |
| 2018 | After ongoing financial difficulties, Gibson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US. Gibson entered into a โrestructuring support agreementโ with lenders, resulting in $135m of funding for Gibson to reโfocus on its core businesses. Henry Juszkiewicz stood down from his role as Gibsonโs president |
| 2019 | Fender Musical Instruments Corporation acquired the Bigsby brand from Fred Gretsch Enterprises |
| 2019 | Gibson filed a multiโmillion dollar lawsuit in the US against Dean and Luna Guitars for alleged trademark infringement, ultimately forcing the targeted companies into liquidation in 2026 |
| 2021 | Gibson Music Corp. acquired amplifier manufacturer, Mesa Engineering from Mesaโs founder Randall Smith |
| 2023 | Yamaha Guitar Group, a subsidiary of the giant Japanese conglomerate, Yamaha Corporation acquired Cรณrdoba Music Group (CMG), which included Cordoba Guitars, Guild Guitars, DeArmond pickups and other related brands |
| 2024 | Gibson issued a Cease and Desist Order for trademark infringement against the US President and Donald Trump Guitars for their blatant copies of the Gibson Les Paul |
| 2024 | After 100 years in business, major American guitar retailer Sam Ash filed for bankruptcy in the USA resulting in the closure of all its retail stores. The company continued as an online retailer |
| 2025 | Leo Fenderโs final commercial venture, the American guitar manufacturer G&L, founded in 1980, ceased production after parent company BBE Sound Inc. closed. Fender acquired the intellectual property rights of both G&L and BBE but none of the assets or inventory, effectively winding up G&L |
| 2025 | Fender Musical Instruments Corporation applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for Leo Fenderโs name and his likeness to be formally trademarked by the company |
| 2025 | German manufacturer of musical instruments since 1887, Hรถfner GmbH filed for bankruptcy. In 2026, the company was acquired by longโstanding German business, GEWA Music, which had also owned Ovation since 2014 |
| 2026 | Following a German legal courtโs decision in its favour, Fender launched a series of aggressive legal campaigns against competitors for copyright infringement, trademark enforcement and legal protection regarding Fender’s Stratocaster guitar body design |
For those who prefer a purely visual interpretation of guitars as a counterpoint to either the infographic or the linear listing, here is a purely pictorial illustration of 16 key milestones in guitar evolution from 1960 to 2026.
โI’m only myself when I have a guitar in my handsโ โ George Harrison (1943โ2001)
Influence and Impact of the Guitar
Understanding how guitar innovation, evolution and development occurred over the last 5,000+ years helps one to appreciate the vast impact of the guitar and its numerous variants/derivatives on mankind. While its roots may lie in local folklore, peripatetic storytelling and religious rituals, often performed by itinerant performers, the guitar has risen from humble origins to achieve global contemporary significance for its primary role in creative music. As its influence spread globally, the guitar became a regular cultural symbol of regional and national identity, for instance European classical, Spanish flamenco, Mexican mariachi, Argentinian tango, Brazilian Bossa Nova/Samba, American folk and British pop/rock.
โI’ve always loved the electric guitar: to hold it and work it and hear what it does is unrealโ โ David Lynch (1946โ2025)
The guitar has long been associated with shifts in societal, economic, technological and political paradigms, reflecting change through popular entertainment, youthful rebellion, societal commentary, fierce protest and an abundance of emotional stories about interpersonal relationships. Musical genres reflected these shifts in the zeitgeist including rock & roll, folk revival, heavy metal, punk rock, new wave, grunge, indie, among many others.
Guitar music has long resonated with peopleโs basic need for individual identity and collective cohesion. It has become an integral part of everโchanging fashionable trends for adolescence angst, liberal freedoms and conscious social justice. During the 20th Century, guitar music supported civilian lives through tough economic depressions, two deadly (and unnecessary) world wars, lethal health pandemics, rapid expansion of scientific exploration, the geopolitical cold war and a multitude of other challenges to humanityโs very existence. It looks like the 21st Century may be reโrunning the turmoil of the previous 100 years without learning much along the way.
The guitar has been everโpresent, heavily influencing the postโclassical โthree pillarsโ underpinning western contemporary music, blues, jazz and country, from which todayโs diverse genre landscape was actively propagated. The guitar is a consistent and pervasive image not only in music but also familiar in art, TV & film, theatre, live performance, literature, advertising and popular media, as well as more recently across the Internet.
“The guitar saved my life. It gave me something to hold onto when everything else was falling apart” โ Eric Clapton (1945โ)
The electric guitar sparked an unprecedented revolution in musical genres in the 1960s and 1970s, creating world famous role models such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen, among many others. An explosion of creativity led to consumersโ relentless passion for new musical experiences. Guitar music in the 21st Century continues to evoke intense memories and sentiments seamlessly spanning generations and geographical boundaries. The instrument has genuinely become an emblem for the positive power of music that goes way beyond the modest twelve notes that underpin western musical tradition.
โI never stop being amazed by all the different ways of playing the guitar and making it deliver a messageโ โ Les Paul (1915โ2009)
For many musicians, playing the guitar provides educational opportunities, skills development, cathartic mindful escapism and supports affirmative mental health & wellbeing. The industry supports a global multiโbillion dollar contribution to many economies. For many working musicians, guitar playing provides a lifelong profession and income. For a few, global fame and celebrity were attained and occasionally perpetuated. For others, guitar playing provided brief popular exposure followed by subsequent anonymity. For some, sadly, the fire of fame flamed bright only to lead to tragic ends. Playing the guitar becomes an extension of the individual, providing a symbolic gateway for musical expression, emotional release and creative freedom. For audiences, attending live performances is an important collective experience. We should also recognise that playing a guitar is also tremendous fun, regardless of technical skill, a joyful (and sometimes frustrating) activity that cannot be underestimated. The guitar has been notable for not requiring musical technical literacy as a prerequisite for creating credible music.
Over the centuries, the guitar has transcended its basic function as just a humble 6โstringed musical instrument. It has become an icon of singular and shared identity, fashion, lifestyle, artistic inspiration and profound communal unanimity. The guitarโs global reach, accessibility, portability, popularity, adaptability and broadโranging versatility have made it a unifying foundation of human mien. Guitars can also be beautiful objects in their own right. The resulting obsession brings together a likeโminded community of interest as well as a community of place. Guitar music provides a universal language that anyone can understand regardless of race, religion, political stance, gender, language or nationality. The humble guitar has contributed to infinitely diverse musical genres, enough to cater for any taste.
It is no understatement to say that the guitar has become deeply embedded in human cultural heritage spanning both time and place. It is perhaps no surprise that the guitar has become so beloved with an enviable primacy and longevity.
โI had no aspirations to be a musician, but I picked up a guitar for two seconds and haven’t put it down sinceโ โ Slash (1965โ)
Final Thoughts on โA Timeline of Guitar History in 400+ Snippets: Parts IโIIIโ
I have to say that this exercise, as a necessary companion piece to โAn AโZ of Vintage Guitar Gearโ, became a mammoth search, identification, compilation, corroboration and consistencyโchecking exercise that took many weeks in the making. I declare that I actually learned a lot during the arduous process, so it was far more than simply completing a laborious abstract administrative activity.
There are some entries in the โAโZโฆโ that arenโt included in the timeline and vice versa. The eventual web site feature page of the timeline will unite all three parts. It will also include some items that arenโt in the articles (including some key entries that arguably should have been included above). Likewise the infographics and pictorial interpretations will also differ. All these differences are purely for practical reasons.
There are undoubtedly a lot of familiar names that readers might remember that arenโt specifically listed including, Akai, Analog Man, Bad Cat, Behringer, Binson, Chapman Stick, Columbus, CSL, Echoplex, Eko, FretโKing, Greco, Gus, Jen, JHS, Kawai, Korg, Leslie, Magnatone, Mayones, Orville, Pro Co, Roger Mayer, Shinโei, Vintageยฎ, Wilkinson, etc. Ultimately, not everything could make the cut or Iโd be doing this forever. There were literally hundreds and thousands of potential entries to consider. When selecting what made the grade, some were easy, others vague, some were borderline, others arbitrary and many, many had to be excluded. A simple fact of life. What remains, I hope, are entries that represent a significant contribution the whole.
โWhen we started I wasn’t the singer. I was the drunk rhythm guitarist who wrote all these weird songsโ โ Robert Smith (1959โ)
The outcome of this project may not seem that difficult to the reader but, believe me, it took some doing. However, I think it has proved to be a very useful exercise and hopefully one that others will find both interesting and informative. While I am sure that a lot of it will be familiar, I hope that there is something new herein for people to discover. Quite a bit of the information is relevant to the topic of vintage guitar gear.
One factor that became obvious to me is the โincestuousโ nature of the guitar industry. Many of the key people and businesses operated within relatively small circles on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The same names kept coming up over and over again in different permutations. Perhaps that interconnected and interdependent web of entities isnโt surprising and is possibly not an uncommon in other industries. Just sayinโ.
One of the things โmissingโ from this entire timeline is a record of the social and cultural context within which the guitarโs advancement occurred. Adding the wider milieu would have made this article far too large and way too heavyโgoing. It doesnโt mean that I havenโt covered the โbigger pictureโ, though. The broader world view covering the โHistorical Context 1650-2020โ was an integral part of CRAVE Guitarsโ fourteen part, โThe Story of Modern Music in 1,500+ Factsโ articles published between March 2019 and May 2020 (barring December 2019). That series of articles presented the broad social and cultural environment that paralleled the evolution of music over the same period. โThe Story of Modern Musicโ was considered too tangential to justify a discrete web site feature. As a result these โevents in global civilisationโ are too ultra vires to be published separately, so the only relevant source at the time of writing remains in the articles mentioned above. Sadly, that series of articles also had to have images sourced from Google Images removed post facto due to legal, pecuniary and credibility risk.
โI don’t find the songs; they find me. I just strum my guitar and wait for a lyric to comeโ โ James Taylor (1948โ)
While this exercise is not a rigorous academic work, maybe others will be able to use it as a valuable resource to share forward. After all, while this timeline is entirely a result of my own hard work, I had to extract the relevant information from sources that were already in existence (including CRAVE Guitarsโ own), I cannot therefore claim full ownership of anything herein. A huge thank you to all those who preceded me and who helped to make these articles possible. Mucho gracias.
As previously mentioned, there will inevitably be errors and omissions. However, I hope these should be relatively minor and therefore forgivable. I also donโt claim it to be comprehensive โ the proverbial โtip of the icebergโ and all that. Maybe it can be a starting point for others to expand upon. After all, as the nine part โPotted History of the Guitarโฆโ showed, there is a much bigger story behind each of the 400+ entries in the โTimelineโฆโ as well as the 150 entries in the โAโZโฆโ. In total, there is way more than enough to keep one going for one lifetime spent down the metaphorical rabbit hole. Sadly, there is no miraculous Wonderland at the end of said bunny pit!
Lastly, I know that I bang on endlessly about not using AI for my research and writing. I remain agnostic about AI as it is in 2026. Soโฆ just out of curiosity, this seemed an ideal opportunity to test AIโs abilities against solid human research methodology. I asked AI to find me information that I knew for a fact already. On the majority of enquiries, AI FAILED completely to provide accurate information. However, on every occasion AI did produce a result, even if it was incorrect. This is very worrying because wrong information is worse than no information. There is nothing wrong in saying โI donโt knowโ, especially if there is no definitive source information available. Not good. This doesnโt bother me because I try very hard to be diligent and I know the relevance of the information I was seeking, so it was relatively easy to spot the errors. What bothers me more is that other, less meticulous data consumers, will undoubtedly not only accept erroneous information without thinking critically and checking validity, but also that they will then promulgate those falsities to such an extent that it ultimately appears to become โthe truthโ. That, I believe, is a very serious issue and a significant case of metaphorical caveat emptor. Be careful about what you read and cautious about what you believe, even here.
โTechnically, I’m not a guitar player, all I play is truth and emotionโ โ Jimi Hendrix (1942โ1970)
CRAVE Guitarsโ โAlbum of the Monthโ
In Part I, I applauded Spanish classical guitarist, Andrรฉs Segovia. In Part II, I celebrated delta blues guitarist, Robert Johnson. So Part III deserves a guitarist with an equally prominent reputation. This time, though, the featured album isnโt a compilation. Of all the guitar players in all the world since the dawn of rock & roll, one stands head and shoulders above all others. While I am not one to put anyone on a pedestal, this one guitarist has been repeatedly acknowledged for his remarkable influence on contemporary music. For once, perhaps surprisingly, Iโm going to go with the flow. Drum roll pleaseโฆ this monthโs accolade goes toโฆ
The Jimi Hendrix Experience โ Are You Experienced (1967): ‘Are You Experienced’ was the debut studio album by the The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The album was released in May 1967 on Polydor in the UK and in August 1967 on Reprise Records in the US. The albumโs track list was largely different for the UK and US markets. Despite different track listings, both original albums comprised 11 tracks covering around 39 minutes. More recent reโreleases have combined the tracks (usually totalling 17), including many famous tracks such as Foxy Lady, Manic Depression, Red House, 3rd Stone From The Sun, Are You Experienced, Purple Haze, Hey Joe and The Wind Cries Mary.
โAre You Experiencedโ (why does the title not end with a question mark?) has been widely recognised as one of the greatest debut rock studio albums of all time. It was also commercially successful, selling over one million copies in the few months following its release. Whether you like or dislike Jimi Hendrix and whatever you think of this album, there is no doubt that it was a groundโbreaking milestone in rock music history. The Experience comprised the classic line up of Jimi Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. This albumโs status is matched only by its equally prestigious followโup, โElectric Ladylandโ (1968).
A bit of trivia; Jimi Hendrix apparently didnโt like the UK album cover of โAre You Experiencedโ. The alternative cover art used by Reprise Records for the American market is more psychedelic, more Jimi and more โ1960sโ. For what itโs worth, I agree with Jimi. The UK cover could be from any period, unlike the US version.
Jimi Hendrix (1942โ1970) released only three studio albums, one live album and one compilation album during his lifetime, which together defined his status as an allโtime guitar hero for many. Everything that has been released since Hendrixโs death has further cemented his reputation. As with legendary American delta blues guitarist Robert Johnson who occupied this slot in the last article, Hendrix died in mysterious circumstances at the age of 27, thereby becoming another unfortunate inductee into the infamous โ27 clubโ. Other peer members from the same period include Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. Hendrix has become one of the most inventive, celebrated and influential electric guitarists of all time. Arguably, without James Marshall Hendrix (NB. actually born Johnny Allen Hendrix), we wouldnโt have much of the diverse and wonderful guitar music we enjoy today.
BELIEVE IN MUSIC!
โIโm the one thatโs got to die when itโs time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want toโ โ Jimi Hendrix (1942โ1970)
Tailpiece
Well, this threeโpart epic extravaganza is pretty thorough, if I say so myself. A good job done, even if it is not 100% perfect. Sometimes, good enough is, well, good enough. I hope that the time travelling trip from 3500BCE to 2026CE has proved worthwhile and, perhaps, ephemerally entertaining.
Changing a 2โpart series into a 3โpart series has meant a reโorganisation of the forward plan of CRAVE Guitars article topics. The November article was intended to be significantly lighter in tone but that particular tome has now had to be cancelled, rather than just postponed. Please come back and join me for a new CVG adventure next month, whatever it might be.
As we are at the end of October, it may be apt to celebrate Allhallowtide (NB. deriving from at least the 15th Century and stemming from earlier religious origins) comprising All Hallowโs Eve, All Saintโs Day and All Soulโs Day from 31 October to 2 November inclusive. The Halloween that many of us are most familiar with in many western countries (corresponding to All Hallowโs Eve) has become a largely secular tradition based in pagan origins including the Celtic festival of Samhain. The season also celebrates the Mexican Dรญa de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is celebrated annually on 1and 2 November. Shpooky. Disfruta y adiรณs por ahora, compadres.
โWhen the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peaceโ โ Jimi Hendrix (1942โ1970)
Finally, as Warner Brothersโ closing caption for Looney Tunesโ animations in the early 1930s (NB. credited to Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising) stated, โThatโs All Folks!โ A suitable signโoff for this ambitious temporal performance, methinks. If you got this far, thank you for joining me along the way and patiently bearing with me throughout.
Truth, peace, love, and guitar music be with you always. The CRAVEman, signing off for now. Until next timeโฆ
CRAVE Guitarsโ โQuote of the Monthโ: โEverything. Ends. Eventuallyโ
ยฉ 2026 CRAVE Guitars โ Love Vintage Guitars.
