Buzz
[We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Les Paul today, at the age of 94. I was fortunate to meet Les on a few occasions while performing with Pat Martino. Les and Pat shared a close friendship, and I once joined them for drinks during Les's regular performance at a small, now-closed jazz club near Lincoln Center. That evening, I asked Les if he truly loved the guitar bearing his name, to which he quipped, "It pays the rent." In tribute to Les, we're revisiting this post, which coincidentally went live earlier this week. Farewell, Les—your music will be dearly missed...]
Every guitar featured here has played a pivotal role in shaping a genre, a sound, or even an artist's career. Consider this a guide to some of the most iconic guitars globally. For a related post on 5 Legendary Keyboards, click here.
1. Gibson Les Paul Design: In the early 1950s, Gibson's president Ted McCarty reached out to jazz legend Les Paul, asking if he would lend his name to a new guitar in development. Les agreed and offered some input on design elements like color schemes. In 1952, one of the most renowned guitars in history was introduced. Except for a brief hiatus in the mid-1960s, it has remained in production ever since. [caption id="attachment_31639" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Les Paul with his LesPaul"][/caption] Look/Feel/Sound: The Les Paul is celebrated for its rich, warm tone and exceptional sustain. Its sustain is so legendary that it was humorously referenced in *This Is Spinal Tap*. In one scene, Nigel Tufnel showcases his guitar collection, holding up a Les Paul Standard and demonstrating its sustain without playing a note. While there are various models with different pickup configurations and body styles, all Les Paul guitars, like most Gibsons, feature top-mounted strings, unlike Fender's through-body designs. Guitarists who helped make it a legend: Les Paul himself, along with nearly every influential guitarist over the past 50 years, has recorded with one. Jimmy Page stands out as one of its most famous users, often seen with his Les Paul paired with Marshall amps and occasionally a cello bow, extracting even more sustain from the instrument. Hear it in action:
2. Gibson Flying V Design: Founded by Orville Gibson, a mandolin craftsman from Kalamazoo, MI, in the late 1800s, Gibson introduced the Flying V much later in 1958. Despite its innovative design, it was initially a commercial failure, leading then-president Ted McCarty to discontinue it shortly after its release. [caption id="attachment_31154" align="alignleft" width="299" caption="Albert King"][/caption] Look/Feel/Sound: The Flying V, ahead of its time, featured Gibson's classic double-coil "humbucking" pickup introduced in 1955. Its mahogany body and powerful pickup configuration gave it a distinctive, robust sound. Guitarists who helped make it a legend: Blues legend Albert King adopted the Flying V in 1958 and remained loyal to it. However, it wasn't until Dave Davies of The Kinks embraced it in the 1960s that Gibson revived the model in 1967. Other iconic players like Jimi Hendrix, Billy Gibbons, and Eddie Van Halen further cemented its legendary status.
3. Fender Telecaster Design: Leo Fender's Telecaster debuted in 1949, marking the first mass-produced solid-body guitar to significantly influence music. Its assembly-line production revolutionized the industry. [caption id="attachment_31159" align="alignleft" width="211" caption="Keith Richards"][/caption] Look/Feel/Sound: Known for its bright, rich tone, the Telecaster features two single-coil pickups, distinguishing it from the Stratocaster's three. Jimmy Page's iconic "Stairway to Heaven" solo is one of its most famous moments. Guitarists who helped make it a legend: Muddy Waters, Roy Buchanan, and Albert Collins were early adopters, while Joe Strummer and Keith Richards made it a staple in rock. Its versatility and tone have made it a favorite across genres.
4. Fender Stratocaster Design: Introduced in 1954 by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares, the Stratocaster became a game-changer with its sleek, double-cutaway design and three single-coil pickups. Look/Feel/Sound: The Strat's "Comfort Contour Body" and crisp, twangy tone set it apart. Its clean, bright sound has made it a favorite for decades. [caption id="attachment_31145" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Buddy Holly"][/caption] Guitarists who helped make it a legend: Buddy Holly popularized it in the 1950s, while Jimi Hendrix elevated it to iconic status in the 1960s. Hendrix's unique left-handed playing style, with a flipped right-handed Strat, created a distinctive tone. Fender has since released numerous Hendrix tribute models to honor his legacy.
5. Gibson SG Design: In 1961, Gibson redesigned the Les Paul, adding horned cutaways and slimming the body. Les Paul disapproved, leading to the removal of his name and the birth of the SG, which has remained in production ever since. [caption id="attachment_31166" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Angus Young"][/caption] Look/Feel/Sound: Marketed as having the "fastest neck in the world," the SG's slender neck and thinner body offer less sustain than the Les Paul but deliver a punchy, warm tone. It's often seen as Gibson's response to the Fender Strat. Guitarists who helped make it a legend: George Harrison, Tony Iommi, and Angus Young are among its most famous users. Angus Young's association with the SG led to the creation of a signature model, solidifying its place in rock history.
6. Gibson Explorer Design: Between 1958 and 1959, Gibson introduced one of the most distinctive guitars ever made, though it initially failed to capture the market. Its futuristic design was far ahead of its time. However, when other brands began producing similar models in the 1970s, Gibson reissued the Explorer, and it quickly became a favorite among heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and glam rock acts like Mötley Crüe. [caption id="attachment_31165" align="alignleft" width="248" caption="James Hetfield"][/caption] Look/Feel/Sound: The Explorer's design is unmistakably unique, though its sound was initially considered average. In the early 1980s, Gibson upgraded it with high-output "Dirty Fingers" humbucker pickups, transforming it into a powerhouse instrument. Its loud, aggressive tone became a staple for metal bands, almost begging for a *Spinal Tap*-style joke about its volume. Guitarists who helped make it a legend: James Hetfield, Eddie Van Halen, and Dave Murray are among the most notable players. Others, like The Edge and bands such as ZZ Top and Cheap Trick, also contributed to its iconic status.
[If you're curious why song examples aren't included in this post, mental_floss can no longer provide excerpts from copyrighted music. We regret any inconvenience.]
