Wiktor Wise
The electric guitar has become one of the most iconic instruments of the 20th century, used in a wide variety of musical styles and genres. The first electric guitars were made in the early 20th century, with the first electric guitars used in jazz being hollow archtop acoustic guitar bodies with electromagnetic transducers. The first commercially available electric guitar was the Stromberg Electro of 1928, but the electric guitar didn't catch on until the mid-1930s when Gibson and Epiphone started building them. The first solid-body electric guitar was offered by Vivi-Tone in 1934, and the first commercially successful electric guitar was the Rickenbacker A-22 Electro Hawaiian, also known as The Frying Pan, released in 1931.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of invention | The first electric guitar was invented in the 1930s |
| Inventors | George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker of the National Guitar Corporation |
| First model | Frying Pan guitar, also known as the Rickenbacker A-22 Electro Hawaiian |
| Year of release | 1931 |
| Patent | Patent issued in 1937 |
| Commercial availability | The Stromberg Electro of 1928 was the first commercially available electric guitar |
| First solid-body guitar | The Ro-Pat-In Electric Spanish Guitar, also known as the Rickenbacker Model B, was the first solid-body guitar |
| Year of release | 1932 |
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What You'll Learn
- The first electric guitars were made in the 1930s
- George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker are considered the fathers of the electric guitar
- The first solid-body electric guitar was made of solid wood
- Electric guitars were designed to amplify the sound of a guitar
- The Gibson Les Paul is an iconic model still made today
The first electric guitars were made in the 1930s
In 1932, Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp created the "Ro-Pat-In Electric Spanish Guitar", also known as the Rickenbacker Model B. This guitar revolutionised the design and play of electric guitars as it was the first solid-body guitar, made from a single piece of wood. This design allowed for excellent sustain and reduced feedback, giving it a sleek and futuristic look. Its innovative pickup, mounted directly to the guitar's body, produced a clear and powerful sound that could be heard even in the largest venues.
The Stromberg Electro, one of the earliest electric guitars on the market, predates other iconic models such as the Rickenbacker "Frying Pan" and the Gibson ES-150. However, despite its innovative design, it was not a commercial success, with only a few hundred produced. This was partly due to the design being ahead of its time, as many musicians were not yet ready to embrace the electric guitar.
The Electro-Spanish Ken Roberts, produced between 1933 and 1937, was the first full 25-inch scale electric guitar. It provided players with easy access to 17 frets free of the body. Another early solid Spanish electric guitar was marketed by the Rickenbacker guitar company in 1935 and made of Bakelite. These guitars from the 1930s laid the groundwork for the development of the modern electric guitar.
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George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker are considered the fathers of the electric guitar
The electric guitar was more an innovation than an invention, so it is challenging to pinpoint its origins. Many people contributed to its development over time. However, George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker are considered the fathers of the electric guitar.
Beauchamp, born in Coleman County, Texas, in 1899, was an inventor of musical instruments. He was also a founder of the National Stringed Instrument Corporation and Rickenbacker guitars. In the 1920s, he began experimenting with the creation of electric guitars and amplifiers. In 1930, he attended night school and studied electronics, learning how to amplify the vibrations of a metal string using a magnetic field. By 1931, Beauchamp had designed the first electric guitar to be marketed commercially, the ""frying pan" guitar, which pioneered the concept of coil pickups. In 1932, Beauchamp built the first working electric guitar, also known as "the frying pan" due to its shape.
Adolph Rickenbacker, born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1887, was an American production engineer and machinist. He immigrated to the United States as a child in 1891, settling in California. Together with Beauchamp, Rickenbacker co-founded the Rickenbacker guitar company. In 1932, their company marketed the electric lap steel "frying pan" guitar, which is widely regarded as the first mass-produced electric guitar. This guitar was the first electrically amplified stringed instrument to be marketed commercially.
Beauchamp and Rickenbacker's collaboration resulted in the creation of the first mass-produced electric guitar, propelling a worldwide musical revolution. Their contributions to the development of the electric guitar are significant, and they are rightfully recognized as pioneers in the history of this beloved instrument.
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The first solid-body electric guitar was made of solid wood
The evolution of the electric guitar has been a long and fascinating process, with many innovations and experiments along the way. The first electric guitars were hollow-bodied, combining acoustic and electric sound. However, the development of the solid-body electric guitar was a significant milestone.
The solid-body electric guitar is made of solid wood, without functionally resonating air spaces. This design differs from hollow-body guitars, which have a combination of acoustic and electric sound. The solid body, typically made from hardwood, produces almost no acoustic sound on its own. When plugged into an amplifier, however, the solid body can reach new levels of volume without feedback, enabling louder outputs and heavier effects.
The first solid-body Spanish standard guitar was introduced by Vivi-Tone no later than 1934. This guitar had a unique design, with a body made from a single sheet of plywood attached to a wooden frame. Another early example of a solid-body Spanish electric guitar was the Electro Spanish, released by the Rickenbacker guitar company in 1935. This guitar was made of Bakelite, showcasing the exploration of different materials during this era.
The Rickenbacker company played a pivotal role in the history of the solid-body electric guitar. In 1931, they produced the first commercially available solid-body electric Spanish guitar. This groundbreaking achievement set the stage for future innovations and solidified Rickenbacker's place in the evolution of the electric guitar.
Les Paul, a renowned guitarist and innovator, is often credited with creating the first solid-body guitar. His "Log guitar," crafted from a solid block of pine, laid the foundation for subsequent designs. However, it was Fender that is often recognized as the first company to commercially market a solid-body electric guitar, even though their design was inspired by Merle Travis's work.
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Electric guitars were designed to amplify the sound of a guitar
The demand for amplified guitars began during the big band era as orchestras increased in size, and guitar players realised the need for guitar amplification and electrification. The first electric guitars used in jazz were hollow archtop acoustic guitar bodies with electromagnetic transducers. The first commercially available electric guitar was the Stromberg Electro, released in 1928. However, electric guitars did not gain popularity until 1935 when Gibson and Epiphone began building them.
The solid-body guitar was the next step in the evolution of the guitar. A solid body produces almost no acoustic sound as it is a solid piece of wood. However, when plugged in, a solid body can be driven to new levels of volume without feedback, enabling louder outputs and heavier effects loads. Les Paul is widely regarded as the first to invent a working solid body, starting with his "log guitar" and later with prototypes through Gibson. The first solid-body Spanish standard guitar was offered by Vivi-Tone no later than 1934.
The electric guitar has become one of the most iconic instruments of the 20th century, used in a wide variety of musical styles and genres, from rock and metal to jazz and country. The distinctive tones of the electric guitar played a significant role in shaping the pop music wave of the 1960s.
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The Gibson Les Paul is an iconic model still made today
The history of the electric guitar can be traced back to the early 20th century, with many experiments conducted to amplify the vibrations of string instruments. The first electric guitars used in jazz were hollow archtop acoustic guitar bodies with electromagnetic transducers. The first commercially successful electric guitar was the Rickenbacker A-22 Electro Hawaiian, also known as "The Frying Pan", introduced in 1931.
The Les Paul model has been produced in many versions and editions, with specs varying by year and reissue. The Custom model, also known as the "Black Beauty", features gold-plated hardware and was introduced in 1953. The Goldtop and Custom models continued without significant changes until 1957, when new humbucker pickups designed by Seth Lover were introduced. The Les Paul saw its first major design change in 1958.
The history of the Gibson Les Paul began with Les Paul himself, a respected innovator who had been experimenting with guitar design for years. In 1945 or 1946, Paul approached Gibson with a solid-body prototype nicknamed "The Log", but his design was rejected. In 1951, Gibson Guitar president Ted McCarty brought Paul into the company as a consultant, and work began on what would become the Les Paul Model. The Gibson Les Paul was introduced in collaboration with Paul, and its iconic status and rich history have cemented its place in music.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric guitars were made in the 1930s.
The first electric guitar was made by George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker of the National Guitar Corporation.
The first electric guitar was called the "
The first commercially available electric guitar was the Stromberg Electro of 1928.
