The History of Rock in Fifty Guitars

The origins of the guitar can be traced back for over 3,000 years, but it was in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries that it became recognizable as the instrument we know today. The development of the Spanish vihuela greatly influenced the style of the modern quitar, with its sound hole, strings and curved body. In its classical acoustic form, the early quitar was used to accompany the singing voice and was also played in instrumental ensembles. The popular music of the 1920s led to the sound of the quitar becoming much more dominant. Dobro was one of the first manufacturers to use a steel cone placed beneath the strings to amplify the guitar's sound. These early resonators were hugely successful and demand for instruments began to outpace supply.

The first eIectric guitars were Hawaiian models, designed to be played horizontally, while resting on the guitarist's lap. Gibson produced their first electric Spanish-style six-string guitar in 1936. This model featured electronic sound pickups under the strings so that musicians could amplify and shape their own distinctive sound. Amplification also meant that guitars could leal a group rather than just accompany other instruments. The new technology generated a new and much more flamboyant style of quitar playing. In turn, this inspired many new genres of popular music, includinq jazz, swing, blues and country and western. After the War, the new phenomenon of affluent teenagers produced a completely new musical landscape. Blues music and country and western were fused together and sanitized for a young, mostly white, audience. Rock and roll was born, with the sound of the guitar at its heart. Its cultural importante has thrived and endured eversince.

The History of Rock in Fifty Guitars celebrates the fifty most iconic guitars and guitarists from the first seven decades of rock music.

CONTENIDO:

1. Alembic Tribute: Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead
2. Burns Marquee: Jet Harris, The Shadows
3. Burns Marvin: Hank Marvin, The Shadows
4. Danelectro Solid Body: Tom Petty
5. Epiphone Casino: John Lennon
6. Epiphone Joe Perry Les Paul: Joe Perry, Aerosmith
7. Epiphone Les Paul: Bob Marley, Bob Marley and the Wailers
8. Epiphone Buzzsaw: Zakk Wylde, Black Sabbath
9. ESP LTD Truckster: James Hetfield, Metallica
10. Fender Stratocaster: Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits
11. Fender Stratocaster: Jimi Hendrix, ]¡mi Hendrix Experience
12. Fender Mustang Bass: Tina Weymouth, Talking Heads
13. Fender Floral: James Burton, Elvis's Guitarist
14. Fender Electric XII: Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin
15. Fender Jazz Bass: Rick Danko, The Band
16. Fender Custom Clapton Strat: Eric Clapton
17. Fender Custom Shop HLE: David Gilmour, Pink Floyd
18. Fender Precision Bass: Sting, The Police
19. Fender Jag Strat: Kurt Cobain, Nirvana
20. G&L ASAT DeLuxe: Peter Frampton
21. Gibson L-5: Bill Haley
22. Gibson ES-295: Scotty Moore
23. Gibson ES-355 TD-SV: B.B. King
24. Gibson Pete Townshend SG: Pete Townshend, The Who
25. ES-5 Switchmaster 1959: Ry Cooder
26. Gibson EB-0 Bass 1959: Jim Kale, The Guess Who
27. Gibson EB-3 Bass: Jack Bruce, Cream
28. Gibson Les Paul Standard: Keith Richards, Rolling Stones
29. Gibson Les Paul Custom: Mick Ronson, The Spiders from Mars
30. Gibson Les Paul Custom: Steve Jones, Sex Pistols
31. Gibson Les Paul: Glenn Frey, The Eagles
32. Gibson EDS-1275: Steve Howe, Yes
33. Gibson SG Supreme: Angus Young, AC/DC
34. Gibson J-50: Elvis Costello
35. Gibson J-180: Everly Brothers
36. Gretsch Duo jet: George Harrison, The Beatles
37. Gretsch G6120 Brian Setzer: Brian Setzer, Stray Cats
38. Guild Starfire Bass: Jack Casady, Jefferson Airplane
39. Harmony H22 Bass: Ronnie Lane
40. Hofner 500/1 Bass: Paul McCartney
41. Jackson KZX10 King V: Randy Rhoads, Black Sabbath
42. Andy Manson Custom 7 String: Mike Oldfield
43. Hugh Manson Solid Body: Kelly Jones, Stereophonics
44. Brian May Signature: Brian May, Queen
45. Mosrite Ventures Model: Nokie Edwards
46. Music Man: Albert Lee
47. Rickenbacher 36012 Stringer: Roger McGuinn, The Byrds
48. Vigier Arpege: Adam Clayton, U2
49. Yamaha SG 500B: Carlos Santana, Santana
50. Zemaitis Electric: Ronnie Wood, Faces/Rolling Stone