Guitar History, Types, & Facts – Zager Guitars

History Of The Guitar

A question that many guitar enthusiasts have is; when was the guitar invented? To understand what made the modern guitar what it is today, we must return to that time before music was invented. Despite the existence of some musical instruments throughout the ancient civilizations, some believe the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilization had developed their own versions of musical instruments that incorporated steel strings. 

The earliest recorded evidence for steel string guitars, the ‘oud’ was in Mesopotamia circa 3000 BC. During the Sasanian Empire, later expanded and annexed places such as Gandhar and Bâtri, the instruments were known as Barbats. Then the ‘od’ became the Barbat, and the bariton became the king.

Guitars, as we know them today, did not exist in the ancient time period. However, there were stringed instruments that were similar in design and function to the guitar.

One such instrument was the lute, which had a pear-shaped body and a fretted neck with four strings. The lute was a popular instrument in ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in the Middle East and other parts of the world. It was often played by plucking the strings with the fingers or a plectrum. It can be said that it’s the first guitar in history.

Another instrument that was similar to the guitar was the lyre, which had a small, handheld body and usually had between four and ten steel strings. The lyre was commonly used in ancient Greece and Rome and was often played in religious ceremonies and other formal events.

It is also worth noting that the modern electric guitar pickup itself, as we know it today, has evolved over time. The modern classical guitar, for example, is a descendant of the Baroque guitar, which was used in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It can be said that it was the very first acoustic guitar.

 Before that, the first guitars had a different shape and was played with different techniques. While there were no guitars in the ancient time period, there were certainly stringed instruments that had a similar role and function.

The Invention Of Acoustic Guitars

An important question for many acoustic guitar makers and players is; when was the guitar invented? The acoustic guitar has a long and rich history, dating back thousands of years. The origins of the modern acoustic guitar can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Egyptians, and Persians.

The earliest known representation of a guitar-like instrument can be found on a 3,500-year-old Hittite carving, which depicts a stringed instrument with a long neck and a rounded body. The ancient Greeks also had a stringed instrument called the kithara, which was similar to the modern guitar.

During the Islamic Golden Age in the Middle East, the oud was a popular instrument, and it is believed to have been a direct predecessor to the modern guitar. The oud had a similar shape to the guitar but had fewer strings and a slightly different tuning.

The modern acoustic guitar as we know it today began to take shape in the 16th century in Spain. The Spanish guitar, or vihuela, had six strings and a distinct shape, with a smaller waist than the oud or the kithara guitar bodies it was often used for accompanying vocal music.

Over time, the Spanish guitar evolved, and by the 19th century, it had become the dominant form of the instrument. Innovations such as the addition of frets and the development of steel strings helped to improve the sound and playability of the guitar.

Today, the acoustic guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world, played by millions of people of all ages and skill levels. It continues to evolve, with new designs and materials being developed to improve its sound and versatility.

Acoustic Guitar In the Early Roman Times

In ancient Greece, the kithara, which dates to around 700 BC, was a popular string instrument. Moreover, it is thought that the name “guitar” derives from the ancient Greek word “kithara.” This instrument possesses many of the same traits as its descendant.

The kithara has a hardwood body and seven strings of equal length. This instrument was frequently played by professional musicians, who also took part in Greek public performances. The kithara was also introduced to Spain by the Romans in 40 AD.

Acoustic Guitars In The 15th Century

The acoustic guitar, as we know it today, did not exist in the 15th century. However, there were stringed instruments that were similar in design and function to the guitar during that time period.

One such instrument was the vihuela, the fifth string, which was popular in Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries. The vihuela had a flat back and a rounded belly, similar to a modern-day guitar, and usually had six or seven strings. It was played with a plectrum or with the fingers and was often used to accompany singing or to play instrumental music.

Another instrument that was similar to the guitar was the lute, which had a pear-shaped body and a fretted neck. The lute was popular throughout Europe during the Renaissance period and was often played in a similar style to the vihuela.

It is worth noting that the acoustic guitar, as we know it today, evolved over time from these earlier stringed instruments. The modern acoustic guitar, with its six strings and familiar body shape, did not come into existence until the 19th century. However, the vihuela and the lute both played an important role in the development of the guitar and helped to shape its design and playing techniques.

The Baroque Period Of Acoustic Guitars

The Baroque period, which lasted from the early 17th to mid-18th century, was a time of great experimentation and innovation in music and instrument design. During this time, the guitar underwent significant changes, including the development of the Baroque guitar, which was the direct ancestor of the modern classical guitar.

One of the key innovations of the Baroque guitar was its body shape and sound hole. Baroque guitars had a smaller, more compact body than earlier guitars, with a flat back and a thinner soundboard. This gave them a brighter, more focused sound that was well-suited to the intricate, virtuosic music of the Baroque period.

Another important development during the Baroque period was the use of new materials and construction techniques to create the solid body invented by the guitar. While these guitars were not widely used during the Baroque period itself, they laid the foundation for the development of the very first electric guitar in the 20th century.

The Baroque guitar was typically strung with nylon strings and was played with the fingers rather than a plectrum. It had a shorter scale length and a wider fretboard than earlier guitars, which allowed for greater ease and precision in playing complex music.

The Classical Period Of Acoustic Guitars

During the 18th century, the acoustic guitar underwent further evolution and refinement, leading to the development of the modern classical guitar. Many of the features that we associate with the classical guitar today were established during this time, including the body shape, the string arrangement, and the playing techniques.

One of the key innovations during this time was the development of a larger, more resonant guitar body. This allowed for greater sound resonance and improved sound quality, making the guitar a more versatile and expressive musical instrument.

Guitar strings also underwent significant changes during the 18th century. Earlier guitars had been strung with gut strings, which were prone to stretching and breaking. In the mid-18th century, however, metal strings began to be used, which were much more durable and consistent in their sound. This led to the development of new playing techniques, including fingerpicking and strumming, which were better suited to the bright, metallic sound of the new strings.

The combination of these innovations led to a new era of virtuoso guitar playing, with performers such as Fernando Sor and Mauro Giuliani pushing the boundaries of what was possible on the instrument. The guitar also became a popular instrument for accompanying vocal music and for use in chamber ensembles, further cementing its place in the classical music repertoire.

Today, the classical guitar remains one of the most versatile and expressive musical instruments, thanks in large part to the innovations of the 18th century. Its rich history and diverse repertoire continue to inspire and challenge guitarists around the world.

The Romantic Period Of Acoustic Guitars

The Romantic period of music (early to mid-19th century) was a time of innovation for the acoustic guitar. It saw the introduction of new playing techniques, such as harmonics and tremolo, which became well-suited to the expressive and emotional music of the time. The period also saw a rise in the popularity of the guitar, with many instrument makers and Spanish guitarists contributing to its development.

 Composers of the time, such as Francisco Tárrega and Agustín Barrios, wrote music specifically for the guitar, which continues to be studied and performed today. The innovations and musical styles of the Romantic period helped establish the acoustic guitar as an important part of the classical music repertoire.

In addition to the innovations in playing style and musical composition, the Romantic period also saw significant advancements in the construction and design of the acoustic guitar. Spanish luthiers such as Antonio de Torres, who is often referred to as the “father of the modern classical guitar,” experimented with new materials and designs, including the use of lighter woods, improved bracing patterns, and the addition of a raised fingerboard. 

These changes resulted in a more balanced and responsive instrument with a richer and more nuanced sound. The advancements in guitar design and construction during the Romantic period continue to influence the development of new classical guitars even today, ensuring that the instrument remains a vital and beloved part of the musical landscape.

Early To Mid 20th Century Acoustic Guitar

The early to mid-20th century was a pivotal era for the acoustic guitar, as it saw the instrument undergo significant transformations and developments that would forever change its sound, style, and role in music history.

With the introduction of steel strings, the steel-string guitar rose to prominence, becoming a popular choice among musicians playing popular music styles such as blues, country, and folk. This new instrument featured larger bodies and wider necks that produced a brighter, more resonant sound and introduced bass strings to the guitar family, creating a richer and more complex tonality than the slide guitar.

In addition to its popularity in popular music, the acoustic guitar gained significant recognition in jazz music during this period. The likes of Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian used the instrument to produce complex and intricate melodies and harmonies, showcasing the versatility and range of the acoustic guitar within the jazz genre.

The early to mid-20th century also saw significant advancements in guitar technology and construction, with the invention of the electric guitar revolutionising popular music and paving the way for new genres such as rock and roll. This new technology allowed the guitar to be amplified and distorted, creating new possibilities for sound experimentation and musical expression. Hence the invention of acoustic-electric guitars took place.

Overall, the early to mid-20th century was a time of great innovation and experimentation for acoustic guitars, with changes in playing styles, musical genres, technology, and construction contributing to the instrument’s continued evolution and popularity as one of the most beloved and versatile string instruments in music history. The history of the guitar has been rather tasteful, just like the tunes they produce.

History Of Electric Guitars

The invention of the electric guitar in the 1930s revolutionized the way that acoustic and electric guitars were played and heard in popular music. While early electric guitars were essentially traditional hollow-body guitars with added electric pickups, jazz guitarist Les Paul and his collaborators helped to push the technology further by developing the solid-body electric guitar in the 1940s.

With its solid body and electric pickups, the modern electric guitar allowed for greater volume, sustain, and tonal control than previous guitar designs, making it a popular musical instrument for a wide range of styles, from jazz and blues to rock and roll and beyond. The electric guitar also made possible new playing techniques and effects, such as feedback, distortion, and reverb, which have become integral to the sound of modern popular music.

The development of the solid body electric guitar helped to spur the growth of modern guitar making, with companies like Fender and Gibson producing a wide range of solid body electric guitars and guitar models to meet the demands of players and styles.

 Today, the electric guitar remains one of the most popular musical instruments in the world, with countless musicians and guitarists continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with this versatile and innovative instrument.

The Boom of Acoustic Electric Guitars

The acoustic-electric guitar is a relatively recent innovation, first appearing in the 1930s and 1940s. These modern electric guitars were developed in response to the need for a guitar that could be heard more clearly in larger performance spaces and recording studios while still retaining the warm, natural sound of an acoustic guitar.

The first acoustic-electric guitars were essentially traditional acoustic guitars that were fitted with pickups, which allowed them to be plugged into amplifiers or sound systems. These early models of electric bass often had visible pickups mounted on the guitar’s body and were sometimes criticised for producing a more electric, rather than acoustic, sound.

In the years that followed, acoustic electric guitars continued to evolve, with guitar manufacturers often experimenting with different pickup designs and placement, as well as new materials and construction techniques to improve sound quality and playability. Today, there are a wide variety of acoustic-electric guitars available, ranging from high-end models with sophisticated pickup and preamp systems to more affordable options for beginning and intermediate players.

Acoustic-electric guitars have become popular among a wide range of musicians and styles, from singer-songwriters and folk musicians to jazz guitarists and rock bands. Their versatility and ability to be played both acoustically and electrically have made them an essential tool for many guitarists and a popular choice for recording and live performances.

About Zager’s Acoustic Electric Guitars

Zager Guitars offer the best of both worlds with their high quality reliable acoustic-electric guitars. This comes as a shock that Zager Guitars are not very talked about. Known for their excellent customer service and easy-play design, Zager Guitars are a popular choice among professional guitarists, thanks to their exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

  Due to its “EZ-Play” design, which has a slim front-to-back neck that is simple to grasp and play, they are also excellent for beginners. The company’s guitars also include certain cutting-edge innovations, such as customised string spacing, that increase playing comfort and lessen buzzing and rattling..

It’s popular among touring artists and veteran musicians who have previously played high-end guitars such as Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, and Fender. Unlike other guitar brands, Zager Guitars are not sold through retail outlets but rather directly to musicians from their website. This allows customers to save money by avoiding the markup that comes with retail sales.

 Furthermore, Zager Guitars offers a try-before-you-buy policy, where customers can try one out for free for 30 days and pay nothing. The company also pays for shipping both ways. So, what’s the catch? You can’t seem to find one.

FAQS

Who Invented The Guitar First?

George Beauchamp and his business partner Adolph Rickenbacker invented the first electric guitar. The first patent for an electric guitar pickup was given to Beauchamp. On the other hand, the acoustic guitar has a very ancient history that dates back thousands of years. The earliest surviving guitar-like instrument dates back 3500 years (about 1500 BC) and belonged to the Egyptian singer Har-Mose.

What Is The Oldest Known Guitar?

The world’s oldest guitar is the Vihuela, designed by Belchior diaz and widely considered the successor of modern guitars. The strings are 10. They are modeled on the lyre with ligatures similar to the metal strings. Originally built around 1590 and is composed of 10 strings.

Did People Play The Guitar In The 1800s?

Most experienced experts believe the guitar was first popular around the 1790s, as demonstrated by various surviving instruments. It grew widely throughout 1818, and by 1808 it had been widely used in newspapers.