When Was the Electric Guitar Invented? – Zager Guitars

Every musician, be it an acoustic guitar player or an electric guitar player, we have at least once thought about the history of these guitars. What prompted certain musicians to make the electric guitars that we all have come to know today?

So please sit back, and let’s discuss the history behind the electric guitar.

Brief History of Electric Guitar

Electric guitars had to wait quite some years before being developed. The need arose specifically after the popularity of music bands, and audiences that stayed in concert attendance grew far too big. A Classic of guitar playing alone would no longer provide the needed atmosphere. 

The problem quickly increased in the 1880s, as music groups needed alternative entertainment, which brought more heat to their concerts. Soon, they turned to drums and brass to power up their stages, removing the acoustic guitar to the second-tier instrument.

When Was the First Electric Guitar Invented

The development of the first electric guitar was a significant milestone in the history of music. Before the invention of the earliest electric guitar, however, traditional acoustic guitars and other stringed instruments relied on their natural acoustics to produce sound. 

While some guitarists used mechanical amplifiers to make their guitars louder in the 1920s, these early experiments were limited in their ability to create a genuinely electric sound.

George Breed in 1890

The origins of the electric guitar are not attributed to a single individual but rather the result of various innovations and inventions by multiple people over several decades. However, one of the earliest recorded patents for an electrified guitar pickup was submitted by George Breed, a Naval Officer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1890.

Breed’s design consisted of two elements – vibrating guitar strings within a magnetic field – and used electricity and electrical signals to excite and continuously vibrate the strings. However, it was not intended to amplify the sound of the lines through an external speaker but rather to produce an always-sustained sound akin to an EBow or a magnetic Gizmotron, with precision bass and an acoustic guitar body providing the amplification.

While Breed’s invention was certainly innovative, it was cumbersome, required a heavy battery, and an unconventional playing technique that produced an unusual and un-guitarlike sustained sound. Historians have since come to appreciate his contribution to the history of the electric guitar, but Breed himself slipped into obscurity.

Stromberg Electro in 1928

The Stromberg Electro is considered one of the earliest examples of an electric guitar. Stromberg-Voisinet designed, and the electro-string instrument corporation manufactured it in Chicago, Illinois, in 1928. The company was founded in 1921 by Henry Kay Kuhrmeyer and Charles Stromberg, and they originally produced banjos, modern guitars, and other fretted instruments.

The Stromberg Electro was designed to be played acoustically, but including a single-coil magnetic pickup allowed it to be amplified for larger audiences. The guitar had a hollow body made of laminated maple, which helped to produce a warm, resonant tone, and the pickup was mounted on a wooden base attached to the neck. The guitar also had a unique feature: a metal plate screwed onto the back of the body, which was supposed to enhance the tone and projection of the instrument.

The Stromberg Electro was one of the earliest electric guitars on the market, predating other iconic models such as the Rickenbacker “Frying Pan” and the Gibson ES-150. However, despite being an innovative design for electric sound generation at its time, the Stromberg Electro was not a commercial success, and only a few hundred were ever produced.

One of the reasons for the Stromberg Electro’s lack of success was that the design was ahead of its time, and many musicians were not yet ready to embrace the idea of an electric guitar. The guitar’s high price tag and lack of availability outside of Chicago also limited its appeal.

However, the Stromberg Electro’s design laid the groundwork for future electric guitar models, and it has since become a collector’s item among guitar enthusiasts. Today, Stromberg-Voisinet is no longer in business, but the legacy of the Stromberg Electro lives on as one of the earliest examples of an electric guitar.

“The Frying Pan.” by Rickenbacker A-22 Electro Hawaiian in 1931

In 1931, the music world was forever changed by introducing the Rickenbacker A-22 Electro Hawaiian, a guitar that would later be known as “The Frying Pan.” This revolutionary instrument was designed by George Beauchamp, a musician and inventor, and Paul Barth, an engineer, and it would become the first commercially successful electric guitar.

The A-22 Electro Hawaiian had a design, unlike any other guitar of its time. The body was made of cast aluminum and was circular, with a raised section in the center that held the pickups, controls, and bridge. The neck and fingerboard were made of wood, and the guitar was played using a steel slide designed to mimic the sound of a Hawaiian steel guitar.

But it wasn’t just the unique design that set the A-22 Electro Hawaiian apart from other guitars of the time. It was the sound that it produced, thanks to its innovative pickup based on the design of a telephone receiver. This pickup was powered by a large horseshoe magnet, having a clear and powerful sound that could be heard in even the largest venues.

The A-22 Electro Hawaiian invented the electric guitar was an instant hit with musicians, particularly those who played Hawaiian and country music. Its unique sound and design made it stand out, quickly becoming a favorite among guitarists.

Today, “The Frying Pan” remains a true classic of electric guitar history and is still highly sought-after by collectors and musicians alike. It paved the way for future electric guitar designs and set the stage for the electric guitar revolution in the following decades.

The Rickenbacker company has continued to produce innovative and high-quality guitars over the years, and the legacy of the A-22 Electro Hawaiian lives on as a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of its designers.

 So the next time you pick up an electric guitar, take a moment to appreciate the history and legacy of “The Frying Pan” and its role in shaping the music world.

Ro-Pat-In Electric Spanish Guitar in 1932

In 1932, Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp joined forces to create the “Ro-Pat-In Electric Spanish Guitar,” also known as the Rickenbacker Model B. This was no ordinary guitar – a game-changer that revolutionized how electric guitars were designed and played.

The Ro-Pat-In Electric Spanish Guitar was the first solid-body guitar, meaning it was made from a single piece of wood rather than hollow like many other guitars. This design allowed for more excellent sustain and reduced feedback, making the solid body guitars the first guitar to look like a sleek and futuristic machine ready to rock and roll.

But the most exciting feature of the guitar was its pickup, which was mounted directly to the guitar’s body. This innovative design allowed a clear and powerful sound to be heard in even the largest venues. Guitarists everywhere were blown away by the tone and sustain that this electric guitar pickup could produce.

It quickly became a favorite of musicians worldwide, and it helped establish Rickenbacker as a leading manufacturer of electric guitars. Its unique design and superior sound quality set the stage for developing many electric guitars we know and love today.

Today, in music, the Rickenbacker Model B is a classic of electric guitar history, and it remains highly sought-after by collectors and musicians alike. Its sleek design and futuristic sound are a testament to the creativity and innovation of its creators, and it continues to inspire guitarists to this day.

So the next time you pick up an electric guitar, take a moment to appreciate the legacy of the Ro-Pat-In Electric Spanish Guitar and its role in shaping the music world. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to create the next big thing in electric guitar sound and design!

Vivi-Tone Acoustic-Electric Guitar in 1932-33

In 1932-33, the Vivi-Tone Acoustic-Electric Guitar was introduced to the world of music and paved the way for the coming electric guitars of the future. The Vivi-Tone was one of the first acoustic-electric guitars. It paved the way for a new generation of its own electric guitars and musical instruments that could be amplified and played in larger venues.

The Vivi-Tone was the brainchild of a company called Rickenbacker Electro Stringed Instrument Company, which was co-founded by Adolph Rickenbacker, one of the inventors behind the Ro-Pat-In Electric Spanish Guitar. The Vivi-Tone featured a pickup mounted inside the guitar’s body, allowing for a clear and powerful sound that could be amplified in large venues.

But its ability to switch between acoustic and real electric guitar modes made it unique. Players could use the guitar as a traditional acoustic guitar when playing in smaller venues or switch to complete electric guitar mode when performing in larger venues. This versatility made the Vivi-Tone a favorite of many guitarists who wanted the best of both worlds.

It was also aesthetically pleasing, with a beautiful sunburst finish and a sleek and modern design that looked straight out of a science fiction movie. It was a guitar that was as much a work of art as a musical instrument.

The Vivi-Tone’s innovative design and sound quality set the stage for developing many of the acoustic-electric guitars we know and love today. Its versatility and sleek design continue to inspire musicians to this day.

So the next time you see an acoustic-electric guitar, take a moment to appreciate the legacy of the Vivi-Tone Acoustic-Electric Guitar and its role in shaping the world of music. It was a true pioneer of its time, and its influence can still be felt in the guitars we play today.

Gibson Les Paul ES-150 Electric Spanish in 1936

The year 1936 marked a significant milestone in the history of the electric guitar with the introduction of the Gibson ES-150 Electric Spanish guitar. The ES-150 was a guitar that would shape the sound of jazz and blues music for years to come.

The Gibson ES-150 was the first commercially successful electric guitar designed for use in jazz and swing bands of the era. It was also the first complete electric guitar and one of the first guitars to feature a single-coil pickup, which engineer Walter Fuller designed. The pickup was mounted on the guitar’s body, producing a warm, clean, and crisp tone perfect for the pure jazz and blues sounds of the time.

The design was also unique, with a sleek, modern shape and a cutaway design that allowed players to reach higher frets easily. The guitar’s body was made of laminated maple, which helped to reduce feedback and produce a warm and mellow sound.

It quickly became a favorite of many jazz and blues guitarists of the time, including Charlie Christian, considered by many as the father of modern jazz guitar. Christian’s innovative playing style and the ES-150’s warm and clean sound helped revolutionize the jazz guitar world.

The Gibson ES-150 continued to be produced throughout the 1940s and 1950s and remains a highly sought-after guitar. Its impact on the music world is immeasurable, and its influence can still be heard in today’s jazz and blues music.

So if you’re a jazz or blues music fan, take a moment to appreciate the Gibson ES-150 and its role in shaping the sound of these genres. It was a guitar that changed the course of music history and helped to pave the way for the electric guitars we know and love today.

Slingerland Songster Model 401 in 1936

The Slingerland Songster Model 401 is a vintage acoustic guitar manufactured by Slingerland, a prominent American musical instrument company. The guitar was introduced in 1936 and was produced until the mid-1940s.

It has a classic dreadnought body shape with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard. It has 20 frets and a scale length of 25 inches. The guitar features a simple yet elegant design with a natural finish and a single-ply white binding.

The Songster Model 401 is known for its warm, rich tone and excellent projection, making it a popular choice for fingerpicking and strumming. It was a popular choice among folk and blues musicians of the era and has since become a sought-after collector’s item among guitar enthusiasts.

It’s a prime example of the high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that characterized guitar manufacturing during the golden age of acoustic guitar making in the 1930s and 1940s.

Les Paul’s “Log.” in 1940

Les Paul’s “Log” is a custom-made solid-body electric guitar created by the legendary jazz guitarist and inventor Les Paul in 1939-1940. The “Log” is considered one of the earliest examples of a solid-body electric guitar and is a seminal instrument in the history of popular music.

Les Paul created the guitar to address his issues with the limitations of the traditional archtop acoustic guitars of the time. He wanted an instrument that could produce a sustain and volume that was impossible to achieve with an acoustic guitar.

To create the guitar, Les Paul took the neck, bridge, and pickups from a Gibson L-5 archtop guitar and mounted them onto a simple wooden plank he had designed and crafted himself. The guitar’s body was made from a length of 4×4 lumber with a metal plate attached to the top and back for added strength and stability.

The resulting instrument was unconventional in appearance, but it had a unique and revolutionary sound that paved the way for the development of the modern solid-body electric guitar. Les Paul used the “Log” extensively throughout his career and became an iconic symbol of his pioneering work in electric guitar technology.

Today, the original “Log” guitar is on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, where it is recognized as a landmark instrument in the history of popular music.

O.W. Appleton’s “App” Guitar in 1941

The “App” guitar was a custom-made electric guitar built by O.W. Appleton in 1941. The guitar is considered one of the earliest examples of an electric guitar with a fully integrated amplifier and speaker system.

The guitar was designed to address the low-volume issue common with early electric guitars. To solve this problem, Appleton integrated a small amplifier and speaker directly into the guitar’s body, allowing the player to achieve a much louder sound than was possible with other guitars of the time.

The guitar featured a unique and futuristic design, with a body made of mahogany and a striking silver finish. The amplifier and speaker were housed within the guitar’s body, along with a control panel that allowed the player to adjust the volume, tone, and other settings.

It was played by several prominent musicians, including Les Paul and Alvino Rey, and it was recognized as a groundbreaking innovation in electric guitar design. However, the guitar was not commercially successful, and only a small number were produced.

Today, the “App” guitar is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and it is recognized as an essential milestone in the history of electric guitar technology.

The Travis Bigsby in 1948

The Travis Bigsby is a legendary electric guitar custom-built by Paul Bigsby in 1948 for the country music guitarist and singer Merle Travis. The guitar is widely considered one of the most critical and influential instruments in the history of popular music.

The guitar was designed to meet Travis’s specific requirements, with a unique combination of features, including a solid body made from maple and an innovative bridge and tailpiece system that allowed for more excellent sustain and tuning stability. The guitar also featured a distinctive cutaway shape and a single-pickup configuration.

It quickly gained a reputation among musicians for its exceptional tone and playability, and several notable guitarists, including Duane Eddy and George Harrison, played it. The guitar’s influence can be heard in countless recordings across various musical genres.

Today, the Travis Bigsby is an iconic symbol of the golden age of electric guitar design, and collectors and enthusiasts highly prize it. Despite its rarity, several faithful replica electric guitars have been produced over the years, ensuring that the legacy of this legendary instrument will continue to inspire future generations of guitar players.

Fender Esquire in 1950

The Fender Esquire is a solid-body electric guitar introduced by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in 1950. The Esquire was the first solid-body electric guitar produced by Fender, and it is considered a pioneering instrument in the development of modern electric guitar design.

The guitar was designed as a simple and affordable alternative to the more complex and expensive electric guitars at the time. The guitar featured a single pickup, a straightforward control layout, and a sleek, minimalist design.

Initially marketed as a lap steel guitar, it quickly gained popularity among guitarists looking for a powerful and versatile instrument that could handle various musical styles. The guitar’s distinctive twangy tone and the crisp attack made it a favorite among country and rockabilly guitarists. It became a vital component of the emerging rock and roll sound of the 1950s.

Over the years, the Fender Esquire has undergone several design changes and variations, including adding a second pickup and a new name, the Fender Telecaster. However, the original Esquire remains a classic example of the innovative and forward-thinking design that has made Fender one of the most respected names in electric guitars.

Gibson Les Paul in 1952

The Gibson Les Paul is a solid-body electric guitar introduced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1952. The Les Paul was designed in collaboration with the legendary guitarist and inventor Les Paul, and it is considered to be one of the most iconic and influential electric guitars in the history of popular music.

It featured a single-cutaway mahogany body, a carved maple top, and a glued-in mahogany neck. The guitar was fitted with two humbucker pickups, providing a warm, rich tone for blues, jazz, and rock music.

The guitar quickly gained popularity among guitarists, and it was played by several notable musicians, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Slash. The guitar’s distinctive sound and sleek design symbolized the emerging rock and roll culture of the 1950s and 1960s.

Over the years, the Gibson Les Paul has undergone several changes and variations, including adding new features such as a slim-taper neck profile, coil-tap pickups, and a weight-relieved body. However, the classic design and timeless tone of Les Paul have remained essentially unchanged, making it one of the most beloved and enduring electric guitars of all time.

The Rise of Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Acoustic-electric guitars have become increasingly popular in recent years. These guitars are essentially acoustic guitars with built-in electric pickups, preamps, and other electronics that allow them to be amplified and connected to sound systems or recording equipment.

The rise of acoustic-electric guitars can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, they offer greater versatility than traditional acoustic guitars. Their ability to be plugged in and with amplified sound can be used in a broader range of musical genres, from folk to rock to country.

Additionally, acoustic-electric guitars have become more affordable and accessible in recent years. While they were once primarily used by professional musicians, they are now available at various price points, making them more accessible to hobbyists and beginners.

The rise of online music platforms and social media has also contributed to the popularity of acoustic-electric guitars. Musicians can now easily share their music with a global audience, and acoustic-electric guitars are well-suited for live performances and recording sessions.

About Zager Guitars

Zager Guitars could be an excellent option if you are searching for a top-quality acoustic guitar. Founded by Denny Zager and his son Dennis Jr., this company crafts guitars that produce a warm, balanced sound, using a unique bracing system that enhances their tone and projection. They also use a combination of high-quality woods to create both functional and visually stunning instruments.

One of the most distinctive features of Zager Guitars is their “playability guarantee.” The company claims that their guitars are more accessible to play than 99% of other guitars available, thanks to their bracing system, high-quality frets, and careful setup. This can be especially appealing for guitarists who value comfort and ease of use.

Zager Guitars offers a range of acoustic guitars to suit different needs and preferences, from beginner models to high-end instruments. They also have a line of acoustic-electric guitars that can be played unplugged or amplified. Overall, Zager Guitars is a top choice for anyone seeking a high-quality acoustic guitar. Their commitment to quality and playability, combined with their unique bracing system and careful use of wood, makes them stand out among other guitar makers.

FAQs

Did Electric Guitars Exist in 1937?

Yes, electric guitars did exist in 1937, with notable models such as the Rickenbacker “Frying Pan” and the Gibson ES-150 introduced in that decade.

Who first invented the Electric Guitar?

Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp, in the 1930s, developed the first commercially successful electric guitar. The Rickenbacker “Frying Pan” guitar was the first real electric guitar to feature a solid body and magnetic pickups. Les Paul and Leo Fender also significantly contributed to the electric guitar’s development in the following decades.