Guitar Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

Guitar Facts

The guitar’s history spans over 4,000 years, evolving from stringed instruments like the tanbur and setar in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. A direct ancestor is the Middle Eastern oud, a fretless, pear-shaped instrument introduced to Europe during the 8th century.

By the 13th century, instruments like the guitarra latina and guitarra morisca appeared in Spain. The Renaissance saw the development of the vihuela and the four-course guitar, with four pairs of strings, popular in Europe for accompaniment and solo performance.

The Baroque period introduced the five-course guitar, with ornate designs and gut strings. It was widely used in courts and by composers like Gaspar Sanz. During this era, tuning evolved toward the modern standard.

Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres revolutionized the guitar in the 1850s by designing the larger, fan-braced body that became the template for modern classical guitars. His designs improved volume and tone, making the guitar a serious concert instrument.

The 1930s marked the birth of the electric guitar, driven by the need for louder instruments in jazz and big band music. Leo Fender and Les Paul pioneered solid-body designs. The 1950s Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul became iconic, thus shaping rock, blues, and pop music. Today, guitars are central to countless genres—from flamenco to metal. Advances in amplification, effects pedals, and digital modeling continue to expand the instrument’s versatility.

Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970)

More Guitar Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a guitarist. Notable guitarists are far too numerous to name here, though Jimi Hendrix is often singled out as the greatest ever.

Jimi Hendrix
Ranking “best” guitarists is subjective, but Jimi Hendrix is often cited as the greatest for his revolutionary electric guitar techniques, including feedback manipulation and wah-wah pedals. His performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock (1969) redefined guitar expression.

A Visual Compendium of Guitars

Guitar Infographic Printed on Acid-Free Cover Stock

A Visual Compendium of Guitars 16×20 High-Quality Poster Print

Brian May’s “Old Lady”
One of the most famous guitars was hand-built by Queen’s lead guitarist and his father in the 1960s. Built over 18 months in a home workshop, the “Red Special” cost around £8 to build (about $200 today). The legendary guitar went on to great fame, powering hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Killer Queen.”

Queen Guitarist Brian May

Listen to Queen guitarist Brian May on Absolute Radio telling the story of how he built the famous Red Special guitar with his engineer father, using salvaged materials. Here’s what one reviewer had to say: I don’t think people realize how incredible this is. This is like saying “I couldn’t afford a space shuttle so I built one with my dad.”

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We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite guitar player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Guitar collection.

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Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Product details:

Perfect beginner guitar for all ages
Designed by the most trusted name in guitar
Backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
Includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos
“C” shaped neck, walnut fingerboard, light weight body
Sealed-gear tuning machines allow for accurate tuning
Dreadnought body shape resonates with a bold and rich bass tone
Great for playing country, folk or bluegrass

Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar with Sunburst Finish Beginner Guitar with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Free Lessons

Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar

Guitarist and Innovator Les Paul
The guitar is such a personal thing. It’s an extension of your fingers, your thoughts, your feelings. You can’t just plug a guitar into an amplifier and expect it to sound good. It’s all about the touch and the feel. When you get a groove going, time flies. You don’t even realize you’re playing for hours.

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Our Guitar Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Guitar Shirts and Gifts Collection

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