[Music] they may just be six strings and a chunk
they may just be six strings and a chunk
they may just be six strings and a chunk of wood but in the right hands they are
of wood but in the right hands they are
of wood but in the right hands they are the ultimate weapon of expression
[Applause]
[Applause] welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 guitar models of all time for this list
guitar models of all time for this list
guitar models of all time for this list or looking at a selection of guitars
or looking at a selection of guitars
or looking at a selection of guitars based on iconic or groundbreaking
based on iconic or groundbreaking
based on iconic or groundbreaking designs general musicality and enduring
designs general musicality and enduring
designs general musicality and enduring popularity with amateurs and pros alike
popularity with amateurs and pros alike
popularity with amateurs and pros alike third is Excalibur I just fell in love
third is Excalibur I just fell in love
third is Excalibur I just fell in love with this guitar number 10 Gibson
with this guitar number 10 Gibson
with this guitar number 10 Gibson Explorer
[Music]
[Music] debuting in 1958 this is one electric
debuting in 1958 this is one electric
debuting in 1958 this is one electric guitar that was way ahead of its time so
guitar that was way ahead of its time so
guitar that was way ahead of its time so far ahead in fact that Gibson ceased
far ahead in fact that Gibson ceased
far ahead in fact that Gibson ceased selling the model in 1963
selling the model in 1963
selling the model in 1963 [Music]
[Music]
[Music] by the mid-70s however the market and
by the mid-70s however the market and
by the mid-70s however the market and the masses were finally ready for its
the masses were finally ready for its
the masses were finally ready for its futuristic style and it was brought back
futuristic style and it was brought back
futuristic style and it was brought back in 1976
it was estimated that Gibson originally
it was estimated that Gibson originally produced less than 50 of the Carina Wood
produced less than 50 of the Carina Wood
produced less than 50 of the Carina Wood explorers which compounded with its
explorers which compounded with its
explorers which compounded with its eventual popularity provided an
eventual popularity provided an
eventual popularity provided an opportunity for other manufacturers to
opportunity for other manufacturers to
opportunity for other manufacturers to copy it
copy it
copy it [Music]
[Music]
[Music] though radically styled the Explorer is
though radically styled the Explorer is
though radically styled the Explorer is loaded with Gibson tone and has a
loaded with Gibson tone and has a
loaded with Gibson tone and has a tendency to turn up in the least likely
tendency to turn up in the least likely
tendency to turn up in the least likely of places and I was slightly like oh
of places and I was slightly like oh
of places and I was slightly like oh like it’s a little strange-looking
like it’s a little strange-looking
like it’s a little strange-looking you know I thought it’s this gonna other
you know I thought it’s this gonna other
you know I thought it’s this gonna other guys in the band gonna look and go what
[Music]
[Music] two or something number nine
two or something number nine
two or something number nine Ibanez gemmed previously known for its
Ibanez gemmed previously known for its
Ibanez gemmed previously known for its high-quality copies Ivan has found their
high-quality copies Ivan has found their
high-quality copies Ivan has found their footing and struck gold when they
footing and struck gold when they
footing and struck gold when they partnered with guitarist Steve Vai to
partnered with guitarist Steve Vai to
partnered with guitarist Steve Vai to produce this gem
produce this gem
produce this gem [Music]
[Music]
[Music] the pinnacle of 80 super strats the gem
the pinnacle of 80 super strats the gem
the pinnacle of 80 super strats the gem began development in 1985 using the
began development in 1985 using the
began development in 1985 using the Maxis series as its basis and by
Maxis series as its basis and by
Maxis series as its basis and by incorporating design features demanded
incorporating design features demanded
incorporating design features demanded by by himself and I designed this guitar
by by himself and I designed this guitar
by by himself and I designed this guitar with Ivan has about 25 years ago to fit
with Ivan has about 25 years ago to fit
with Ivan has about 25 years ago to fit some of the idiosyncrasies of my plane
some of the idiosyncrasies of my plane
some of the idiosyncrasies of my plane those changes include the unique monkey
those changes include the unique monkey
those changes include the unique monkey grip of palm rest scalloped frets
grip of palm rest scalloped frets
grip of palm rest scalloped frets DiMarzio pickups and a lightweight base
DiMarzio pickups and a lightweight base
DiMarzio pickups and a lightweight base wood body
wood body
wood body [Music]
the popularity of the guitars spawned
the popularity of the guitars spawned the more affordable RG series and the
the more affordable RG series and the
the more affordable RG series and the seven-string universe model which shaped
seven-string universe model which shaped
seven-string universe model which shaped much of the late 90’s heavy and new
much of the late 90’s heavy and new
much of the late 90’s heavy and new metal sound
number eight Gibson Flying V as with the
number eight Gibson Flying V as with the Gibson Explorer the world of the 1950’s
Gibson Explorer the world of the 1950’s
Gibson Explorer the world of the 1950’s just wasn’t ready for this heavy hitting
just wasn’t ready for this heavy hitting
just wasn’t ready for this heavy hitting humbucker equipped rocker debuting in
humbucker equipped rocker debuting in
humbucker equipped rocker debuting in 1958 the Flying V had fans and
1958 the Flying V had fans and
1958 the Flying V had fans and guitarists Lonnie Mack and Albert King
guitarists Lonnie Mack and Albert King
guitarists Lonnie Mack and Albert King but the model effectively died by 1959
but the model effectively died by 1959
but the model effectively died by 1959 [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] throughout the 60s however players like
throughout the 60s however players like
throughout the 60s however players like Jimi Hendrix and kinks guitarist Dave
Jimi Hendrix and kinks guitarist Dave
Jimi Hendrix and kinks guitarist Dave Davies discovered the model and in 1967
Davies discovered the model and in 1967
Davies discovered the model and in 1967 Gibson tried again
Gibson tried again
Gibson tried again [Music]
[Music]
[Music] with minor changes to the bridge and
with minor changes to the bridge and
with minor changes to the bridge and saddle system the company’s struck
saddle system the company’s struck
saddle system the company’s struck paydirt with the new improved Flying V
paydirt with the new improved Flying V
paydirt with the new improved Flying V and the guitar has been a hard rocking
and the guitar has been a hard rocking
and the guitar has been a hard rocking mainstay ever since
mainstay ever since
mainstay ever since [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number seven Rickenbacker 300 series
number seven Rickenbacker 300 series
number seven Rickenbacker 300 series [Music]
containing the short scale 325 the
containing the short scale 325 the upmarket 360 and the popular 330 these
upmarket 360 and the popular 330 these
upmarket 360 and the popular 330 these semi-hollow maple body guitars were
semi-hollow maple body guitars were
semi-hollow maple body guitars were designed by german luthier roguia ross
designed by german luthier roguia ross
designed by german luthier roguia ross my soul and are known for their bright
my soul and are known for their bright
my soul and are known for their bright jangly sound
[Music]
[Music] first launching in 1958 and then named
first launching in 1958 and then named
first launching in 1958 and then named the Capri series in honor of owner FC
the Capri series in honor of owner FC
the Capri series in honor of owner FC halls pet cat Rickenbacker’s flagship
halls pet cat Rickenbacker’s flagship
halls pet cat Rickenbacker’s flagship 300 series helped create the sound of
300 series helped create the sound of
300 series helped create the sound of the 60s through their use by bands like
the 60s through their use by bands like
the 60s through their use by bands like the WHO and the animals
the WHO and the animals
the WHO and the animals while the Beatles and The Byrds both
while the Beatles and The Byrds both
while the Beatles and The Byrds both employed Rick’s iconic and game-changing
employed Rick’s iconic and game-changing
employed Rick’s iconic and game-changing 12-string models
12-string models
12-string models [Music]
number six Gibson SG
number six Gibson SG [Music]
[Music]
[Music] intended as a replacement for the slow
intended as a replacement for the slow
intended as a replacement for the slow selling Gibson Les Paul the soon to be
selling Gibson Les Paul the soon to be
selling Gibson Les Paul the soon to be named SG first hit the market in 1961
[Music]
[Music] popular from the start even if some
popular from the start even if some
popular from the start even if some players did miss a classic Les Paul the
players did miss a classic Les Paul the
players did miss a classic Les Paul the SG unlike many Gibson models has never
SG unlike many Gibson models has never
SG unlike many Gibson models has never been out of production and is in fact
been out of production and is in fact
been out of production and is in fact the company’s best selling models
the company’s best selling models
the company’s best selling models [Music]
[Music]
[Music] available with either p90s or humbuckers
available with either p90s or humbuckers
available with either p90s or humbuckers the SGS are appreciated by many players
the SGS are appreciated by many players
the SGS are appreciated by many players for their slim necks incredible fret
for their slim necks incredible fret
for their slim necks incredible fret access and light weight all of which
access and light weight all of which
access and light weight all of which have made it a hardrock go-to guitar for
have made it a hardrock go-to guitar for
have made it a hardrock go-to guitar for decades
decades
decades [Music]
went up to Brooklyn and to the factory
went up to Brooklyn and to the factory and told him what all I wanted and they
and told him what all I wanted and they
and told him what all I wanted and they built this guitar it was the orange
built this guitar it was the orange
built this guitar it was the orange Gretsch 6120 they call it number five
Gretsch 6120 they call it number five
Gretsch 6120 they call it number five Gretsch 6120 designed in conjunction
Gretsch 6120 designed in conjunction
Gretsch 6120 designed in conjunction with Chet Atkins and endorsed by the
with Chet Atkins and endorsed by the
with Chet Atkins and endorsed by the guitarist from 1955 until the mid 60s
guitarist from 1955 until the mid 60s
guitarist from 1955 until the mid 60s the Gretsch six one to zero reached far
the Gretsch six one to zero reached far
the Gretsch six one to zero reached far beyond its country roots
beyond its country roots
beyond its country roots [Music]
also known as the Nashville it’s hollow
also known as the Nashville it’s hollow body and clear crisp filter Tron pickups
body and clear crisp filter Tron pickups
body and clear crisp filter Tron pickups have made it an unlikely but gritty rock
have made it an unlikely but gritty rock
have made it an unlikely but gritty rock and roll guitar
and roll guitar
and roll guitar [Music]
[Music]
[Music] a hot seller in the 60s due to its
a hot seller in the 60s due to its
a hot seller in the 60s due to its affiliation with the Beatles
affiliation with the Beatles
affiliation with the Beatles production of the 60120 ceased in the
production of the 60120 ceased in the
production of the 60120 ceased in the 1970s but the model and parent company
1970s but the model and parent company
1970s but the model and parent company were brought back from extinction in the
were brought back from extinction in the
were brought back from extinction in the 80s in part due to a renewed interest
80s in part due to a renewed interest
80s in part due to a renewed interest brought on by rockabilly guitar slinger
brought on by rockabilly guitar slinger
brought on by rockabilly guitar slinger Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer [Music]
number four gibson es-335
number four gibson es-335 [Music]
[Music]
[Music] popping up in guitar shops in 1958 and
popping up in guitar shops in 1958 and
popping up in guitar shops in 1958 and following the initial success of the Les
following the initial success of the Les
following the initial success of the Les Paul the es-335 marked a return to
Paul the es-335 marked a return to
Paul the es-335 marked a return to Gibson’s traditional construction
Gibson’s traditional construction
Gibson’s traditional construction techniques as well as it’s warm darker
techniques as well as it’s warm darker
techniques as well as it’s warm darker tone
tone
tone [Music]
[Music]
[Music] equally suited to jazz and blues as it
equally suited to jazz and blues as it
equally suited to jazz and blues as it is to rock the guitar was designed by
is to rock the guitar was designed by
is to rock the guitar was designed by the company’s then-president and guitar
the company’s then-president and guitar
the company’s then-president and guitar making legends Ted McCarthy
[Music]
[Music] the plan for the guitar was to be
the plan for the guitar was to be
the plan for the guitar was to be slimmer and less likely to feedback than
slimmer and less likely to feedback than
slimmer and less likely to feedback than a true hollow body guitar but more airy
a true hollow body guitar but more airy
a true hollow body guitar but more airy and open sounding than a solid body
and open sounding than a solid body
and open sounding than a solid body guitar and we can see and hear why it’s
guitar and we can see and hear why it’s
guitar and we can see and hear why it’s become a popular model
become a popular model
become a popular model [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number three Fender Telecaster
number three Fender Telecaster
number three Fender Telecaster [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] as the first proper and mass-produced
as the first proper and mass-produced
as the first proper and mass-produced solid body guitar the Fender Telecaster
solid body guitar the Fender Telecaster
solid body guitar the Fender Telecaster was an absolute GameChanger
[Music]
[Music] using been new and radical bolt-on next
using been new and radical bolt-on next
using been new and radical bolt-on next system vendor was not only able to build
system vendor was not only able to build
system vendor was not only able to build guitars quickly but was also able to
guitars quickly but was also able to
guitars quickly but was also able to simplify guitar building as a whole
simplify guitar building as a whole
simplify guitar building as a whole [Music]
[Music]
[Music] a flat slab of Awesomeness that le has
a flat slab of Awesomeness that le has
a flat slab of Awesomeness that le has been tinkered with but rarely tampered
been tinkered with but rarely tampered
been tinkered with but rarely tampered with and has changed very little since
with and has changed very little since
with and has changed very little since 1950
1950
1950 [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] although initially mocked it caught on
although initially mocked it caught on
although initially mocked it caught on quickly with guitars falling hard for
quickly with guitars falling hard for
quickly with guitars falling hard for the sharp twangy attack while its
the sharp twangy attack while its
the sharp twangy attack while its cutting versatile sound made every
cutting versatile sound made every
cutting versatile sound made every musician who played it feel right at
musician who played it feel right at
musician who played it feel right at home
home
home [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number two Fender Stratocaster although
number two Fender Stratocaster although
number two Fender Stratocaster although almost the default electric guitar today
almost the default electric guitar today
almost the default electric guitar today the Fender Stratocaster was as radical
the Fender Stratocaster was as radical
the Fender Stratocaster was as radical and otherworldly as things got in 1954
from its double cutaway body it’s cozy
from its double cutaway body it’s cozy welcome and contours custom colors and
welcome and contours custom colors and
welcome and contours custom colors and its original tremolo whammy bar system
its original tremolo whammy bar system
its original tremolo whammy bar system the strat was unlike anything else
the strat was unlike anything else
the strat was unlike anything else around
[Music]
[Music] basically unchanged since 1956 when ash
basically unchanged since 1956 when ash
basically unchanged since 1956 when ash bodies were sought for lighter older
bodies were sought for lighter older
bodies were sought for lighter older ones the Stratocaster was partly created
ones the Stratocaster was partly created
ones the Stratocaster was partly created based on customer feedback from the
based on customer feedback from the
based on customer feedback from the Telecaster and in a world before Jimi
Telecaster and in a world before Jimi
Telecaster and in a world before Jimi Hendrix was intended for country music
instead the strap has popped up in the
instead the strap has popped up in the arms of everyone from Buddy Holly to
arms of everyone from Buddy Holly to
arms of everyone from Buddy Holly to Weezer
[Music]
[Music] before we unveil our topic here are a
before we unveil our topic here are a
before we unveil our topic here are a few honorable mentions
few honorable mentions
few honorable mentions [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number one Gibson Les Paul
[Music]
[Music] designed by Gibson president Ted
designed by Gibson president Ted
designed by Gibson president Ted McCarthy and endorsed in perpetuity by
McCarthy and endorsed in perpetuity by
McCarthy and endorsed in perpetuity by Katara’s Les Paul this maple and
Katara’s Les Paul this maple and
Katara’s Les Paul this maple and mahogany beauty was the company’s entry
mahogany beauty was the company’s entry
mahogany beauty was the company’s entry into the solid-body guitar market
into the solid-body guitar market
into the solid-body guitar market [Music]
[Music]
[Music] painted gold at Les Paul suggestion the
painted gold at Les Paul suggestion the
painted gold at Les Paul suggestion the guitar came equipped with single coil
guitar came equipped with single coil
guitar came equipped with single coil p90 pickups when it debuted in 1952
but these were swapped in 1957 for the
but these were swapped in 1957 for the company’s new humbucking design it was
company’s new humbucking design it was
company’s new humbucking design it was with this stroke of innovation that the
with this stroke of innovation that the
with this stroke of innovation that the legend was truly born
[Music]
[Music] although it discontinued in 1961 the Les
although it discontinued in 1961 the Les
although it discontinued in 1961 the Les Paul continued to be popular among
Paul continued to be popular among
Paul continued to be popular among players leading to the model returning
players leading to the model returning
players leading to the model returning with a vengeance in 1968
do you agree with our list what’s your
do you agree with our list what’s your favorite guitar form or humbucking top
favorite guitar form or humbucking top
favorite guitar form or humbucking top 10s published daily be sure to subscribe
10s published daily be sure to subscribe
10s published daily be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com you just bought it
to watchmojo.com you just bought it
to watchmojo.com you just bought it don’t touch it I wasn’t no I was just
don’t touch it I wasn’t no I was just
don’t touch it I wasn’t no I was just pointing at it I will dot point even
pointing at it I will dot point even
pointing at it I will dot point even don’t even right now
don’t even right now
don’t even right now [Music]
”
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