1931 CE
First electric guitar invented
George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker invent the first electric guitar, the 'Frying Pan', a lap steel guitar with a magnetic pickup. #modern #culture
Chronological Storyline (27 Milestones)
1936 CE
Gibson ES-150 introduced
Gibson introduces the ES-150, the first commercially successful electric Spanish-style guitar, featuring a single-coil pickup. #modern #culture
1940 CE
Les Paul builds solid-body prototype
Les Paul builds 'The Log', an early solid-body electric guitar prototype, using a 4x4 piece of lumber with strings and pickups. #modern #culture
1946 CE
Fender Electric Instrument Company founded
Leo Fender founds the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company, later revolutionizing electric guitar design. #contemporary #culture
1948 CE
Bigsby builds solid-body electric guitar
Paul Bigsby builds one of the first solid-body electric guitars, featuring a headstock design that influenced later models. #contemporary #culture
1950 CE
Fender Esquire introduced
Fender introduces the Esquire, the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar, soon replaced by the Telecaster. #contemporary #culture
1951 CE
Fender Telecaster released
Fender releases the Telecaster (originally Broadcaster), a solid-body electric guitar that becomes iconic for its simplicity and tone. #contemporary #culture
1952 CE
Gibson Les Paul launched
Gibson launches the Les Paul model, a solid-body electric guitar designed with Les Paul, featuring a mahogany body and P-90 pickups. #contemporary #culture
1954 CE
Fender Stratocaster introduced
Fender introduces the Stratocaster, a revolutionary solid-body electric guitar with a contoured body, three pickups, and a tremolo system. #contemporary #culture
1957 CE
Humbucking pickup debuts
Gibson debuts the humbucking pickup, designed by engineer Seth Lover, reducing noise and producing a warmer tone, first used on the Les Paul Standard. #contemporary #culture
1958 CE
Gibson Flying V and Explorer released
Gibson releases the Flying V and Explorer, radical futuristic solid-body designs that later become iconic in rock music. #contemporary #culture
1961 CE
Gibson SG introduced
Gibson introduces the SG (Solid Guitar), a thinner, lighter version of the Les Paul, quickly adopted by artists like Pete Townshend. #contemporary #culture
1965 CE
Fender Precision Bass introduced
Fender introduces the electric bass guitar, the Precision Bass, solidifying the role of bass in modern music. #contemporary #culture
1967 CE
Hendrix popularizes Stratocaster and feedback
Jimi Hendrix popularizes the use of the Fender Stratocaster and feedback, expanding the sonic possibilities of the electric guitar. #contemporary #culture
1970 CE
Gibson Les Paul reissued
The Gibson Les Paul is reissued after high demand, leading to the Les Paul Standard and Custom models becoming staples. #contemporary #culture
1977 CE
Van Halen builds Frankenstrat
Eddie Van Halen pioneers the 'Frankenstrat', a custom-built guitar with a humbucker and Floyd Rose tremolo, influencing metal and shred guitar. #contemporary #culture
1980 CE
Floyd Rose tremolo patented
The Floyd Rose locking tremolo system is patented, allowing extreme pitch bends without detuning, popular in hard rock and metal. #contemporary #culture
1982 CE
Ibanez RG series introduced
Ibanez introduces the RG series, a superstrat with a thin neck and high-output pickups, favored by shred guitarists. #contemporary #culture
1985 CE
Fender purchased by investors
Fender is purchased by a group of investors including Bill Schultz, leading to a revival of quality and innovation. #contemporary #culture
1990 CE
PRS Custom 24 introduced
The PRS (Paul Reed Smith) Custom 24 is introduced, combining Les Paul and Stratocaster features with high craftsmanship. #contemporary #culture
1998 CE
Line 6 Variax modeling guitar
Line 6 introduces the Variax, a digital modeling guitar that emulates multiple classic electric guitar sounds. #contemporary #culture
2000 CE
Gibson Robot Guitar released
Gibson releases the Robot Guitar, featuring automated tuning via a built-in system, marking a step into smart guitar technology. #contemporary #culture
2004 CE
Fender American Series introduced
Fender introduces the American Series, updating classic designs with modern features like S-1 switching. #contemporary #culture
2010 CE
Affordable Chinese electric guitars rise
The rise of affordable, high-quality Chinese-made electric guitars from brands like Squier and Epiphone expands global access. #contemporary #culture
2015 CE
Fender American Elite series launched
Fender launches the American Elite series with compound-radius necks and noiseless pickups, blending tradition with innovation. #contemporary #culture
2020 CE
Pandemic boosts home recording gear
COVID-19 pandemic boosts home recording, leading to increased interest in affordable electric guitars and digital modeling amps. #contemporary #culture
2023 CE
Fender Player II series released
Fender releases the Player II series, updating the popular Player series with new finishes and features at an accessible price point. #contemporary #culture