Exactly When Was The Electric Guitar Created And How Was It Launched Into The Music World?

The electric guitar was designed in 1931 mainly for the purpose of providing a stronger accompaniment for jazz bands. The guitar also shot to popularity with music artists who performed Hawaiian music by using the guitar as it lay flat on their laps. The original musician giving the guitar a popular status was Charlie Christian who played with Benny Goodman in the 1940 era of big bands.

Considering that the guitar by itself had a sound that was restricted by other big band instruments, another significant equipment invention was the amplifier that was commercially available in 1932. The guitar amplifier enabled the guitar to contend with the big band brass instruments.

Early Guitar Manufacturers

Numerous designs of the electric guitar were starting to be available during this time. An early guitar was known as the "Frying Pan" because of the solid body of cast aluminum. It was offered in 1933 and was built by the Rickenbacker Company. Another famous manufacturer of electric guitars was Gibson Guitar Company that commenced with the ES150 in 1936 which sold for $150. Gibson continued making guitars with its next outstanding guitar being referred to as the Les Paul which was made in 1952. It entailed a solid mahogany body and a maple top. The guitar was revised a couple of times until its final design in 1957 which continues to be preferred today.

A third major manufacturer was the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation started in 1951 by Leo Fender, a radio technician. The business was credited with making an economical manufacturing assembly operation to create instruments that were reasonably priced. The company's most exceptional instrument was the electric bass guitar launched in 1951.

As the types and designs of electric guitars expanded, so did the arrival of a new form of popular music, rock and roll. This particular music, starting in the late 1950's and early 1960's, was begun in the United States and it focused on the electric guitar. As the acceptance grew so did the interest in the electric guitar. One of the early performers included Elvis Presley with "That's All Right, Mama" in 1954 as well as additional performers including Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino and a host of numerous people.

Many variations took place in this new music genre and a significant one was the large number of British groups coming into rock and roll. Most prominent in these groups was The Beatles in 1963. Similar to most groups the main musical instrument was the electric guitar.

As rock groups came and went, the instruments moved into the new and different kinds of music with the electric guitar carrying on as the favorite instrument.

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