The guitar is one of the most popular and recognizable musical instruments in the world. It brings together musicians from all genres and generations, becoming a part of not only grand concert halls but also cozy evenings by the campfire. But have you ever thought about the secrets and incredible stories hidden behind this familiar instrument?
This article will reveal 10 surprising facts about the guitar that you might have never heard before. We've gathered the most fascinating facts to show that the guitar is not just an instrument but an entire world full of discoveries. Here's what you'll learn from this article:
- How the history of the guitar dates back thousands of years.
- The most unusual guitars and what makes them impressive.
- How the guitar inspires, heals, and even travels to space.
Get ready to discover new dimensions of the instrument you know and love.
1. The Guitar Is One of the Oldest Instruments
The guitar, as we know it today, has an astonishingly long history. Its ancestors existed thousands of years ago. The earliest mentions of stringed instruments with a body resembling a guitar date back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Archaeologists have uncovered depictions of instruments resembling guitars that date as far back as 3000 BCE. These instruments were used to accompany songs and dances, much like the modern guitar.
Fun fact: The word “guitar” originates from the Greek word “kithara”, but the instrument itself predates ancient Greek culture by centuries. This highlights how deeply rooted the guitar is in human history.
2. The Electric Guitar Could Have Emerged Sooner
It’s hard to imagine modern music without the electric guitar, but its invention could have happened much earlier. The first attempts to amplify the sound of stringed instruments using electricity date back to the late 19th century, when inventors experimented with magnets and string vibrations.
Interestingly, the earliest patent for an electric guitar was filed in the 1890s. However, the technology of the time wasn’t advanced enough to make the instrument widely popular. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the world saw the first commercially successful electric guitar — the iconic Fender Telecaster.
The electric guitar sparked a true revolution in music, transforming the sound of genres from blues to metal. But if technology had progressed faster, its invention might have changed the course of music history even earlier!
Photo by Simon Weisser on Unsplash
3. The Most Expensive Guitar in the World
Have you ever wondered how much a guitar can cost? As it turns out, prices for rare instruments can reach astronomical sums. The most expensive guitar in the world is the Fender Stratocaster, famously known as “Reach Out to Asia”. It was sold at auction in 2005 for an astonishing $2.7 million.
This instrument was signed by legendary musicians, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Mick Jagger, to raise funds for victims of the tsunami in Asia.
Other famous guitars, such as David Gilmour's “Black Strat”, also command immense value thanks to their unique histories. These instruments are not just guitars — they are true artifacts of musical culture.
4. Famous Musicians Played Unexpected Instruments
Many guitarists we know and love became famous thanks to their unique instruments. For instance, Jimi Hendrix, whose left-handed playing was his hallmark, played on a right-handed guitar flipped upside down. This creative choice became part of his iconic sound.
Eric Clapton favored his legendary Fender Stratocaster, nicknamed “Blackie”, for decades. Clapton personally assembled it from parts of different guitars.
Unusual guitars, such as the double-neck Gibson EDS-1275 played by Jimmy Page or resonator-equipped acoustic guitars used by blues musicians, highlight how instrumental choice contributes to creating a unique sound.
5. Guitar Strings Were Once Made of Gut
Modern guitar strings are made from steel, nickel, or nylon, but in the past, a completely different material was used — animal gut. Until the mid-20th century, classical guitar strings were crafted from sheep or goat intestines. This process was labor-intensive, but it gave instruments a warm, velvety tone.
This material was especially popular among Renaissance and Baroque musicians, as well as in classical music. Today, gut strings have largely been replaced by more durable and convenient nylon alternatives. However, some luthiers and musicians still use gut strings for historically accurate performances of early music.
6. The Smallest Guitar in the World
Did you know there is a guitar that’s smaller than a human hair? Scientists from Cornell University in the United States created a miniature guitar just 10 micrometers long. This instrument was made using nanotechnology and is not just a model — it’s a functional guitar with six strings that can be “plucked” with a laser.
While this tiny guitar is not meant for playing music, it showcases advancements in microtechnology. In comparison, the smallest playable guitar in the world, according to the Guinness World Records, is just 26 centimeters long and can produce sounds like its full-sized counterparts. These guitars are a fascinating blend of art and science!
Photo by Asli Yaren Peker on Unsplash
7. Guitars Can “Tell” Stories
Some guitars are more than just instruments — they are true witnesses to musical history. Take, for example, Eric Clapton's legendary “Blackie”. In the 1970s, Clapton purchased three Fender Stratocasters, took them apart, and assembled one unique guitar from the best parts. “Blackie” accompanied him on stage for over 15 years and was later sold at auction for $959,500, with proceeds going to charity.
Another iconic example is “Lucille”, B.B. King's guitar, named after a woman whose quarrel sparked a fire in a bar. B.B. King rescued his guitar and named every subsequent guitar he played “Lucille”. These instruments embody emotions, events, and entire eras, inspiring musicians and fans alike.
8. Guitars with Extra Strings and Harp Guitars
A standard guitar has six strings, but there are instruments that significantly expand this range. For example, harp guitars feature additional strings placed outside the fretboard. These extra strings are used to create rich bass lines or accompaniment, adding depth and complexity to the sound.
There are also guitars with an incredible number of strings. A standout example is a 24-string guitar, designed for experimental music. Such instruments enable musicians to play unique chords and melodies that are unattainable on traditional guitars.
Harp guitars and multi-string instruments inspire musicians to explore new sounds, revealing the limitless potential of the guitar. They are used in both traditional music and modern experimental art, maintaining their uniqueness and appeal.
9. Guitar as a Tool for Healing
The guitar is not just for making music — it’s also widely used in music therapy, helping people overcome various physical and psychological challenges. Music therapists note that playing the guitar improves motor skills, enhances coordination, and reduces stress levels.
In some hospitals and rehabilitation centers, the guitar has become an essential part of treatment. The “Guitars for Vets” program in the United States helps veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder by teaching them how to play.
This instrument has become a symbol of emotional healing and inspiration, proving that its value goes far beyond musical performance.
10. Guitars in Space
The guitar was the first musical instrument to be played in zero gravity. In 1995, astronauts aboard the American shuttle Columbia brought along a small acoustic guitar to lift the crew’s spirits.
Later, in 2001, the Canadian Larrivée Parlor Guitar made its way to the International Space Station, where it remains a source of relaxation and inspiration for astronauts. One of the most iconic moments featured astronaut Chris Hadfield performing David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and recording the music video from orbit.
Video by Rare Earth on YouTube
These stories show that the guitar can resonate even where there is no gravity, bringing people together in the most extraordinary environments!
Conclusion
The guitar is more than just an instrument — it’s a true symbol of creativity, inspiration, and history. Behind its strings lie countless fascinating facts, from its ancient origins to incredible innovations like microscopic and multi-necked versions. Each fact in this article reveals that the guitar is much more than meets the eye.
We’ve learned how the guitar could have appeared millennia earlier, the unusual materials once used to make it, and how it helps heal and inspire people. These facts uncover new dimensions of an instrument that unites musicians around the world.
If this article sparked your interest in the guitar, we recommend checking out another fascinating post — “10 Incredible Fingerstyle Guitar Tracks Worth Hearing”. It showcases the beauty and uniqueness of fingerstyle guitar, highlighting its limitless possibilities.
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