WLFS Music Technology

1930s

· The first commercially successful electric guitar was developed

The Rickenbacker “Frying Pan” Guitar

The first electric guitars and basses were limited in their sound range due to the primitive nature of the electronics used

Amplifiers were relatively underpowered, limiting the volume and tonal possibilities for the instruments

1940s

· The electric guitar gained prominence within various genres of music such as Blues and Jazz

· Artists such as Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker help to popularise the instrument

Charlie Christian

1950s

· The electric guitar gained large amounts of popularity within popular music

· Fender developed the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars

Fender Telecaster

The sound quality of electric guitars on recordings was limited by the fact that they would have been recorded onto analogue tape

1960s

· More electric guitar designs were developed and popularised such as the Gibson Les Paul and Gibson SG

· The use of electric guitars and basses became more popular within different genres such as Rock

· Jimi Hendrix popularised the use of feedback and other effects

· Guitar amplifiers became more powerful and versatile, with the introduction of models like the Marshall JTM45 and the Fender Twin Reverb

Gibson Les Paul Guitar

Limited sustain and feedback control, leading to difficulties in playing at high volumes

Limited tonal range compared to other instruments like synthesizers and keyboards

1970s

· Heavy metal music became popular, with guitarists like Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, and Randy Rhoads pushing the limits of electric guitar technology

· Humbucker pickups become popular, providing a thicker and more powerful sound whilst reducing electrical noise

· Guitar effects pedals become more sophisticated, with the introduction of models like the MXR Phase 90 and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff

Humbucker Pickup

Limited flexibility in terms of effects and processing, guitarists were mostly limited to traditional analog effects pedals

1980s

· The introduction of digital signal processing revolutionises the world of guitar effects

· Companies like Line 6 and Digitech produce digital modeling amplifiers and effects pedals

· Guitarists like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani push the limits of technical proficiency on the electric guitar

OMEC Digital Guitar Amplifier

Limited access to high-quality equipment and effects due to their high cost and limited availability

Limited understanding and acceptance of guitar synthesis and other innovative techniques by traditionalists in the music industry