Jimi Hendrix remains one of the most influential guitarists in history, and his guitar choices played a critical role in shaping his groundbreaking sound. His revolutionary approach to music, coupled with his virtuosic use of the guitar, solidified his status as a legend in rock, blues, and psychedelic music. The instruments he used became iconic, adding to the mystique surrounding his career. Hendrix’s primary guitars included the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Flying V, though he also played several other models throughout his career, such as the Fender Jazzmaster, Gibson SG, and Danelectro Shorthorn. These guitars, along with the modifications he made and his signature use of effects, left an indelible mark on the music world.
Primary Guitars Used by Jimi Hendrix
1. Fender Stratocaster
Among the various guitars Hendrix played, the Fender Stratocaster holds the most significant place in his career. Hendrix’s association with the Stratocaster began in the mid-1960s, and the guitar quickly became a vital part of his musical identity. He played several different models over the years, but one of the most famous was the 1964 White Fender Stratocaster, which he famously referred to as “Carol” or sometimes “Linda.” The Stratocaster was more than just an instrument for Hendrix—it was an extension of his creativity and expression, and its unique tonal characteristics played a pivotal role in his innovative sound.
The Fender Stratocaster, introduced in 1954, was known for its sleek design, double cutaway body, and three single-coil pickups. These features gave the guitar a bright, clear tone with exceptional sustain, making it a favorite among rock and blues musicians. Hendrix took full advantage of these qualities, using the Stratocaster to create the feedback, distortion, and clean, bell-like tones that defined his music. His performances at Woodstock, the Monterey Pop Festival, and the Isle of Wight Festival cemented the Stratocaster as his signature guitar, forever linking the instrument to his legacy.
Significance of the 1964 White Fender Stratocaster (“Carol” or “Linda”)
The 1964 White Fender Stratocaster, also known as “Carol” or “Linda,” is perhaps the most iconic of all the guitars Hendrix played. Its distinct white finish and rosewood fretboard gave it a striking appearance, but it was the way Hendrix wielded the instrument that made it unforgettable. He played this guitar at some of his most famous performances, including the 1969 Woodstock festival, where he delivered his now-legendary rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The Stratocaster’s single-coil pickups and lightweight alder body allowed Hendrix to achieve an incredible range of sounds, from crisp highs to warm lows, making it ideal for his blend of blues, rock, and psychedelic music.
Hendrix often modified his Stratocasters to suit his needs. As a left-handed guitarist, he would restring right-handed models and play them upside-down. This unique setup contributed to his distinctive sound, as the reverse stringing altered the tension and tonal response of the instrument. Additionally, he favored Fender’s stock pickups but sometimes replaced them to suit his specific tonal preferences. Hendrix’s use of the Fender Stratocaster was so iconic that it became synonymous with his name, influencing countless musicians to follow in his footsteps.
2. Gibson Flying V: A Rock Icon
While the Fender Stratocaster was Hendrix’s primary guitar, he also had a deep connection with the Gibson Flying V, another legendary instrument. Hendrix first acquired a Flying V in 1967 and used it extensively during the latter part of his career. The Flying V’s futuristic design, angular body shape, and powerful sound made it a favorite among rock guitarists, and Hendrix used it to great effect in his live performances and studio recordings.
One of the most famous Flying V guitars Hendrix played was a 1967 model with a psychedelic paint job. Hendrix himself decorated the guitar, covering it in swirling, colorful designs that reflected the countercultural spirit of the 1960s. This particular guitar became known as the “Flying Angel,” and Hendrix used it during his European tours, including his famous Royal Albert Hall performance in 1969.
The Gibson Flying V featured two humbucking pickups, which produced a thicker, more aggressive sound than the single-coil pickups of the Stratocaster. This made the Flying V perfect for Hendrix’s heavier, more distorted playing style. The guitar’s mahogany body gave it a warm, resonant tone, and its sleek, angular design allowed for easy access to the upper frets, making it ideal for Hendrix’s virtuosic solos.
SE ALSO: 12 Most Popular Guitar Chords You Shouldn’t Miss
Other Guitars Played by Hendrix
While the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Flying V were Hendrix’s primary instruments, he also played a variety of other guitars throughout his career. Each of these guitars brought its own unique tonal characteristics to Hendrix’s music, allowing him to explore different sounds and textures.
3. Fender Jazzmaster
The Fender Jazzmaster was another guitar Hendrix played early in his career, though it didn’t become as closely associated with him as the Stratocaster. The Jazzmaster, introduced in 1958, was originally designed for jazz musicians, but it found a home in the surf rock and alternative scenes. Its offset body shape and floating tremolo system made it a versatile instrument, capable of producing a wide range of sounds. Hendrix appreciated the Jazzmaster’s warm, mellow tone, which contrasted with the brighter, more aggressive sound of the Stratocaster.
Hendrix’s use of the Jazzmaster was most prominent during his early days in New York, when he was still experimenting with his sound. Though he eventually gravitated towards the Stratocaster, the Jazzmaster played an important role in his musical development, helping him hone the techniques that would later define his style.
4. Gibson SG
The Gibson SG was another guitar Hendrix played during his career, particularly in live performances. The SG’s slim, lightweight body and dual humbucking pickups made it a favorite among rock guitarists, and Hendrix used it to achieve a powerful, overdriven sound in his concerts. One of the most notable instances of Hendrix playing an SG was during his performance on “The Dick Cavett Show” in 1969, where he delivered a stunning rendition of “Hear My Train A Comin’” on a red Gibson SG.
5. Danelectro Shorthorn
The Danelectro Shorthorn was a more obscure guitar in Hendrix’s collection, but it played a role in his early career. The Shorthorn, with its distinctive semi-hollow body and lipstick tube pickups, produced a unique, twangy tone that was well-suited for blues and rockabilly. Hendrix used a Danelectro Shorthorn during his time with the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, before his rise to fame as a solo artist.
Impact on Hendrix’s Sound
Hendrix’s choice of guitars played a crucial role in shaping his revolutionary sound. The Fender Stratocaster allowed him to achieve the clean, bell-like tones, heavy distortion, and wild feedback that defined his music. Its three single-coil pickups gave him the flexibility to create a wide range of sounds, from the bright, shimmering highs of “Little Wing” to the heavy, overdriven tones of “Purple Haze.”
The Gibson Flying V, with its powerful humbucking pickups, added a new dimension to Hendrix’s sound. Its thicker, more aggressive tone made it ideal for his heavier, more distorted playing, and its sleek design allowed him to perform his fast, virtuosic solos with ease.
Hendrix’s use of effects also played a crucial role in shaping his sound. He was a pioneer in the use of the wah-wah pedal, which he used to create the vocal-like, “crying” sounds heard in songs like “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).” He also made extensive use of distortion, pushing his amplifiers to their limits to create the heavy, overdriven sound that became his trademark. Additionally, Hendrix was a master of feedback, using the natural resonance of his guitar and amplifier to create wild, sustained tones that added a new dimension to his music.
Legacy and Influence
Hendrix’s guitar choices had a profound impact on future generations of musicians and the music industry. His innovative use of the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Flying V inspired countless guitarists to pick up these instruments, and his pioneering use of effects like wah-wah, distortion, and feedback revolutionized the way musicians approached the guitar.
In the years following Hendrix’s death, the Fender Stratocaster became the guitar of choice for many rock and blues musicians, thanks in large part to Hendrix’s influence. Artists like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Frusciante all cited Hendrix as a major influence, and his use of the Stratocaster played a key role in shaping their sound.
The Gibson Flying V also became an iconic instrument in the world of rock and metal, thanks in part to Hendrix’s influence. Guitarists like Michael Schenker, Kirk Hammett, and Lenny Kravitz all embraced the Flying V as their instrument of choice, citing Hendrix as a major inspiration.
In addition to influencing individual musicians, Hendrix’s guitar choices also had a lasting impact on the guitar industry. Fender and Gibson both saw a surge in popularity for their instruments following Hendrix’s rise to fame, and both companies have released several tribute models in honor of Hendrix’s legacy. Fender, in particular, has released several limited-edition Jimi Hendrix Stratocasters, designed to replicate the specifications of the guitars Hendrix played during his career.
Conclusion
Jimi Hendrix’s guitar choices were a key element of his groundbreaking sound, and the instruments he played have become iconic in their own right. The Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Flying V were his primary guitars, but he also explored other models, including the Fender Jazzmaster, Gibson SG, and Danelectro Shorthorn. Each guitar contributed to Hendrix’s unique sound, and his innovative use of effects like wah-wah, distortion, and feedback revolutionized the way musicians approached the guitar. Hendrix’s legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians, and his influence on the world of guitar playing remains as strong as ever.
