Who Invented The First Electric Guitar?

Thu, Aug 28, 2008 -

Electric Guitars

Who Invented The First Electric Guitar?

It has come to my attention that hardly anyone knows who invented the first electric guitar. Also, these types of questions do not have one simple answer. It’s like asking who invented the internet.

Common Misconceptions:

Many people think that Les Paul invented the first electric guitar. This is false. Les Paul came up with the first solid body electric guitar.

“Leo Fender invented the first one” – Nope, he didn’t

Many also believe that Paul H. Tutmarc invented the first electric. This is also false. This guy invented a Hawaiian electric guitar in the 1930s I believe.

So Who Invented The First Electric Guitar?

Adolph Rickenbacker is the inventer of the first modern amplifiable electric guitar. It was a semi-hollow body guitar with sound holes. The first complete setup was in 1931, but it had all began in Los Angeles, California in the 1920s. Read Rickenbacker’s history.

The first solid body electric guitar was invented by Les Paul in 1941. It wasn’t a pretty sight like the Les Paul’s you see today, but it was still the first in it’s class. It was basically a solid square wooden body with 6 steel strings on a neck. In the 1950′s The Gibson company got together with Les Paul to present the Gibson Les Paul we all know today.

It was later in the 1940s when Leo Fender invented his first electric guitar naming it the Broadcaster. It was not long until they renamed it as the Telecaster. Then later inventing it’s bigger brother the “Stratocaster” as an upgrade (don’t tell the tele lovers that!)

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This post was written by:

admin - who has written 15 posts on Guitarzzz.


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11 Comments For This Post

  1. Emie Says:

    I thought it was Les Paul, thank you for clearing that up.

  2. nia Says:

    i thought it was george beauchamp so who is it?

  3. Aaron Says:

    Actually in the book Les Paul Legacy 1915-1963 it says on page 68, I believe? That one of the first electric guitars was made from the company Stella in 1935. I believe I may have the Stella electric guitar. I have photos to prove it if you like!

  4. tyler Says:

    cool man. that’s awesome. i LOVE roxy

  5. cassie Says:

    god, what is up with everyone going insane with the keys on the keyboard? i mean really? must you do that? but anyways it is none of my buisness, and this page was really helpful because i am foing a report for my 1st and 2nd period class and this really helped. thanx :)

  6. kelsey Says:

    r u sure everything that your saying is true

  7. Some Guy That Answers Questions Says:

    Beauchamp was his buisness partner.

  8. Smiley Says:

    COOL! i was searching about electric guitars for my science prject. thankyou whoever put this u.=D

  9. Cajet Says:

    Hi i have been playin guitar for 4 years and i need help learning to sweet pick can someone help

  10. kmadison Says:

    wait so it wasnt Les Paul?!?!?! I am super confused!

  11. xavier Says:

    les paul made the first solid guitar leo fender made the first guitar

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