Are These 7 Guitar Shapes Actually Illegal to Play? 🎸
Introduction:
Music has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, and the guitar is one of the most popular instruments played across the world. Guitar manufacturers have always tried to come up with new designs to entice musicians, and in recent years, there has been an explosion of guitar shapes that has sparked controversy. There have been rumors that some of these guitar shapes are illegal to play, while others believe they are just rumors. In this blog post, we are going to look at the origins of these rumors and if there is any truth to them. So, if you’re a guitar enthusiast, buckle up and get ready to learn all about these 7 guitar shapes that may or may not be illegal to play!
Table of Contents:
I. Flying V Guitar Shape
II. Explorer Guitar Shape
III. Warlock Guitar Shape
IV. Bich Guitar Shape
V. Mockingbird Guitar Shape
VI. Xiphos Guitar Shape
VII. Rhoads Guitar Shape
Conclusion
FAQ
I. Flying V Guitar Shape:
The Flying V Guitar Shape is a guitar design that has been around since the 1950s and was introduced by Gibson Guitars. The design is distinctive due to its V-shape, having two sharp points at the top and bottom with wings extending out to form the body of the guitar. Rumors have circulated for years that this design is illegal to play in public due to it resembling a weapon. However, there is no truth to this rumor whatsoever. While it might have been banned in certain conservative cultures, it’s completely legal to play in public. In fact, the Flying V is an iconic guitar that has been used by legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, and Dave Mustaine.
II. Explorer Guitar Shape:
The Explorer Guitar Shape is another famous guitar design that was introduced by Gibson Guitars in the 1950s. The design is unique due to its “explorer” shape, where the body of the guitar comes up to form two points on either side of the neck. Just like with the Flying V, rumors have circulated that this design has been banned in certain countries because it resembles a weapon. However, this is purely a myth, and the Explorer Guitar Shape is legal to play in public. Some famous guitarists who have used the Explorer include James Hetfield of Metallica and the late blues legend, Lonnie Mack.
III. Warlock Guitar Shape:
The Warlock Guitar Shape is an interesting guitar design that was introduced by BC Rich in the late 1970s. This guitar design is unique due to its sharp angles and asymmetrical shape that gives it a distinct, devilish appearance. Over the years, the Warlock Guitar Shape has been linked to Satanism, and there have been rumors that it’s illegal to play in public. However, these rumors are entirely false, and you won’t get in trouble just for playing a Warlock Guitar! In fact, the Warlock has been used by metal bands like Judas Priest and Lita Ford to create some of the most iconic riffs in music history.
IV. Bich Guitar Shape:
The Bich Guitar Shape is a guitar design that was introduced by BC Rich in the early 1970s. Its name comes from the French word “biche,” which means “doe.” This guitar design is known for its “double-neck” style, where it has two necks with six strings each. The design also features sharp angles that are reminiscent of the Warlock Guitar Shape. Just like with the Warlock, there have been rumors that playing a Bich Guitar is illegal due to its association with Satanism. However, this simply isn’t true, and the Bich is a perfectly legal guitar to play. Some famous guitarists who have used the Bich include Kerry King of Slayer and Prince.
V. Mockingbird Guitar Shape:
The Mockingbird Guitar Shape was introduced by BC Rich in the late 1970s and was designed by legendary guitar luthier, Neal Moser. This guitar design is known for its distinctive “pointed” shape that resembles the wings of a bird. Just like with the other guitar shapes on this list, rumors have circulated that playing a Mockingbird Guitar in public is illegal. Once again, these claims are baseless, and the Mockingbird Guitar is perfectly legal to play. Some famous guitarists who have used the Mockingbird include Slash of Guns N’ Roses and Rick Derringer.
VI. Xiphos Guitar Shape:
The Xiphos Guitar Shape is a guitar design that was introduced by Ibanez Guitars in the early 2000s. This guitar design is known for its sharp, angular shape that is reminiscent of a sword. Like the other guitars on this list, there have been rumors that playing a Xiphos Guitar is illegal because it looks like a weapon. However, these rumors are unfounded, and the Xiphos Guitar is perfectly legal to play. Some notable guitarists who have used the Xiphos include Paul Gilbert and Joe Satriani.
VII. Rhoads Guitar Shape:
The Rhoads Guitar Shape was introduced by Jackson Guitars in the early 1980s and was designed in collaboration with Randy Rhoads, who was a member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band at the time. The design is known for its asymmetrical shape, which is reminiscent of the Flying V and Explorer shapes. Like the other guitar shapes on this list, there have been rumors that playing a Rhoads Guitar in public is illegal due to its weapon-like appearance. However, these claims are baseless, and the Rhoads Guitar is entirely legal to play. Some famous guitarists who have used the Rhoads include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society.
Conclusion:
In this blog post, we’ve explored seven guitar shapes that have been rumored to be illegal to play in certain countries. However, after researching, we’ve discovered that these rumors are entirely unfounded. None of these guitar shapes are illegal to play in public, and you won’t get in trouble just for showing off your cool guitar. So, if you want to rock out on a Flying V or shred on a Warlock, go for it! As long as you’re not using it as a weapon, you’re completely within your rights to play any of these guitars.
FAQ:
Q: Are these guitar shapes really illegal to play?
A: No, these guitar shapes are not illegal to play. While some may have been banned in certain conservative cultures, they are generally legal to play in public.
Q: Can I get in trouble for playing one of these guitar shapes in public?
A: No, you won’t get in trouble for playing any of these guitar shapes in public. As long as you’re not using it as a weapon, you’re completely within your rights to play any of these guitars.
Q: Why do people believe these guitar shapes are illegal to play?
A: These rumors likely stem from the fact that some of these guitar designs resemble weapons. However, these rumors are entirely unfounded, and the guitar shapes are not illegal to play.
Q: What’s the most popular guitar shape?
A: The most popular guitar shape is the classic Fender Stratocaster, which is known for its double cutaway design and three single-coil pickups.
Q: What’s the best guitar shape for playing metal?
A: There’s no “best” guitar shape for playing metal, as it really comes down to personal preference. However, some popular guitar shapes for metal include the Warlock, Explorer, and Rhoads shapes.
Q: Can I customize these guitar shapes?
A: Yes, you can customize these guitar shapes to fit your own unique style. Many guitar manufacturers offer custom options that allow you to personalize your guitar to your liking.
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