Top 10 Unique Guitar Shapes That Will Shock You!.
Do you ever feel like all guitars look the same? Have you ever considered more exotic guitar shapes – such as the Flying V or the Explorer?
As the world of electric guitars continues to expand, music enthusiasts continue to be dazzled by the endless variety of shapes and designs. No longer are we beholden to the standard “Les Paul” and “Stratocaster” – today guitarists can explore a variety of unique instruments, taking their craft to the next level.
Whether you’re an acoustics fan or an electric dilettante, when it comes to adding a unique twist to your play, you’ll be hard pressed to find more eye-catching models than the 10 shapes listed below. From baseball bats to lightning bolts, settle in and get ready to be amazed at the ultimate top 10 unique guitar shapes.
1. Flying V
Most people will immediately recognise the Flying V guitar – it’s also been christened the “lighthouse guitar” or the “bat-wing” due to its angular swoop shape. It’s a beautiful instrument, with a sleek aeroplane shape, although you may come across some more extreme interpretations.
Originally designed by Gibson in the mid ’50s, this iconic shape was actually created by Ted McCarty, who was prior boss of the iconic guitar makers. Although Gibson have produced various size and colour combo variations over the years, this shape remains one of their most popular designs.
2. Explorer
The Explorer was first produced by Gibson in 1957 and was once again designed by Ted McCarty. This design came with a unique double cutaway shape, which has been likened to an X or a pattern of stars. It was actually seen as Gibson’s response to Fender’s Stratocaster – but it rarely achieved the same level of success as its competitor.
Nowadays though this guitar is still seen as quite a unique shape, although it is often overshadowed by the Flying V. It offers plenty of tone and resonance as well as excellent sustain. It shows up in the live rigs of Joe Perry and Pete Townshend, with some exciting variations being introduced in recent years.
3. Thunderbird
Although Gibson embraced more angular shapes back in 1957, a more rounded off design – eventually christened the Thunderbird – was released the following year. This design certainly stands out from the crowd and it was partly inspired by the Thunderbird car from the same era. Its round shoulders are quite a change from the standard shape guitar and its vintage vibe still appeals.
This model was duly adopted by rock’n’rollers throughout the 70s and 80s, most famously by Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones. Although it’s not as collectible as some models, it’s still a guitar that provides sound and style, boasting a hefty sound and excellent power.
4. Firebird
The Firebird is based on the same design concepts as the Thunderbird – round shoulders, double cutaways and symmetrical paisley shapes on the panels. Designer Ray Dietrich produced this style in 1963, although it did take a while to gain traction.
By the 1970s the Firebird had become a hit with rock guitarists and it’s the guitar of choice for Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington, Nils Lofgren, Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford and various other legendary players.
5. Flying Wedge
The Flying Wedge came onto the scene in 1965, with legendary designer, Roger Rossmeisl at the helm. This design has quite a unique cutaway shape, with an escalator-like wedge on the body. It was intended to be an advanced version of the Flying V, with a simpler body shape and fewer materials.
Unfortunately the production of the wedge was stopped in 1978, with only the mahogany version being produced up until the very end. It has now become a rare collectible and turn up in the hands of Dennis Stratton of Iron Maiden and Jennifer Batten, who played with Michael Jackson.
6. Jazzmaster
The Jazzmaster arrived in 1958, with Fender and Leo Fender as its creator. This guitar offers a more modern take of the archtop look and offers a larger body shape than the Stratocaster. It has a slightly more muted sound and is usually used for jazz – hence its name.
Throughout the years many icons have used the Jazzmaster for a variety of genres, including Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, U2’s Edge and Nels Cline of the Wilco. Despite its vintage look, today’s Jazzmaster additions are amongst the most sleek and stylish modern instruments on the market.
7. Iceman
The Iceman is one of the more daring shapes in the guitar world – it’s quite a triangular shape, hallmarked by its dramatic lines and pointed headstock. Designed in 1973 by Larry DiMarzio, this guitar has become a classic in its own right, with a double cutaway shape and a single- plank, bolt-on neck.
Most famously, this guitar was the instrument of choice of Kiss’ Paul Stanley and it can be heard on some of the band’s biggest tracks. It was also used in the 80s by Joe Perry of Aerosmith and it continues to provide plenty of tones and bang for buck.
8. SG
The SG (or Solid Guitar) from Gibson is one of the most iconic guitar shapes, with its distinctive double cutaway design. It was first released in 1961 and is a staple for many genres of music, from classic rock to punk to metal.
Before the SG arrived on the scene, Gibson produced Les Pauls, which had proven to be extremely popular – but the SG offered a fresh perspective with its asymmetric body, perfect for hammer-ons and pull-offs.
The SG was shown around the world on stage by the likes of Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Pete Townshend, Frank Zappa and Tom Morello – though its classic shape belies modern variations to appeal to the avant-garde crowd.
9. Semi-Hollow Bodies
These days semi-hollow body guitars offer a great alternative to full body shapes. These large instruments have larger bodies, usually with built-in resonance chambers, to provide a more rich, ‘woody’ sound. As such, these guitars are perfect for jazz and classic rock.
The most classic design here is probably the ES-335 Gibson, which has been popular since its introduction in 1958. Since then, semi-hollow bodies have been used by everyone from the Beatles to Clapton to the Stones.
More modern innovations include guitars from Eastwood, which blends unique designs with the classic semi-hollow body style.
10. Mustang
Finally, we come to the Mustang. This sleek and slender guitar was first seen in 1964 and was created in response to the student scene explosion. It offers a smaller body, yet it still packs a punch in terms of sound.
The Mustang was part adopted by the Pixies’ Frank Black, the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and the Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval. It’s now available in various styles and colours, for those trying find something a little different.
So, that’s it – the top 10 unique guitar shapes. From the classic ‘double cutaway’ design to the daring Flying Wedge, there are plenty of options for those looking to add an interesting and individual edge to their play.
So, whether you’ve got a hankering for some classic rock or fancy a little jazz, you can get started with the perfect instrument in no time. So take the plunge and pick your weapon of choice today!