Which electric guitar would Jimi Hendrix choose if he were alive today?
It is a question that has been debated among guitar enthusiasts for decades. Jimi Hendrix was widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and his choice of instrument played a crucial role in the sound he created. Hendrix was famous for his use of the Fender Stratocaster, a guitar that became synonymous with his name. However, with the advances in technology and the availability of new instruments, what guitar would Hendrix choose if he were alive today?
In this blog post, we will examine the factors that influenced Hendrix’s choice of guitar, consider the new instruments that have become available since his death, and make an educated guess as to which guitar Hendrix would choose if he were still alive today.
Jimi Hendrix and the Fender Stratocaster
Jimi Hendrix is most closely associated with the Fender Stratocaster. Hendrix’s weapon of choice was a 1968-1969 Stratocaster that had a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, Fender’s signature “reverse” headstock, and a white body with a tortoiseshell pickguard.
The Stratocaster was the ideal guitar for Hendrix. It had a thin, curved body that lent itself to the frenzied style of playing that Hendrix was famous for. The Strat’s three single-coil pickups allowed for a wide range of tones, and the guitar’s vibrato system, which allowed for pitch bending and dive-bombing, was perfect for Hendrix’s psychedelic sound. The Stratocaster’s design and features perfectly complemented Hendrix’s playing style, and the two became inseparable.
However, would Hendrix still choose the Stratocaster if he were alive today? Since his death in 1970, guitar and music technology have advanced significantly, and new instruments have been developed that could be equally suited to Hendrix’s playing style.
The Advancements In Guitar Technology Since Jimi Hendrix
Since Jimi Hendrix’s heyday in the late 1960s, the electric guitar has come a long way. New technologies have emerged, allowing guitar manufacturers to create instruments with a wider range of tonal options, greater playability, and greater versatility than ever before. Below are the two most popular advancements since Hendrix’s day.
1. Multi-Mode Tonal Options
New technologies allow guitarists to access a wider range of tonal options than ever before. One such technology is a multi-mode tonal option which provides access to various sounds with just a turn of a switch. These tonal options can be accessed on one guitar without having to switch guitars during a live performance or in a studio.
2. Modeling Amplification
Modeling amplifiers can be programmed to recreate the sounds of famous amplifiers of the past or current sound trends. Modeling amps include digital processing that makes the guitar sound like it is coming through a vintage-style amplifier regardless of the amp being used. This means that guitarists have much more options than before to get a sound of their preference.
New electric guitars have been developed that incorporate these technological advancements. Below are some options that could be worthy of Hendrix’s attention:
New Electric Guitars with Jimi Hendrix Tonal Ability
1. Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster
The Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster is a guitar that is modeled after the exact guitar that Hendrix played. It has the same reverse headstock, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and three single-coil pickups that Hendrix’s Stratocaster had. Fender’s Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster has also an inverted bridge pickup that provides a lefty’s sound even when you play it right-handed.
However, the Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster has been modified to accommodate modern technology, and it includes a range of new features, including:
a. A Modern C-Shaped Neck
The Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster features a modern C-shaped neck that is more comfortable to play than the neck of Hendrix’s original Stratocaster.
b. Reverse Wound / Polarity Pickups
The guitar comes with new reverse wound/reverse polarity pickups which create equal noise and hum in all three pick-up positions when the guitar is set up with the position one bridge pickup alone, reflecting Hendrix’s technique.
c. Modern Wiring Options
Fender has taken Hendrix’s exact wiring diagram and then altered it to allow for more tonal variations between the pickups. This means that guitarists can now access new tones using the Stratocaster’s standard five-way switch.
2. Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was initially developed by Gibson in 1952, and it has a deep, warm sound that is created by its mahogany construction and humbucker pickups. The Les Paul’s fuller-bodied sound is in contrast to the Stratocaster’s sharp, cutting sound. This thicker sound could have appealed to Hendrix’s playing style, given his love for playing heavier music in the later part of his career.
3. PRS Custom 24
The PRS Custom 24 is the ideal guitar for those wanting the tonal range of a Stratocaster and the thicker tone of a Gibson. It has a maple top and a mahogany back, which means that the guitar has the body and fullness of the Les Paul but with the clarity of the Stratocaster’s maple neck. With a double-cutaway design, the PRS Custom 24 allows for easy access to higher frets.
In Conclusion
So, which electric guitar would Jimi Hendrix choose if he were alive today? It is challenging to say definitively, but there is strong evidence to suggest that Hendrix would stick with the Fender Stratocaster. As we have seen in this blog post, the Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster is a modern take on the guitar that Hendrix played, with all the features and qualities that made the Stratocaster so appealing to him, but with many modifications to make the guitar more versatile for modern playing.
That being said, other guitars, such as the Gibson Les Paul and the PRS Custom 24, could have appealed to Hendrix’s playing style and would have given him a wider array of sounds and styles in his playing. It is likely that Hendrix would have experimented with these guitars and added his own unique style to their sounds. However, all guitars inevitably become obsolete over time, and a new era of guitarists will choose different makes and models that will replace the lingering memories of Hendrix’s sound.
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