As for the neck, it’s a maple piece that is combined with torrified maple as a glued in fretboard. Ever since the 1950s, the Fender Strat has been a lot of musician’s go to Blues guitar. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Robert Johnson – "Cross Road Blues" There is not much known about the life of Robert Johnson while he was still alive, although the music he left us with has grown to mythic proportions. By slowing and carefully adjusting the volume knob, you get a whole bunch of different sounds produced, without even having to touch the amp! Not only is this guitar affordable, but it also offers a whole range of tonal definitions, reaches incredible ranges, and produced warm and wholesome tones. BA1 1UA. Blues is a music genre that never really goes away. It’s common advice in the guitar world that if you’re an electric guitar player, you at least need to try out an authentic Fender Stratocaster once in your life at the least and if not, own one. At the headstock, Fender gave the Strat a full set of F tuners from Fender, which is great to have if you’re really considered about your intonation; the F tuners also do a great job of making sure that your tuning stays in place for a while, so that the guitar doesn’t de-tune itself over time. Smithsonian, 1996. I wouldn’t suggest purchasing this online, as I would go play this guitar in person before purchasing. Side Tracked - Freddie King 31. Offers a whole range of tonal definitions, reaches incredible ranges, and produced warm and wholesome tones. About the author These legends of blues guitar are undoubtedly radiating with talent and skill that made them heroes of even the greatest guitar heroes of modern music. On the other hand, if you’re looking to create a style that mimics how Hendrix played (60s Blues Rock), single coils work along very well with a fuzz pedal. When I first played the Fender CD-60CE I was surprised at the tonal quality, because I honestly was expecting to be lacking. However, you should know that PRS is a company that’s well known for creating modern day guitars with a different edge on them. For a blues purist such as yourself, this is not your list. The fingerboard is Rosewood. The Gibson ES-339 is very, very similar to the ES-335, but it has a body that’s slightly smaller. A '60s rare bird rebooted as an affordable modern blues rocker, Launch price: £745/€810/$906 | Body: Mahogany | Neck: mahogany | Scale: 24.75" | Fingerboard: Pau Ferro | Frets: 22 | Pickups: 2x Guild LB-1 mini humbuckers | Controls: bridge pickup on/off, neck pickup on/off, lead/rhythm switch, bass cut switch, 2x volume, 2x tone | Hardware: nickel tune-a-matic bridge and Hagström Vintage Tremar vibrato, Grover Sta-Tite tuners | Left-handed: N/A | Finish: Black, Antique Burst. Yes, it's a fine looking beast, but it's the super-slim neck profile that'll snag many punters. We take our job seriously. Laminated mahogany with scalloped X-bracing. I also don’t like how the guitar doesn’t come with a pick guard; I understand that the pickguard comes in a gig bag, but I wish I didn’t have to apply it myself. The G5655TG features a semi-hollow body with a center block to help reduce unwanted feedback. You know the drill. Since the pickups are a bit overpowering, the sound is very powerful. While the materials in this guitar do have a lot to play into the quality of the instrument, it’s also the quality of the craftsmanship that went into making it. The ES-335 uses Grover Rotomatic tuning machines that ensure that the guitar strings stay in tune over a period of time, even if you happen to keep them in the same tuning. Cosmetically, it’s a gorgeous guitar to look at and it has its own distinctive sound. the Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Thinline available here, the Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Thinline, (For the latest prices and discounts, check here), Epiphone Les Paul vs Gibson Les Paul (what’s the difference? One of the PRS most famous guitars is the Custom 22 guitar. Fender is a company that produces high-quality guitars that are above the beginning player’s price range. If you’re looking to break up the sound on your Strat, I suggest turning up the volume on the valve amp and you will find that the sound will begin to break up. The second approach is to explore a bunch of guitars to find out what you like. After all that, there’s just a basic Gibson headstock decorated with a golden logo. Sustain is wonderful to have if you happen to be an improviser who loves to bend notes of higher ranges. Gibson ES 339 Review: Is It the Right One For Your Style? That’s okay! These are the best amps around, Tom Morello: "I've been accused countless times of using a ton of effects - but I've used the same four pedals for the last 30 years", Free music samples: download loops, hits and multis from SampleRadar, 5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Eric Clapton (that aren't Layla), The 10 best metal drummers in the world right now, as voted for by you, The best DAWs 2020: the best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac, The 10 best prog drummers in the world right now, as voted for by you, Teenage Engineering’s OP-1 and Korg’s Volca Beats top Reverb’s lists of the best-selling synths and drum machines of 2020. Start with an easy song and play it more and more until you are ready to learn a more complicated one. As for the neck on the G9200, it is a bit large on the lower register, but is trim on the higher registry; as someone with small hands, I felt like the lower registry was harder to play. The main complaint that a lot of guitarists have with the Stratocasters is that the tremolo bridges are the weakest part of the guitar. He was born 8th May 1977. Vintage icons, modern classics, wild cards, not to mention a Fender Telecaster that changed the world. Comes with a classic Telecaster headstock and an F-hole, as well as a thru-body bridge that comes with a set of three chrome barrel saddles. Which guitar is the best to use for Blues? The three vintage-voiced single coil pickups transport you back to the ‘70s like an episode of Life On Mars. Launch price: £1,999/€2,099/$2,499 | Body: Mahogany with maple top | Neck: Mahogany | Scale: 24.75" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 22 | Pickups: 2x Gibson Burstbucker humbuckers | Controls: 2x volume, 2x tone, three-way pickup selector toggle switch | Hardware: Nickel ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and aluminium stop tailpiece, vintage-style tuners with tulip buttons | Left-handed: N/A | Finish: Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Tobacco Burst, Gold Top. A man of the world Peter Green was arguably Britain’s greatest blues guitarist After a troubled life, the founder of Fleetwood Mac died on July 25th, aged 73 Books, arts and culture Prospero We've done the legwork for you to uncover the very best guitars for blues. It captures an assortment of the bluesier offerings from soul, R&B and even rock. Fretboard and Neck Material Type is Maple. As for Fender’s choice of tonewoods, they chose to go with laminated mahogany. Spec-wise, it's actually quite close to the mighty Gibson SG. Les Paul is famous for its sustain, because of the quality thick mahogany that Gibson uses on this guitar. Just make sure the 70s Stratocaster we've fallen in lust with gets some attention. There are some sharp edges, minor buzzing issues, and minor tuning issues, but the guitar is still certainly quality enough for a professional to perform live with. He is known to be one of the greatest blues guitarists ever. In a hurry? King’s show at the Regal Theater in Chicago from November 21, 1964. Sweet Ginny - Jay Hawkins 30. The mahogany makes the neck of the guitar sturdy, but as someone with small hands, I still find the neck to be easy to play. As a general rule of thumb, Fender-style single coil pickups offer excellent note clarity no matter how much overdrive or distortion you kick in. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. This guitar’s body is comprised from mahogany, with provides with a semi hollow body with an incredible ability to produce a natural resonance. As for the Studio guitar, Gibson installed their signature Tune-O-Matic bridge, along with a pick guard, set of tuning pegs, and a Graph Tech nut. As for the electronics, this guitar sports volume control knobs, tone control knobs, PRS bass and treble humbucker pickups, and a three-way pickup selector. Mahogany is a tonewood, which ensures that the guitar produces an incredible sound that has powerful qualities to it. When it comes to the best blues guitars at an affordable price we can't see past the new Fender Vintera range. Need the Bottom Line up Front? The reboot has all the tone and sustain of its ancestor. Some guitarists enjoy playing just a basic Blues guitar, but then there are other guitarists who like something different. The neck is mahogany and the fingerboard, rosewood. Besides that small little complaint, the guitar itself does a really great job staying in tune for long periods of time. Just incredible on every level. The guitar is lightweight too. The Ten Best Blues Guitar Albums. If you’re looking to play more than Blues, this guitar also has the ability to provide players with gravely articulations and a warm treble sound. King. The classic Gibson Les Paul is arguably one of the most iconic electronic guitars that was ever invented. Some of the most famous Blues players have used it. If you’ve ever listened to BB King, you’ve heard him play the ES-335, although he called his guitar Lucille. For under $1,000 (For the latest prices and discounts, check here) you can purchase yourself an incredible guitar that is certain not to disappoint. I only have a few complaints about the Custom 22 and the complaints that I have with this guitar are commonly shared with other guitarists. Playability is exceptional thanks to a medium C profile neck. There are two ways to approach buying a guitar for blues. Read the Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘50s review, The guitar that helped British blues climb the stairway to rock nirvana, Launch price: £2,349/€2,599/$2,499 | Body: 2-piece Ash | Neck: Maple | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 21 | Pickups: 2x Fender Jimmy Page Custom '59 Tele | Controls: Master Volume, master tone, three-way pickup selector blade switch | Hardware: Nickel/Chrome 3-saddle Telecaster bridge with threaded steel saddles, Pure Vintage Fender Deluxe tuners | Left-handed: N/A | Finish: White Blonde. If you’re looking for a straight up Blues sound, you should check out the Fender American Pro Stratocaster. They 'buck' the hum…. If you’re looking to mimic the sound of BB King, the Gibson ES-335 is very similar to his signature Lucille guitar. A two-piece ash body sees to that. Mahogany is a beautiful tone with an incisive and melodious tone; if you’re not used to playing with a cone, you’ll find that there’s extra depth to thenatural tone. Joe is amazingly good, better than Gary Moore and even some higher people on this list. This is a high-end guitar that has a high-end price tag to go along with it and is really an instrument that I only suggest to experienced Blues players because this is a guitar that takes some finicking in order to hit the perfect balance. A pair of powerful LB-1 mini humbuckers pull the maximum amount of tone from those timbers. You’re provided with a Rosewood bridge that comes with a composite saddle. Blue Guitar - Earl Hooker 24. Play in the style of the 20 greatest classic blues guitarists. Blues Song #2: God Moves Over the Water – Blind Willie Johnson. Maple is known to make an articulate and bright sound, but with the addition of the arched top with F-holes ensure that the ES-335 have incredible resonance with a well-rounded sound that warms up the middle and bass. In addition to the sublime ‘70s Stratocaster featured in this guide, the Vintera Series offers up beautifully made repros of other classic Fender models, too. The lightweight body is formed from sheets of composite material glued to a plywood frame. Mean Old World: The Blues from 1940 to 1994.