[Dixielandjazz] Electric Guitars

[Steve Barbone]

Larry in St Louis asked about electric guitar history.

There were earlier versions of electric guitars (The frying Pan etc) but
below is the story about the first "modern" electric guitar. The Gibson
ES-150, (arch back / hollow body)

Because hollow body amplified guitars still had some characteristics that
distorted the sound, the solid body, which eliminates the bad vibes, was
later developed, primarily by Les Paul and Gibson after WW 2.

Bechet went into Nick's in NYC with a quartet that included 2 electric
guitars, circa 1940-41. Charlie Christian was the best known proponent of
electric guitars prior to WW 2.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone


"In 1935 Gibson commissioned Alvino Rey, a prominant slide guitarist of the
era to assist in the development of a new guitar pickup. The prototype was
developed by Rey, in conjunction with enginners at the Lyon & Healy company
of Chicago and the final version was built by Gibson employee Walter Fuller.
The pickup was initially incorporated on a lap steel model in late 1935, but
shortly thereafter was introduced onto a standard f-hole archtop guitar and
designated the ES-150, ( ES for Electro Spanish, 150 the price in dollars ).
The first one was shipped from Kalamazoo Michigan on May 20,1936. The first
modern electric guitar had been born, guitar history was being made."
  
"The ES-150 became an instant success, guitar players from all over the
country and from every style flocked to purchase one, most noteable among
them was Charlie Christian who took advantage of the increased volume of the
instrument and began to use the guitar as a Jazz soloist in the same way
that only a horn player previously could have. His performances with the
Benny Goodman Orchestra ultimately revolutionized the way all musicians
thought about the guitar. To this day the ES-150 is known as the "Charlie
Christian" model."