Elvis Presley is widely known as a legendary figure in the world of music. He often played various types of guitars, including Fender Stratocaster electric guitars and Martin acoustics. His signature sound was primarily shaped by his distinctive playing style on the Fender Stratocaster guitar. In addition to the Stratocaster, Elvis also used Gibson J-200 acoustic guitars for live performances and recordings during his career.
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Early Guitar Influences of Elvis Presley
As a young boy, Elvis Presley was deeply inspired by his love of gospel music, and he could often be found in the churches of Tupelo Mississippi singing his favorite hymns. In addition to this influence, Elvis also took inspiration from an even earlier form of music – the guitar. At only 11-years-old, Elvis had already begun strumming on a guitar that his mother bought for him. He taught himself how to play the instrument and eventually developed a signature style that is still revered today.
By the time Elvis was 14-years-old, he had honed his skill at playing various genres of guitar including blues, country, and rock ‘n roll. To perfect his craft even further he visited local juke joints where he would spend hours listening to veteran blues players in order to learn their techniques. Eventually Elvis began performing with these same musicians in small clubs around town. His ability to seamlessly transition between different styles gave him the foundation needed for becoming one of most celebrated musical figures in history.
In high school, Elvis continued studying music by taking lessons from popular instructor Scotty Moore who helped shape Presley’s sound into something unique. During this period it wasn’t uncommon for Elvis to take breaks during practice sessions just so that he could go home and listen to old records by artists such as Bill Monroe or Hank Snow which further broadened his musical palette. These influences can be heard throughout much of Presley’s catalog over the years thus creating what we know today as “Elvis Music”.
The 1956 Gibson J-200: Elvis’s Iconic Guitar
When it comes to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, few instruments have as much relevance and lore as the 1956 Gibson J-200 guitar that he played for many of his performances. Throughout his career, Elvis was known to wield this iconic model during various shows and tours. This particular guitar is perhaps most remembered for being part of an intimate moment when Elvis appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1957.
The 1956 Gibson J-200 has gone down in history as one of the most important guitars ever used by any artist; its construction embodied a perfect marriage between classic design aesthetics, sound quality and playability. Its body shape was inspired by traditional Spanish luthiers but made with modern materials such as solid spruce tops that gave each instrument a distinct look and sound, allowing musicians to bring out new sonic textures within their playing style.
To further enhance its appeal, the J-200 also featured beautiful appointments like ornate fretboard inlays, gold plated tuners, multi-ply binding around the neck joint and rosewood fingerboard – all crafted from some of the finest tonewoods available at the time. On top of that, each J-200 had its own unique voicebox cover which allowed players to capture their very own signature sounds while performing live. As a result of these features combined with Elvis’ creative spirit behind it – this guitar became an instant classic among fans all over the world who consider it one of music’s most timeless artifacts.
Other Guitars Used by Elvis during his Career
Elvis Presley’s musical career was incredibly varied and diverse, and his guitar choices reflected this. During his early career, he mainly used a Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar that had been gifted to him by his mother in 1954. He also relied heavily on the use of electric guitars such as the Fender Esquire.
The King is even known to have experimented with other instruments during the later stages of his career; he notably owned an Epiphone El Dorado Acoustic-Electric Guitar for some time. This instrument allowed him to explore different sounds and effects which could be employed in songs like “Suspicious Minds” from 1968. Elvis was clearly eager to try out new instruments whenever possible – it can be seen in performances where he would switch between electric and acoustic guitars mid-song.
The most famous of all of Elvis’ guitars was undoubtedly the Martin D-35 which he played throughout much of the 1970s until shortly before his death in 1977. The distinctive tone that this particular guitar lent itself well to slower numbers like “Always On My Mind” or more upbeat tunes such as “Burning Love” – both recorded during this period. Though it wasn’t clear at first, after Elvis passed away it became evident that this special instrument held tremendous significance for him; it had become a part of who he was musically and many consider it as one of the primary components defining what made up ‘The King’.
How Elvis’s Guitar Playing Changed over Time
For many fans of Elvis Presley, his music is the epitome of rock and roll. It was this passion for music that led him to purchase his first guitar at the age of 11. As a young teen, he learned to play by listening to country and blues records, with some help from relatives and friends. During the 1950s, Elvis’ playing style changed significantly as he incorporated elements of jazz, folk, gospel and R&B into his repertoire.
In 1956, when Presley recorded his version of “Heartbreak Hotel” in Nashville, he started playing rhythm guitar on most songs–a role previously held by bass player Bill Black–using a Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar with a distinctive sunburst finish. From then on until 1968’s Comeback Special TV special appearance with Scotty Moore (the guitarist who played alongside Presley during much of his early career), Elvis continued to favor this particular model which became known as “The King’s Guitar”.
By the time Elvis returned from service in 1958 he had adopted an even more confident stage presence while continuing to play the iconic Gibson J-200. He also began experimenting with other guitars such as Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins hollowbody electric models along with Fender Strats during recording sessions at Sun Records studio in Memphis. Though these instruments were not necessarily used live they provided additional textures that would go onto influence various genres within popular music today -including rockabilly, surf and psychedelic rock.
The Impact of Elvis’s Guitar on Music History
Elvis Presley’s influence on music history is undeniable, with his signature style and sound forming the basis of rock ‘n’ roll. He was a trailblazer in many respects, but none more so than when it came to his guitar playing. His ability to merge different genres together earned him admiration from both fans and musicians alike.
One of Elvis’s most iconic guitars was the ‘68 Comeback Special ES-335 Gibson model. This axe had two humbuckers that were perfect for getting a twangy rhythm tone as well as a fatter lead sound with plenty of sustain. The shape of this guitar also made it incredibly comfortable to play while onstage, allowing Elvis to easily switch between soloing and strumming chords without missing a beat. It was no surprise then that he chose this model for all his live performances throughout 1969-1970.
The use of this guitar by Elvis ultimately left an indelible mark on rock music – inspiring generations of musicians who sought to emulate the King’s unique style and sound. Today, you can still hear its influence in countless songs across all genres – from classic rock hits like Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” to modern pop songs like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”. As such, the impact of Elvis’s special ES-335 Gibson has truly been felt throughout decades of music history and will likely continue for years to come.
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