Iconic Guitars Trivia Quiz

Answer: Esquire

The Telecaster was first named Esquire, and some of the early models only had one pickup - this is the version that Fender later reissued. Then Fender called it the Broadcaster. But when Gretsch complained that the Broadcaster name conflicted with their line of drums, Fender renamed the guitar the Telecaster. There was a brief period when they had no headstock decals available with the new "Telecaster" name, so Fender removed the "Broadcaster" from the remaining decals. These guitars are now called "Nocasters", and are quite rare.

Albert Collins, Bill Frisell, Merle Haggard, Chrissie Hynde, Mike Oldfield, Keith Richards, Keith Urban, and Muddy Waters are only a few of the many players who are famous for playing Telecasters.

Answer: Fender Stratocaster

The Stratocaster was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares. It has three pickups, instead of the Telecaster's two, and was designed to be more comfortable to play for long periods. Fender claim that it is "the most popular and influential electric guitar ever".

Answer: Gretsch

Fredrich Gretsch founded the company in Brooklyn in 1883. Chet Atkins started playing and endorsing Gretsch guitars in the mid-1950s. George played his on the "Ed Sullivan Show", in 1964. In an ironic twist of fate, Gretsch, who caused Fender to change their guitar's name from Broadcaster to Telecaster, are now owned by Fender.

Answer: John Lennon

George played his Gretsch, Paul had a Hofner bass, and Ringo, of course, played his drums. George also had a Rickenbacker twelve string which he used on many of the Beatles' recordings.

Answer: Casino

The Epiphone Casino became very well known in the mid '60s when John, Paul, and George all bought them. They were used on Beatles recordings from "Rubber Soul" onwards. John can be seen playing his Casino in the film "Let It Be".

Answer: Martin

C F Martin emigrated from Germany, where he had learned to build guitars, to the US. He arrived in New York and started his company there, but relocated to Pennsylvania five years later. The Martin guitar company is still family owned.
Famous Martin players include Sting, Paul Simon, Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash, Del McCoury, and Joan Baez.

Answer: National

"The Mississippi Delta was shining like a National guitar".
The National guitar company was founded in 1927. National and its main rival, Dobro, merged in 1932. Since World War II, there have been several different companies which have manufactured resonator-style guitars, and the "Dobro" brand is now owned by Gibson.

Answer: Les Paul

However much Les Paul had to do with the design of the guitar that bears his name, it has become a legendary instrument. Slash, Peter Frampton, Gary Moore, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, Duane Allman, Bob Marley, John McLaughlin and Neil Young are among the many famous musicians to play Les Pauls.

Answer: Scorpions

Though Jimi Hendrix is best known for playing, and setting fire to, Fender Stratocasters, he also owned Gibson guitars, including the Flying V pictured here.

Answer: Steinberger

Ned Steinberger was an industrial designer who had worked with Neil Spector on his bass design, the NS 1. That spurred Steinberger to first make a new electric bass and then to make the Steinberger guitar. Later, Steinberger was bought by Gibson, who still hold the license for the Steinberger name.