The Guitars of Jimi Hendrix: A Short History

Hendrix's rhythm playing amazes me way more than his leads. He was actually a pretty tasteful lead player a lot of the time, didn't frequently overplay, but his rhythm playing is mindblowing.

As a teenager I was listening to guys like EVH and didn't understand why people loved Hendrix so much. I did like his songs, though. As I got older I got heavy into SRV, which led me to have another look at Jimi as a guitar player. What learned was that a lot of what I liked about SRV came originally from Jimi. IMHO Jimi was the innovator and then SRV built on top of that. A million Strat songs have been inspired by the beginning of Little Wing.

The Strat wasn't the only guitar Jimi played, but it was the one that defined his sound the best. If he played another kind of guitar on a song you might not be familiar with, you might not know, without seeing Jimi, that it was Jimi. But, I wager, you would guess it was him on a Strat, especially through those Marshall stacks. What a sound.

My dad raised me on healthy helpings of Hendrix. I has born 8 years after his death but he’s still one of the most important musicians I’ve heard. All three Experience albums are masterpieces.

It always amazes me how so much Rock & Roll History of absolute importance happened in the 4 years from Jimi landing in England and his death in 1970. No guitarist has had such an impact on the playing of the instrument and music as a whole in such little time. Unfortunately the brightest lights burn out the quickest.

I can never understand guitarist that dont like Jimi. There's just something so untouchable in his playing and persona. He was truly the Legend he has become. This was great Keith I must have seen all the Hendrix documentary and read all the books but you put this together so thoughtfully you do forget that jimi was just a young guy in a massive Hurricane of a changing world. Always wondered what he'd been doing if he had lived what music he'd have given us.

Just when you think you know a lot about Hendrix, here is your lesson. Thank you Keith. Thank you Five Watt World. All the Best!

Excellent point about the late career white Strat with the huge CBS headstock. I had no idea that Hendrix painted some guitars himself. Keith - your conclusion is spot on. For me, the poetry of Hendrix’s lyrics is just as important as his incredible talent playing guitar. What an amazing, lovely mind!

Growing up in a musical family, at around ten years old my musical world was turned upside down when my friend's big brother came back from England in '68 with "Are You Experienced?". I kept that album (he loaned me) for almost a year! The best guitar playing years of my life was spent creating feedback (a la Hendrix, I thought) with my SearsRoebuck electric guitar and little lunch box amp! I still have a little chip missing in my front tooth... you know why!! 🙂

Great video, Keith. Can’t wait to see your sequel about Jimi’s amps! I was an impressionable 15 year old when we saw The Jimi Hendrix Experience from the 6th row at the Civic Opera House in Chicago in Feb. ‘68. Axis Bold as Love was already released, so he played songs from his first two albums. “Red House” was the only song we’d never heard. Jimi and Noel each played through 6 Sunn 2x15 JBL cabs with 6 heads. It was a life-changing experience. Soft Machine opened the show.

I'm a 55 year old drummer/guitarist and when non-musicians ask me if Hendrix was really as great as his legend tells; my reply is that I believe he was even greater in subtle ways. Jimi had it all: innovative sounds, searing leads, and propulsive, intricate rhythm. He sounded like two guitarists at once and all while singing beautifully. Many people believe that rating Hendrix at number one is overrating him but I happen to believe that number one fits him well.

Oh Lord Sweet Baby Jesus this episode was overdue 😍🥴so excited !!!

This is a real, real good one, Keith. Thanks for your research. Hendrix was a genius. I happened to be at a local night spot in my hometown of Wichita where Mike Finnegan's band, The Serfs, were playing. This was shortly after Electric Ladyland had been recorded in NYC which featured Finnegan on Hammond organ. Hendrix was in town, unannounced, and walked on stage and played with The Serfs for over an hour or more. It was just one of those special nights.

He'd be my parents' age, if he were alive. I love Jimi's music. Thanks for memorializing him and for telling me many things I didn't know about the guitars he played!

Jimi is certainly one of the most notable guitarists in history. Thanks, Keith, this was extremely enjoyable.

The 1964 "Texas Model" olympic white Stratocaster with tortoise shell pick guard was originally owned by Gary Boyle (guitarist with Brian Auger's Trinity). Hendrix used this guitar on a regular basis upon his arrival to London in late 1966. Now on display at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. The 1965 CAR with maple cap neck is affectionately known as the Stockholm Strat. It was painted and sacrificed which most know it as the Saville Strat. My favorite which wasn't mentioned was the 1966/67 Ice Blue Metallic Strat that he used for a short time in 68. It was first seen in Zurich, Switzerland at the Monsterkonzert on May 31st of 1968. He broke the headstock to a sharp point at the Lagoon Opera House in Salt Lake City on August 30, 1968. It is last seen backstage on Sept 14, Hollywood Bowl. Hendrix owned and used at least 2 1967 Oly Wht RW Strats as his main guitars up until Oct 1968 when the 1968 maple neck Strat first appeared at Bakersfield Civic Auditorium on Oct. 26, 1968

ALWAYS like how you end things with the "You're all 5-Watt World...I just make the videos". Don't know why but that seems so genuine giving credit back to your audience.

Thank you Keith, Jeff and all the contributors of this video! Well done- I never knew about the '56 LP custom! RIP Jimi

I met Jimi's dad after playing a gig on Capital Hill in Seattle, the bartender asked us to give him a ride home cause he was hammered. In the basement rec room ... on the wall ... in a shadowbox, the Woodstock Strat. We were offered but did not touch. Possible Mojo OD

Keith thank you for the excellent and informative history. I really appreciate the way you emphasize Jimi's human nature of a musician tapping into their essence and creating such a great experience for the listener and guitarist community. He shared a tremendous gift and craft from generations before and for generations to come. Thank you again for your excellence at what you do and the Five Watt Community.