When we think of Blues today we really should not look at it as a single musical form. Since its humble beginnings in the early 1900’s it has undergone several stylistic changes and has now grown and developed into a very multifaceted musical genre. It is much like any other musical style constantly evolving and changing.
We now have a number of styles within Blues, some of which are Delta Blues, Swamp Blues, Chicago Blues, Texas Blues, British Blues, Blues Rock etc., each of these with their own playing style, sound and use of various types of guitars.
So, if you are looking for a particular Blues sound, a certain type of guitar may be more suitable in order for you to get the sound you like.
The best blues guitar for you comes down to what suits your personal style and taste. As a beginner you might start out trying to sound like your favorite Blues guitarist and get the type of guitar that this musician has as well. Eventually you will choose an instrument that will be a better fit for your own personal style and expression.
Until the 1930s, Blues guitarists used acoustic guitars and played them mostly finger style to accompany themselves while singing or telling a story. It was at that time a very chord based, almost Folk style of music. With the invention of the electric guitar and amplifiers, electric Blues (which initially sounded very similar) gave birth to new styles such as, Chicago Blues, Rhythm and Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll in which guitarists started to play single note melodies (licks) without having to accompany themselves. The influence of Rock in Blues happened at the time that musicians in American and Europe (especially England) began listening to Blues records and began trying to copy their favorite Blues guitarists.
Here is a brief overview of a few of the most common types of guitars that famous Blues guitarists have used to play Blues with, the kinds of sounds they will produce and some of the famous players who have used them.
The Dreadnought Steel String Acoustic Guitar
Most of the rural Blues musicians in the early 1900’s lived in poverty and used steel strings (or even baling wire or electrical cords) since they were much cheaper then nylon strings. The steel strings also sustain a note much longer so you can bend strings to get a crying, moaning sound which is harder to do on the warmer classical nylon string guitar. The pioneers of this music are too many to name but a few of the absolute most famous Delta Blues guitarists and musicians are Robert Johnson, Son House, Lightning Hopkins, Big Joe Williams, Mississippi John Hurt, Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James and Mississippi Fred McDowell.
The Fender Stratocaster
The Stratocaster or Strat has become almost synonymous with Blues because of the popularity of one Blues guitarist in the modern era, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Other guitarists famous for playing this model are Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Robert Cray, Rory Gallagher and Buddy Guy.
The Strat has, because of its three single coil pickups and a 5 way pickup selector, a huge amount of different tones and textures, from the punchy neck pickup, to the bridge pickup’s powerful deep sound. Clean to crunch, rhythm to lead, oftentimes guitarists playing Strats switched between pickups and sounds even during their guitar solos.
The Fender Telecaster
The Telecaster or Tele has more twang (high end) then the Stratocaster. It is better known as a country guitar but the Telecaster is also used as a Blues guitar. Guitarists famous for playing the Telecaster are Muddy Waters, Jeff Beck, Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan and Keith Richards. Telecasters are very bright and twangy, making them great guitars for intricate and technical licks, complex picking and country influenced Blues playing.
The Gibson Les Paul
Nowadays the Les Paul has become a very popular guitar among Blues guitarists. The British Blues bands from the 1960s made this instrument popular because of the high gain, screaming, Rock Blues sound they produce. Because of the two humbucker pickups, a Les Paul has a thick, powerful tone with lots of gain and sustain and helped to pioneer a new supercharged blues sound.
Some famous guitarists who have used this instrument are Peter Green, Jimi Page, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Duane Allman, Billy Gibbons, Joe Walsh and Hubert Sumlin.
The Gibson ES-335
(Photo sourced from shutterstock.com)
The Gibson ES-335 has that typical blues guitar authentic look. It is known primarily as a Jazz guitar and has a very warm and thick tone. Some of the guitarists who have played this model over the years are Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Chuck Berry, BB King and Eric Johnson. Similar to the Fender Strat, the ES-335 has versatility. It has a warmer sound then a Les Paul and not such a high output, its two humbucker pickups produce clean tones and if distortion or overdrive is added a very slick and pleasant crunch with an almost singing quality.
About the Author
Daniel Coffeng is an honors graduate from the Guitar Institute of Technology and is a Los Angeles, CA based performing guitarist, freelance studio musician and music educator specializing in modern contemporary guitar.
Photography by Sarah Petrusma
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Call me wierd I love my Gretsch Jet!
I look at the list of names under the Strat and once again I see one of the most important missing again. Yes it just happens to be the name of Rory Gallagher, and the authors a Honor Grad?
Hi Paul and thanks for pointing this out. I have updated the above to include Rory. I’m sure there are many other blues legends missing as well… more than happy to add them if you let us know.
You forgot :Joe bonamasa. He is god
ok – what was his guitar of choice? he seems to be pictured with a Les Paul in the majority of images around…
BB King also used the tele a lot in his earlier days.
I am having serious issues. Wanting a tele to learn blues. But there are so many companies, so many options. I just don’t know which one to get. My search brought me along this thread. If you know the types of tele’s that are good for blues with that tele twang, please email me, so I can end this search. I’ve been poring over websites for weeks.
Hi Doug,
It sounds like a traditional/ standard telecaster guitar would suit your needs. A standard tele has a fixed bridge and comes with 2 single-coil pickups. Low-to-moderate output pickups help achieve a bright country/blues tone. It does not matter as much whether you purchase a genuine Fender or a cheaper copy as long as the basic design is traditional/ standard. Be sure however to purchase a guitar that has good intonation and can hold its tuning well. With this information in mind, it is recommended you visit a music store and try a number of ‘tele-style’ guitars to find one that sounds, feels and looks to your taste and budget. Your choice of amp will also make a significant difference to tone.
Wishing you well!
I’m struggling with my electric guitar decision, having only played acoustic. I also love the Teles, but am leaning towards the Reverend Double Agent OG, with the combo P90/Humbucker pickups. Any thoughts?
Hi Gary, sorry for the delay in getting back to you on this. Our advice given above applies here as well. Head into a good music instrument store and try a number of different guitars to find one that sounds, feels and looks to your taste and budget. Make sure that it has good intonation and can hold its tuning well.
Gibson Flying V probably warrants a mention. Albert King is enough, but Hendrix and many other greats also used it.
I’m looking to buy an ES 335 for blues.. Which amp would you recommend to use with this guitar ?
Hi Richard, I’d recommend a Fender Twin if you can get your hands on one but any good tube based amp will sound warm and lovely on this guitar.. Here is a discussion on the Gibson site that may be of interest to you: http://www.es-335.com/2016/06/12/great-amps-for-your-335/
Count me in as a Les Paul fan!
Great article, thank you!