Few musicians reshaped the electric guitar’s role in modern music as profoundly as Jimi Hendrix. His sound was explosive, expressive, and forward-thinking—but it was also deeply tied to the guitars he chose. While Hendrix is inseparable from the Fender Stratocaster, his journey included several key instruments that helped define different chapters of his career.
This article explores the most important guitars used by Hendrix, how he set them up, and the iconic moments they helped create.
Fender Stratocaster: The Definitive Hendrix Guitar
The Fender Stratocaster is synonymous with Jimi Hendrix. Although he played several guitars early on, the Strat became his primary instrument from late 1966 onwards.
Why the Strat Worked for Hendrix
- Floating tremolo system allowed extreme pitch bends and dive-bombs
- Three single-coil pickups delivered glassy cleans and cutting overdrive
- Contoured body made long performances more comfortable
- Longer 25.5” scale length added snap and clarity
As a left-handed player, Hendrix famously played right-handed Strats upside down, restrung for left-handed use. This reversed the pickup orientation, subtly changing string tension and tone—especially on the bass strings.
Iconic Strat Moments
- “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock (1969)
- Monterey Pop Festival (1967), including the infamous guitar burning
- Studio recordings with The Jimi Hendrix Experience such as Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland
Most of Hendrix’s Strats were finished in Olympic White or Black, often heavily worn by touring.
Gibson Flying V: Early Psychedelic Power
Before the Strat fully took over, Hendrix made a bold statement with a Gibson Flying V—most notably at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Key Features
- Mahogany body and neck
- Dual humbuckers with thick, aggressive output
- 24.75” scale for a slinkier feel
The Flying V gave Hendrix a darker, heavier tone compared to the Strat, perfect for the thick fuzz tones heard during his early U.S. breakthrough performances.
Gibson SG Custom: British Blues Powerhouse
During his time in the UK, Hendrix frequently played a Gibson SG Custom, particularly in 1966–67.
Why the SG?
- Lightweight, resonant mahogany body
- Three humbuckers for a wide tonal palette
- Excellent access to upper frets
The SG was often paired with early Marshall stacks, delivering thick, sustaining tones well-suited to the British blues-rock scene that first embraced Hendrix.
Fender Jazzmaster & Other Offsets
Before achieving fame, Hendrix was occasionally photographed playing a Fender Jazzmaster, likely borrowed or backlined during early gigs.
While not a mainstay, the Jazzmaster’s wide single-coils and floating tremolo shared sonic territory with the Strat, offering warm cleans and shimmering vibrato.
Setup, Strings, and Feel
Hendrix’s guitars were only part of the equation. His setups were equally unconventional:
- String gauges often mixed (.010–.038 sets, sometimes lighter bass strings)
- Low action for fluid bends and vibrato
- Right-handed guitars restrung left-handed, altering pickup response
- Heavy use of volume and tone controls mid-performance
Combined with fuzz, wah, Univibe, and cranked tube amps, Hendrix turned familiar instruments into vehicles for radical new sounds.
Legacy: Simple Guitars, Infinite Possibilities
Despite his reputation as an innovator, Hendrix relied on relatively standard production guitars. What set him apart wasn’t rare gear—it was imagination, touch, and fearlessness.
Today, Hendrix’s Stratocasters, SGs, and Flying Vs remain some of the most iconic instruments in rock history, proving that the right hands can turn any guitar into a revolution.
