Few guitarists have had as seismic an impact on music as Jimi Hendrix. In just a few short years, he rewrote the rulebook on electric guitar playing with his explosive tone, experimental techniques, and genre-defying sound. Central to Hendrix’s legacy is the arsenal of guitars he wielded—from stock Stratocasters to hand-painted Flying Vs. This blog post takes a look at the evolution of Hendrix’s guitar choices and how they defined the sound of each phase of his legendary career.
The Early Days: Curtis Knight & the Squier Roots
Before stardom, Hendrix cut his teeth playing with the Isley Brothers and Curtis Knight. During this time in the early 1960s, he often played whatever guitar was available, including borrowed Danelectros and entry-level models like the Silvertone Danelectro 3011. These early instruments may not have been glamorous, but they laid the groundwork for his raw, aggressive playing style.
The Arrival of the Stratocaster: 1966–1967
When Hendrix formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966, he quickly adopted what would become his signature instrument: the Fender Stratocaster. A natural lefty, Hendrix flipped right-handed Strats upside down and restrung them. This not only gave him a unique aesthetic but also altered the guitar’s tone and string tension.
Key models and moments:
- 1964 Olympic White Fender Stratocaster – Used extensively during Are You Experienced (1967) and Axis: Bold as Love (1967). This Strat delivered the bell-like clarity and swirling feedback on tracks like “Purple Haze” and “Little Wing.”
- Sunburst Strats – These appeared frequently during the early Experience tours and in studio sessions, often customized with larger headstocks and reversed pickups.
Experimental Era: 1968–1969
As Hendrix pushed boundaries in the studio and on stage, his guitar choices diversified. He still relied heavily on Stratocasters, but began incorporating new and unusual instruments.
Notable instruments:
- Gibson Flying V (1967) – Custom-painted with psychedelic designs, this guitar made appearances during the Electric Ladyland era, particularly on blues-heavy tracks like “Red House.”
- Gibson SG Custom (1968) – Occasionally used for TV appearances, such as his 1969 appearance on The Dick Cavett Show.
- Fender Jazzmaster & Duo-Sonic – Rare but documented appearances, often for experimental studio work.
The album Electric Ladyland (1968) saw Hendrix layering multiple guitar tracks with different instruments, including Strats and Gibsons, blending searing leads with lush textures on songs like “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be).”
Woodstock & Beyond: 1969–1970
Hendrix’s performance at Woodstock (August 1969) is one of the most iconic moments in rock history. The guitar? A 1968 Olympic White Stratocaster with a maple neck. This is the guitar that sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” through walls of feedback and fuzz.
Later in this period:
- Black Stratocaster with Maple Neck – Used with his post-Experience band Band of Gypsys. This Strat can be heard on live versions of “Machine Gun,” capturing a darker, more politically charged tone.
- 1969 Flying V with block inlays – Used at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 and various blues performances.
The Final Chapter: 1970 and Electric Lady Studios
In his final year, Hendrix took greater control of his recording environment, founding Electric Lady Studios. His guitars remained familiar—primarily Stratocasters—but he was increasingly interested in sonic layering and production. Even in his final recordings, his guitar tone continued to evolve—cleaner in some places, heavier in others.
He tragically passed away in September 1970, but not before expanding the vocabulary of electric guitar forever.
Legacy
Hendrix’s guitar collection was never about owning rare or boutique instruments—it was about tone, playability, and expression. His most iconic guitars were often off-the-shelf Fenders and Gibsons, transformed by his hands, his vision, and his pedals. From his flipped Strats to his howling Flying Vs, Hendrix’s instruments weren’t just tools—they were extensions of his imagination.
