| The electric guitar has intrigued countless people over | | | | modified versions of these popular shapes. Some |
| the last fifty years or so. The sound, feel, the | | | | manufacturers have made repeated attempts to |
| complexity. Yet it's the simplicity of the electric guitar | | | | slightly modify the most popular guitars in history only |
| that attracts music lovers of all ages and all music | | | | to settle for a fraction of the success that their |
| styles from every corner of the globe. But the sound | | | | predecessors would realize. |
| alone isn't the only catch. The appearance of the | | | | Then there were the guitar shapes that never really |
| electric guitar can be almost addicting. Guitarists have | | | | took off. Major manufacturers like Gibson released |
| become brand loyal sometimes based on the | | | | the Firebird design which was popular enough to |
| appearance, and more specifically, the shape of an | | | | remain in their lineup yet not quite popular enough to |
| electric guitar. Over the last few decades, many | | | | gain any type of cult following. Then there was the |
| guitar manufacturers from all parts of the world have | | | | Warlock design which almost took hold back in the |
| designed and produced electric guitars in all types of | | | | eighties, but saw its popularity falter following the |
| styles and shapes. Most of these unique designs have | | | | downfall of hair metal. Guitar manufacturer Dean has |
| faded into oblivion, however a certain few have | | | | seen some success with the MXL model which |
| stood the test of time. These popular guitars are | | | | somewhat resembles an Explorer. This guitar shape |
| forever linked with their original manufacturers. | | | | seems primarily to interest musicians in the heavy |
| There's a select few of these shapes that stand out | | | | metal market. This design is popular enough to stay in |
| in every musician's mind. The guitar shapes have | | | | the manufacturers lineup yet not popular enough to |
| actually adopted their model names as trade names. | | | | classify it as a legend. The X shape and the star |
| The Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the SG, the | | | | shape are two more examples of failed guitar |
| Explorer, and the Flying V are some of the most | | | | designs. These were interesting attempts at |
| popular guitars ever produced. These guitars have | | | | introducing a new design yet they failed to capture |
| been copied and mass produced by various guitar | | | | any real interest. |
| manufacturers throughout the years in an attempt | | | | It's hard to imagine that the few popular shapes that |
| achieve the same success the original instrument | | | | still survive today may be the only guitar shapes to |
| architects acquired. Some manufacturers made the | | | | ever thrive. The big names like Fender and Gibson |
| mistake of copying the guitar designs almost exactly | | | | have capitalized in these guitars by introducing models |
| and then faced the music themselves thanks to civil | | | | varying in color, construction materials, electronics, |
| suits due to trademark infringement. As a matter of | | | | tremolos, and even modified headstocks, but the one |
| fact, some pre-lawsuit guitars are actually considered | | | | thing that can never be altered is the shape that |
| by many to be collectibles today. Then there are the | | | | we've all come to recognize from a mile away. |