(Log in to disable ads.)

  • Gear

  • Are these guitars still the Top 10?

In December 2000, Guitarist magazine published an article entitled "The 10 greatest electric guitars in the world Ever" :-

10. Rickenbacker 360/12 - introduced 1964
9. Gretsch Chet Atkins - introduced 1954
8. Ibanez RG550 - introduced 1987
7. PRS McCarty - introduced 1994
6. Gibson Flying V - introduced 1958
5. Gibson SG - introduced 1961
4. Fender Telecaster - introduced 1950
3. Gibson ES335 - introduced 1958
2. Gibson Les Paul - introduced 1952 (no fake Gibsons here,,,,,,,,,, ?)
1. Fender Stratocaster - introduced 1954

Interesting to note that the 50's and 60's seemed to be great years for guitar innovation and most of these brands and models are still alive and well 60 years later.
Some of the 'outsiders' were Fender Jazzmaster/Jaguar, Music Man Silhouette, Yamaha SG2000 and a couple of other Gibson semi-acoustics.
G&L never featured at all...

Do you think this list is still relevant today? I don't necessarily agree with no.10 (not a huge fan of 12 string electrics) & No.9,,,
I think G&L should've had a deserving spot in the top 10 and possibly the Music Man Silhouette.....
Mika the better one would probably argue that the Jazzmaster/Jaguar should've featured somewhere.. ?

what do you think? Are there any other really good guitar brands not listed here that you feel should knock some of these off the list?
AND do you agree with the No.1 & No.2 spots?


    My feeling is there was a point where the basic design of the guitar evolved to near perfection, the only thing we have today is computer-machined bits and whatnot. All sorts of over-hyped tat to bolt to your axe.

    What makes the difference today is electronics, not the basic design of the axe.
      As much as I love Jazzmasters and jags... I understand them not being there........
      Fender strats, and Tele's take up a fair bit of stature..... as do Les Pauls, and SG's, As do a few Gretch models.

      Sadly even that ibanez is justified on the list >☹
        Tonedef wrote: My feeling is there was a point where the basic design of the guitar evolved to near perfection, the only thing we have today is computer-machined bits and whatnot. All sorts of over-hyped tat to bolt to your axe.

        What makes the difference today is electronics, not the basic design of the axe.
        Well, many of us still prefer old-fashioned electrics over the best ergonomic designs. I prefer Les Pauls to some very sleek modern guitars because it's got a certain aesthetic something, both visually and sonically, and because for some people, a neck like a baseball bat is surprisingly comfortable. ? In fact it's partly because it's old fashioned that I like it. It's like a transition between the age of hand crafted acoustic instruments and the modern era. A hybrid.

        I think that's a decent list reflecting a lot of the popular desire for guitars. I do think a Stratocaster is a near perfect piece of industrial design. There's almost nothing you can legitimately criticise it for. It's comfortable, attractive, easy to play. I think that's why a huge number of guitar designs are just variations on the Strat. It's just not my first choice.
          You'll also probably find that one day in the not-too-distant future, guitars won't be made out of wood, either. If the tree-huggers get their way, that is, which seems likely.

            Tonedef wrote: You'll also probably find that one day in the not-too-distant future, guitars won't be made out of wood, either. If the tree-huggers get their way, that is, which seems likely.

            in fact Parker Fly was also an outsider,,,not a huge fan of that guitar either,,,
            I'm sure good wood will always be available but at a premum,,, maybe I'm a traditionalist, but if its not made of wood,, neh,, I dont think so,,,,
              Explorerlover wrote: What!...no Explorers ? ?
              i'll check the mag this evening,, I don't recall seeing the Explorer,,,, sorry man yours hasn't quite cut the grade,,,, ?
                CostaFonix wrote:
                Tonedef wrote: You'll also probably find that one day in the not-too-distant future, guitars won't be made out of wood, either. If the tree-huggers get their way, that is, which seems likely.

                in fact Parker Fly was also an outsider,,,not a huge fan of that guitar either,,,
                I'm sure good wood will always be available but at a premum,,, maybe I'm a traditionalist, but if its not made of wood,, neh,, I dont think so,,,,
                Materials science and genetics are the fastest growing scientific disciplines today - it probably won't be long before they can grow syntho wood in a test tube and gene-tinker it for certain characteristics.

                I better hold on to my cheapie pine-bodied strat, it's gonna be worth a fortune one day! ?
                  Tonedef wrote:
                  I better hold on to my cheapie pine-bodied strat, it's gonna be worth a fortune one day! ?

                  no..............



                  no its not.
                    Course it will, foo!

                    All I need is a Gibson sticka! ?
                      Tonedef wrote: Course it will, foo!

                      All I need is a Gibson sticka! ?
                      On a strat copy?! No, you need a fender sticker ?
                        Kuck man, we mos all know it's the Gibson logo wot makes the okes check you out lank awesome, china. ?

                        Hou vas my klippies, check hierdie f(%$&*n riff, broer!


                          Tonedef wrote: You'll also probably find that one day in the not-too-distant future, guitars won't be made out of wood, either. If the tree-huggers get their way, that is, which seems likely.

                          Steinbergers uses graphite composites, only rearly wood and sometimes only on demand and only because they belong to Gibson now

                          I agree, the Parker Fly or Dragon fly could also cut a spot up there, but I don't think in the top 10 though, as with B.C. Rich, I don't recall any of the guitars on that list being traditionally neck-through models exept some Flying-Vs maybe, but I am under correction.

                          No mention of Jackson? I thought they're known for the rather popular conal shaped fretbord radius. And also no mention of some or other ESP, wich I think both could contend with the Ibanez (and I like Ibanez :-[)...

                          Those are my thoughts, but 1. and 2. without a doubt ?

                          Oh, and the Rickenbacker Fryingpan should be there just because it was the first comercially available solid electric ?
                            Tonedef wrote: Kuck man, we mos all know it's the Gibson logo wot makes the okes check you out lank awesome, china. ?

                            Hou vas my klippies, check hierdie f(%$&*n riff, broer!


                            You like to take the piss out of peoples hey TD?! lol!
                            But that was a good iteration!



                            Back on topic...

                            I'll Agree with that list...

                            The strat, tele, LP, SG, V, ES... They all deserve to be on the list...

                            Im just questioning the rickenbacker?! :-\
                              I'm a big fan of Parker and Music Man. I think the Parker Fly had enough clever innovations to appear on that list. Not sure who I'd bump off though.
                                Tonedef wrote: Kuck man, we mos all know it's the Gibson logo wot makes the okes check you out lank awesome, china. ?

                                Hou vas my klippies, check hierdie f(%$&*n riff, broer!


                                check now whats happening... >☹ ..... I tried to subtly introduce a topic to take peoples minds off the Chinese Debacle yesterday,,, and its infecting my thread!!! LOL

                                ha ha hha a,,,
                                No worries, continue ...... ?
                                  Heh!

                                  To my great dismay that thread was locked. It was comedy gold.

                                  Anyhow, yes, as you were!

                                    Tonedef wrote: You'll also probably find that one day in the not-too-distant future, guitars won't be made out of wood, either. If the tree-huggers get their way we run out of trees, that is, which seems likely.

                                    Fixed.
                                      We'll never run out of trees, I think, just like we'll never run out of oil.