The most iconic guitar of all time, according to Billboard

[James in New York]

This is the most iconic guitar of all time, according to Billboard
Billboard has charted the top 100 most iconic guitars of all time.

By Crystal Koe

If there’s one thing we can all agree about lists, it must be how no one ever agrees on them.

Nonetheless, Billboard has released its own take on the 100 Most Iconic Guitars of All Time curated by a panel of industry experts, journalists and accomplished guitarists from various genres.

While defining “the greatest” isn’t easy, Billboard says that all of the guitars on the list are important to the instrument’s “history and ongoing evolution”.

So, grab your picks and let’s dive into the top three guitars that made the cut, along with a few surprising rankings that might just make you scratch your head.


Taking the crown is none other than Jimi Hendrix’s legendary 1965 “Monterey” Stratocaster.

This guitar isn’t just a pretty face; it was the very instrument Hendrix set on fire – and smashed – during his iconic performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

“The moment is frozen in rock history, surviving for generations in film, dorm-room posters and a limited-edition Fender replica,” says Billboard of the axe’s importance.

In second place we have Willie Nelson’s well-worn 1969 Martin N-20 acoustic guitar, affectionately named Trigger.

With a gaping hole near its bridge — thanks to Nelson’s vigorous picking style, with his pick “constantly scuffing the guitar’s body” — Trigger has been by his side for every album and performance since 1969.

As you can imagine, Trigger takes the term relic’d to a whole new level, having been broken apart, glued back together, braced, lacquered, repaired and modified countless times over the years. It’s like the guitar equivalent of a well-worn pair of jeans, except it’s made of wood and strings and has a hole (or two) in it.

Rounding out the top three is Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein guitar, a true game-changer in the world of rock.

This guitar is a DIY masterpiece, famed for its iconic red-white-black colour scheme and ingenious mods that would go on to inspire countless rock guitarists decades on.

The Frankenstein was originally fitted with a Fender Stratocaster bridge, though Van Halen later on swapped it out for a double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo.

As Billboard aptly puts, “With it, Eddie revolutionised not only how people played the guitar but also the very guitars they played.”

Other notable inclusions include David Gilmour’s Black Strat, Angus Young’s Gibson SG, Peter Green’s “Greeny” Les Paul Standard, and Brian May’s beloved Red Special, the latter two narrowly missing out top 10, ranking just 11th and 14th place respectively.

Check out the full list at Billboard.

[Van Squalen]

Yeah, it's in the other thread.

But honestly, with due credit to Nelson's Trigger and King's Lucille, Ed's Frank ought to be number one. Even outside of Van Halen fandom, it's literally the most recognized guitar on the planet.

[James in New York]

Yeah, it's in the other thread.

But honestly, with due credit to Nelson's Trigger and King's Lucille, Ed's Frank ought to be number one. Even outside of Van Halen fandom, it's literally the most recognized guitar on the planet.

I agree!

[EJC]

My top 3...

Ed's Frankenstein

Randy's Les Paul Custom

and...

[Little Intruder]

Here's a few of my faves:

Jimi Hendrix - Woodstock Strat
Tony Iommi - SG Monkey
Billy Gibbons - Pearly Gates Les Paul
David Gilmour - Black Strat
Brian May - Red Special
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Number One Strat
Jimmy Page - Double Neck
Michael Schenker - Gibson Flying V
Dimebag Darrell - Dean From Hell
Randy Rhoads - Jackson Concorde

[Naked Wake]

I always liked George Lynch's Skull & Crossbones guitars. The black one with the bones kind of lifted off the surface.

I'm not being biased when I say this, but EVH's Frankenstrat should be #1 simply because it's the most recognizable.

[Pacfanweb]

Yeah, it's in the other thread.

But honestly, with due credit to Nelson's Trigger and King's Lucille, Ed's Frank ought to be number one. Even outside of Van Halen fandom, it's literally the most recognized guitar on the planet.

Yep, you put those stripes up and about 99% of everyone will say "Van Halen"

Almost nobody outside of guitar nerds and a few old hippies would recognize Hendrix's guitar, and I'd say Willie's guitar is more recognized than that. It was an iconic MOMENT, yes. The guitar itself? Not so much....IMO, of course.

The Frankie transcends generations.

[Brett]

Ed stripes are number 1. Nobody gives a fuck Willie Nelson’s guitar. Lol. You see stripes, it’s Van Halen. Even people who don’t know that much about Van Halen or like their music know those stripes are associated with EVH or the band.

Honestly, I didn’t go through the whole list but frankly none of those made much sense to me. Lol. And what is RS’s obsession with Sister Rosetta Tharpe? I didn’t even know what the fuck she played, or cared. Nobody does!!!! Her guitar is higher on the list than SRV’s Number One? On what planet???

I think Ed’s stripes are number one by country mile whether you’re a Van Halen fan or not.

[ScottyBHarris]

I would say Eddie's 5150 guitar is equally as recognizable as the Frankie by most.

[Little Intruder]

So what is everyone's fave EVH guitar... Frankie, Bumblebee, Rings, Star? I've always loved the black and white from the first album. The original badass!

[Naked Wake]

I would say Eddie's 5150 guitar is equally as recognizable as the Frankie by most.

Yeah, any of the stripes. You just see the stripes and you know it's EVH

[Naked Wake]

So what is everyone's fave EVH guitar... Frankie, Bumblebee, Rings, Star? I've always loved the black and white from the first album. The original badass!

out of all of these, probably 5150. I'm also fond of the one believed to be owned by Dweezil

http://vintagekramer.com/5150f.htm

[Little Intruder]

NW, I've read that George Lynch really didn't like the skull guitar because he said it just didn't sound right. It did look killer tho! I've always liked his tiger and camo guitars as well.

[ScottyBHarris]

Eddies Dragon Snake guitar was pretty cool, but the 5150 is probably my favorite.

[Little Intruder]

I've always wondered what happened to EVH's little Les Paul. Didn't he give it away?