Every Guitar and Every Piece of Gear Has a Story to Tell

GroundGuitar’s mission is to gather those stories, tracing the history behind some of the most iconic guitars, and creating a chronological list of all the equipment used by specific guitarists.

A Passion Project

GroundGuitar is a hobby, run by one person, but enriched by contributions from people like you, who share a passion for history and the thrill of uncovering details on their own.

Constantly Evolving

Unlike traditional media like books, this website is ever-changing. Mistakes are corrected, and missing information is added over time, making GroundGuitar a living, dynamic resource.

Start Exploring

These are the few pieces of gear that visitors find most interesting, and read about most often. To see all the gear that's currently on the website, please visit our Guitars Page

1962 Fender Stratocaster

John Frusciante

Kurt Cobain's Fender Stratocaster “Vandalism”

Fender Stratocaster “Vandalism”

Kurt Cobain

1965 Fender Jaguar

Kurt Cobain

1968 Fender Stratocaster (Woodstock)

Jimi Hendrix

Frankenstein

Eddie Van Halen

1968 Fender Stratocaster "Black Beauty"

Jimi Hendrix

1970s Ibanez Destroyer 2459

Eddie Van Halen

196? Fender Stratocaster (Zappa)

Jimi Hendrix

1966 Fender Jaguar (Under the Bridge)

John Frusciante

1964 Fender Stratocaster (Linda)

Jimi Hendrix

Featured Guitarists

To view all the guitarists currently featured on the website, please visit our Gear Page

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix Experience Band of Gypsys

Duane Allman

The Hour Glass The Allman Brothers Band

Kurt Cobain

Nirvana

John Frusciante

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Eric Clapton

Yardbirds Cream Derek and the Dominos

Mark Knopfler

Dire Straits

Brian May

Queen

Eddie Van Halen

Van Halen

Stories from the Blog

To read all of our blog posts, please visit our Blog Archive

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12 Must-See Rock Music and Guitar Movies for Every Music Lover

Whether you're a guitarist or just looking for some rock-and-roll-inspired films, we’ve put together a list to get you started. While you’ll likely check out other recommendations, we’ve included a…

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The Most Expensive Guitars in the World

This is a list of the most expensive guitars ever sold. A couple of notes before we begin - most of the guitars on this list were sold through auction,…

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Rare 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard with Bigsby Listed on Reverb – A Closer Look

When it comes to vintage Les Paul Standards, three years are most coveted: 1958, 1959, and 1960. However, it’s the 1959 models that are often hailed as the "Holy Grails"…

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Is Fender making a John Frusciante Signature Stratocaster?

With John Frusciante back in the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the guitar world has been buzzing with one big question: Is Fender finally going to release a John Frusciante signature…

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Best Guitarists of the 90s and Their Greatest Live Moments

Creating the ultimate list of anything, especially when it comes to ranking the best guitarists, is always tricky. Everyone has their favorites, and preferences can vary widely. Instead of trying…

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How Good is OpenAI’s DALL-E at Drawing Guitars

Just this morning, I woke up with an invitation to join the DALL·E platform. In case you're not familiar with what this is - it's OpenAI's innovative AI system that…

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Behind the Scenes – Artist Salaries at Woodstock 1969

Woodstock 1969 is one of those events that’s engraved into the cultural consciousness, not just because of how big it was in terms of attendance, but for what it represented.…

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AC/DC’s “You Shook Me” Unplugged Acoustic on the Howard Stern Show

AC/DC is one of those rare bands that has always avoided doing any kind of unplugged version of their songs. An AC/DC track always sounds exactly how it’s meant to—blaring…

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The Night Kurt Cobain Brawled at Trees Dallas and Smashed More Than Guitars

Kurt Cobain’s chaotic night at Trees in Dallas on October 19, 1991, remains one of the most infamous moments in Nirvana’s early career. What started as a typical show took…

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How The Mamas and The Papas Landed in Hot Water with Censors

In music history, The Mamas and the Papas' debut album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, stands out not only for its harmonious tracks but also for the…

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How to Clean Vinyl Records with Wood Glue (With Images)

Recently I got into the habit of cleaning every single vinyl record that I buy with a simple trick - wood glue. I often by records on the local flea…

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The Ultimate List of the Greatest 12-String Guitar Songs Ever

The 12-string guitar has sort of a mystique all its own. It’s the secret weapon behind some of the most unforgettable riffs in rock history, from the jangling intro of…