From ancient civilizations to modern music stages, the guitar’s story is one of incredible evolution and cultural impact. The GUITAR exhibition offers a deep dive into this fascinating journey, exploring not just the instrument’s history but also the science behind its captivating sound. For anyone passionate about music, especially those who have explored resources like Guitar Center for their own musical journeys, this exhibition provides a unique opportunity to see the roots of the instruments we love.
“The guitar is the most enduring icon in American history,” states HP Newquist, founder of The National GUITAR Museum. This exhibition vividly illustrates this point, showcasing nearly 100 artifacts, with over 60 instruments that trace the guitar’s transformation across cultures and centuries. You’ll witness how musicians and different societies have shaped the guitar into the diverse instrument family we know today. Highlights of the exhibition include remarkable instruments such as:
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Nyatiti: Journey back to 3,000 BCE and the Nile Valley with the Nyatiti, a stringed instrument that stands as one of the earliest ancestors of the guitar, remarkably unchanged through time.
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Lute: Step into the grandeur of the Renaissance courts where the lute reigned supreme. Discover why this instrument became central to European culture during a pivotal era for the arts.
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Banjo: Explore the compelling story of the banjo, believed to have originated with enslaved Africans in the Caribbean during the 17th century, and its profound influence on bluegrass and American music.
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Ukulele: From Portugal to Hawaii, trace the delightful journey of the ukulele. Learn how this four-stringed instrument, introduced in 1879, became a beloved symbol of Hawaiian culture, its name meaning “jumping fleas” in reference to the lively finger movements on its fretboard.
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Gibson J-200: Behold the iconic Gibson J-200, introduced in 1937, which redefined the aesthetics and sound of country and western guitars, setting a new standard for acoustic instruments.
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Fender Stratocaster: Witness the revolution brought by the Fender Stratocaster. Since its debut in 1954, the Stratocaster has not only shaped the sound of rock and roll but has also become the most iconic and influential electric guitar ever created, a staple in music stores and on stages worldwide, perhaps even inspiring purchases at places like Guitar Center.
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Air Guitar: Embrace the playful side of guitar culture with the Air Guitar, a symbol of musical passion and performance that has resonated with teens and aspiring rock stars since the 1970s.
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The World’s Largest Guitar: Prepare to be amazed by the Guinness World Records certified World’s Largest Guitar. This playable Flying V stretches over 43 feet long and 16 feet wide – a true spectacle of guitar enthusiasm.
Beyond the historical artifacts, GUITAR delves into the science of sound creation. Interactive exhibits demystify how guitar strings and wood resonate to produce music. Discover how acoustic guitars utilize hollow bodies and soundboards to amplify string vibrations, and how electric guitars employ magnetic coils to capture and amplify these vibrations into the sounds we love.
The exhibition is further enriched with video performances, revealing x-ray images of guitar construction, and interactive stations where you can experiment with creating your own sounds. GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World is a production of The National GUITAR Museum, offering an unparalleled experience for anyone fascinated by music, history, and the enduring legacy of the guitar.
