Who Invented the electric guitar?

1934 Rickenbacker Electro A-25 Frying Pan

Adolph Rickenbacker (1887-1976). He invented the electric guitar.

This fact seems a little obscure. The electric guitar has had so much impact on human society and yet Adolph Rickenbacker is hardly a household word or a face that is easily recognizable. He was Swiss, but the invention was developed in California, USA.

This is a good time to throw in a random fact. His cousin was Eddie Rickenbacker, America’s greatest flying Ace in World War I. This helped in marketing.

Rickenbacker’s partner was George Beauchamp, who was a co-founder of National String Instrument Company. They made banjos and resonator guitars, but couldn’t figure out how to make them electric. Rickenbacker had the skills to get it done. The patent was filed in 1934 and finally granted in 1937.

Hawaiian music played live over the radio became a popular wave that swept the nation along with tiki cocktails and Hawaiian shirts.

Rickenbacker also developed the ElectroSpanish Guitar in 1935,

The Beatles, The Byrds, Tom Petty all played Rickenbackers.

Steve Scorfina, one of the original members of REO Speedwagon shows his rare guitars.

He has one of each in this video.

Watch this episode of "Every Guitar Has A Story"