10 of the Most INNOVATIVE and UNIQUE Guitars Ever Made!!

[@GVike]

When I think of innovation, I always go back to Steinberger. This was in the early 80s and it blew all the minds. It was almost indestructible.

[@304Guitars]

Thanks for including us in your Top 10! Merry Christmas everyone, from 304 Guitars!

[@clipz7608]

Can I have one of your guitars for Christmas? Or is that rude to ask of you all?

[@johnnorris1983]

Bootlegger spades are great travel axes!!!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Merry Christmas everyone!! Here are 10 of my favorite unusual/incredible guitars :)

[@calebrudkewich6372]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@kennithh7744]

Merry Christmas and thank you so much . Keep safe .

[@JDKingStratslinger]

Merry Christmas, Darrell!

[@brennanpowell2601]

Steinberger guitars and the steinberger transposing tremolo should be on this list. The ability to bend entire chords in tune and change tunings from 1 and 1/2 step up to 2 and 1/2 steps down was mind blowing. Its also the only floating bridge that you could do flutters with and then still treat like a hardtail bridge (doing unison/double stop bends, drop D, break a string and be in tune). Unfortunately they are very rare and expensive.

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

Ol' Ned's a stone genius.

[@normbarrows]

You can get Steinberger type bridges on eBay for about $60 these days. I have two in kits (Steinberger Spirit and M series clone kits), one on a custom build, and one earmarked for a future custom build.

[@brennanpowell2601]

@@normbarrows I've seen many of them. These are, generally speaking, clones of the steinberger R-Trem or S-Trem. Neither of those, or any of those clones on ebay, are anywhere near being in the ballpark of what the transtrem can do. There are no clones of the transtrem that exist, and the last ones ever made would have been in the late 90s (not counting the type 3 from gibson). A single transtrem bridge can sell for over $1000. I've even seen one list for $3000.

[@kenmasters007]

Parker fly, headless guitars and maybe the variax system would be on my list.. but those guitars look amazing too!

[@rsmart4359]

I love the designs and build of Teuffel Guitars. His guitars are absolute stunners!

[@mijaatin]

Your choice of guitars were quite traditional construction wise. You should try out Strandberg Boden 8 string true temperament for example! It’s headless, endure neck, true temperament fret, multi-scale, baritone, Strandberg bridge, Fishman Fluence pickup equipped guitar…. 😄 there is some innovation for you!

[@zhishuten]

Hi Darrell, Fantastic video as always. Thank you really enjoy it. Few pieces I would recommend which are flying under the radar and most are hard to get anymore. But are fantastic. 1) Moog E1 M - The only guitar you can dial the sustain (increase or reduce) and play chords with infinite sustain without effects 2) Gibson Frebird X - Endless possibilities in guitar effects and tones in a guitar. 3) Line 6 Variax - any guitar and pickup from acoustic to electric in 1 and not bursting the bank 4) Ridgewing Guitar - ultimate travel guitar. Amazing piece of art. 5) Uli Jon Roth - Sky Guitar - unique piece for soloing 6) Vo-96 - Paul Vo invention for acoustic guitar 7) Parker Adrian Belew - another universe of tones If you get hold of any of above will be fantastic to see a review from you. I really enjoy your channel. Thank you and have a fantastic holidays

[@dave10392]

Be careful. This is a scamster. You haven't won anything.

[@damagecontrol60]

Merry Christmas Darrell, I was super happy to find your channel, some time ago… you produce great contact, you are very thorough, you’re an excellent guitar player, and very fair in your reviews… you are such a positive dude and a great representative of Canada :-).

[@miniguitarjams]

I am more impressed by your enthusiasm than any of those guitars. Thanks for letting me see them

[@robertdonosobuchner3129]

There are so many fantastic companies that produce fantastic guitars... It is an endless journey and so much to discover...

[@Jim-yc7zb]

I played a fender synth guitar for a while, 'till I got a fishman tripleplay. I love changing tunings, and now I play a USA line 6 JTV89. Changes tunings and guitars on the fly. Go from les paul, to acoustic, to metal body, to fender strat with the turn of a knob.

[@d3w4yn3]

I just sat, and hugged my screen, and cried.... it was all so good!!!

[@stevenpipes1555]

That ormsby guitar just kills me! Its soooo beautiful. It was my vote in the contest, and i still cant believe the Jackson got all the votes. BOOORRIINNNG!,

[@stevenpipes1555]

@+❶ ２６Ѳ ❻➂❸ ➆➁➈５ Wow is this true? How do i contact administrators?

[@stevenpipes1555]

@+❶ ２６Ѳ ❻➂❸ ➆➁➈５ thank you Daryll. I dont have whatsapp, but ill get it.

[@nalukeko]

1:46 some interesting string spacing... especially between A and D

[@jessmess89]

I was thinking the same thing… the A sting must not be on the bridge correctly

[@victorbrownlow5477]

I noticed that too, looks horrible.

[@86Sporty58]

You have to set the string spacing every time you "unfold" the guitar.

[@mickwells9431]

Enjoyed your video on innovative guitars. Looking foeward to what 2022 brings to the table. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours Darrell!!!

[@1Rockstok]

I have an Ibanez Montage. It’s an acoustic guitar with on board, tuning, reverb, chorus, EQ, AND overdrive! A five way switch moves you from acoustic to blended to overdriven. The sound hole resembles an exclamation point on an angle. The neck pickup is more like that of an electric. The hardware is good. Not only did Ibanez quickly discontinue the model, it’s not easy to find a picture of one.

[@kennithh7744]

Just wanted to thank you for all your great videos. Really like the content , thanks for making guitar world a lot bigger .

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Merry Christmas Darrell! I wish you and your family the best!

[@johndemko4051]

My vote for most fun, engaging gizmo-cast of the Season! Cheers front Detroit

[@mrotta6079]

Fishman fluence pickups are probably one of the most innovative pickup designs in a while.

[@normbarrows]

while their manufacturing method is innovative, they are currently only using it to reproduce traditional sounding pickups - hardly innovative.

[@hammer9856]

It's a wonderful time to be a guitar player... so much innovation in instrument design, function and features... and then there is all the electronic innovations that increase your pallet of sounds at affordable prices. One can only wonder what the future will hold for us.

[@1066wastrel]

Glaring omission are the Teuffel Guitars (Thanks to R Smart down below as I struggled to remember the name) but I think those guitars can out innovate just about anything!

[@mancub1589]

Mind blowing stuff. Merry Christmas Darrell, thanks for enlightening us in 2021. Look forward to watching more next year.

[@PunKtuRed_Jazz]

I have always loved that Ormsby, specially being an Aussie just a beautiful guitar, even down to the shark inlays it’s done so well.

[@rayschoch5882]

Good stuff, Darrell. Happy Holidays!

[@ianstringer6618]

Hi Darren .been watching u all yr ,on your shows I've just received the spark peach and the Larry Carlton super strat in black flame top Your reviews now using your advice and far from disappointed both are fantastic . Thank you and a merry Christmas to all

[@benpowersguitar]

You show off some incredible instruments man. Best wishes in the new year.

[@fateesbakings]

congratulations you have been selected amongst our shortlisted winners contact Admin What's App only.

[@GuitarBassCigar]

Thanks for a great year - Merry Christmas!

[@sergebasque8460]

Merry Christmas to you from a fellow guitare player totally cool guitare awesome.🎄

[@stevefreeman730]

Merry Christmas Darrell!!!!!

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

Dude - Basslab and Gittler! They make just about every other manufacturer look like they're still in the Victorian era. While I'm at it, Fred Carlson and Claudio Pagelli absolutely rule when it comes to making guitars from wood.

[@BryanMontford]

Steinberger, Parker, and Strandberg are three I think you might have overlooked. Some of the innovations you featured originated elswhere. The single most innovative thing I saw featured was Relish, which I had not previously looked at closely, but will be now. ^_^ The Evertune is a marvel, but I think the Sophia bridges might merit some comment as well. Nice video, thank you for sharing.

[@derekfromtauranga6012]

Hi Darrell, I recently did a service on a Cole Clark little lady acoustic. When I work on acoustics I like to put a mirror inside the guitar to look at what’s under the hood (soundboard) I was surprised how different and innovative the soundboard and bracing are on this guitar. This particular guitar had a redwood top and Aus Blackwood back and sides and sounded very punchy for a small bodied guitar. The bracing is not an x brace but a double v brace that runs the whole length of the guitar so one v starts at the tail block and runs out into the smaller bout and the opposite v starts each side of the neck block and runs down to the larger bout and the vees intersect each other below the sound hole. The other interesting design is the soundboard is 6 mm thick but has been cnc carved away btween all the braces and the top to side connection has a cnc cut recess design that means no kerfling is needed to attach the top to the sides. Apparently the neck is integral with the sound board. This all means less labour requirements to build up a guitar. Quite amazing and innovative. 👍👍👍

[@roballen5718]

merry Christmas and a happy new year to you. love your video, as usual. could you take a look at the ElectroPhonic guitar, sometime?

[@tedstieghorst7113]

Truly innovative guitars and that bridge. I have really enjoyed following you this year and look forward to doing so next year. Have yourself a Merry Christmas.

[@Dandelion-32]

Bond guitars were extreme already 30+ years ago. Washburn Ec29, ec36 and I believe the acoustics were ec60 and ec80 and of course the stephens guitars that came before. Then there where those many stringed guitars that Pat Matheny played. And old school harp guitars.

[@r.harissudrajat1531]

Thank you Darrel...good job.

[@alanhean6504]

Your videos are perfect, thanks there, looking forward to next positive input!

[@hawkeyesplace7442]

It would be nice to see an explorer guitar some time. Many great players have used one. Thank you for your videos!

[@thomasdundon4093]

As some others have mentioned, please review a Strandberg guitar, particularly a model with the True Temperament frets. Lots of innovation with a purpose.

[@Seven7Pain1]

The Ornsby is a 29 fret design first done by ola england when he was with Washburn

[@whatskraken3886]

To be honest, I've never understood the vintage craze in the guitar community. I play the most innovative instruments I can afford

[@Dandelion-32]

Klein did some interesting ergonomic body shapes for both electric and acoustic guitars.

[@AbigailJoy1111]

I've been in love with that Wreck guitar since I first saw it 😍🎸 One day...

[@josephkovalovsky3050]

Happy Christmas Darrell to you and your family thank you for showing me a lot of strange things and thank you for teaching me a lot of things love the channel can't wait to see what you have planned for the new year

[@audiomonster303]

the log should have been the #1 in this video lol

[@TheTCClark]

Another week I’m holding off deciding between a player or a sire T7. Come with it, with a tear down please!

[@jeremylove6594]

Line 6 Variax was and still is quite innovative in my opinion. Changing the tuning or even the instrument with a simple know twist is pretty fantastic

[@ACWraith]

I rather like the Virtual Jeff Pro. More specifically, I like the faux tremolo arm attachment as an interface instead of an expression pedal. I'd like to see general purpose versions with more pedals taking advantage of the optional wireless connection.

[@matthemus3]

What about midi capable guitars? I know they’re not the same type of physical innovations but they allow players to basically play/control any instrument. Just thought those would be worth a mention along with all of these other truly unique instruments.

[@mariohristov7909]

Since you include both acoustic and electric guitars, how about a hybrid. Not sure if you have heard of the Ibanez Montage? It is a semi-hollow hybrid guitar with a build-in chorus and reverb. It produces acoustic, electric, distortion and hybrid acoustic/electric/distortion sounds as well. They are not in production any longer, but if you can get your hands on one of them a demo would be nice. Thanks

[@Goldsteinphoto]

The 304 Guitar stainless steel fretboard seems like the way to go. Ovation used to make a less expensive model called "Matrix" that had an aluminum fret board. But I think they had to top coat the frets with a harder metal. It seems to me that a metal fretboard can be precisely made on a machine eliminating many steps and variations.

[@donstewart7445]

Merry Christmas Darrell

[@paulapplewhite6135]

1:17 That A-string saddle placement looks, er... "innovative" 😀

[@vanshankguitars]

The Ray Ross bass bridge is up there as well.

[@Music.is.my.Fuel.]

The Freeway 10-ways Strat switch is pretty clever too for a piece of hardware!

[@FrankDoorhof]

Great videos always love to watch. But why does the travel guitar have the E/A on a different spacing than the rest.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Thank you Darrell, great video 👍 Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones 🎅☃️🥳😄 You Rock 👍

[@frodeleirvik]

When you pulled out the carbon fiber guitar I was hoping to see the Emerald, which in addition to being made from carbon fiber also has a few very neat and ergonomic features. Other people here have mentioned Strandberg and I fully support that. I also fully support the True Temperament system, which - to me - is the best solution to the never ending intonation problem for basically any guitar. When I first obtained a True Temperament neck after some 30 years of playing, it felt like coming home. And there's just no turning back!

[@sc0repio662]

I have a couple of Emeralds on order (should be delivered sometime in Feb) - a Virtuo & an X20 with the HyVibe.

[@sc0repio662]

I have a couple of Emeralds on order (should be delivered sometime in Feb) - a Virtuo & an X20 with the HyVibe.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Excellent video. Merry Christmas Darrell. Stay safe Brother

[@TonyObermeit]

Great stuff, an innovative guitar that belongs right up there is the Lava M3

[@colebrown3850]

Hey Darrell on the subject of an older video, what would you personally pick between the nick Johnston schecter and the Pacifica 612 with Seymour Duncan’s?

[@eyeofamon]

3:19 - "Proprietary way to do tilt-back on a solid piece of Maple, which is pretty much unheard of." ??? Kiesel does this all the time, as do other builders. Unless I'm missing something.

[@dave10392]

Morning Darryl. Could you perhaps do a review of the Cort Z-42?? Thanks

[@arustydodge2111]

ThNk you and Merry Christmas DARRELL🎄🎁⭐️🙏

[@WW-1995]

Was expecting to see Line6 variax

[@darrell3368]

Thanks for sharing and God’s blessings for you all and Merry Christmas

[@sduos-ws6ov]

What about rest of Sire guitars? I am waiting for L7. Thanks.

[@adrianjones7913]

For innovative guitars have you come across Emerald guitars from Ireland, I'd love to see a review on their electric capability, they are stunning carbon designs blended with beautiful wood tops, I am tempted but they are pretty expensive.

[@jamesbagshaw8251]

Interesting list...sound samples would be good

[@Fahrenheit1407]

What happened to the Sire T7 review?

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

It's coming after Christmas along with the L7 🎸🤘

[@Fahrenheit1407]

@@DarrellBraunGuitar Great stuff

[@stuckinchaselandia6427]

Appreciate your videos. Rock on🤘

[@KainzMusic]

Everything but the Evertune. I'm not saying it's crap hardware, I just have no use for one. No, I don't go around out of tune. Yes, I keep my guitars in tune at all times; hardtail, Floyd Rose, Strat trem.

[@cameraz99]

Maybe not as unique as the one's you showed, but I would include the Fender Classic Player Triple Telecaster. It's a limited edition, Custom Shop designed Tele with three Nocaster pickups and a five-way switcher. It's a Strat and Tele built into one. But since it's discontinued, it didn't make your list.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

It's actually called the Nashville Tele.....

[@cameraz99]

@@truckercowboyed2638 -- No, it's called the Fender Classic Player Triple Telecaster. All black, three angled Nocaster pickups, vintage tuners and ashtray bridge with three brass saddles.

[@jamesmarchetti3286]

Great video thank you Darrell! I didn't expect you to give me an early Christmas gift thank you!

[@usmcyounggun6879]

If anyone has a good bit of experience I am curious if all Evertune equipped guitars are really heavy? I have only ever tried one and it was an LTD TE 6 string with an Evertune, and when I picked it up I immediately noticed it was ridiculously heavy. I don’t know if it just happened to be that particular guitar or if it is because of the Evertune. I have been looking at getting one but I would be buying it online without being able to play it first. Thanks in advance for any help or info.

[@ravelitschimo]

Thank you Daryl. I gonna stay with my mustang :-)

[@mgcnashville6615]

Am I missing something here? Making an angled headstock neck with one piece of wood is widely known how to do. Maple or otherwise. Does relish do it differently somehow?

[@zorbathegeek]

I would love to hear your opinion on the new Lava Me 3. A carbon fibre body with some great features.

[@ronanfrancismarino283]

Darrell, I would like you to rate the Aerodyne Fender Stratocaster made in Japan. The HSS Stratocaster Blue model is suggested.

[@christianpucciarelli]

Hi darrel,have you ever tried a Variax?

[@bolland83]

My first thoughts were the Parker Fly and the original Stienberger guitars.

[@bostonbesteats364]

I don't think you've ever covered the Line 6 (Yamaha) James Tyler Variax, or the new Mooer Audio GTRS S800.

[@bostonbesteats364]

@+❶ ２６Ѳ ❻➂❸ ➆➁➈５ I don't like free stuff

[@xucaen]

You should put the names of the guitars in the manufacturer is underneath the guitar when you unveil each one. Was that a Jyrock, girok, djiroaq?

[@adamfindlay7091]

You may check out Jack White's axe in It Mt Get Loud...

[@smartmammal9926]

What's with the string spacing on the carbon?

[@sc0repio662]

You could have covered 2 of those specialties in one guitar. I've got a couple of custom carbon fiber Emeralds on order, one of them is an X20 acoustic with the HyVibe smart guitar system.

[@sc0repio662]

@+❶ ２６Ѳ ❻➂❸ ➆➁➈５ Say what now?

[@kylesnyder9452]

You should check out EGC’s they’re phenomenal

[@johnro6659]

I have never been into the gimmicky guitars as far as electronics and materials go. Back in the day I did own a few Travis Bean aluminum neck guitars. A few plexi glass guitars a BC Rich and a couple old Dan Armstrong guitars. I had a Switch "vibracell" it wasn't bad but I swapped pick ups and it was much better. I did like the old Electra brand with the on board effects has several of those over the years. For me today I prefer mahogany body guitars I do like the out of the box designs over traditional LP and Strat shapes. IMO the best of all the guitars in your list was the Ormsby, Never owned one and regret not buying a pre owned one from Guitar Center over the summer. It was priced pretty low for an Ormsby it was a 7 string I prefer a traditional 6 myself why I passed and later decided I wanted it but it was gone of course!

[@faethe000]

How did a Variax guitar not make this list?

[@rockdaddy2168]

Cool stuff, thanks.

[@calebscrazyamazinglife1795]

Another cool innovative guitar is the rob O’Reilly guitar it’s a midi guitar but it’s also a normal guitar and the Heal joint is super cool

[@dmeenkster]

I can only assume that you haven't had the opportunity to check out Jasper guitars for their Elmore or Deja Voodoo models. Acoustic and resonator tones from a solid body size instrument.

[@mikedgolf40505]

Hey Darrel how about demoing a Dean Zelinsky Private Label StrettaVita or Tagliare. If they are not the best single and double cut guitars out there I'll play Nickleback for the first time.

[@pacucoreyes7268]

Do you know cosmo from verso instrument? they have pickups that are movable

[@huginstarkstrom]

there was the Gibson Dusk Tiger robot guitar and the Musicman Game changer.Guess nothing came out of those ideas, right?

[@Baimeboxx]

Whawwwww...futursitic Guitars..👍🎸🤟🤟

[@gabrielshelwood3072]

I’m most definitely gonna have to figure out a way to show you my customs to see what you think 🔥

[@BopKitBill]

Hey Darrell, Do you still have your Fender Jim Adkins? That's a somewhat innovative amalgam of a guitar...or did it not stand the test of time?