The Guitars of Jimi Hendrix: A Short History

[@budgetguitarist]

As a teenager I was listening to guys like EVH and didn't understand why people loved Hendrix so much. I did like his songs, though. As I got older I got heavy into SRV, which led me to have another look at Jimi as a guitar player. What learned was that a lot of what I liked about SRV came originally from Jimi. IMHO Jimi was the innovator and then SRV built on top of that. A million Strat songs have been inspired by the beginning of Little Wing.

[@dannythompson1948]

I heard voodoo Chile probably 100 times before I really heard it..

[@TheSavagederek]

I was exactly the same . I always preferred Clapton and still do , but I appreciate Hendrix much more now .

[@sleevelessace]

dude i was the same in the early 2000s while i was listening to slash,kirk hammett mick mars... ( i was very late on evh other then eruptioin,jump panama etc, but i didnt fully understand the genius of evh till way later ) idek why tbh but ya ... and my cousin who also plays was HUGE on hendrix i was okay ill listen n i was like wheres the insane solos crazy leads and so on? but then as a 24 year old i was like WOW.... this man is the best guitarist of all time cause u gotta think the time period what jimi had to work with (gear and inspiration) what was being played at the time etc.... jimi innovated guitar as we know it today

[@charliekaminsky8489]

You missed a step in there..... Eddie Hazel picked up with what Jimi was doing on the band of gypsies album and built it into funk..... listen to super stupid recorded in 1971 as my example for his mark on the evolution of what jimi started.

[@kevenrowe2958]

Srv is a Hendrix and Albert king baby on cocaine 😂 he still my guitar goat tho

[@danharlan1314]

My dad raised me on healthy helpings of Hendrix. I has born 8 years after his death but he’s still one of the most important musicians I’ve heard. All three Experience albums are masterpieces.

[@darrenc8776]

I was born 7 years after jimi died my Dad would play Hendrix to me as a young lad. Dad was a massive deep purple fan but would always say Jimi was The guy.

[@manupbritain5232]

It always amazes me how so much Rock & Roll History of absolute importance happened in the 4 years from Jimi landing in England and his death in 1970. No guitarist has had such an impact on the playing of the instrument and music as a whole in such little time. Unfortunately the brightest lights burn out the quickest.

[@morriypoulsen1238]

Right on the button man.

[@jamesmcclain5005]

I saw him play on TV when I was about 12 years old. I thought it was FAKE, I walked away! I had no idea that shit real, until I saw the Film about Hendrix! The shit was mind blowing, I was flabbergasted, my jaw dropped! I wish I had a video of my response, I had never been more shocked EVER!

[@Sargent1987]

I agree. It makes sense to cause him more. Always left, and his father worked alot. So he payed attention to the guitar apposed to worrying about family.

[@stevenorcott354]

The Strat wasn't the only guitar Jimi played, but it was the one that defined his sound the best. If he played another kind of guitar on a song you might not be familiar with, you might not know, without seeing Jimi, that it was Jimi. But, I wager, you would guess it was him on a Strat, especially through those Marshall stacks. What a sound.

[@darrenc8776]

I can never understand guitarist that dont like Jimi. There's just something so untouchable in his playing and persona. He was truly the Legend he has become. This was great Keith I must have seen all the Hendrix documentary and read all the books but you put this together so thoughtfully you do forget that jimi was just a young guy in a massive Hurricane of a changing world. Always wondered what he'd been doing if he had lived what music he'd have given us.

[@lonniesharp9109]

There are two types of guitar player: Those who love and adore Jimi; and filthy liars! 😎

[@Wargasm644]

Where are these haters you speak of? I’ve never met a guitarist that didn’t like Jimi.

[@nytom4info]

We musicians are all messed up..

[@duellingscarguevara]

Read Eric Burdons book. He was Jim’s bestie.

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

everybody loves Jimi though. you don't need to love Boomer rock, and you still love the guy.

[@chipsterb4946]

Excellent point about the late career white Strat with the huge CBS headstock. I had no idea that Hendrix painted some guitars himself. Keith - your conclusion is spot on. For me, the poetry of Hendrix’s lyrics is just as important as his incredible talent playing guitar. What an amazing, lovely mind!

[@JammerhakenTV]

Oh Lord Sweet Baby Jesus this episode was overdue 😍🥴so excited !!!

[@christwhitewolf]

Just when you think you know a lot about Hendrix, here is your lesson. Thank you Keith. Thank you Five Watt World. All the Best!

[@williamjacobs6327]

Great video, Keith. Can’t wait to see your sequel about Jimi’s amps! I was an impressionable 15 year old when we saw The Jimi Hendrix Experience from the 6th row at the Civic Opera House in Chicago in Feb. ‘68. Axis Bold as Love was already released, so he played songs from his first two albums. “Red House” was the only song we’d never heard. Jimi and Noel each played through 6 Sunn 2x15 JBL cabs with 6 heads. It was a life-changing experience. Soft Machine opened the show.

[@rkoblues24]

This is a real, real good one, Keith. Thanks for your research. Hendrix was a genius. I happened to be at a local night spot in my hometown of Wichita where Mike Finnegan's band, The Serfs, were playing. This was shortly after Electric Ladyland had been recorded in NYC which featured Finnegan on Hammond organ. Hendrix was in town, unannounced, and walked on stage and played with The Serfs for over an hour or more. It was just one of those special nights.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Wow....new information offered by you!

[@albertwjoell]

Growing up in a musical family, at around ten years old my musical world was turned upside down when my friend's big brother came back from England in '68 with "Are You Experienced?". I kept that album (he loaned me) for almost a year! The best guitar playing years of my life was spent creating feedback (a la Hendrix, I thought) with my SearsRoebuck electric guitar and little lunch box amp! I still have a little chip missing in my front tooth... you know why!! 🙂

[@zankyalbo2208]

I met Jimi's dad after playing a gig on Capital Hill in Seattle, the bartender asked us to give him a ride home cause he was hammered. In the basement rec room ... on the wall ... in a shadowbox, the Woodstock Strat. We were offered but did not touch. Possible Mojo OD

[@toddmoore2324]

Jimi is certainly one of the most notable guitarists in history. Thanks, Keith, this was extremely enjoyable.

[@ScottfromBaltimore]

He'd be my parents' age, if he were alive. I love Jimi's music. Thanks for memorializing him and for telling me many things I didn't know about the guitars he played!

[@marcsullivan7987]

Now we know how old your parents are

[@SturmAKS74U]

The 1964 "Texas Model" olympic white Stratocaster with tortoise shell pick guard was originally owned by Gary Boyle (guitarist with Brian Auger's Trinity). Hendrix used this guitar on a regular basis upon his arrival to London in late 1966. Now on display at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. The 1965 CAR with maple cap neck is affectionately known as the Stockholm Strat. It was painted and sacrificed which most know it as the Saville Strat. My favorite which wasn't mentioned was the 1966/67 Ice Blue Metallic Strat that he used for a short time in 68. It was first seen in Zurich, Switzerland at the Monsterkonzert on May 31st of 1968. He broke the headstock to a sharp point at the Lagoon Opera House in Salt Lake City on August 30, 1968. It is last seen backstage on Sept 14, Hollywood Bowl. Hendrix owned and used at least 2 1967 Oly Wht RW Strats as his main guitars up until Oct 1968 when the 1968 maple neck Strat first appeared at Bakersfield Civic Auditorium on Oct. 26, 1968

[@AlienInvasionDefenceSystem]

The closing thought put a tear in my eye.

[@jameslamarca7245]

Thank you Keith, Jeff and all the contributors of this video! Well done- I never knew about the '56 LP custom! RIP Jimi

[@67davbeav]

I'm a 55 year old drummer/guitarist and when non-musicians ask me if Hendrix was really as great as his legend tells; my reply is that I believe he was even greater in subtle ways. Jimi had it all: innovative sounds, searing leads, and propulsive, intricate rhythm. He sounded like two guitarists at once and all while singing beautifully. Many people believe that rating Hendrix at number one is overrating him but I happen to believe that number one fits him well.

[@ericwarrington6650]

How the topics and focus just keeps getting better is very impressive Keith..this one's been anxiously awaiting by everyone..thanks man..can't wait..I'll be lurking and working for this one..lol..😊🤘🎶

[@michaelpeterson4406]

Keith thank you for the excellent and informative history. I really appreciate the way you emphasize Jimi's human nature of a musician tapping into their essence and creating such a great experience for the listener and guitarist community. He shared a tremendous gift and craft from generations before and for generations to come. Thank you again for your excellence at what you do and the Five Watt Community.

[@SoulMarc]

Very well documented as always. Small vs large headstocks, maple vs rosewood fingerboards, I guess Jimi would just by the stock Strats he would find in the shop. There just wasn't the huge choice we have now back then.

[@dancingtrout6719]

keith richard said back then the best guitars were the ones being made .. wich they were...57 -69

[@markhammer643]

I always found that he had an identifiable sound and tone, no matter what he played. He was Jimi, whether on a Flying V, an SG Custom, STrat, or whatever. If we had recordings of him on a Gretsch Country Gentleman, or recordings from his Danelecto, Valco, or Mustang days, I imagine he'd probably sound the same, as well. It's difficult to tease apart differences in his tone from his particular touch. I'm especially fond of his rhythm playing, which is nearly always using the neck pickup and picked near the end of the fingerboard for a more nasal tone.

[@chrisnash8411]

Hendrix wrote some of the most beautiful songs ... incorporating magical guitar riffs brought forth from the depths of his gentle soul . He inspired me as a young musician ... and continues to do so whenever I hear his music . I believe we've been blessed to have "experienced" Jimi Hendrix. Thanks again Keith for sharing another great "Short History".

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Keith your summation of Jimi as a person, guitarist, musician, and lyricist is deeply appreciated and very descriptive of the experience many of us enjoy as the years pass. From first hearing Purple Haze on the old worn red paint over worn walnut tube radio, 13 in ‘67 with no idea who what where or anything of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, remembering the first goosebumps and shivers, to the continuing unfolding of musical wonder, touching lyrics and stories of the Experience through years listening. Beautiful, happy, sad, all of it. Many thanks for bringing this all together for us here.

[@fivewattworld]

Credit where it's due, my editor Perry wrote most of that. He's the Start guy and was inspired by this one.

[@anonymous0_0.]

these videos never get old

[@buzzawuzza3743]

Never knew if the Flying V guitars Jimi played were from the original years or not. Thank you for letting me know. These videos will live forever for gear heads like us.

[@oneminutefixed5003]

what a ride, really appreciate the amount of work you put into these. Congrats and happy new year !

[@MarkFromHawaii]

Thank you Keith for this most insightful short history of Jimi's guitars. And thanks also to Jeff McErlain for his renditions of Killing Floor and The Wind Cries Mary. If you google "Jimi's Stratocaster with a Tele neck" you'll come up with photos and articles of Jimi's performance at Newport in '69. It's a maple Tele neck slapped onto a white Strat. Some claim there was some kind of switch on the back - maybe a kill switch. Also interesting: He played through Fender amps at the concert - looks like Dual Showmans through cabs loaded with 15" JBLs. What does he sound like with this rig? He sounds like Jimi. 😉

[@kkjhn41]

Those pictures of Hendrix and Cornell Dupree are not from Curtis Knight and the Squires but from Jimi's time in the King Curtis band. It was from an Atlantic Records party at The Prelude in New York City on Thursday 5 May 1966 for Percy Sledge whose debut single, When a Man Loves a Woman had been released the previous month. King Curtis was the house band backing Esther Phillips, Wilson Pickett and Don Covay (all who had singles coming out in the following weeks) as well as Percy. The band consisted of King Curtis on sax, Jimi and Cornell Dupree on guitar, Ray Lucas on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass. Jimi played with King Curtis from '65 to '66 until as Dupree said he just stopped showing up, something he did with many bands that employed him like the Isley Brothers. He didn't quit bands; he just ghosted them or was fired for being late and missing gigs. He recorded at least one song with King Curtis on a session for Ray Sharpe on a song called Help Me (Get the Feeling) in 1966. The song was later retitled and used as a backing track by other artists, including Aretha Franklin with Jimi mixed out.

[@goodun2974]

Some of those unauthorized record issues, like on Pickwick and other obscure labels, would feature weird old stuff ostensibly from Jimi like "Land of 1000 Dances".

[@gyorgysoos3310]

Thanx for these infos, because all of this news very important pieces in that view of that great R''N'B' /SOUL/FUNK puzzle.

[@sharonlee4773]

Very true.And that photo of Jimi with 'Linda Keith' is NOT her!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@sharonlee4773 It was Jeanette Jacobs, and was taken backstage at the Singer Bowl gig, in 1968. She was one of several serious girlfriends that Jimi hung out with in NYC. After Jimi died, she married the Sax player who was in the group Traffic.

[@JB_Eckl]

I simply cannot hear enough about Jimi Hendrix. Ever.

[@Sake11880]

I love these ones that have been highly contested for a lifetime. I bet it’s more research but man is it wonderful. The arguments and claims of having “Hendrix’s guitar” have been everywhere for fifty years

[@REM1956]

Because of the guitar pyrotechnics and stage show Hendrix wasn't taken seriously enough as a singer or lyricist. He was more than the wild man of feedback portrayed in the media of the era.

[@leekovalskyj9218]

Jimi regarded himself as a guitarist, and not so much as a singer. But really, he was multi talented, as well as obviously a great showman.

[@brushstroke3733]

It's funny when people think he was great because he could play the guitar with his teeth. That was just an act of bravado and showmanship, but has almost nothing to do with his greatness as a musician, singer, songwriter, etc.

[@jasonzoellner7547]

It's amazing how driven he was, left hand and all that..great lyrics and his voice very distinctive ❤ Unfortunately a life too short ❤

[@gabrielspiropol9418]

Thanks Keith, for a sweet trip down memory lane on the Strats Jimi used. I had a ‘68 sunburst strat w/rosewood top and tremolo and bought it from my guitar teacher in July of ‘70, for $212. with the Fender tolex case, it was new, and I had the bill of sale. Years later I had the nerve to remove the neck to check the date code and on the pots too. The S/N was 235019 and it was confirmed to be built in the ‘68 time frame. I even had the same guitar strap seen in his concerts and posters. I had one that showed him playing a white strat w/tele neck, the headstock looked odd to me but cool at the same time. Those ‘68 Fenders were the Hendrix strats in my mind. Wish I didn’t sell it for $3K, but I was needing cash and I didn’t play that much. Renting apts had leases w/no loud music, instruments, or pets allowed. So I just hung onto it for many years and played it acoustically. Eventually I bought a real acoustic guitar, a Taylor 814C no electronics, to play on and with great tone. I never saw Jimi perform but I did see him in NYC jumping into a Checker Marathon cab and called out his name and waved at him, I got a big smile in return and just like that he was gone. That was the summer of ‘70 and I was graduating H.S. that Sept. when I heard the rumors that Jimi was dead. I had been learning his music and appreciating what he could do on that strat, so that sad news had me crying quietly as I walked home. RIP Jimi, you are an icon for the ages and today your music is making your estate more money posthumously. I even bought a mono 180 Gram LP of Are You Experienced to have in my collection. So you may be gone in body but your spirit plays on every time I play your songs, TY for the memories Jimi Hendrix.

[@ElectricalEcho]

The amount of guitars they gifted to eachother is amazing. I had this one time, that I wanted someone else to have a specific guitar more than anyone else - I didn´t stop to search the Internet until I found and bought him an ESP - Avatar twice. It is limited to 150x and the first one came with broken neck. The guitar I just started to rebuild on my channel was a gift as well. I never sold a guitar.

[@rodmorgan7041]

This is absolute magic to watch. Jimi has been my idol since i was a kid and my older sister listened to his music in mid to the late '60s. I'm now 60 and still play a Stratocaster. I also had THAT album of Jimi playing "Hear My Train A Comin" in acoustic. All my Jimi albums have been taken. There is so much good music going around now, but it's just not the same as listening and jamming with Hendrix. Thank you for that.

[@tommycato6368]

As a complement to the guitar tonewood debate I hereby add the electric guitar firewood thread. Great video as usual Keith, thanks!

[@oldskoolz8509]

I “liked” this one during the ad at the beginning because I knew it would be good!

[@jamesspinella2037]

it's the custom sg, which he plays Red House live for me it is my motivation always where I go back to when I get lost or when I want to get lost. RIP Jimi, as players we owe the world to you! You will always be loved and missed

[@Peasmouldia]

A spar of mine, Nick, asked a roadie if he could have a Strat neck that Mr Jimi had "removed" from it's body. The roadie couldn't care less and let him take it. I was also at the gig (Albert Hall) and saw him wandering along the street with it. It had parted quite cleanly from the body, and just had minor fret damage on the treble side (Mr Jimi's bass side) around the 12th fret. I nagged him for years to let me attach it to a Strat copy body I had. He finally agreed, he wasn't a guitarist. I played it in bands for a few years, it played well. Eventually Nick eventually retrieved it as it's value became obvious. There must have been other casualties that people retrieved in similar fashion. They're out there somewhere..... Ta.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Ian that’s so cool you got to play it for those few years at least. I still wonder where my ‘57 came from, multiple colours and coats of paint, burn marks on the body, a crack in the headstock with a couple of bent tuners, exceptional heavy wear on the neck. Back around 1970 the consignment seller refused to tell me anything about where it came from and she has long since passed away. Thanks for telling us about yours!

[@MegaTubescreamer]

aside from his prodigious musical capabilities, i `ve always seen the man he really was, vulnerable and exploited, shy and thoughtful at times but in his alter ego as guitar virtuoso ,always,, THE man, thankyou keith, this is a great reference work you`ve compiled, 👍😎

[@raffaele.eleonorafrazzi6387]

The white Strat with white pickguard and maple fretboard is my choice… Thanks for the work you’ve done !! 👍🏻

[@malcocreative]

Thanks for adding to [and clearing up] more Hendrix scholarship. Band of Gypsies changed my life. After 8 bars of Message of Love, [the break] I switched from wanting to be a Pathologist to HAVING to be a guitar player. It worked out really well.

[@winstonweiss7972]

This is one of the most insightful things I've ever watched on KZbin. You blew my mind on so many levels. When you mentioned Clarksville and the Isley brothers I couldn't believe that I had never heard this before being from the area, I've heard so many stories over the years of countless well known people in the music industry inhabiting the area. This weekend I had an awkward interaction with Bill Anderson when his heat wasn't working properly. His daughter had to translate everything because I'm soft spoken. I thought I was yelling.

[@AlienInvasionDefenceSystem]

I heard the note that kicks off Machine Gun’s guitar solo and it changed my life.

[@banditsbikeco3439]

It’s always a treat when I come home to discover a new 5WW episode! Thanks for what you do Keith, so educational and awesome you’re keeping the past alive in your own way

[@maestro0428]

Hendrix was a shining star, so bright that he could only shine for a short time. We are all so lucky he did.

[@BostonWhoFan515]

That's hilarious! When Jimi played the right-handed black Gibson LP Custom backwards, he kept the tilted pickguard on. If you own a LP just imagine everything being upside-down aside from the strings. Seems like it'd be so awkward. Yet Jimi still tears it up. Fucking legend, Jimi! RIP.

[@jeffmorrison5695]

Thank you. A wonderful documentary. Jimi has been the background music throughout my life (70). Still love him dearly and miss him.

[@kenzuercher7497]

I was 16 in 1968 and was fortunate to see Jimi as a budding guitarist at the time. He played at the University of Toledo Fieldhouse onor about March 30, 1968. I was there with a bunch of music playing friends and we were all so knocked out by what we'd "experienced" that we walked the 4 miles home instead of calling for rides, while saying nothing. Jimi introduced his "Jimiisms" to everyones guitar vocabulary and changed how the instrument was played forever. There are photos in color floating around from that night in Toledo on the internet including one of him with a Jazzmaster while playing Red House. One of two life changing musical experiences for me, the other seeing Stevie Wonder in Toledo in 1986.

[@subcontrail]

Jeff's playing is amazing in this video!

[@Rfunn]

Yet another amazing episode, thanks for this one Keith!

[@Bliggick]

Great video. So many pictures of Jimi that I haven't seen before. Inside the gatefold cover of Electric Ladyland there is a picture of Jimi in the studio with a bandage on his eyebrow and playing a rare left-handed black double cut guitar called a "Black Widow" made by Bartell/Acoustic. I don't know if Jimi performed with this guitar or if he recorded any released tracks with this guitar. He owned it until it's death but it's current ownership is in dispute because Janie Hendrix' ex husband took possession of it when they divorced. Eastwood guitars currently makes an inspired replica of this guitar but it does not have the f-holes as you can see in the Hendrix photo.

[@jonathan19947]

I've been into guitars all my life and I love the history behind them. Thanks for the video.

[@moonlightgraham5787]

I'd LOVE to see a "Guitars of Woodstock"

[@cameraz99]

I saw Hendrix perform live at the Singer Bowl in Queens, N.Y., in 1968. My girlfriend and I had 2nd-row seats, thanks to the entertainment editor at the newspaper where I worked. Hendrix put the audience in a frenzy; I was just mesmerized. I went out and bought my first guitar (a Telecaster) and have been playing ever since.

[@PlaydateDrummer]

Thank you Keith for sharing your knowledge and love for Jimi! We all have a similar stories about the first time you heard Jimi- I appreciate yours! I was fortunate enough to meet his dad Al and 1/2 sister Janie. Mind blowing! Such a sweet man and loving family. You're right when you say it's not just a party trick- He is the real deal- Enjoy and learn

[@f.duranleau4416]

Jimi was a great guitar player, an incredible innovator. For me he was also one of the best singers of his time. Such a beautiful voice!

[@garyt7855]

I really enjoyed the video, but a few guitars that were not mentioned were, the 1967 Guild Starfire V , the 50s Les Paul TV Yellow Special and the Acoustic/Bartell Black Widow. (made by the Acoustic amp company that he purchased in 1968)

[@jonathanstrand2474]

The black widow story is he asked to play one belonging to a fellow left hander …..in another band, maybe an opening act. And kept it, sending the guy another, that fits with Jimi owning the company, and or Mike Jeffries looking for more cash flow. Jeffries worked Jimi to death….literally 🥵

[@fredianacci8283]

Keith, Once again you have put together a great historic presentation of the instruments and character of the most iconic guitarists in rock history. You are the John Meacham (presidential historian) of musicians and there gear.

[@stacey_1111rh]

Jeff the gentleman who was playing sounded just like Hendrix. He nailed it. Thank you for your work!

[@Sailor_Man_Music]

I loved this episode I searched all the artist that mentioned and I’ve been listening soul and jazz all morning. It’s great.

[@Tonedefy]

I thought Im pretty versed in Hendrix, but damn somehow I missed that Killing Floor cover! Such a BAD ASS riff!!!

[@thedreadtones]

Please do me a favour and never stop making videos. Amazing as always. Thank you for all your hard work, Keith & Co.

[@guppybill]

Howdy Keith. Had a side of FWW with my breakfast this morning. I'm here for seconds with my beer rep. He's become a fan. Thanks for this offering. "Guitars of..." series is getting hotter and hotter by the week. Jeff's playing is so dang spot-on every time. That's a highlight in itself. You have cool friends.

[@riksplace]

ALWAYS like how you end things with the "You're all 5-Watt World...I just make the videos". Don't know why but that seems so genuine giving credit back to your audience.

[@fivewattworld]

If it wasn't for the community this really wouldn't be much fun.

[@thenovello-pugh]

As a teenager in 1984, my first verbal reaction to hearing Voodoo Chile was ' It sounds like fluidity'. I'm now in my 50s and still remember being bowled sideways and the exact words I uttered to my guitar teacher (who played me the tape).

[@sassycat]

Thank you for another informative and in-depth video, Keith. I was a wee bit disappointed that there was no mention of Jimi opening for the Monkees. 😉

[@ferdberfle5069]

LOL! God I wish I could have been there for that!

[@glenkepic3208]

ha, the Sq Super Sonic was inspired by a photo playing with LR. I played a few and dug them but no money then. maybe a by line ;)

[@tonywilliams3896]

Nicely written, Keith. Another great tribute to the one and only.

[@marksguitars5617]

great video, I never knew about the 2 lefties from Manny's that Steve Miller owned! A white Stratocaster lives in the Atlantic City Hard Rock with a plaque mentioning it belonged to Gary Boyle, British Fusion player and was used by Hendrix when he attended jams at The Bag o' Nails club in London. The guitar was a 1964 with a tortoise guard and strung lefty probably the same guitar you mentioned. Thanks for sharing this!

[@barberelectronics5672]

Love it, can't wait for The Amps of Jimi Hendrix!

[@emilyadams3228]

You'll get one, as soon as I declare Marshall Law.

[@johng9123]

I’ve been hearing and listening to Hendrix since I was very young thanks to my dad, who as a young boy himself got the album Axis Bold as Love and was immediately captured by his playing, lyrics and music. Hendrix is the image that would come to my mind as a ‘guitar player’ or rock star before I had any inkling at all to actually pick up and learn to play a guitar thanks to SRV, who was deeply influenced by Jimi himself. When ever I think of a Stratocaster, my mind immediately plays the tones and songs it typically associates with the model and brand, and those tones and notes are the rhythm playing and songs of Hendrix. Who knows what kind of music he would have expanded into and what music would have been made available had he not passed away so soon, sadly we’ll never know, but I guess that makes the music he did make in that brief period that much sweeter. 🎸 🔥

[@roddyrobertson5393]

Great quality video and informative as usual. As Christine McVie said, "Don't Stop." 🙂

[@johnberry8117]

Excellent video! I read Jimi’s biography n remember them listing all of the guitars that you mentioned. I didn’t know Steve Miller was able to acquire his last 2 guitars. Jimi’s gone but he’ll Never be forgotten. R.I.P. Jimi.

[@madkeysfilms]

The white Strat that Hendrix played at the Isle of White festival lived under Mitch Mitchell’s bed for years. It was strung left handed so the only time it got played was if a left handed guitar player was around. Mitch also had the Martin D45 that was not converted and a modded telecaster (also not left converted) that I played with Elkie Brooks at Knebworth.

[@seanj3667]

That photo at 16:08 is beautiful! I love when old film photo look as if they could have been shot yesterday.

[@fredchatham6680]

I was maybe 14 leaving a friend's house on Sunday afternoon. There was this LOUD unearthly music, I followed it down an alley and found this 60 something year old man trying to be a "hippy" named Milt. He pointed at a folding chair, have a seat. Flashed peace sign, and said THAT'S JIMI HENDRIX, DUDE. Flipped my tiny world. When I has to leave, he took ARE YOU EXPERIENCED off the turntable, put in sleeve, and handed it and ELECTRIC LADY LAND albums and said CHECK THESE OUT. I played them until I could nearly see thru them. I bought 2 new copies of both sets, went back to Milt's. I WONDERED WHERE THOSE WENT . . . Ol Milt showed me lots of great music before he passed. THANK YOU MILT!!!

[@SombraPiloto]

I live in Nashville and had no idea Jimi had a history here and in Clarksville. Very cool.

[@PoppaWheelies]

Thank you for your work ! Jimi has been in the top 3 of my Guitar heros since I first picked a guitar up in 2002. I always enjoy your short history series videos

[@bluesyjazzcat31]

I’ve been waiting for this! Thank you!!!! And is it me or does no one look cooler in pictures than Jimi? He looks the coolest, he sounds the coolest, and he’s the best by a long shot.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

He was blessed with great charisma,and seldom took a bad photo.

[@scottgregory6129]

20:26 Miles loved Jimi- Especially "Machine Gun." However, when Miles was touring with the Steve Miller band... some kind of festival? He would intentionally appear well after his scheduled slot, so he would not proceed Steve Miller. The guy who bought Jimi's guitars. Anyway, the first thought I had at this moment in the video was "He absolutely refused to open for that cracker." Fantastic video. Thank you Five Watt and Keith!

[@Spuck1983]

Born in 83, but grew up listening to jimi. Always been my favorite.

[@J.Carter69]

This was an early Christmas present. Great video, thanks Keith!

[@SVR1968]

Excellent video on The Late Jimi Hendrix (R.I.P), I thought Jimi was strictly a Fender Strat man, but he played a few Gibsons, you learn something new everyday.

[@172turtla]

Great video, thanks for your work. Jimi is the sound of the Strat to me. Also the wide variation in Strats that he played it shows that you can do it all with one Strat when you put your mind to it.

[@picksalot1]

I knew Hendrix played a number of different guitars, but the number was much higher than I thought. I've read and seen a few videos where it was mentioned that his solo recorded on Purple Haze was actually played on a Telecaster. I don't know if this has been verified or not. Wonderful video, as always. Thanks 😎

[@morriypoulsen1238]

In his book he said he didn't like telecastors, so I doubt if he used the telecastor on the solo of purple haze.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

The source comes solely from a book written in 2016: The Grail Guitar: The Search for Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze Telecaster --- I concur, bollocks. Haven't read it, but think of it.. as if they could not borrow a strat somewhere for the record take. Sure. The next day they collected money for charity, kept enough of the money in their own pockets, and bought Jimi a new strat FTFY

[@MorroccoM13]

Great job as always. I never knew Jimi played a Les Paul. I always wondered why he never got a left-handed guitar.

[@MrPhotodoc]

People have understandably made a lot of Jimi's guitar prowess, but his vocals deserve a little praise too. I for one have always been impressed with his range and tempo. Combine the two with his ethereal lyrics and it's no wonder he became the Rock God of Gods.

[@joshuajkoplin]

Jimi didn’t like his own voice like many and thought he couldn’t sing and he only sang out of necessity. I think his vocals are amazing. Not necessarily his tone or his ability to sing in pitch but his delivery and attitude. Very cool singer.

[@editname8536]

he could sing like a masculine dude (foxylady) or wise sage (littlewing) or like a prankster (taking care of no business)

[@T3rkish]

This has been the best damn Hendrix documentary I've seen in a long time. I'm subscribed.

[@fivewattworld]

Welcome to five watt world!

[@TheThinker39]

Very nice, but I love the photos and narrative of Jimi's career even more than the info about his guitars. Thanks for all of it!

[@larryfisher]

😢yeah the ending of this vid brought tears to my eyes the loss of such greatness -at such a early age,he was and is the best of alltime😮even with today's modern pedals - guitars-amps ,there never be another so great,, IAM 58 yr old man

[@kmajor44]

Excellent Keith! I’ll watch this one at least one more time.😊

[@JAMESGANG-f5u]

17:00 What a gorgeous work of art that is

[@robertfoster1339]

I was 11 when Jimi passed away.. Jimi played the guitar and the bass on my favorite song Dolly Dagger…. Love that intro

[@pg123ab]

Thank you for the great analysis, my first purchased guitar was a black Strat because I saw Jimi playing it.

[@wrenchhead6840]

Awesome…. Thank you. Legends NEVER die.

[@frankfrank7921]

Keith, I've enjoyed immensely all of your "Short History" series but this one was special to me. Jimi Hendrix is the reason I play guitar and that led me on a lifetime journey that would never have happened without his influence and music.

[@jaythornhill]

Thanks for another great video. I would have loved to see mentioned that the white CBS strat (or maybe one of the earlier pre-CBS ones) seems to have had a tele neck installed for a while, as seen during his performance at the Newport Pop Festival, 1969. Some experts speculate that there were (at least) 2 white CBS-era maple fretboard strats, but i have never seen hard, conclusive evidence of that.

[@crowhaven200]

I miss Jimi... Thanks for this video. Excellent

[@tball5677]

I just love these stories and of course, 5 Watt World.