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Mark Knopfler talks about a Fender Stratocaster

There can’t be many people who wouldn’t have loved to become a guitar hero. Standing onstage, legs apart thrashing out power chords and blistering guitar solos loud enough to make peoples ears bleed. And there are a number of truly great electric guitars that have stood the test of time.

One of the most famous electric guitars is the Fender Stratocaster. Originally designed way back in 1954 the Fender Strat was the instrument favoured by the late, great Jimi Hendrix. This is also the guitar selected by Pete Townsend of the Who and, of course, Eric Clapton. The Fender Strat is as popular today as it ever was which is understandable as this guitar is truly a design classic.

Another popular and well known model of guitar from Fender is the Telecaster. This guitar preceded the Stratocaster, being first produced as the Broadcaster in late 1949. There are and have been many well known and talented guitarists who like to play Fender Telecasters. One of the most well known is, of course, Keith Richards who takes to the stage with an array of Telecasters, open tuned to a ‘G’ chord for that classic Rolling Stones sound.

If we are talking about classic guitars we must of course mention the fantastic Gibson Les Paul. This is another design classic, first produced back in the 1950s and made ever since. Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds fame, is just one guitarist who loves the Gibson Les Paul. Another great guitarist who made the sound of this instrument famous in the song ‘Alright Now’ was the lat Paul Kossoff of the band Free.

Since I’ve mentioned two great Fender guitars I should give a mention to a second Gibson. I could have chosen the fantastic ES335, a favourite with many great guitarists, including BB King but instead I have chosen the exceptional Gibson SG. This distinctive looking solid body electric guitar was introduced in the early 1960s to compete with the popular Fender Strat. This is the guitar chosen by Angus Young of Australian rock band ACDC. This is also the guitar used by the great Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath.

These days there are just so many excellent electric guitars but, for me, these four are the top models that have stood the test of time.