Ongoing History of New Music: "Rock's Most Iconic Instruments"

Release Date: May 28, 2025
Host: Alan Cross (Curiouscast)

Introduction

In the episode titled "Rock's Most Iconic Instruments," Alan Cross delves into the legendary tools that have shaped the sound and image of rock music. From electric guitars and basses to amplifiers and keyboards, Cross explores the history, significance, and enduring legacy of these instruments, highlighting their influence across various genres and iconic musicians who have made them their own.

Electric Guitars: The Backbone of Rock

Gibson Les Paul

Alan Cross begins by emphasizing the central role of the electric guitar in rock history. He states, “When you're starting out, your dream instrument is probably out of reach financially, so you make do with whatever you can afford” (01:30). The Gibson Les Paul stands out as a quintessential rock instrument, introduced in 1952 as a solid-body guitar to combat feedback issues common with hollow-body guitars.

• Development and Design: Collaborated with Les Paul, a jazz and pop artist, the Les Paul was crafted with a solid mahogany body and a bright gold finish. This design eliminated the feedback problem while offering dark, warm tones.

• Famous Players: Legends like Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Slash (Guns N' Roses), and Eric Clapton have wielded the Les Paul, making it a staple across genres from rock and metal to jazz and reggae.

• Quote: “Les Paul has been in production ever since and has been used by guitarists into rock, punk, metal, pop, country, soul, R and B, jazz, reggae, and virtually every other genre you want to mention.” (05:50)

Gibson ES335

Next, Cross explores the Gibson ES335, a semi-acoustic guitar introduced in 1958 that bridges the gap between solid and hollow bodies.

• Features: The ES335 features double cutaways for better fret access and a partially hollow body for enhanced tonal warmth without sacrificing volume.

• Notable Users: Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Keith Richards, and Dave Grohl are among the prominent musicians who have favored the ES335 for its versatility and distinctive sound.

• Quote: “The ES335 series became a favorite of Chuck Berry, B.B. king, Keith Richards, Alex Lifeson, Noel Gallagher, Chris Cornell, Bono, and many, many others, including Dave Grohl.” (11:00)

Fender Stratocaster

The Fender Stratocaster, unveiled in 1954, is celebrated for its innovative design and versatility.

• Design: Featuring three pickups, double cutaways, and a vibrato bar, the Stratocaster is renowned for its customizable sound and ergonomic shape.

• Iconic Sound: Used by guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, and Kurt Cobain, the Stratocaster has been pivotal in defining the sounds of rock, blues, and grunge.

• Quote: “Strats are immediately recognizable by their shape, especially those big horns on the body that not only form the cutaways but also help with balance.” (13:30)

Electric Basses: The Foundation of Rhythm

Fender Precision Bass

Transitioning to bass guitars, Cross highlights the Fender Precision Bass as a revolutionary instrument introduced in 1951.

• Innovation: The Precision Bass was the first commercially successful solid-body bass, offering a more portable and easily amplified alternative to the double bass.

• Impact: It quickly became the standard for bass players, providing a reliable and powerful presence in bands.

• Famous Players: Icons such as Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Sting, and Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) have relied on the Precision Bass for their distinctive low-end sounds.

• Quote: “Fender had to invent that too. The first solution was to pair it with a guitar amplifier, which was okay, but inadequate for big bass and high volumes.” (09:20)

Guitar Amplifiers: Shaping the Soundscape

Fender Bassman

Alan Cross underscores the importance of amplifiers in making bass and guitars heard. The Fender Bassman, introduced in 1952, was Fender’s first amp specifically designed for bass guitars.

• Features: Equipped with heavy-duty speakers and enhanced bass response, the Bassman provided the necessary power and clarity for amplified bass.

• Legacy: The Bassman set the stage for future amplifier developments, influencing the creation of powerful guitar amps.

Marshall Amplifiers

The conversation shifts to Marshall Amplifiers, arguably the most iconic amp setup in rock history.

• Origins: Founded by drummer Jim Marshall in 1963, the Marshall stack was designed to meet the demands of louder and more powerful guitar amplification.

• Breakthrough: The JT M45, Marshall’s first amp, delivered 45 watts of power, a significant increase from existing models, and featured tube circuitry for a warm, rich sound.

• Impact: Marshalls became the go-to amps for British rock musicians, overtaking brands like Vox and becoming a symbol of rock’s loud and aggressive sound.

• Quote: “Within 18 months, Marshalls were the most popular amps in all of the UK, even blowing away Vox amplifiers which were used by the Beatles.” (17:45)

Fender Twin Reverb

The Fender Twin Reverb, introduced in 1952, is another classic amp known for its exceptionally clean sound.

• Design: Featuring twin speakers and versatile reverb settings, the Twin Reverb is prized for its clear, distortion-free tones.

• Usage: Favored by guitarists seeking pristine sound, it has been used by legends like Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) and Kurt Cobain (Nirvana).

• Quote: “The Fender Twin Reverb was coveted for its exceptionally clean sound.” (21:10)

Keyboards: Adding Depth and Texture

Hammond B3 Organ

The Hammond B3, introduced in 1954, became a staple in rock music for its rich, full-bodied sound.

• Features: Equipped with two 61-key keyboards and drawbars for tonal control, the B3 was often paired with a Leslie speaker to create its signature swirling sound.

• Influence: Used by artists like Booker T. Jones (Booker T. & the M.G.'s), John Lord (Deep Purple), and Tony Banks (Genesis), the B3 added a soulful and dynamic layer to rock compositions.

• Quote: “Hammond B3s were used by Booker T and the MGS, Proko, Harem... other players included John Lord of Deep Purple, Keith Emerson of Emerson, Robin Palmer, Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, Tony Banks of Genesis.” (26:00)

Minimoog Synthesizer

The Minimoog, launched in 1970, revolutionized the use of synthesizers in popular music.

• Innovation: As the first affordable and portable analog synthesizer, the Minimoog made electronic music more accessible to musicians.

• Sound and Flexibility: Despite initial technical limitations, its unique sounds and the introduction of the pitch wheel allowed for expressive, guitar-like note bending.

• Legacy: The Minimoog became a favorite in genres ranging from rock and pop to disco and techno, used by artists like Geddy Lee (Rush), Bob Marley, and Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails).

• Quote: “The Minimoog was the first synth to become a classic. I think it's the most famous synth in history, given how much it was used in rock, pop, disco, funk, R and B, and jazz.” (27:40)

Conclusion

Alan Cross wraps up the episode by acknowledging that the list of iconic instruments is extensive and hints at future explorations into other legendary gear such as the Fender Telecaster, Yamaha DX7 synth, and even early rock instruments like the saxophone. He emphasizes the enduring legacy of these instruments in shaping the sound and image of rock music, underscoring their importance to both musicians and fans alike.

• Final Thoughts: “I hope you enjoyed this trip through the iconic instruments of rock. This was only a partial list too. Perhaps in the future we can look at things like the Fender Telecaster, the Yamaha DX7 synth, the saxophone, which is one of rock's earliest instruments, by the way. And we never touched on drums at all.” (29:20)

Notable Quotes

• Alan Cross: “When you're starting out, your dream instrument is probably out of reach financially, so you make do with whatever you can afford.” (01:30)

• Alan Cross: “Les Paul has been in production ever since and has been used by guitarists into rock, punk, metal, pop, country, soul, R and B, jazz, reggae, and virtually every other genre you want to mention.” (05:50)

• Alan Cross: “Strats are immediately recognizable by their shape, especially those big horns on the body that not only form the cutaways but also help with balance.” (13:30)

• Alan Cross: “Within 18 months, Marshalls were the most popular amps in all of the UK, even blowing away Vox amplifiers which were used by the Beatles.” (17:45)

• Alan Cross: “The Minimoog was the first synth to become a classic. I think it's the most famous synth in history, given how much it was used in rock, pop, disco, funk, R and B, and jazz.” (27:40)

Final Remarks

For enthusiasts eager to delve deeper into the history of music’s most influential instruments, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging overview. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a curious listener, Alan Cross's exploration provides valuable insights into the tools that have defined and continue to shape the landscape of rock music.

Don’t miss out on future episodes of the Ongoing History of New Music, available on all major podcast platforms.