Top 5 Guitarists Who Started Their Own Brands Before Kirk Hammett
...And The Sirens Sang | Feb 15, 2016 | Comments 0
Kirk Hammett caused a firestorm on the internet this week when he tweeted something that many of the guitar pedal companies took issue with. Many of them were started by gigging guitarists, passionate about music and their tone, often building pedals for use on their own boards. They had a sound in their heads, but also the skill to bring it into reality! However, even if you take Kirk’s comments to mean “well-known” or “signed” guitarists, there certainly were quite a few before February 2016.
I think it’s the first time you’ll see a pedal company actually being driven by an actual guitar player.https://t.co/FHIoLa3Ltk
— Kirk Hammett (@KirkHammett) February 12, 2016
5) Chapman Guitars
Started by YouTube sensation Rob Chapman, Chapman guitars have launched numerous models using their collaborative design process. They’ve also started producing signature models for other guitarists and may soon be expanding into guitar pedals.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOpjVRMP68&w=480&h=270]
4) Authentic Hendrix
Authentic Hendrix, managed by Jimi’s sister Janie Hendrix, is the company charged with licensing the Hendrix brand. They’ve partnered to bring out products like the Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah, Fuzz Face, Fender Stratocaster, and even a Gibson S-type guitar (but that’s another story entirely). See Kirk, it’s not so hard, dead people can do it!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkKfSeVxdeg&w=480&h=270]
3) Les Paul
It started off as a signature model, but the Les Paul guitar has become so ubiquitous that other guitarists now have their own signature Les Paul!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvWtnPyPCc0&w=480&h=270]
2) Wylde Audio
Launched by fellow metal guitarists Zach Wylde and just in the past year, we’re not sure how Kirk could have overlooked Wylde Audio, unless there was one singular person that his tweet was aimed at.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDOe1Qq2E78&w=480&h=270]
1) EVH
The EVH brand has grown as big if not bigger than Eddie Van Halen himself. EVH produce everything from Guitars to Amps, Pedals to a complete line of accessories. Like many of the other brands in the list, they’ve so transcended the original guitarist that started them that many other mainstream guitarists use the products too.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2n20AWpSLM&w=480&h=270]
Also check out my Top 5 Guitarists Behind The Pedal Brands over at Gear Tube.
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