🎸 Guitar Evolution Timeline 

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1. Ancient Lute-Like Instruments (2000–1500 BC)

Early long-necked instruments from Egypt and Mesopotamia are considered the first ancestors of the guitar.

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2. The Oud & Medieval Lute (800–1500 AD)

The Middle Eastern oud and European lute shaped early guitar-like designs and playing styles.

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3. Vihuela & Renaissance Guitar (1400s–1600s)

Spain introduced the vihuela, leading to the small 4-course Renaissance guitar — the first real “guitarra.”

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4. Baroque Guitar (1600s–1700s)

The Baroque guitar had 5 courses (pairs) of strings and replaced the lute as Europe’s favourite instrument.

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5. Classical Guitar by Torres (1800s)

Antonio Torres redesigned the guitar with:

• 6 single strings

• larger body

• modern bracing
  This is the blueprint of today’s classical guitars.

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6. Steel-String Acoustic Guitar (Early 1900s)

American makers strengthened the body to handle steel strings, creating louder, brighter guitars like the dreadnought.

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7. Early Electric Guitars (1930s–1940s)

Pickups were added to guitars for the first time, introducing amplified playing and changing music forever.

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8. Iconic Electric Guitars (1950s–1960s)

The designs that defined modern music:

• Telecaster

• Stratocaster

• Les Paul

These shapes and sounds still dominate today.

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9. Modern & Digital Era (1980s–Today)

Today’s guitars include:

• carbon fibre designs

• 7/8-string models

• headless ergonomic shapes

• digital modelling and active electronics

The instrument continues to evolve.

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