3 Guitars That Are as Famous as the Artists Who Played Them

There are a few iconic musicians whose careers wouldn’t be the same without their equally iconic guitars. The instruments became so crucial to their music that the guitars are as famous as the artists who played them. Below, you’ll find three legends of country, rock, and pop. But the guitars they played weren’t merely tools; they became stars, too.

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Willie Nelson: “Trigger”

In 1969, Willie Nelson needed a new guitar after a drunk audience member busted his old one. But Nelson soon fell in love with a Martin classical guitar he found in Nashville. Its tone reminded him of Django Reinhardt, and with a new instrument in tow, Nelson incorporated gypsy jazz into his country and blues songs. He bought it for $750, and the country music industry would quickly learn what an outlaw sounded like. Nelson named it “Trigger” after Roy Rogers’ horse, and the battle-worn axe has since logged many miles on the road. A lifetime of holes, dings, and scars tells as much of the story as Nelson’s outlaw tales do.

Eddie Van Halen: “Frankenstrat”

If you were a guitarist in 1978 and heard Van Halen’s “Eruption”, you might have been tempted to quit music. Aptly named, the explosive instrumental, in less than two minutes, transformed rock music. Van Halen wanted a guitar with the power of a Gibson, yet the playability of a Fender. So, he created what became the “Frankenstrat” by crudely assembling various parts. He tinkered with different necks and electronics, and used bicycle paint for its signature red, black, and white Jackson Pollock finish. Soon, his innovations became industry standard as guitar manufacturers sold their own models inspired by Van Halen’s.  

Prince: “Cloud Guitar”

Minneapolis luthier Dave Rusan built the cloud guitar for Prince while the artist filmed his 1984 movie Purple Rain. Prince asked Rusan to build a custom guitar modeled after a bass he’d purchased in New York. Rusan sculpted the intricate shape, and it eventually debuted in Purple Rain. After the success of the film and its number-one soundtrack, Rusan built two more cloud guitars for Prince. A yellow version now sits in the Smithsonian, while a damaged model sold at an auction for $563,500 in 2020. An enigmatic guitar for one of the most fascinating artists in pop history.

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