Bo Diddley is a legend, both for his guitar playing and his role as one of the first influences in modern rock ‘n roll. Born Ellas Othas Bates in Mississippi in 1928, he later became known as the “originator” because he was one of the first to move from playing the blues to playing rock ‘n roll. He started out playing violin and trombone in his church’s orchestra, but became captivated by the guitar and rhythmic gospel music.

Inspired by the music of John Lee Hooker, he started playing the music he loved with his friends, sometimes performing on street corners or for tips in night spots. He became a regular at the same club where Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker regularly performed in 1951 in Chicago. Then in 1954, he put together a band and made some demo recordings. One of those songs, Bo Diddley, became a #1 hit R & B single in 1955.

The Bo Diddley beat was a distinctive rhythm he often used in his music, a rumba-like beat he became known for. He was also recognized for his innovations with the guitar. His music often followed the same chord throughout the song, but had unusual rhythms and changes that made it dynamic. He often played an unusual looking guitar shaped like a box that he built himself in 1958. He also played the violin on some of his recordings. The songs he wrote were often witty takes or humorous versions of folk music.

When he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1955, Bo Diddley got himself banned from ever appearing again by going against the show’s wishes. He had been asked to sing a Merle Travis song, but instead sang his hit “Bo Diddley.” Despite Ed Sullivan’s anger and pronouncement that he wouldn’t last six months, Diddley had hit after hit through the 50s and 60s, and released 11 albums.

Bo Diddley wasn’t just a pioneer in musical styles or types of guitar, but in other areas, too. He was one of the first musicians to set up his own recording studio at his home. And he was also one of the first men to have women in his band. A woman led his band for the last 25 years he performed, in fact.

He went on to perform with well known acts, and receive numerous awards and distinctions from the musical community and from his fans. Bo Diddley appeared in a small part in the 1983 film Trading Places, and made commercials for Nike. His songs have been covered by a variety of acts over the years, and his birthplace has even been given a Mississippi Blues Trail historical marker to honor his contribution to the art form.

He’s only been gone since June, 2008, so his contributions to musical world continued until recently, even though he was less active in the months and years leading up to his death. eBay is a wonderful place to find Bo Diddley memorabilia like old vinyl albums and recordings.

Originally posted 2008-12-28 14:00:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Dealers -> Musical Instruments -> String

A Fender guitar is one of the best guitars you can purchase in the world today, whether it’s a new instrument or a vintage one. Fender began with Leo Fender releasing the Esquire model guitar in 1950, but production only lasted for about 4 months before the model was discontinued. The Esquires had no truss rod, and the necks warped quite quickly and easily, causing problems with the need for returns and repairs. Fender then fixed the truss rod problem and released a new guitar model called the Broadcaster, which became the famous Telecaster, the following month.

By the following year, guitars were rolling out at a good pace, despite begin handmade by craftsman, even down to hand-wrapped pickups. But in 1954, the Fender guitar that became the instrument that all other guitars would thereafter be compared to was created. The Fender Stratocaster was an innovation in the arena of the solid-bodied guitar, and brought that type of instrument into the popular consciousness.

The Stratocaster is the Fender guitar that has been manufactured steadily since it was introduced. The name Stratocaster can still make guitarists’ mouths water today, particularly those with custom color finishes. While they’re valuable collector’s items, they’re also superior instruments, and some say they’re the finest guitar ever created.

If you’re interested in purchasing a vintage Fender guitar, look for those created before 1966. While instruments after that are still collectible and highly valuable, earlier guitars benefit from handcrafting and detail. CBS purchased Fender in 1965 and introduced profit-maximizing systems like mass production assembly and cheaper materials, which did change the sound and the quality of the guitars. The shape changed a little from the contours Fender fans were used to, cheaper wood was used, and the machine-wrapped pickups didn’t offer each guitar a slightly unique sound as the hand-wrapped wire once had.

A vintage Fender guitar from any year is valuable and worth owning, but those manufactured before CBS made its changes are more valuable and have what some believe to be the best guitar sound in the world. If you can find an early guitar made with Brazilian rosewood, you should be aware that its highly sought out by collectors because of the ban on importing and using that wood in the United States today. This wood was used before CBS purchased the company as fingerboards on some Fender guitars, but not after, replaced by cheaper, lower quality woods.

Aside from the date of the Fender guitar, you’ll want to ask the seller if any parts have been replaced. While often the original pegs and pickups would wear out over a period of years, it’s best if these pieces are intact and have not been replaced. A refinished guitar is also less valuable than one with the original finish, even if it looks bad. If you plan to play the guitar rather than display it, you’ll also want to look for vintage strings rather than modern strings, to give it that authentic vintage sound.

Originally posted 2008-11-14 14:00:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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