Stories & Culture: Jimi Hendrix and the live-tone revolution

Introduction

Jimi Hendrix redefined electric guitar forever: feedback as a musical tool, expressive whammy-bar phrasing, fuzz pushed to the edge, and roaring amps. From Monterey ’67 to Woodstock ’69, his palette shaped psychedelic rock. The blend of a Fender Stratocaster, Fuzz Face, Vox Wah, and Marshall Super Lead stacks delivered aggressive yet controlled tone from shimmering cleans to saturated soundscapes.

Gear types / models with short notes

• Guitars: Fender Stratocaster (touch-sensitive single-coils).
• Amps: Marshall Super Lead (loud stacks for sustain and compression).
• Effects: Fuzz Face, Vox Wah, Uni-Vibe.

Discography

• Are You Experienced (1967)
• Axis: Bold as Love (1967)
• Electric Ladyland (1968)

Videos

• Woodstock 1969 – The Star-Spangled Banner YouTube
• Purple Haze – Live YouTube
• Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Live YouTube
• Foxey Lady – Live YouTube
• Hey Joe – Live YouTube

Trivia

1. At Woodstock he used powerful Marshall stacks.
2. Germanium Fuzz Face contributed to the vocal sustain.
3. Fixing the wah at certain positions created mid peaks for solos.
4. Often flipped a left-handed Stratocaster for right-handed playing.
5. Engineer Eddie Kramer documented mic’ing and routing choices.

Want more similar gear? Search on Muviber and find your perfect match.