The acoustic guitar is a remarkable instrument that can be found in almost every genre of music. It has been around for centuries and continues to evolve. The acoustic guitar started off as a basic lute, which was an instrument used in Europe from the Middle Ages on. In 1779, Antonio Torres made some modifications to the lute and created the Spanish guitar. Despite these changes, it had an undesirable sound and was not popular among musicians.

In 1833, Martin introduced the steel string guitar after creating a new machine for manufacturing steel strings. This had a major impact on the design of guitars and led to many more innovations over time.

Brief Timeline

You can find out more about the history of acoustic guitars by looking at the timeline below.

1779 – Antonio Torres makes modifications to the lute, creating the Spanish guitar.

1833 – Martin introduces the steel string guitar.

1887 – The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company is formed in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

1930 – The Gibson company creates the ES-150 model guitar, which is still in production today.

From Lutes to Guitars

Lutes were first seen in Europe in the Middle Ages and were often used by traveling minstrels or troubadours. The lute was originally called the “laud” and gradually became known as “lute” because of its association with the word “loud.” Lutes were made with a long neck and six or seven strings, which produce a mellow sound.

The Evolution of the Modern Day Guitar

The modern day acoustic guitar has changed drastically over the years. The earliest guitars were three-stringed instruments that were later modified to be four-stringed. The Spanish guitar was the first guitar to use nylon strings.

The acoustic guitar is an impressive instrument that has evolved tremendously over the years. The evolution of the acoustic guitar has led to new innovations and changes in sound.