Top 10 Iconic Guitars of All Time

#10: “JB Hutto” Jack White

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As one of the hottest guitarists and songwriters of his generation, you'd almost expect Jack White's trademark axe to be worth a small fortune. And you'd be right - now. Originally selling for $99 in the Montgomery Ward catalogue in the ‘60s, White purchased his Airline from fellow musician Jack Yarber. Nicknamed the Jetson for its futuristic look but named the JB Hutto after the blues musician known to use it, red Airlines like Jack's can now command between $1500 to $3000. The body of the guitar is made from fibreglass rather than traditional wood, which helped shape the White Stripes sound.

#9 “The Grail” Zakk Wylde

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Replacing Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde had pretty big shoes to fill when he joined Ozzy Osbourne's band in the late 1980s - but soon realized his main guitar- a yellowed white 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom- would draw unwanted comparisons to another Ozzy axe-slinger: Randy Rhoads. To change this, Wylde had the instrument painted, requesting a graphic spiral. When the Les Paul came back, with the now familiar bulls-eye instead, Zakk made the most of it and the look has become just as instantly identifiable to him as leather vests and Viking beards.  

He may own over 3000 guitars, but there’s only one Richards needs to get the job done. The Micawber began life as a 1950s Fender Telecaster and was given to Richards by Eric Clapton on his 27th birthday. Used extensively on “Exile on Main Street”, Micawber was fitted with a vintage Gibson PAF humbucker and modified for Keef's 5 string open-G style tuning soon after. These mods as well as the Tele's sound and personality have made Micawber Keith's go-to guitar for the bulk of the band's post ‘60s hits.

While many guitarists form strong bonds with their guitars, in this case it is getting increasingly harder to tell where the Red Headed Stranger ends and Trigger begins. Bought new and sight unseen in 1969, Nelson bought the Martin N-20 classical guitar to replace a guitar that had been crushed by a drunken fan. Dubbed “Trigger” almost immediately, the guitar is bit of a battered mess, but is so valuable to the singer that he once risked his life to save it from a burning house and even hid Trigger for two full years during his battles with the IRS.

While all of Randy Rhoads' Ozzy era guitars are iconic, the Polka Dot V is the stand out for many. Custom made by Karl Sandoval for the princely sum of $738, Rhoads' black V is a bit of a parts monster as it is built around a used Danelectro neck and DiMarzio pickups. Its mahogany V-shaped body meanwhile had to be extra thick to accommodate the guitar's Fender bridge. While touring with Ozzy, the guitar inspired Rhoads' other self-designed and equally iconic V-shaped guitar, Concorde.

Unlike any of the other guitars featured on our list, BB King's main gal, apparently, is a shapeshifter. Originally a Gibson King saved from a fire caused by two men fighting over a woman named Lucille, the name stuck even when the guitars themselves changed, though they were typically Gibsons similar to the ES-345-355. Lucille also spent many rarely discussed years in the 1950s as a Fender Telecaster before finally taking the form of an f-hole free black Gibson ES-355. A Gibson custom model since 1980, King's latest Lucille was given to him by the company on his 80th birthday.

Proving that guitars can be more than just the sum of their parts, guitarist Eddie Van Halen built this, as the name implies, Frankenstein-style from a $50 factory rejected body and an $80 neck. Ed then gutted a pickup from a Gibson 335 and the bridge from a ‘50s vintage Fender Stratocaster, and shaped a vinyl record into a makeshift pickguard. The guitarist was also responsible for the guitar's paint job whose black, white and red shades give it its iconic look. You’ve definitely never seen a guitar like this before!

While Angus Young undoubtedly has a fleet of SGs, he began his life-long affiliation with the Gibson SG when he bought a walnut-coloured 1968 model in 1970. Young was drawn to the SG due to its points, and because its slim neck was a good fit for his small hands. That SG was his main guitar throughout the ‘70s but was retired eventually when his sweat actually started to rot the body. Dwell on that for a moment. The SG was replaced by a custom built Jaydee copy, which itself was replaced by a series of signature Gibsons.

#2: Höfner ‘Violin-Shaped’ Bass Paul McCartney

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The 500/1's place as the world's most famous bass comes down to two factors: cheapness and left-handedness. Costing just £30 in 1961, Paul McCartney appreciated the bass's symmetrical looks and how lightweight it was. His second Hofner, a 1963 model, became his main instrument until the Beatles stopped touring in 1966. Replaced on Abbey Road by a Rickenbacker, the Hofner made its last public appearance for many years during the famous rooftop performance, and would only be seen again a few decades later. He now performs with it regularly. Before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions. “Blackie” Eric Clapton “Red Special” Brian May “Dean from Hell” Dimebag Darrell

While Jimmy Page may have used no fewer than three separate guitars when recording “Stairway to Heaven”, including the humble Fender Telecaster used for the guitar solo, this wasn't feasible on stage. Instead, Page needed one of those guitars that are like, you know, double guitars- or more specifically the Gibson’s EDS-1275 Doubleneck. Then out of regular production, the 6/12 combo was a custom order and was debuted by Page in 1971. Page's regular stage use of the guitar influenced Rush's Alex Lifeson and Don Felder of the Eagles and ultimately led to the guitar re-entering production in 1977.