Electric Guitar Quiz Questions and Answers

Q1. Who is credited with inventing the first commercially produced solid-body electric guitar?
A. George Beauchamp
B. Leo Fender
C. Les Paul
D. Adolph Rickenbacker
Answer: C. Les Paul

Q2. What was the nickname given to the early solid-body prototype created by Les Paul in the 1940s?
A. The Frying Pan
B. The Log
C. The Broadcaster
D. The Esquire
Answer: B. The Log

Q3. The Rickenbacker “Frying Pan” is recognized as which of the following?
A. The first commercially successful electric lap steel guitar
B. The first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar
C. The first hollow-body electric guitar
D. The first guitar with humbucking pickups
Answer: A. The first commercially successful electric lap steel guitar

Q4. Which company introduced the Telecaster, originally called the Broadcaster, in 1950?
A. Gibson
B. Fender
C. Rickenbacker
D. Gretsch
Answer: B. Fender

Q5. The Gibson Les Paul model was first released in which year?
A. 1948
B. 1950
C. 1952
D. 1961
Answer: C. 1952

Q6. What type of pickup is known for producing a bright, clear tone but being prone to electromagnetic hum?
A. Humbucking
B. Single-coil
C. P-90
D. Active
Answer: B. Single-coil

Q7. Humbucking pickups were invented primarily to address what issue with single-coil pickups?
A. Lack of sustain
B. Excessive brightness
C. Electromagnetic interference (hum)
D. Low output
Answer: C. Electromagnetic interference (hum)

Q8. Which iconic Fender model, introduced in 1954, features three single-coil pickups and a tremolo bridge?
A. Telecaster
B. Stratocaster
C. Jazzmaster
D. Jaguar
Answer: B. Stratocaster

Q9. The Gibson ES-335, introduced in 1958, is an example of which body type?
A. Solid-body
B. Fully hollow-body
C. Semi-hollow body
D. Chambered body
Answer: C. Semi-hollow body

Q10. Which famous guitarist is closely associated with the Gibson Les Paul and helped popularize its signature model?
A. Jimi Hendrix
B. Eric Clapton
C. Jimmy Page
D. Slash
Answer: D. Slash

Q11. What is the primary function of magnetic pickups in an electric guitar?
A. To amplify acoustic resonance
B. To convert string vibrations into electrical signals
C. To tune the strings electronically
D. To reduce string tension
Answer: B. To convert string vibrations into electrical signals

Q12. Which part of the electric guitar typically includes tuning machines?
A. Bridge
B. Nut
C. Headstock
D. Body
Answer: C. Headstock

Q13. The tremolo arm, also known as a whammy bar, is most commonly associated with which Fender model?
A. Telecaster
B. Stratocaster
C. Les Paul
D. SG
Answer: B. Stratocaster

Q14. What wood is traditionally used for the body of many Gibson Les Paul guitars?
A. Alder
B. Ash
C. Mahogany
D. Basswood
Answer: C. Mahogany

Q15. Which pickup position on a typical three-pickup guitar generally produces the brightest tone?
A. Neck
B. Bridge
C. Middle
D. All the same
Answer: B. Bridge

Q16. Eddie Van Halen’s famous red guitar with black and white stripes is known as what?
A. Blackie
B. Lucille
C. Frankenstrat
D. Old Black
Answer: C. Frankenstrat

Q17. Which guitarist is renowned for playing a black Fender Stratocaster named “Blackie”?
A. Stevie Ray Vaughan
B. David Gilmour
C. Eric Clapton
D. Buddy Guy
Answer: C. Eric Clapton

Q18. The technique of rapidly alternating picked notes on one string using up and down strokes is called what?
A. Sweep picking
B. Alternate picking
C. Economy picking
D. Hybrid picking
Answer: B. Alternate picking

Q19. Tapping on the fretboard to produce notes, popularized by Eddie Van Halen, is known as what technique?
A. Hammer-on
B. Pull-off
C. Two-hand tapping
D. Palm muting
Answer: C. Two-hand tapping

Q20. Which iconic solo is featured in Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb”?
A. Jimmy Page
B. David Gilmour
C. Brian May
D. Slash
Answer: B. David Gilmour

Q21. The solo in “Eruption” by Van Halen showcases which groundbreaking technique prominently?
A. Slide
B. Bending
C. Tapping
D. Harmonics
Answer: C. Tapping

Q22. Which song features one of the most famous harmonized guitar solos by Don Felder and Joe Walsh?
A. Stairway to Heaven
B. Hotel California
C. Free Bird
D. Sweet Child o’ Mine
Answer: B. Hotel California

Q23. Jimi Hendrix is famous for his innovative playing on which Fender model?
A. Telecaster
B. Stratocaster
C. Jazzmaster
D. Mustang
Answer: B. Stratocaster

Q24. The Gibson SG model became famous through its use by which guitarist in the 1960s?
A. Angus Young
B. Tony Iommi
C. Both A and B
D. Keith Richards
Answer: C. Both A and B 

Q25. What does the “ES” in Gibson ES-335 stand for?
A. Electric Solid
B. Electric Spanish
C. Electric Semi
D. Electric Standard
Answer: B. Electric Spanish