Hendrix's rhythm playing amazes me way more than his leads. He was actually a pretty tasteful lead player a lot of the time, didn't frequently overplay, but his rhythm playing is mindblowing.

As a teenager I was listening to guys like EVH and didn't understand why people loved Hendrix so much. I did like his songs, though. As I got older I got heavy into SRV, which led me to have another look at Jimi as a guitar player. What learned was that a lot of what I liked about SRV came originally from Jimi. IMHO Jimi was the innovator and then SRV built on top of that. A million Strat songs have been inspired by the beginning of Little Wing.

It always amazes me how so much Rock & Roll History of absolute importance happened in the 4 years from Jimi landing in England and his death in 1970. No guitarist has had such an impact on the playing of the instrument and music as a whole in such little time. Unfortunately the brightest lights burn out the quickest.

My dad raised me on healthy helpings of Hendrix. I has born 8 years after his death but he’s still one of the most important musicians I’ve heard. All three Experience albums are masterpieces.

The Strat wasn't the only guitar Jimi played, but it was the one that defined his sound the best. If he played another kind of guitar on a song you might not be familiar with, you might not know, without seeing Jimi, that it was Jimi. But, I wager, you would guess it was him on a Strat, especially through those Marshall stacks. What a sound.

I'm a 55 year old drummer/guitarist and when non-musicians ask me if Hendrix was really as great as his legend tells; my reply is that I believe he was even greater in subtle ways. Jimi had it all: innovative sounds, searing leads, and propulsive, intricate rhythm. He sounded like two guitarists at once and all while singing beautifully. Many people believe that rating Hendrix at number one is overrating him but I happen to believe that number one fits him well.

I can never understand guitarist that dont like Jimi. There's just something so untouchable in his playing and persona. He was truly the Legend he has become. This was great Keith I must have seen all the Hendrix documentary and read all the books but you put this together so thoughtfully you do forget that jimi was just a young guy in a massive Hurricane of a changing world. Always wondered what he'd been doing if he had lived what music he'd have given us.

Oh Lord Sweet Baby Jesus this episode was overdue 😍🥴so excited !!!

Excellent point about the late career white Strat with the huge CBS headstock. I had no idea that Hendrix painted some guitars himself. Keith - your conclusion is spot on. For me, the poetry of Hendrix’s lyrics is just as important as his incredible talent playing guitar. What an amazing, lovely mind!

Just when you think you know a lot about Hendrix, here is your lesson. Thank you Keith. Thank you Five Watt World. All the Best!

Growing up in a musical family, at around ten years old my musical world was turned upside down when my friend's big brother came back from England in '68 with "Are You Experienced?". I kept that album (he loaned me) for almost a year! The best guitar playing years of my life was spent creating feedback (a la Hendrix, I thought) with my SearsRoebuck electric guitar and little lunch box amp! I still have a little chip missing in my front tooth... you know why!! 🙂

This is a real, real good one, Keith. Thanks for your research. Hendrix was a genius. I happened to be at a local night spot in my hometown of Wichita where Mike Finnegan's band, The Serfs, were playing. This was shortly after Electric Ladyland had been recorded in NYC which featured Finnegan on Hammond organ. Hendrix was in town, unannounced, and walked on stage and played with The Serfs for over an hour or more. It was just one of those special nights.

Great video, Keith. Can’t wait to see your sequel about Jimi’s amps! I was an impressionable 15 year old when we saw The Jimi Hendrix Experience from the 6th row at the Civic Opera House in Chicago in Feb. ‘68. Axis Bold as Love was already released, so he played songs from his first two albums. “Red House” was the only song we’d never heard. Jimi and Noel each played through 6 Sunn 2x15 JBL cabs with 6 heads. It was a life-changing experience. Soft Machine opened the show.

He'd be my parents' age, if he were alive. I love Jimi's music. Thanks for memorializing him and for telling me many things I didn't know about the guitars he played!

Jimi is certainly one of the most notable guitarists in history. Thanks, Keith, this was extremely enjoyable.

Those pictures of Hendrix and Cornell Dupree are not from Curtis Knight and the Squires but from Jimi's time in the King Curtis band. It was from an Atlantic Records party at The Prelude in New York City on Thursday 5 May 1966 for Percy Sledge whose debut single, When a Man Loves a Woman had been released the previous month. King Curtis was the house band backing Esther Phillips, Wilson Pickett and Don Covay (all who had singles coming out in the following weeks) as well as Percy. The band consisted of King Curtis on sax, Jimi and Cornell Dupree on guitar, Ray Lucas on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass. Jimi played with King Curtis from '65 to '66 until as Dupree said he just stopped showing up, something he did with many bands that employed him like the Isley Brothers. He didn't quit bands; he just ghosted them or was fired for being late and missing gigs. He recorded at least one song with King Curtis on a session for Ray Sharpe on a song called Help Me (Get the Feeling) in 1966. The song was later retitled and used as a backing track by other artists, including Aretha Franklin with Jimi mixed out.

Because of the guitar pyrotechnics and stage show Hendrix wasn't taken seriously enough as a singer or lyricist. He was more than the wild man of feedback portrayed in the media of the era.

I always found that he had an identifiable sound and tone, no matter what he played. He was Jimi, whether on a Flying V, an SG Custom, STrat, or whatever. If we had recordings of him on a Gretsch Country Gentleman, or recordings from his Danelecto, Valco, or Mustang days, I imagine he'd probably sound the same, as well. It's difficult to tease apart differences in his tone from his particular touch. I'm especially fond of his rhythm playing, which is nearly always using the neck pickup and picked near the end of the fingerboard for a more nasal tone.

I met Jimi's dad after playing a gig on Capital Hill in Seattle, the bartender asked us to give him a ride home cause he was hammered. In the basement rec room ... on the wall ... in a shadowbox, the Woodstock Strat. We were offered but did not touch. Possible Mojo OD

The 1964 "Texas Model" olympic white Stratocaster with tortoise shell pick guard was originally owned by Gary Boyle (guitarist with Brian Auger's Trinity). Hendrix used this guitar on a regular basis upon his arrival to London in late 1966. Now on display at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. The 1965 CAR with maple cap neck is affectionately known as the Stockholm Strat. It was painted and sacrificed which most know it as the Saville Strat. My favorite which wasn't mentioned was the 1966/67 Ice Blue Metallic Strat that he used for a short time in 68. It was first seen in Zurich, Switzerland at the Monsterkonzert on May 31st of 1968. He broke the headstock to a sharp point at the Lagoon Opera House in Salt Lake City on August 30, 1968. It is last seen backstage on Sept 14, Hollywood Bowl. Hendrix owned and used at least 2 1967 Oly Wht RW Strats as his main guitars up until Oct 1968 when the 1968 maple neck Strat first appeared at Bakersfield Civic Auditorium on Oct. 26, 1968

Very well documented as always. Small vs large headstocks, maple vs rosewood fingerboards, I guess Jimi would just by the stock Strats he would find in the shop. There just wasn't the huge choice we have now back then.

ALWAYS like how you end things with the "You're all 5-Watt World...I just make the videos". Don't know why but that seems so genuine giving credit back to your audience.

Keith thank you for the excellent and informative history. I really appreciate the way you emphasize Jimi's human nature of a musician tapping into their essence and creating such a great experience for the listener and guitarist community. He shared a tremendous gift and craft from generations before and for generations to come. Thank you again for your excellence at what you do and the Five Watt Community.

If jimi proved one thing it is the fact that a strat is a strat , is a strat , so who cares wether it is a vintage one from the 50/60's , or a fender custom shop ( both are marketing / branding / way overpriced BS ) , or a squire classic vibe , or partscaster ect . ect. , they all sound the same , even the type off pu's don't matter that much , we all know what makes the difference in the end : the player ! And yes btw , the best sound from a strat is that of the neck pu , no guitar sounds as bluesy as this combo , together with the right amp and pedals offcourse : ) .

Thank you Keith, Jeff and all the contributors of this video! Well done- I never knew about the '56 LP custom! RIP Jimi

How the topics and focus just keeps getting better is very impressive Keith..this one's been anxiously awaiting by everyone..thanks man..can't wait..I'll be lurking and working for this one..lol..😊🤘🎶

That's hilarious! When Jimi played the right-handed black Gibson LP Custom backwards, he kept the tilted pickguard on. If you own a LP just imagine everything being upside-down aside from the strings. Seems like it'd be so awkward. Yet Jimi still tears it up. Fucking legend, Jimi! RIP.

In the late 80s I lived with my brother in West Hollywood. I spoke with the Manager of the Apartment building and she told me she used to be the girlfriend of Mitch Mitchell and that he was the owner of the "Woodstock Strat". When he was hard pressed for money and he sold it for a large amount of money that guitar was eventually purchased by Paul Allen and is in his Museum in Portland.

these videos never get old

Thank you Keith for this most insightful short history of Jimi's guitars. And thanks also to Jeff McErlain for his renditions of Killing Floor and The Wind Cries Mary. If you google "Jimi's Stratocaster with a Tele neck" you'll come up with photos and articles of Jimi's performance at Newport in '69. It's a maple Tele neck slapped onto a white Strat. Some claim there was some kind of switch on the back - maybe a kill switch. Also interesting: He played through Fender amps at the concert - looks like Dual Showmans through cabs loaded with 15" JBLs. What does he sound like with this rig? He sounds like Jimi. 😉

A spar of mine, Nick, asked a roadie if he could have a Strat neck that Mr Jimi had "removed" from it's body. The roadie couldn't care less and let him take it. I was also at the gig (Albert Hall) and saw him wandering along the street with it. It had parted quite cleanly from the body, and just had minor fret damage on the treble side (Mr Jimi's bass side) around the 12th fret. I nagged him for years to let me attach it to a Strat copy body I had. He finally agreed, he wasn't a guitarist. I played it in bands for a few years, it played well. Eventually Nick eventually retrieved it as it's value became obvious. There must have been other casualties that people retrieved in similar fashion. They're out there somewhere..... Ta.

The closing thought put a tear in my eye.

Hendrix wrote some of the most beautiful songs ... incorporating magical guitar riffs brought forth from the depths of his gentle soul . He inspired me as a young musician ... and continues to do so whenever I hear his music . I believe we've been blessed to have "experienced" Jimi Hendrix. Thanks again Keith for sharing another great "Short History".

Never knew if the Flying V guitars Jimi played were from the original years or not. Thank you for letting me know. These videos will live forever for gear heads like us.

It's amazing how driven he was, left hand and all that..great lyrics and his voice very distinctive ❤ Unfortunately a life too short ❤

aside from his prodigious musical capabilities, i `ve always seen the man he really was, vulnerable and exploited, shy and thoughtful at times but in his alter ego as guitar virtuoso ,always,, THE man, thankyou keith, this is a great reference work you`ve compiled, 👍😎

Thanks Keith, for a sweet trip down memory lane on the Strats Jimi used. I had a ‘68 sunburst strat w/rosewood top and tremolo and bought it from my guitar teacher in July of ‘70, for $212. with the Fender tolex case, it was new, and I had the bill of sale. Years later I had the nerve to remove the neck to check the date code and on the pots too. The S/N was 235019 and it was confirmed to be built in the ‘68 time frame. I even had the same guitar strap seen in his concerts and posters. I had one that showed him playing a white strat w/tele neck, the headstock looked odd to me but cool at the same time. Those ‘68 Fenders were the Hendrix strats in my mind. Wish I didn’t sell it for $3K, but I was needing cash and I didn’t play that much. Renting apts had leases w/no loud music, instruments, or pets allowed. So I just hung onto it for many years and played it acoustically. Eventually I bought a real acoustic guitar, a Taylor 814C no electronics, to play on and with great tone. I never saw Jimi perform but I did see him in NYC jumping into a Checker Marathon cab and called out his name and waved at him, I got a big smile in return and just like that he was gone. That was the summer of ‘70 and I was graduating H.S. that Sept. when I heard the rumors that Jimi was dead. I had been learning his music and appreciating what he could do on that strat, so that sad news had me crying quietly as I walked home. RIP Jimi, you are an icon for the ages and today your music is making your estate more money posthumously. I even bought a mono 180 Gram LP of Are You Experienced to have in my collection. So you may be gone in body but your spirit plays on every time I play your songs, TY for the memories Jimi Hendrix.

I’ve been hearing and listening to Hendrix since I was very young thanks to my dad, who as a young boy himself got the album Axis Bold as Love and was immediately captured by his playing, lyrics and music. Hendrix is the image that would come to my mind as a ‘guitar player’ or rock star before I had any inkling at all to actually pick up and learn to play a guitar thanks to SRV, who was deeply influenced by Jimi himself. When ever I think of a Stratocaster, my mind immediately plays the tones and songs it typically associates with the model and brand, and those tones and notes are the rhythm playing and songs of Hendrix. Who knows what kind of music he would have expanded into and what music would have been made available had he not passed away so soon, sadly we’ll never know, but I guess that makes the music he did make in that brief period that much sweeter. 🎸 🔥

I really enjoyed the video, but a few guitars that were not mentioned were, the 1967 Guild Starfire V , the 50s Les Paul TV Yellow Special and the Acoustic/Bartell Black Widow. (made by the Acoustic amp company that he purchased in 1968)

Yet another amazing episode, thanks for this one Keith!

I was maybe 14 leaving a friend's house on Sunday afternoon. There was this LOUD unearthly music, I followed it down an alley and found this 60 something year old man trying to be a "hippy" named Milt. He pointed at a folding chair, have a seat. Flashed peace sign, and said THAT'S JIMI HENDRIX, DUDE. Flipped my tiny world. When I has to leave, he took ARE YOU EXPERIENCED off the turntable, put in sleeve, and handed it and ELECTRIC LADY LAND albums and said CHECK THESE OUT. I played them until I could nearly see thru them. I bought 2 new copies of both sets, went back to Milt's. I WONDERED WHERE THOSE WENT . . . Ol Milt showed me lots of great music before he passed. THANK YOU MILT!!!

Oh yes, this was so much needed cheers Keith 🙏

what a ride, really appreciate the amount of work you put into these. Congrats and happy new year !

It’s always a treat when I come home to discover a new 5WW episode! Thanks for what you do Keith, so educational and awesome you’re keeping the past alive in your own way

This was an early Christmas present. Great video, thanks Keith!

Are you experienced blew my mind when I first heard it at age 12. I remember how the sounds I was hearing didn’t register in my brain because I couldn’t understand how they could possibly be created. No other album ever matched that feeling for me.

Always great to learn more about Jimi . Thank you.

Thank you so much for yet, another superb production. Cheers!

Excellent Keith! I’ll watch this one at least one more time.😊

People have understandably made a lot of Jimi's guitar prowess, but his vocals deserve a little praise too. I for one have always been impressed with his range and tempo. Combine the two with his ethereal lyrics and it's no wonder he became the Rock God of Gods.

I was waiting in anticipation for this one. Never failed to disappoint. Well presented as usual Thanks mate.

Nicely written, Keith. Another great tribute to the one and only.

This is a very very awesome episode. I'm so glad you did this video and will watch it several times. Thank you 😊

This video is a great christmas gift Keith !

Man you did an amazing job putting this video together.

Beautiful job you did an awesome job in research on the great Jimi Hendrix and his guitars words can't say enough. Thank you so much.

Excellent, nicely done and documented, thank you Keith! 👍

As always, Great content for the guitar geek. Thank you Keep doin what you do Kieth !

Hendrix was a man of metal, who could bend metal to tear at your heart & soul. I dream of what he could be doing nowadays. His early loss, is such a loss for all mankind the world over.

Great video. So many pictures of Jimi that I haven't seen before. Inside the gatefold cover of Electric Ladyland there is a picture of Jimi in the studio with a bandage on his eyebrow and playing a rare left-handed black double cut guitar called a "Black Widow" made by Bartell/Acoustic. I don't know if Jimi performed with this guitar or if he recorded any released tracks with this guitar. He owned it until it's death but it's current ownership is in dispute because Janie Hendrix' ex husband took possession of it when they divorced. Eastwood guitars currently makes an inspired replica of this guitar but it does not have the f-holes as you can see in the Hendrix photo.

This was really good- I even learned new details I had been un aware of !

This has been the best damn Hendrix documentary I've seen in a long time. I'm subscribed.

Thank you for your work ! Jimi has been in the top 3 of my Guitar heros since I first picked a guitar up in 2002. I always enjoy your short history series videos

20:26 Miles loved Jimi- Especially "Machine Gun." However, when Miles was touring with the Steve Miller band... some kind of festival? He would intentionally appear well after his scheduled slot, so he would not proceed Steve Miller. The guy who bought Jimi's guitars. Anyway, the first thought I had at this moment in the video was "He absolutely refused to open for that cracker." Fantastic video. Thank you Five Watt and Keith!

Beautifully narrated. Thank you!

Fine work Keith!! Thank you

Keith your summation of Jimi as a person, guitarist, musician, and lyricist is deeply appreciated and very descriptive of the experience many of us enjoy as the years pass. From first hearing Purple Haze on the old worn red paint over worn walnut tube radio, 13 in ‘67 with no idea who what where or anything of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, remembering the first goosebumps and shivers, to the continuing unfolding of musical wonder, touching lyrics and stories of the Experience through years listening. Beautiful, happy, sad, all of it. Many thanks for bringing this all together for us here.

😃its like all my Christmas's have come at once, thanks Keith can't wait to open up that video tab this evening:)🎸🤘

Wow. Keith and the rest of the 5 watt team, bravo! This is an excellent video. It had everything. Thanks for doing it. Now I got to listen to Wind Cries Mary!

Great quality video and informative as usual. As Christine McVie said, "Don't Stop." 🙂

This is one of the most insightful things I've ever watched on KZfaq. You blew my mind on so many levels. When you mentioned Clarksville and the Isley brothers I couldn't believe that I had never heard this before being from the area, I've heard so many stories over the years of countless well known people in the music industry inhabiting the area. This weekend I had an awkward interaction with Bill Anderson when his heat wasn't working properly. His daughter had to translate everything because I'm soft spoken. I thought I was yelling.

This was fascinating and so well delivered. Your content is superb. Thank you for putting this together. Cheers.

Thank you. A wonderful documentary. Jimi has been the background music throughout my life (70). Still love him dearly and miss him.

This is an awesome documentary ... great content!

Great video Keith! My Christmas kicked off in true style watching this. Have a great festive season and thanks for all your work! :)

Great piece as always Keith.

This is absolute magic to watch. Jimi has been my idol since i was a kid and my older sister listened to his music in mid to the late '60s. I'm now 60 and still play a Stratocaster. I also had THAT album of Jimi playing "Hear My Train A Comin" in acoustic. All my Jimi albums have been taken. There is so much good music going around now, but it's just not the same as listening and jamming with Hendrix. Thank you for that.

Keith thanks for your time, work and sharing, this stuff is gold bud. 👍👍👍👍🥃Respect to you mate.

I thought Im pretty versed in Hendrix, but damn somehow I missed that Killing Floor cover! Such a BAD ASS riff!!!

I loved this episode I searched all the artist that mentioned and I’ve been listening soul and jazz all morning. It’s great.

What a great Christmas present, thanks!

This was an amazing retrospective, many thanks!

Great episode Keith!

Billy Davis taught Jimi electric guitar at 15,& Billy was playing with his teeth behind his back through his legs etc.way before Jimi Hendrix knew guitar.While Billy was drafted to Korea, Jimi Hendrix sat in as the guitarist in the band called HANK BALLARD & THE Midnighters; Billy Davis is still playing today at age 85. I just ran into Billy Davis last week in the music store by my house. It was humbling to meet and get to know Billy Davis the man who first instructed Jimi Hendrix on electric guitar who changed the world in rock and roll music.

Great video, thanks for your work. Jimi is the sound of the Strat to me. Also the wide variation in Strats that he played it shows that you can do it all with one Strat when you put your mind to it.

Thank you Keith for sharing your knowledge and love for Jimi! We all have a similar stories about the first time you heard Jimi- I appreciate yours! I was fortunate enough to meet his dad Al and 1/2 sister Janie. Mind blowing! Such a sweet man and loving family. You're right when you say it's not just a party trick- He is the real deal- Enjoy and learn

Love it, can't wait for The Amps of Jimi Hendrix!

Thank you for another informative and in-depth video, Keith. I was a wee bit disappointed that there was no mention of Jimi opening for the Monkees. 😉

Thanks Keith, awesome research man!

Thanks for this video - well done!

I just love these stories and of course, 5 Watt World.

Keep the awesome content coming my friend!!! 👍👌🤘

Like you, I recall hearing Are You Experienced, the album, in 1967. Blew my mind! It’s been a great year for FWW and I sincerely thank you for all you do. Merry Christmas, mate.

Thanks for adding to [and clearing up] more Hendrix scholarship. Band of Gypsies changed my life. After 8 bars of Message of Love, [the break] I switched from wanting to be a Pathologist to HAVING to be a guitar player. It worked out really well.

First class, as always !! ... thanks Keith

Thanks for the video, Keith. Always interesting and entertaining. I recently read Charles Cross's bio of Hendrix, "Room Full of Mirrors," and was stunned at what a dysfunctional childhood he had, especially the unstable home life, cantankerous relationship with his father and the sad story of his mom and brother. Amazing that he was able to transcend all of that and become the artist he became. I recently bought a MIM Hendrix Strat and it has quickly become a favorite. I was pleasantly surprised at the QC, especially how comfy the fretboard feels and plays. Viva Fender's Mexican team if this is the level of quality they're putting out.

Howdy Keith. Had a side of FWW with my breakfast this morning. I'm here for seconds with my beer rep. He's become a fan. Thanks for this offering. "Guitars of..." series is getting hotter and hotter by the week. Jeff's playing is so dang spot-on every time. That's a highlight in itself. You have cool friends.

I love these ones that have been highly contested for a lifetime. I bet it’s more research but man is it wonderful. The arguments and claims of having “Hendrix’s guitar” have been everywhere for fifty years

I heard the note that kicks off Machine Gun’s guitar solo and it changed my life.

Thanks Keith for another great video.