Destroying a Guitar: A Guide for Aspiring Rock Stars
Make it to the Rock Hall of Fame With a Proper Swing.
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How to destroy a guitar: a guide for aspiring rock stars · Source: Dragos Condrea / Alamy Stock Foto
Some things are as old as rock music itself: screaming fans, wild hairstyles and, of course, destroying a guitar on stage. While most musicians today spend more time maintaining their social media profiles than abusing their instruments, one big question remains: does the destruction of equipment still have a place in the modern music scene?
All About Destroying a Guitar
Destroying a Guitar: The Big Bang
If you want to understand old traditions, you have to go back to the beginning, right? So let’s start our journey back in time to the 1960s, when a certain Pete Townshend of The Who decided not only to play his SGs, but also to form an intimate, emotional bond with them – usually by smashing them against various amplifiers, cabinets or the stage floor. Townshend later claimed it was artistic expression. Or maybe it was just the most expensive way to create feedback noise. Destroying a guitar par excellence.
And let’s not forget Jimi Hendrix, who not only broke his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, but also set it on fire for maximum publicity. Hendrix’s pyromaniacal performance became a symbol of an era in which music and rebellion went hand in hand. It created a sense of danger that is all too often missing from today’s concerts.
From Grunge to Today: The Evolution of Stage Chaos
In the 1990s, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana introduced guitar smashing to the grunge scene and back into the public eye. His performances were a mixture of musical ecstasy, instrumental vandalism and perfect performance. You could say that Cobain was trying to express the world-weariness of a generation by smashing guitars – or maybe he was just tired of playing the intro to Smells Like Teen Spirit over and over again. I don’t know.
It is less common these days to see artists destroying a guitar or their instruments. Well, Billie Joe Armstrong likes to do it from time to time and Paul Stanley lives up to his reputation. But maybe it’s because the price of vintage guitars has risen astronomically. Or because sustainability has finally arrived in the music industry. Either way, the art of destroying equipment is slowly fading into obscurity. If Ed Sheeran smashed his new Sheeran by Lowden guitar at the end of a concert, fans would be booking therapy sessions rather than cheering. But how do you do it right? Destroying a guitar, I mean, not book therapy sessions for Ed Sheeran.
The definitive guide to destroying a guitar
If, despite all your sustainability and responsibility concerns, you should ever feel the urge to continue the tradition of guitar destruction, here are the official step-by-step instructions for the ultimate rock star moment:
- Choose the right guitar: Never use your own favourite instrument; a cheap alternative is preferable. That vintage ’60s treasure can stay at home with the world’s greats – or in a museum.
- Wait for the right moment: Timing is everything. Wait until the climax of the concert or (at least) the song. Nobody likes a rush, and an awkward silence is not the effect we are looking for here.
- Take safety precautions: Absolutely not. We’ve already talked about danger, haven’t we?
- Before you go, arm your smartphone (*for social media fetishists only): It’s always good to record the show for the memory. Or for a cool Instagram story.
- Use the right technique: There are many options. If we go for the classic, we dramatically lift the guitar above our head and slam it on the stage floor. Repeat if necessary. For the advanced: a jump in the air increases the show effect by at least 150%. If you want to destroy your amp and guitar at the same time, make sure there’s smoke (highly desirable).
- Enjoy the audience’s reaction: Take in the mixture of cheers, shock and bewilderment on the faces of the audience (if there is an audience). This is a moment of rock ‘n’ roll immortality.
- Don’t forget to clean up: Get someone else to do it. After all, the star of the evening is not going to bend down to pick up splinters.
- Get a replacement: You may need a working guitar for the next song. It’s not a bad idea to have a spare instrument up your sleeve. You can find recommendations for all sorts of options here on the site.
To sum up: nostalgia meets new standards
The destruction of guitars and equipment is undoubtedly an iconic part of rock history. It has symbolised rebellion, passion and sometimes just youthful eccentricity. But destruction is no longer the ultimate form of expression.
Maybe it’s for the best; sanity has long since found its way into the rock circus. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll see a revival of guitar destruction?
*Please note: This article contains advertising links that help us pay for this site. Don’t worry: the price for you will always be the same! If you buy something through one of these links, we will receive a small commission. Furthermore, no instruments have been intentionally destroyed, either for research purposes or in any other context. I personally have neither the financial means nor the inner drive to destroy usable musical instruments. If anyone feels moved by the content of this article to express their outrage at the utter senselessness of destroying guitars, please feel free to comment. However, if you wish to follow our instructions, please use an appropriate promotional link to purchase a replacement instrument. Thanks for your support!
*This text was originally written by Jan Rotring for GEARNEWS.de
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5 responses to “Destroying a Guitar: A Guide for Aspiring Rock Stars”
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You should promote criativity, technological/musical news and ludic teaching. Not childish ways to get likes on social media. I feel offended with this post when there are people who can’t afford instruments.
Step 1 : don’t.
Step 2 : give the guitar to someone who would actually play it.
The entire point of this piece is to encourage people to smash their guitars so they’ll have to buy new ones from Thomann. The only mission of this website to get people to spend money at Thomann.
Nice article – but should not the product links better refer to the cheap Harley Benton stuff?
And please, would you make a follow up: How should guitar players climb and jump off of drum racks! I am a drummer, and it is really annoying when they do it wrong!