As a guitar teacher in Cambridge I often get asked by my students what are the great albums to listen to, here are five great guitar albums that every aspiring guitarist should listen to and learn from.
1. Chuck Berry – *Chuck Berry is on Top* (1959)
This album is a cornerstone of rock and roll, featuring many of Chuck Berry’s classic tracks. Berry’s essential double-stop riffs and licks on songs like “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Johnny B. Goode” are fundamental to learning the guitar well. Berry’s playing style, characterised by his rhythmic precision and inventive lead work, laid the groundwork for generations of rock musicians.
**Guitar Equipment:** Chuck Berry primarily used a Gibson ES-350T for many of his recordings during this period. His bright, punchy sound was often amplified through Fender and Gibson amps.
2. Led Zeppelin – *Led Zeppelin II* (1969)
On this album, guitarist Jimmy Page brought the guitar riff to the forefront with electrifying pentatonic runs, supported by one of the best rhythm sections of all time. Standout tracks like “Heartbreaker” and “Whole Lotta Love” showcase Page’s innovative use of dynamics, effects, and technique, setting new standards for rock guitar playing. When teaching in Cambridge I always recommend learning a few tracks from this album.
**Guitar Equipment:** Jimmy Page famously used a 1959/60 Gibson Les Paul Standard for many of the tracks on this album, played through Marshall amplifiers. His use of a Fender Telecaster on some tracks also added to the album’s diverse guitar tones.
3. Dire Straits – *Dire Straits* (1978)
Mark Knopfler’s inventive playing style is at the forefront of this debut album, blending country, blues, rock, and jazz influences. Standout tracks like “Down by the Waterline” and “Sultans of Swing” feature Knopfler’s fingerpicking technique and clean tone, making this album a masterclass in tasteful, melodic guitar playing. As a player, I’ve learned a lot from Mark Knopfler and often play his music live in Cambridge.
**Guitar Equipment:** Mark Knopfler predominantly used a Fender Stratocaster, played through a variety of amplifiers including the Fender Vibrolux and the Music Man HD-130. His use of fingerstyle playing gave him a distinctive, articulate sound.
4. U2 – *The Joshua Tree* (1987)
This album features many of U2’s classic tracks, with guitarist The Edge creating expansive, textural soundscapes. Working alongside producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, The Edge’s inventive use of delay and modulation effects on tracks like “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “Bullet the Blue Sky” redefined the role of the guitar in rock music.
**Guitar Equipment:** The Edge’s primary guitars on this album where a Fender Stratocast and 1976 Gibson Explorer, used extensively with his signature delay effect created by the TC Electronics 2090 unit, Electro-Harmonix Memory Man, and other delay units. His use of the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp contributed to his distinctive sound.
5. Nirvana – *Nevermind* (1991)
From the opening track to the last, this album showcases Kurt Cobain’s powerhouse guitar work. *Nevermind* changed the course of music and inspired countless guitarists (including myself) to pick up an instrument. Standout tracks like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Lithium” feature Cobain’s raw, powerful playing and songwriting, which became the soundtrack of a generation.
**Guitar Equipment:** Kurt Cobain often played a Fender Mustang and a Fender Jaguar, with his overdriven tones achieved through pedals like the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff and the Boss DS-1. His live setup included a Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 preamp with a Crown power amp.
These albums not only feature groundbreaking guitar work but also the unique equipment that helped shape their iconic sounds. Whether you’re an aspiring guitarist or a seasoned player, these records offer invaluable lessons and inspiration.
Let me know what your favorite guitar albums are over at my Instagram page, get in touch if you would like to schedule a lesson online or in person in Cambridge.
Much of the equipment used on these albums can be found in PMT Cambridge.
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