Jimi Hendrix’s First Guitar: The Humble Beginnings of a Rock Legend
Every legend has an origin story, and for Jimi Hendrix, that story begins in Seattle with a single-string ukulele.
As the story goes, a teenage Hendrix was helping his father clean out a woman’s home when he stumbled upon the discarded instrument. Despite having only one string, it was enough to spark his love for music. He quickly taught himself songs like “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley by ear, marking the first step in his six-string journey.
Trading Up: Hendrix’s First Acoustic Guitar
A year later, Hendrix got his first real guitar—an acoustic that cost him just $5 (about $55 in today’s money). The exact make and model remain unknown, but that simple six-string opened the door to blues legends like Muddy Waters, Elmore James, and Robert Johnson.
“When I first started playing guitar [was] way up in the Northwest, in Seattle, Washington,” Hendrix recalled in a 1967 interview. “They don’t have too many of the real blues singers up there.”
First Gig: A Rough Start
In February 1959, Hendrix made his live debut in the basement of Seattle’s Temple De Hirsch, auditioning for a local band. But his wild, animated playing was too much for the group, and they turned him down—his style was simply too ahead of its time.
Undeterred, Hendrix formed his own band, the Velvetones, but soon realized that an acoustic guitar wasn’t enough to keep up with the band’s volume.
Going Electric: The Danelectro Era
“When I was 17 I formed this group with some other guys, but they drowned me out,” Hendrix recalled in 1968. “I didn’t know why at first, but after about three months I realized I’d have to get an electric guitar. My first was a Danelectro, which my dad bought for me. Must have busted him for a long time. But I had to show him I could play first.”
That purchase changed everything. From there, Hendrix’s journey took him from Seattle to New York City, where he struggled to make ends meet while chasing his musical dreams.
In a 1965 letter to his father, Hendrix wrote:
“Dear Dad, I still have my guitar and amp, and as long as I have that, no fool can keep me from living. … I just wanted to let you know I’m still here, trying to make it. Although I don’t eat every day, everything’s going all right for me. It could be worse than this, but I’m going to keep hustling and scuffling until I get things to happening like they’re supposed to for me.”
Words of Wisdom for Future Guitarists
Hendrix’s guitar collection would eventually expand to include many instruments, but none were more iconic than his Fender Stratocaster. His advice to aspiring musicians? Perseverance is key.
“You have to stick with it,” Hendrix said in 1968. “Sometimes you are going to be so frustrated you want to give up the guitar, you’ll hate the guitar. But all of this is just a part of learning, because if you stick with it you’re going to be rewarded.”
From a one-string ukulele to becoming the most celebrated guitarist in history, Jimi Hendrix’s journey is proof that greatness starts anywhere—even in the trash.
