ON! the Beginnings of the Electric Sound Generation December 29, 2009

The exhibition presents rarely displayed examples of "firsts" in electrified instruments. Of special note are numerous examples of iconic electric guitars showing a cornucopia of design ideas for electric pickups, volume and tone controls, bridges, tailpieces and tremolo arms, as well as instrument shapes and the incorporation of new materials. These electric and electro-acoustic guitars are displayed alongside other "firsts" including an electric zither, banjos, violins, basses, keyboards, and amplifiers, thus demonstrating how the new technology was applied to many instrument families. In addition, the exhibition shows the development of electric pickup technology as well as the techniques for gaining control over sound and tone through amplification, recording, and special effects such as tremolo, reverb, and echo. By exploring the intersection of technology and music through the invention and diffusion of electric guitar, the exhibition shows how the desire to crank up the volume ultimately led to the creation of a new sound.