Why Are Guitars called "Axes"?

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by ewalling

I think whatever its origins, "axe" for guitar is one of those words which denotes attitude and (maybe) age. For a mild-mannered guy in his 40s who plays acoustic guitars at home, the word "axe" would sound kind of ridiculous from my mouth.

I've wielded an axe for a long, long time. I'm 54, and it sounds just fine to me!

[Chazmo]

Great research, guys.

I'll bet the "woodshedding" thing was a follow-on to the use of "axe" once that became known slang.

I never thought about it before.

[beenerpro]

Why are they called axes? Check out the following instructional video on how to wield your axe:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydhd17A5Jec

Warning: this video is not for the faint of heart.

[Yitz]

Originally Posted by oldrocker

I don't call them that because to me that makes no sense--and I'm a guitar player.

So why do some guitar players call their collection of "axes" a "herd?"

How did these undescriptive analogies about chopping and groups of animals come to be applied to beautiful instruments?

I prefer "harem" to "herd" ...

[zszum]

In Polish we call it a paddle !

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by Yitz

I prefer "harem" to "herd" ...

Good. I think I'm going to use that from now on. Its easier for me to think of my guitars as women than horses or sheep or buffalo.

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

I've wielded an axe for a long, long time. I'm 54, and it sounds just fine to me!

Mmmm, do I detect a Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton complex?

[strangeman]

Look at all this wonderful information.

It reminds me of the old addage

"Ax and thy shall receive."

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by strangeman

Look at all this wonderful information.

It reminds me of the old addage

"Ax and thy shall receive."

OK strangeman. When you start to make light of a serious topic I think you are starting to wear out you welcome

[daleyfolk]

Originally Posted by teleguy

I thought it was because back in the ‘30s – ‘40s Mussolini, Hirohito and Hitler had a little combo, they all played early Gibson electrics, so the group was called "Axis” but over time the spelling changed. Of course I could be wrong on one or two points.

LOL