Electric Guitar Trivia Quiz – 20 Questions And Answers

The electric guitar is an iconic instrument that has revolutionized the music industry since its invention in the early 20th century. In this trivia quiz, we’ll test your knowledge on the history of the electric guitar, its components, famous guitarists, and various playing techniques.

So whether you’re an experienced guitar player or simply a music enthusiast, these 20 questions and answers will challenge your understanding and expand your knowledge of the electric guitar. So, get ready to plug in and rock out with this quiz!

1. Who is considered the inventor of the electric guitar?
   • Leo Fender
   • Adolph Rickenbacker
   • George Beauchamp
   • Les Paul
   The correct answer is George Beauchamp.
   George Beauchamp co-founded the Rickenbacker company and created the first electric guitar in the early 1930s.
2. Which type of pickup uses a magnet to convert string vibrations into an electrical signal?
   • Magnetic pickup
   • Electromagnetic pickup
   • Piezoelectric pickup
   • Optical pickup
   The correct answer is Magnetic pickup.
   Magnetic pickups use a magnet and coil to convert string vibrations into an electrical signal that can be amplified.
3. What is the purpose of an electric guitar’s truss rod?
   • To change string height
   • To improve tuning stability
   • To increase sustain
   • To adjust neck curvature
   The correct answer is To adjust neck curvature.
   The truss rod is a metal rod inside the guitar neck that can be adjusted to control the neck’s curvature and maintain proper playability.
4. Which famous guitarist is known for playing a Fender Stratocaster?
   • Jimmy Page
   • Slash
   • Jimi Hendrix
   • Tony Iommi
   The correct answer is Jimi Hendrix.
   Jimi Hendrix is known for playing a Fender Stratocaster, which helped to define his signature sound.

5. What is the name of the bridge commonly found on Gibson Les Paul guitars?
   • Hardtail
   • Floyd Rose
   • Bigsby
   • Tune-o-Matic
   The correct answer is Tune-o-Matic.
   The Tune-o-Matic bridge is a fixed bridge design commonly found on Gibson Les Paul guitars, allowing for individual string intonation adjustment.
6. What is the primary purpose of an electric guitar’s tone knob?
   • To control the volume
   • To control the treble frequencies
   • To control the midrange frequencies
   • To control the bass frequencies
   The correct answer is To control the treble frequencies.
   The tone knob on an electric guitar is used to control the treble frequencies, allowing the player to adjust the brightness or darkness of the sound.
7. Which type of guitar pickup is known for its bright and clear sound?
   • P-90 pickup
   • Active pickup
   • Single-coil pickup
   • Humbucker pickup
   The correct answer is Single-coil pickup.
   Single-coil pickups are known for their bright and clear sound, making them popular for genres like surf, country, and funk.
8. What is the name of the technique where a guitarist rapidly moves a pick back and forth across the strings?
   • Sweep picking
   • Economy picking
   • Alternate picking
   • Tapping
   The correct answer is Alternate picking.
   Alternate picking is a technique where a guitarist rapidly moves a pick back and forth across the strings, allowing for faster playing and greater precision.
9. What is the name of the effect that simulates the sound of a rotating speaker?
   • Chorus
   • Flanger
   • Leslie
   • Wah
   The correct answer is Leslie.
   The Leslie effect simulates the sound of a rotating speaker, creating a swirling, Doppler effect commonly used in psychedelic and classic rock.
10. Which guitarist is known for the two-handed tapping technique?
    • Eddie Van Halen
    • Yngwie Malmsteen
    • Eric Clapton
    • Jimi Hendrix
    The correct answer is Eddie Van Halen.
    Eddie Van Halen popularized the two-handed tapping technique, which involves using both hands to tap notes on the fretboard.

11. What is the name of the device that clips onto a guitar’s headstock to aid in tuning?
    • Capo
    • String winder
    • Truss rod wrench
    • Headstock tuner
    The correct answer is Headstock tuner.
    A headstock tuner clips onto a guitar’s headstock and detects the pitch of each string, allowing the player to tune the instrument more easily.
12. Which type of guitar bridge allows for pitch bending using a whammy bar?
    • Hardtail bridge
    • Tune-o-Matic bridge
    • Bigsby bridge
    • Tremolo bridge
    The correct answer is Tremolo bridge.
    A tremolo bridge allows for pitch bending using a whammy bar, which can create expressive vibrato and dive bomb effects.
13. What is the name of the technique that involves plucking the strings with the fingers instead of using a pick?
    • Alternate picking
    • Tapping
    • Fingerstyle
    • Sweep picking
    The correct answer is Fingerstyle.
    Fingerstyle is a technique that involves plucking the strings with the fingers instead of using a pick, allowing for greater control and expression.
14. Which type of guitar pickup is known for its warm and thick sound?
    • P-90 pickup
    • Active pickup
    • Humbucker pickup
    • Single-coil pickup
    The correct answer is Humbucker pickup.
    Humbucker pickups are known for their warm and thick sound, making them popular for genres like rock, blues, and jazz.

15. What is the name of the technique where a guitarist slides a finger up or down the neck while maintaining pressure on the string?
    • Slide
    • Hammer-on
    • Pull-off
    • Bend
    The correct answer is Slide.
    The slide technique involves sliding a finger up or down the neck while maintaining pressure on the string, creating a smooth transition between notes.
16. What is the purpose of a guitar’s volume knob?
    • To control the bass frequencies
    • To control the midrange frequencies
    • To control the treble frequencies
    • To control the overall output level
    The correct answer is To control the overall output level.
    The volume knob on a guitar controls the overall output level of the instrument, allowing the player to adjust the loudness of their sound.
17. Which famous guitarist is known for playing a Gibson Les Paul?
    • David Gilmour
    • Jimmy Page
    • Eddie Van Halen
    • Jimi Hendrix
    The correct answer is Jimmy Page.
    Jimmy Page is known for playing a Gibson Les Paul, which helped to define the sound of Led Zeppelin.
18. What is the name of the technique where a guitarist mutes the strings with their palm while picking?
    • Palm muting
    • Sweep picking
    • Tapping
    • Alternate picking
    The correct answer is Palm muting.
    Palm muting is a technique where a guitarist mutes the strings with their palm while picking, creating a tight and percussive sound.
19. Which type of guitar pickup is known for its high output and low noise?
    • Humbucker pickup
    • Single-coil pickup
    • P-90 pickup
    • Active pickup
    The correct answer is Active pickup.
    Active pickups use an internal preamp to provide high output and low noise, making them popular for heavy metal and other high-gain styles.

20. What is the name of the electronic device that allows a guitarist to switch between multiple amplifiers or signal chains?
    • Expression pedal
    • Volume pedal
    • Looper pedal
    • A/B switch
    The correct answer is A/B switch.
    An A/B switch allows a guitarist to switch between multiple amplifiers or signal chains, providing greater flexibility in live performances and recording situations.