Guitars – the Museum, Guitar museum in downtown Umeå, Sweden
Guitars - the Museum is a collection of around 500 electric guitars, bass guitars, and amplifiers from the 1950s and 1960s housed in a former school building from 1904. The displays feature instruments from different manufacturers and show the variety of designs and specifications that were built during this era.
The museum was established in 2014 during a significant cultural milestone for the city, building on a collection that had been assembled since the 1970s. The decision to open publicly came as Umeå gained international recognition for its cultural programs and institutions.
The collection reflects how electric guitars shaped popular music and influenced musicians worldwide over several decades. Walking through the rooms, you experience how instrument design evolved alongside the sounds and styles that defined each era.
The museum is located in central Umeå in an accessible brick building and allows you to walk through the rooms at your own pace. Plan to spend two to three hours to see the full collection without feeling rushed.
The collection includes rare models such as a 1958 Gibson Flying V and a 1950 Fender Broadcaster, both considered milestones in guitar design history. These instruments are especially valuable to music enthusiasts because they come from the formative years when electric guitars were still evolving.
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