Dunlop

The Jim Dunlop Company was founded by none other than Jim himself in Glasgow in 1965. The processing and chemical engineer's first product was the Vibra-Tuner, which used a small reed to display whether a guitar was in tune or not. As Jim went store-to-store marketing his device, he discovered that guitarists were clamouring for a decent capo, especially one that could handle 12-string guitars.

Working in his spare time, Jim invented the toggle capo, which would eventually become the 1100 series. The budding entrepreneur's next foray was into the pick market, informed by his exhaustive reading of Guitar Player magazine. These original nylon Dunlop picks are still in production -- and in guitarists' coin pouches -- to this day.

These days Dunlop also produces slides, fret wire, strap retainers, guitar cleaners and a well-curated range of pedals. In fact, the Cry Baby wah, Fuzz Face, and Echoplex Preamp are three of the most influential sounds in rock & roll. And despite Jim's passing 2019, it's through these products that his legacy of innovation and understanding his customers lives on.

Photo credit: Cristian Guanipa