"Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars" will be on display at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) until September 29.

"Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars" will be on display at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) until September 29.

Whether it's the twang of a blues tune, the finger-picking of a folk song, or the shredding in heavy metal music, the guitar is central to our concept of popular music. But how does the design — the look, sound and feel — play into how a guitar becomes iconic?

Right now, the Museum of Design Atlanta, otherwise known as MODA, has an exhibition exploring exactly that. It's called "Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars" and it's on display until Sept. 29.

On Second Thought host Virginia Prescott speaks with Todd Vaught and Dennis Fano.

Todd Vaught is curator of the exhibition, and he joined On Second Thought to discuss the design behind guitars, and the rock stars that make them iconic. Dennis Fano, guitar builder and founder of Novo Guitars, Rivolta Guitars and Fano Guitars, also joined the conversation.

 

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There are a number of iconic guitars on display, including models from Bo Diddley, Junior Brown, St. Vincent and James Hetfield of Metallica.

There are a number of iconic guitars on display, including models from Bo Diddley, Junior Brown, St. Vincent and James Hetfield of Metallica.

The exhibition also teaches viewers about guitar design by breaking down the components, materials and models of various guitars.

The exhibition also teaches viewers about guitar design by breaking down the components, materials and models of various guitars.

Dennis Fano is featured in the exhibition, alongside Leo Fender and Paul Reed Smith, other guitar designers and builders, otherwise known as "luthiers."

Dennis Fano is featured in the exhibition, alongside Leo Fender and Paul Reed Smith, other guitar designers and builders, otherwise known as "luthiers."

The exhibition also includes a more hands-on element, where visitors can "design" their own guitars.

The exhibition also includes a more hands-on element, where visitors can "design" their own guitars.

Tags: Kurt Cobain  Dennis Fano  Paul Reed Smith  Junior Brown  Buck Owens  The Black Crowes  Bo Diddley  Metallica  Jack White  St. Vincent